Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast - podcast cover

Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

RenewEconomyreneweconomy.com.au
Join RenewEconomy founder and editor Giles Parkinson and columnist and energy markets expert David Leitch as they discuss the week's main events - politics, solar and storage.

Episodes

AI, inverters and a smarter grid

Kate Muller from Norton Rose Fulbright talks with Habitat’s Ben Irons and colleague Nick Abrahams on the role AI will play in a grid making switch from spinning machines to inverter-based tech.

Nov 28, 202347 min

State of confusion

Confusing new wind guidelines in NSW as coal state runs short of spinning machines. Plus: Origin battle intensifies as Tesla throws down energy gauntlet

Nov 17, 202332 min

Wind, solar, batteries and pumps

Genex is succeeding where others feared to tread, with a new big battery, the first pumped hydro project in four decades, and massive wind, solar and storage plans. CEO Craig Francis explains how.

Nov 10, 202339 min

The end of spinning machines

Ivor Frischknecht, now head of Sosteneo, talks about the new battery that signals the end of the need for spinning machines, and a clear path to 100 per cent renewables. Plus: All Energy and Joyce.

Oct 31, 202350 min

Australia’s methane problem

Methane expert Peter Rayner on Australia’s potent climate problem, and a solution. Plus: Origin’s black hole, Genex deals and big battery bids.

Oct 20, 202355 min

Social licence in the regions

We talk to three people in regional Australia dealing with renewable and transmission projects about the issue of social licence. Plus: Brookfield’s big win.

Oct 13, 20231 hr

What price Marinus?

We talk to Caroline Wykamp and Prajit Parameswar from Marinus Link. Plus: Spring renewables surge delivers low prices, new records, and a push for more storage.

Oct 06, 202351 min

Net Zero by 2035

Katherine Woodthorpe, from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, on why Australia should fast-track its net zero ambitions. Plus: The nuclear debate and renewable records.

Sep 22, 202346 min

Coal-keeper or Green-keeper?

NSW energy minister Penny Sharpe discusses Eraring closure, fast tracking renewables and consumer equity: Plus, Marinus blow out and Queensland green hydrogen plans.

Sep 06, 202327 min

Locking in the Green Energy Transition

Essential Energy CEO John Cleland says distributed networks can accelerate the switch to renewables. And he discusses cultural change, rooftop solar and EVs.

Sep 05, 202343 min

Out with coal, in with EVs

EnergyAustralia boss Mark Collette on how he will make sure the company’s last coal generator will not get in the way of the renewable transition, and why he went electric.

Sep 01, 202353 min

Are heat batteries the next big thing?

Tom Geiser from Rondo Energy puts the case for heat batteries and their role in hard to abate sectors. Plus: Coal giants get a taxpayer funded lifeline.

Aug 25, 202347 min

Wind, solar and social licence

Behavioural scientist John Pickering on the challenges of getting social licence for wind, solar, battery and transmission projects. Plus: What’s big coal up to?

Aug 16, 202356 min

What Australia can learn from Uncle IRA

Energy commentator David Roberts on Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, partisan politics and some exciting new technologies. Plus: This week’s major news.

Aug 09, 202358 min

The path to net zero for industry

Anna Skarbek from Cimateworks on why renewables will play central role in getting big industry to net zero. First, the grid. Plus: Big battery boom.

Jul 28, 202355 min

Chris Bowen on climate and renewable targets

Federal climate and energy minister Chris Bowen defends targets as ambitious and achievable, as he prepares to announce Hunter offshore wind zone and roll out capacity mechanism and fuel efficiency standards.

Jul 11, 202339 min

Hottest day, hottest week, hottest month

Kimberley Reid from Monash Uni talks about the temperature records being smashed this past week. Plus: Project delays and a new hydrogen strategy.

Jul 07, 202339 min

BlackRock’s big play, and 12-hour batteries

BlackRock’s Charlie Reid on the fund manager’s big plans for Australia, and Allegro’s Thomas Nann on the innovative 12-hour flow battery that Origin is trialling.

Jun 30, 202349 min

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, 202354 min

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, 202338 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, 202354 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, 202352 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, 202347 min