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Energy Evolution

S&P Global Commodity Insightswww.spglobal.com
Interviews, analysis and reporting from S&P Global Commodity Insights on energy and commodities' transition to a cleaner future. Hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte speak with policymakers, industry professionals and SPGCI in-house experts worldwide on topics related to decarbonization, climate, emerging fuels and energy sources, and the outlook for commodity markets from oil to power to metals. The Energy Evolution podcast has merged with the Platts Future Energy podcast as of January 2025.
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Episodes

Battery metals pricing evolves as EV transition accelerates

Battery metal prices have been escalating, placing price pressure on battery pack costs and overall EV adoption. Furthermore, buying practices and the make up of long term contracts have experienced radical changes in the past 18 months, including the adoption of indexation mechanisms. In this episode of the Platts Future Energy podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights pricing specialists Scott Yarham, Henrique Ribeiro and Michael Greenfield explore the lithium and cobalt markets, with both ex...

Mar 15, 202221 min

Plug Power CEO says hydrogen's here today, not a fuel of the future

Hydrogen’s role in decarbonization is under the microscope as developers aim for large-scale global deployment of technologies like fuel cells. For this episode, we spoke with Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh about the fuel’s widespread appeal. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!...

Mar 15, 202221 minEp. 36

How to launch a clean energy business

What happens after a clean energy startup achieves a major technological or scientific breakthrough? To survive and scale up as a clean energy business you need the right mix of funding, timing, strategy and many other variables. For this episode we talk to Tim Latimer, CEO of geothermal developer Fervo Energy, and Eric Dresselhuys, CEO of long-duration battery storage producer ESS, about their experiences launching businesses. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykend...

Mar 01, 202235 minEp. 35

Sustainable gas and nuclear investment: unpacking the EU’s taxonomy guidance

The addition of nuclear and natural gas to the EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy provoked a furious response from dissenting quarters. S&P Global Platts analysts detail the proposals, discuss their likely significance and crucially, look at future gas and nuclear investments through the prism of today’s highly unstable markets. Tell us more about your podcast preferences so we can keep improving our shows. Take our two-minute survey here: https://bit.ly/plattspod22...

Mar 01, 202219 min

Battery pack costs on the rise: will it slow down EV adoption?

For the first time in over a decade, battery pack costs started to increase —even in the low cost segment. Battery packs are the main cost component in an electric vehicle (EV), meaning that this uptrend should either squeeze manufacturers’ margins or lead to higher EV price tags. Henrique Ribeiro ( S&P Global Platts ) and Alice Yu ( S&P Global Market Intelligence ) discuss how surging battery metals prices, particularly lithium, are playing a key role in the recent battery market develo...

Feb 08, 202218 min

A preview of energy transition hopes and hurdles for 2022

Seven guests from across a wide swath of energy organizations join Energy Evolution to talk about the issues likely to affect the transition to cleaner energy in 2022. Guests are Sheila Hollis of the U.S. Energy Association; John DiStasio of the Large Public Power Council; Julia Hamm of the Smart Electric Power Alliance; Maria Korsnick, of the Nuclear Energy Institute; Arshad Mansoor of the Electric Power Research Institute; Jim Matheson of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and...

Feb 02, 202231 minEp. 34

National Grid US president sees federal support as crucial for energy transition infrastructure

National Grid USA President Badar Khan said he is optimistic about global climate action in 2022, but also outlined several challenges ahead in a recent interview for the latest episode of S&P Global Market Intelligence's Energy Evolution podcast. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest e...

Jan 19, 202223 minEp. 33

Energy Evolution's year in review

From hydrogen and wind power to COP26 and severe weather events that tested the grid, 2021 was a year of major advancements and challenges for the energy transition. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!

Dec 18, 202116 minEp. 32

Renewable Capture Prices: Wind and solar revenues and future potential

The growth in renewable generation is the central plank in meeting Europe’s 2050 carbon net-zero targets, but as more wind and solar assets come on line and as more are exposed to merchant prices, the price cannibalization risk for these assets increases. In the latest episode of the Platts Future Energy podcast, our experts take a closer look at both Platts Historical Renewable Capture price index and Platts Analytics’ new European wind and solar capture price forecasts. They discuss how these ...

