Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast
345 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsJoin 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.
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Episodes
Adam Bandt’s climate and energy action plan
March 05, 2021 02:30 - 41 minutes - 57.5 MBGreens leader Adam Bandt joins Energy Insiders to discuss his party’s policies, the Coalition’s “deliberate” misinformation program, and the chances of striking a deal with Labor.
What does Texas mean for Australia’s grid reform?
February 26, 2021 05:27 - 28 minutes - 38.7 MBTexas blackouts have lessons for Australia. As climate impacts grow, new market reforms are introduced, and more battery storage comes into the grid.
Batteries in the street: the new face of storage
February 19, 2021 05:05 - 40 minutes - 56 MBAusgrid says one-fifth of the NSW storage target could be met with community batteries located in streets in suburbs.
AGL’s survival plan, and AEMO’s new boss
February 12, 2021 03:45 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MBCan AGL survive the rapid energy transition, what does the new CEO mean for Australia’s grid, and more big batteries.
Can batteries rule the grid?
February 03, 2021 11:07 - 47 minutes - 65.6 MBBattery storage and other technologies are likely to take on all the system services once delivered by fossil fuel generators. Stephen Sproul from Hitachi ABB explains how.
Why networks now love solar and battery storage
January 28, 2021 03:12 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBThe uptake of rooftop solar has defied the expectations of energy utilities, but networks now see it and battery storage as the key to their future. Ausnet’s Alistair Parker explains why.
Missing link: Can conservatives embrace energy transition?
December 23, 2020 04:15 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBA new conservative think tank proposes an orderly and faster closure plan for coal generators. Can conservatives really get on board the energy transition?
How good is green hydrogen?
December 18, 2020 04:01 - 38 minutes - 53.5 MBIn a world of ageing coal clunkers and big dreams of renewable energy exports, we speak to Josh Gabbatiss from Carbon Brief about the potential for green hydrogen.
How companies and states rescued wind and solar
December 04, 2020 00:53 - 37 minutes - 51.3 MBA combination of corporate and state government demand rescued many wind and solar projects in 2020. Chris Briggs explains why.
EV taxes, big batteries and green hydrogen
November 27, 2020 02:16 - 39 minutes - 54.4 MBWe talk to UQ’s EV specialist Jake Whitehead about the impact of the proposed electric vehicle road tax, and look at the contest of ideas between NSW and Canberra, and more big battery and green hydrogen announcements.
Matt Kean and the NSW energy transition
November 18, 2020 03:46 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MBNSW energy minister Matt Kean explains why the state is fast-tracking plans to transition from coal to renewables. Plus: Australia’s newest big battery, and very big green hydrogen plans.
Why wind is better value than solar
November 13, 2020 03:00 - 41 minutes - 56.9 MBTilt Renewables CEO Deion Campbell explains why wind farms are better value than solar right now, and challenges at Dundonnell. Plus: Big renewable visions from NSW and Fortescue.
CEFC sees “raft” of battery deals, but gas “debatable”
November 05, 2020 01:52 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBThe head of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Ian Learmonth, expects a “raft” of battery storage deals, but says role of CEFC in new gas generation is “debatable”.
Can China wean itself off coal?
October 29, 2020 04:50 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MBChina has set a net zero emissions target, which ultimately means the closure of the biggest coal fleet in the world. China coal expert Ryna Yiyun Cui from the University of Maryland explains how this might be done.
Why network companies want to move beyond poles and wires
October 21, 2020 03:51 - 57 minutes - 78.6 MBRick Francis, CEO of network investor Spark Infrastructure, explains why networks are key to the clean energy transition. And it’s not just poles and wires.
Zibelman on why she is leaving, and AEMO’s next steps
October 15, 2020 11:49 - 53 minutes - 73.7 MBIn her first interview since announcing her surprise decision to leave AEMO, Audrey Zibelman explains why she took the position with Google’s X, and what’s next for Australia’s clean energy transition.
The windy west, and network news
October 09, 2020 00:02 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MBThe new Warradarge wind farm north of Perth will be one of Australia’s best performing, with a capacity factor of around 50%. Bright Energy’s Tom Frood explains why, and we look at the latest network news.
Zibelman, Schott and the “step change” transition
October 02, 2020 02:30 - 40 minutes - 56 MBThe soon-to-depart Audrey Zibelman and the newly re-appointed Kerry Schott make clear that the clean energy transition in Australia will be rapid.
