Australia’s rise as an electro-state
Alan Finkel on Australia’s potential to emerge as an “electro-state” with its wind and solar resources, and his Powering Up book. Plus: More big battery deals.
Jun 23, 2023•54 min
Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast
Join Renew Economy founder and editor-in-chief Giles Parkinson and columnist and energy markets expert David Leitch as they discuss the week's main events - politics, solar and storage.
Episodes
From brown coal to big batteries
We talk to Daniel Burrows from Eku Energy on new Hazelwood battery, the first at a coal generator, and the first to be wholly privately funded. Plus: AGL’s incrementalism and Queensland’s deep storage plunge.
Jun 16, 2023•38 min
Australia’s grid needs a 1.5°C target
Stephanie Bashir from Nexa Advisory on why setting a firm target of 1.5°C for the electricity grid would help solve regulatory and other blockages to new renewables. Plus: News of the week.
Jun 09, 2023•54 min
Can NSW quit coal?
James Hay and Andrew Kingsmill from EnergyCo discuss the infrastructure roadmap towards 100% renewables. Plus: Sun Cable, Callide and more news.
Jun 01, 2023•52 min
How to connect wind, solar and batteries
Clean Energy Council’s Christiaan Zuur on the work being done to cut delays and costs for grid connections. Plus: NSW releases roadmap to coal-free grid.
May 26, 2023•47 min
Are we too focused on big energy?
Transmission links are front and centre of the energy debate, but Enphase co-founder Raghu Belur says more focus should be on what is consumed and produced at home.
May 19, 2023•43 min
EVs and big batteries on the march
William Todts, the head of Transport and Environment, on the accelerating EV transition in Europe. Plus: Australia to have a new biggest battery.
May 12, 2023•53 min
Batteries and pumped hydro fight over coal succession plan
Brad Hopkins from AEMO Services discusses the stunning results of the first NSW generation and storage tender, and what it means for the market.
May 02, 2023•47 min
In love with wind, solar and batteries
Louis de Sambucy, the head of Neoen in Australia, on why wind, solar and battery projects are getting bigger and more complex.
Apr 27, 2023•50 min
Sims to lead Superpower info war
Former competition czar Rod Sims emerges as chair of Superpower Institute, promoting Australia’s low cost green energy opportunity, and fighting the info war. Plus: Big battery boom.
Apr 21, 2023•47 min
Wind and solar deal killer blow to fossil fuels
Dave Jones from Ember Climate on new study that shows fossil fuel generation will finally peak this year. Plus: Macquarie makes its mark on battery market.
Apr 13, 2023•46 min
Smarter grid means a cleaner grid
Energy Efficiency Council's Rob Murray-Leach on landmark report on new ways of thinking about the grid. Meanwhile, new NSW energy minister worries about lights going out.
Apr 06, 2023•52 min
How big will offshore wind be?
Corio CEO Jonathan Cole on big turbines and even bigger offshore wind plans. Plus. Matt Kean and busted coal.
Mar 27, 2023•47 min
Moving wind and solar through time and space
Powerlink’s Paul Simshauser on how the Sunshine state will transform into a renewables powerhouse for the grid. Plus: Safeguards and the IPCC.
Mar 23, 2023•56 min
What price solar and storage?
Acen Australia CEO Anton Rohner talks solar and storage after opening Australia’s biggest solar farm, and the controversy over Tasmania wind project.
Mar 17, 2023•46 min
Game changer for networks and renewables
Neara’s Jack Curtis on the new software that reveals how networks have double the capacity to host renewables and storage.
Feb 27, 2023•40 min
Will concentrated solar finally have its day in the sun?
Vast Solar’s Craig Wood on why concentrated solar power can finally have its day in the sun, plus its Port Augusta project and NY listing plans.
Feb 17, 2023•44 min
The Australian solar heroes bringing down coal and gas
Professor Andrew Blakers, one of the team awarded "Nobel prize" of engineering, and how solar will eliminate fossil fuels, and Australian's leading role in that transition.
Feb 10, 2023•52 min
Does a green hydrogen power plant stack up?
Sam Crafter dealt with technology skeptics when he led the task force for the Tesla Big Battery. Now he's doing it again as head of South Australia's hydrogen office.
Feb 03, 2023•52 min
Energy Transformed: Amping up - Victoria's energy transition; a crucial 12 months ahead
In the final part of our Energy Transformed podcast series we look at Victoria’s ground-breaking path from brown coal to green energy, and the role that the new public utility will play in the transition. Kylie Lane, a partner at Ashurst who specialises in mergers and acquisitions and the energy sector, talks to Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.
Jan 31, 2023•53 min
Do we have enough lithium?
Lithium analyst Rodney Hooper on supply and demand for key battery metal. Plus: Solar has killed coal, but can it kill gas?
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Chris Bowen on gas, batteries, EVs, wind and targets
Federal Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen discusses the stream of new announcements in the last month, and what’s in store for 2023.
Dec 20, 2022•51 min
The road to 100 per cent renewables
AEMO’s head of system design Merryn York on the engineering roadmap to 100 per cent renewables. Plus: The gas price cap debate.
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Andrew Forrest’s big Australian power play
Squadron Energy CEO Eva Hanly discusses Squadron Energy’s surprise $4 billion plus purchase of CWP. Plus: Energy ministers come up with a storage plan.
Dec 09, 2022•42 min
Biden’s tax-driven push for ultra low cost wind and solar
Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act has big implications for the green energy transition in the US and abroad, delivering ultra low cost wind and solar. Ben Haley from Evolved Energy tells us how and why.
Dec 02, 2022•56 min
Australia’s carbon capital has a transition plan
Australia’s carbon capital has a 10-year plan to transition to clean energy. Next Economy’s Amanda Cahill, who helped guide the Gladstone council, explains how and why.
Nov 25, 2022•47 min
“Fit for 55”: EU climate package could tax Australia
Why Australia might still be facing a carbon border tax in EU. Matthias Buck from Agora Energiewende explains
Nov 18, 2022•51 min
Brookfield’s $20 billion green energy plans
Brookfield’s head of renewables Luke Edwards discusses the surprise bid for Origin Energy. Plus: Tesla margins deliver wake up call to Toyota.
Nov 11, 2022•35 min
Solar tiles and electric Tuk Tuks
In another week of fast moving events, we look at Neoen’s new “baseload” wind and battery deal, the relaunch of solar tiles, and an interview with the man behind electric Tuk Tuks for last mile deliveries in Australia.
Nov 04, 2022•43 min
Ørsted’s big power play in Australia
Danish giant Ørsted is looking for a major play in Australia’s offshore wind industry, as well as onshore wind, solar and Power-to-X. Asia Pacific boss Per Kristensen explains why.
Oct 27, 2022•46 min