Dec 16, 202111 min

Breaking the myths on battery recycling

In addition to powering electric vehicles, batteries will play an essential role in the energy transition story by optimizing intermittent clean energy sources such as wind and solar. But what happens to batteries in their end-of-life? Although it can still be optimized, battery recycling technology already exists; but despite its potential to alleviate battery metals ’ tightness in the future, can it really replace lithium, cobalt and nickel mining?...

Nov 23, 202126 min

Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz talks energy and innovation

As world leaders gathered for global climate talks in Glasgow, former U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz joined Market Intelligence Live for an online video chat about climate solutions and decarbonization innovation. This episode features the audio recording of the discussion between Moniz and Energy Evolution co-host Taylor Kuykendall. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and...

Nov 10, 202129 minEp. 31

Hydrogen and the path towards decarbonization

Hydrogen has received extraordinary policy support over the past year, with nations worldwide racing to publish national hydrogen strategies. These roadmaps provide a decade-long pathway to developing wide-scale utilization of low-carbon hydrogen as a means to achieving deep decarbonization in otherwise problematic sectors. In this episode of the S&P Global Platts Future Energy podcast, our experts discuss the hurdles hydrogen still faces on the path towards a future fuel.

Nov 09, 202118 min

COP26 preview: World leaders aim to strengthen climate commitments

World leaders are gathering for global climate talks in Glasgow. For this episode, we talked to several climate experts from the U.S. and abroad who are familiar with past negotiations including Kelly Sims Gallagher, Carol Browner, Helen Mountford, Rachel Kyte, Thom Woodroofe, and Amal-Lee Amin. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on...

Oct 29, 202132 minEp. 30

Mechanical vs chemical recycling for plastics: competing or complementing to drive sustainable growth?

Recycled plastics has become a hot topic recently with soaring demand driven by legislation, corporate commitments and increasing consumer awareness across the globe. There are raising questions on how the current recycling mechanisms could cope with such rapid-changing market dynamics to drive the sustainable growth of recycled plastics industry. Which option is better – mechanically or chemically recycled plastics? In the latest Platts Future Energy podcast, our experts take a closer look at b...

Oct 26, 202125 min

At the heart of COP26: The role of carbon markets

The landmark Paris Agreement was agreed back in 2015 with 29 different Articles. Almost all have been fleshed out, agreed upon and finalized - but Article 6 has not – given ongoing debates. And this Article’s text will prove critical to how international voluntary carbon markets develop going forward – with these markets seeing unprecedented growth and interest as corporates take steps to address their carbon footprints.

Oct 12, 202121 min

Mining lithium in North America to feed growing EV appetite

Piedmont Lithium President and CEO Keith Phillips sat down with the show to talk about the North Carolina-based company's efforts to tap into lithium supplies. Demand for the battery material is rapidly increasing as a critical component of electric vehicles. Check out S&P Global's recent dive into the growing electric vehicle sector her e. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas an...

Oct 12, 202124 minEp. 29

U.S. poised for Atlantic Coast offshore wind power boom

With construction set to begin on the 800-MW Vineyard Offshore Wind farm, the U.S. is on the cusp of a massive buildout of offshore wind generation along the Atlantic Coast. But challenges loom, from an arduous permitting process to grid interconnection to financing. In this episode the team talks to Ørsted COO Troy Patton, Dominion Energy's Mark Mitchell, Wells Fargo tax equity banker Samantha Buechner, Lesley Jantarasami of the Bipartisan Policy Center and Christy Guthman of GE Renewable Energ...

Sep 20, 202132 minEp. 28

Marine Fuels of the Future: The challenge of meeting growing demand while transitioning the fleet

As London International Shipping Week 2021 begins, Platts Analytics discuss the major shipping fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In the final episode of the series, Platts Analytics reviews our outlooks of top line shipping demand by category - while laying out different expectations around turnover of the fleet – and the technologies, fuels and adaptations in play.