Tesla’s battery revolution, CCS, and the climate emergency
September 25, 2020 05:34 - 50 minutes - 70 MBTesla’s Battery Day delivered anticipated cost cuts, but the agency to act is highlighted by both Elon Musk and our guest, Zeke Hausfather from The Breakthrough Institute.
Coalition’s gas plans, changing ARENA into ACCSA, and Battery Day
September 18, 2020 03:25 - 44 minutes - 61.7 MBThe Coalition’s energy week begins with big gas plans and finishes with more support for carbon capture and storage. And we talk to lithium market expert Rod Hooper ahead of Tesla’s Battery Day.
Lynham: Our future is renewable energy
September 14, 2020 02:02 - 49 minutes - 67.3 MBQueensland energy minister Anthony Lynham says the future of Australia is in renewable energy. All the states understand this, the only party that doesn’t is the federal government.
It’s going to be a quick transition, and markets need to change
September 03, 2020 01:35 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBHydro Tasmania CEO Stephen Davy steps down this week with a prediction that the clean energy transition can happen faster than people think, but will need new market signals.
The clean energy transition, and how to connect it
August 27, 2020 01:42 - 42 minutes - 58.5 MBAEMO’s Alex Wonhas joins Energy Insiders to discuss the new 20-year plan to manage the switch to a renewables dominated grid, and how to connect this new wind and solar capacity.
State of inertia and potential for grid-forming inverters
August 20, 2020 01:52 - 43 minutes - 79.5 MBThe West Australia grid is in the midst of an energy transition, but is on its own. AEMO’s Dean Sharafi explains the importance of inertia, and the potential of grid-forming inverters.
Garnaut’s Sunshot to renewables future
August 14, 2020 04:39 - 41 minutes - 76.7 MBRoss Garnaut on his split with Gupta, his Sunshot plan for renewables, and how Australia can still become a clean energy superpower.
Why WA and miners can lead transition to wind and solar
August 07, 2020 05:06 - 54 minutes - 99.9 MBW.A. energy minister Bill Johnston and a panel of experts join the Energy Insiders podcast to discuss the conversion of miners to wind and solar, and plans for the state’s main grid.
Angus Taylor tries to bury energy transition under cloak of secrecy
July 29, 2020 02:52 - 24 minutes - 45.8 MBAustralia’s energy transition is accelerating, but energy minister Angus Taylor is doing his best to try and bury the details and the key decisions.
Solar exports: More sun for everyone
July 16, 2020 02:19 - 41 minutes - 18.9 MBTwo NGOs have proposed a new rule change to ensure that all solar households have right to export, and that networks are making the appropriate investment to allow this.
Digital, distributed and democratic: The new energy future
July 10, 2020 03:56 - 45 minutes - 83.8 MBSwitchedIn CEO Andrew Mears joins the Energy Insiders podcast to talk about behind the meter issues, virtual power plants and all things, digital, distributed and democratic.
Energy minister Matt Kean’s vision for NSW to be renewable superpower
June 29, 2020 00:00 - 45 minutes - 84.1 MBNSW energy minister Matt Kean says cheap and clean wind, solar and storage can turn the state into an economic superpower. It’s an opportunity too good to miss.
Electric vehicles: Can the world catch up with Tesla?
June 24, 2020 03:07 - 45 minutes - 83.3 MBInternational Council on Clean Transportation chief Drew Kodjak on the need for the world’s car manufacturers to catch up with Tesla, and why Australia should - at the very least - introduce fuel economy standards.
Batteries as virtual dams, and virtual transmission
June 17, 2020 02:54 - 47 minutes - 65 MBBattery storage company Fluence unveils its latest technology and argues the case for batteries to act as “virtual transmission” and "virtual dams”.
Telstra dials up pursuit of 100 per cent renewables target
June 05, 2020 03:03 - 47 minutes - 86.2 MBTelstra is back in the market looking for new wind and solar projects to help get it to its 100 per cent renewables target by 2025, as its Belong subsidiary launches new campaign about emissions from mobile data.
Sun Cable’s $20 billion solar and storage plan
May 28, 2020 02:29 - 52 minutes - 96.7 MBSun Cable CEO David Griffin joins Energy Insiders to discuss the latest update for the $20 billion plan to build the world’s biggest solar farm and biggest battery storage plant in the Northern Territory.
