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.
Episodes
Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast
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
Bowen's capacity scheme, and NSW's "free" batteries
Brad Hopkins, from AEMO Services, discusses the successful battery storage tender in NSW that could serve as a blueprint for Chris Bowen's massive 32 GW capacity scheme.
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
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.
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.
South Australia's big move into green hydrogen
State energy minister Tom Koutsantonis discusses green hydrogen plan, filling the "gap" on renewables, transmission, storage and prices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The end of baseload in world’s biggest standalone grid
Jai Thomas, the co-ordinator of energy in Western Australia, on that state’s massive renewable plans, the end of baseload, and the rise of big batteries. Plus: News of the week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Australia's biggest agri-solar and battery project
Luke Osborne from Stride Renewables on the happy marriage of farming, solar and battery storage, and why community outreach works.
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.
Landmark green hydrogen deal with traditional landowners
Pollination’s Rob Grant and Balinggarra’s Cissy Gore-Birch on landmark green hydrogen project around Ord River. Plus: To close or not to close coal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.