Sep 14, 202120 min

Marine Fuels of the Future: Ammonia & Hydrogen

Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode five, Platts energy transition reporters look at the practical and e...

Sep 07, 202119 min

Marine Fuels of the Future: Vessel Optimization and Oil-based Fuels

Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode four, we look at whether those caps can be met with existing fuels o...

Aug 31, 202115 min

FERC's chairman on the urgent need for more transmission lines to combat climate change

Richard Glick, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, joins Energy Evolution to discuss what it will take deliver more clean energy to U.S. consumers. FERC recently began a push to address obstacles that are holding up the development of electric transmission in a bid to connect more consumers to less emissions-intensive energy and avert the worst impacts of a changing climate. Glick said he is confident that the U.S. can drastically increase its electric transmission capacity by ...

Aug 25, 202116 minEp. 27

Marine Fuels of the Future: Methanol

Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode three, we look at methanol – a cleaner-burning hydrocarbon that is p...

Aug 24, 20219 min

Marine Fuels of the Future: Biofuels

Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast series looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future , Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode two, we look at biofuels – a diverse energy source derived from vegetab...

Aug 17, 202118 min

Marine Fuels of the Future: LNG

Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast series looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future , Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode one, we start with one of the frontrunners: LNG ....

Aug 10, 202112 min

In ESG era, shale gas drillers try going green

Natural gas producers are partnering with data companies to reduce emissions amid growing pressure to decarbonize supplies. This episode features interviews with Chris Romer, the co-founder and CEO of Project Canary, and Andrew Baxter, the Environmental Defense Fund's director of energy strategy. The team also spoke with Andrew Logan, senior director for oil and gas at nonprofit investor network Ceres. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalist...

Jul 21, 202121 minEp. 26

All Systems GO: How Guarantees of Origin are helping underpin Europe’s renewable expansion program

Total renewables penetration targets in Europe require a "common currency" which provides a reliable price signal against which the cost of different technologies and renewable paths can be assessed. Guarantees of Origin certificates could become this common currency, incentivising the use of renewable sources as part of corporate fuel mix disclosures, and promoting a net-zero culture. In this Platts Future Energy Podcast episode, Glenn Rickson, Head of European Power Analytics, is joined by Ene...

Jul 13, 202123 min

Electrification and biofuels: Combination, not disruption, is the path to decarbonize transportation

Electric vehicles have been trending as the primary choice to decarbonize the transportation sector worldwide. Although some could expect the EV revolution to disrupt all current technologies, existing biofuels can keep playing a key role where they are available. In this podcast, Brazil is discussed as an example of where transitioning to EVs is not as urgent as in other countries since the wide adoption of ethanol is already yielding significant reductions in emissions at a competitive cost....

Jul 08, 202121 min

Helping communities impacted by the energy transition

The move from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources can have a big impact on the communities that once depended on those industries. Our guest for this episode is Brian Anderson, director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory. He was recently tasked with leading the Biden administration's Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization. In this role, he aims to identify and ameliorate the economic and social problems encountered by communities re...

Jul 02, 202123 minEp. 25

Natural gas in the energy transition era

Today we are looking at how the energy transition to lower emissions and cleaner fuels will affect natural gas. Editors from S&P Global Platts and Market Intelligence discuss the findings of their recent series of stories looking the natural gas sector in the era of Energy Transition. From the burner tip back to the wellhead, natural gas interests will find that changes ahead bring risk and opportunity.

Jun 22, 202117 min

Voluntary Carbon Credits: what they are, why they matter

Voluntary carbon markets have seen significant growth in recent years and are expected to surge in the years ahead. But they have traditionally been seen as opaque, complex and niche. That is rapidly changing as a large range of companies start to engage with them. In the latest Platts Future Energy podcast, Jonty Rushforth is joined by Paula Vanlaningham and Jeff Berman to discuss the ‘beauty’ of carbon credit markets ....

Jun 16, 202120 min
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