Could Market Forces bring an end to coal and gas?
May 20, 2020 04:51 - 42 minutes - 78.3 MBJulien Vincent from Market Forces on the campaign to get banks, investment houses and superannuation funds to switch away from fossil fuels and into new clean technologies.
How to integrate 75 per cent wind and solar into Australia’s main grid
May 12, 2020 01:30 - 43 minutes - 79.1 MBAEMO’s Alex Wonhas joins Energy Insiders to discuss the operator’s Renewables Integration Study and how to integrate world-leading 75 per cent wind and solar into Australia’s main grid.
Transgrid and the new links to the future grid
April 28, 2020 04:12 - 39 minutes - 72.9 MBTransgrid CEO Paul Italiano discusses new upgrade and the challenge - putting square pegs in round holes - of negotiating Australia’s complex regulatory regime
Why green hydrogen beats coal hydrogen
April 21, 2020 03:31 - 54 minutes - 99.3 MBBloomberg NEF’s Kobad Bhavnagri on the prospects for a hydrogen economy, and why green hydrogen will easily beat coal hydrogen on costs and emissions.
Why WA could take lead in renewable energy transition
April 15, 2020 05:44 - 41 minutes - 18.8 MBWA energy minister Bill Johnston joins the Energy Insiders podcast to explain his state’s transition plans. “We can make our own rules,” he says.
Australia’s rapid and low cost path to zero emissions
April 07, 2020 04:18 - 46 minutes - 85.2 MBClimateWorks CEO Anna Skarbek on her latest report identifying ways to rapidly decarbonise Australia’s economy. Plus: WA’s ground-breaking distributed energy plan, and falling power prices.
The plan behind Australia’s biggest wind farm
March 31, 2020 01:31 - 46 minutes - 86 MBAcciona’s Brett Wickham joins Energy Insiders to discuss his company’s plans for a 1029MW wind farm in Queensland, and the future of storage. Plus: Genex lands contract for pumped hydro.
Covid-19 and the electricity grid
March 24, 2020 00:22 - 30 minutes - 55.4 MBIs there a better way to respond to Covid-19? Economist Matt Grudnoff on why the government stimulus package should lock in secondary benefits, the type you get from renewables.
How to waste $1 trillion on coal
March 19, 2020 04:50 - 44 minutes - 80.8 MBNew analysis from Carbon Tracker finds governments and investors risk losing $1 trillion through investments in new coal generation, because it can’t compete with wind and solar.
Two paths towards 100% renewables
March 06, 2020 01:01 - 51 minutes - 93.6 MBWindlab’s David Osmond looks ate transmission and storage needs for high renewables grid, while ANU’s Bjorn Sturmberg focuses on battery technology.
How to design a market for high renewables grid
February 27, 2020 04:03 - 34 minutes - 62.6 MBAustralia needs a new market design to cater for shift to high share of renewables. Energy Transition’s Eric Gimon has some suggestions for a market dominated by wind and solar.
Victoria goes it alone to save renewable transition
February 19, 2020 03:13 - 35 minutes - 65.1 MBVictoria energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio laments “crazy situation” around grid connections and becomes the latest state to “go it alone”, introducing new legislation that will allow Victoria to fast-track transmission investment.
There’s no “new normal” in climate change
February 12, 2020 02:37 - 40 minutes - 73.9 MBANU’s Mark Howden explains why we have a climate crisis, not an emergency, and why we shouldn’t expect a “new normal” in climate change. Plus: Putting Coal back in the Coalition.
Can Steggall bridge the climate divide?
February 04, 2020 01:40 - 36 minutes - 67.1 MBCan Steggall bridge the climate divide? by RenewEconomy
Australia’s biggest unsubsidised battery
January 30, 2020 03:29 - 35 minutes - 64.5 MBVena Energy’s Anil Nangia discusses Wandoan big battery in Queensland, the biggest unsubsidised battery in Australia to date. Plus: Morrison’s climate and energy fail.
Australia’s energy future is renewable, and digital
December 18, 2019 00:59 - 47 minutes - 87.2 MBAEMO’s head of system design and engineering Alex Wonhas joins our last podcast of 2019 to discuss Australia’s energy transition and the Integrated System Plan.