Energy Gang

Nuclear power is back at the centre of the global energy conversation again. Is a real renaissance in the industry under way? Or are we just in another moment of excitement before familiar challenges emerge and the hype cycle turns down again? In the second of three special episodes ahead of ADIPEC 2025, host Ed Crooks speaks with Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, about how the role of nuclear power in a world of turbocharged electricity demand growth and continuing pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Sama explains how nuclear power has shifted from an afterthought at climate summits to a cornerstone of countries’ decarbonisation strategies. COP28 in Dubai in 2023 marked a turning point, she says. 199 countries formally recognised nuclear power as essential to meeting their climate goals, and 31 of them committed to triple nuclear generation capacity by 2050. Investment is accelerating, with new projects breaking ground across Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. And where new developments are slow, countries are embracing lower-cost options, including extending plant lifetimes and restarting previously retired reactors. The discussion explores the growing influence of AI and data centres, which give new relevance to nuclear because of their round-the-clock need for electricity. AI is part of a new alignment of conditions that mean that this time the momentum behind nuclear power is real, Sama argues. Financing is available, governments are pragmatic, and the tech giants are now among the most vocal advocates for 24/7 clean baseload power. Sama and Ed also unpack the rise of small modular reactors (SMRs). Factory-built to a larger degree, repeatable, and scalable, SMRs could open new opportunities for industrial clusters, remote regions, and energy-hungry digital infrastructure. They may not be the answer to all the challenges the nuclear industry faces, but they should definitely have a role to play. However, Sama warns that probably only a handful of designs will survive the early shake-out that will be needed to streamline the SMR industry. Finally, the conversation turns to policy and politics. In a more polarised world, nuclear is emerging as rare common ground, backed by governments seeking climate progress, energy security, and economic competitiveness. Sama calls for a balanced system that values integration over ideology: renewables, nuclear, and smarter grids working in tandem. This is the second of three special episodes sponsored by ADIPEC 2025, where the theme is Energy Intelligence Impact. The event brings together 205,000+ attendees and 1,800+ speakers in Abu Dhabi from 3–6 November 2025. The Energy Gang will be recording live at the event. Join us there to be part of the conversation. Learn more and register at adipec.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Ed Crooks talks to Jason Liu, Chief Executive of Wood Mackenzie and co-author (with Chief Analyst Simon Flowers) of a new book, Connected, about the fast-changing world of energy. They are also joined by Sunaina Ocalan, formerly Senior Director for Corporate Strategy & Climate at the oil and gas company Hess, now Senior Analyst and Co-Head for Americas Energy & Transition at Bernstein Research. Together, they explore how energy leaders can plan, invest and operate operate in a world where different sectors, technologies and geographies are interconnected in more powerful and complex ways than ever before. They talk about the language of “the energy transition”, and whether it can lead to misconceptions. Global demand for hydrocarbons is still growing, and they will continue to play a critical role in our energy system for decades to come, even as new supply from renewables and other low-carbon sources surges higher. A wider appreciation of that reality is driving a shift from siloed thinking about individual sectors to integrated solutions. For example, companies are increasingly looking at pairing solar and storage with gas generation to meet demand from data centers for reliable low-carbon power. Sunaina takes us inside the the thinking of energy leaders as they assess strategies and investment decisions. She sets out a practical approach to scenario analysis, with “exit ramps” so companies can pivot as facts change. The aim isn’t to predict one future, but to be ready for a range of possible outcomes. That means balancing the advantages and disadvantages of a wide range of technologies, and taking a strategic view through short-term fluctuations as far as possible. Effective decision-making is impossible without reliable data. Jason warns about three traps: using too little real data, leaning on synthetic/modelled data without ground truth, and poor integration across different sectors. Data collection technology is advancing rapidly, and with sensors, satellites and market intelligence, decision-makers can increasingly see what’s really happening with precision and granular detail, often in real time. Then there’s AI. Like other industries, the world of energy is being transformed by the tools that have become available over the past few years. Scenario runs have been cut from months to minutes, with hundreds of models combined to give a comprehensive coherent picture. AI tools can even assess the best models to use on particular data sets: a capability Jason calls hyper-modelling. And still there is a vital role for human intelligence and judgement, to find and interpret the information that the AI tools miss. The challenges in the energy sector today are vast. It is a cliche to say that uncertainty is higher than ever, but today it genuinely seems true. The pace of innovation in AI is changing the world in ways that have never been seen before. But the opportunity is vast, too. The energy industry will need $75 trillion or more in investment over the next 25 years, to meet ever-growing demand while reducing the impact on the environment. The businesses that succeed in making the most of this opportunity will be the ones that get three things right: the right data, the right AI capabilities, and the right people, all brought together to deliver actionable insights. Download the book (free): Connected: Bringing predictability to the increasingly uncertain world of energy. Let us know what you think. We’re on X, at @theenergygang and Bluesky, at ‪@theenergygang.bsky.social. Make sure you’re following the show so you don’t miss an episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Low-carbon hydrogen has taken a few knocks in the headlines lately. There have been cancelled projects and fewer splashy announcements. Policy support has been jittery. Is momentum fading, or are we simply moving out of the hype phase and into the serious work of delivery? Host Ed Crooks puts that question to two industry leaders who are aiming to build hydrogen businesses at scale: Pierre-Étienne Franc, CEO of HY24, and Alex Tancock, CEO of Intercontinental Energy. Pierre-Étienne argues the market is normalising rather than stalling. The projects that are reaching final investment decision have risen sharply in size, and production of electrolyser modules has scaled from tens of megawatts to hundreds of megawatts. One crucial change is that the centre of gravity of the industry is shifting toward Asia and the Middle East. The first wins can come where hydrogen already has a job to do: swapping grey molecules for green in fertilisers and refining. In the steel industry, the green premium for low-emissions metal looks manageable. And over time, hydrogen can start meeting power and industrial demand via ammonia and methanol. For heavy trucks, hydrogen may have a role as a complement to battery electric vehicles, deployed where long charge times and grid bottlenecks make them impractical. Alex explains his production model. His 26-gigawatt Australian Renewable Energy Hub in the Pilbara would decarbonise roughly 4% of the region’s iron-ore output. It’s designed as repeatable “LEGO blocks”: the project can be build out with dozens of near-identical phases that drive down cost with each addition. Some in the low-carbon hydrogen industry used to talk about how $1/kg was the production cost that would be needed for large-scale deployment. Alex says that benchmark is no longer relevant. What matters now is capex, the supply chain, and the cost of capital, he says, and China’s ultra-automated factories are slashing equipment costs. However, Europe still needs clearer rules to unlock demand. For sectors like sustainable aviation fuel, durable policy will be essential while costs remain high. This is the first of three special episodes recorded in the run-up to the ADIPEC 2025 conference. Its theme: Energy. Intelligence. Impact. ADIPEC has sponsored this series to invite more of you to join the conversation in Abu Dhabi on 3–6 November 2025, alongside 205,000+ attendees and 1,800+ speakers. The Energy Gang will be on the ground recording during the event, come and find us to share your perspective. Find out more and register at adipec.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded in front of a packed room at NYU’s Kimmel Center during Climate Week NYC, Ed Crooks and Amy Myers Jaffe moderate a debate on the high-stakes topic of AI and energy. They dig deep into the questions raised by the surge of investment in data centers: what it means for grid stability and electricity bills, and how new technologies and market structures can help the power industry adapt. Climate Week this year often felt more like AI Week, given how many discussions were centred around it. To explore the issues, the team Ed and Amy are joined by representatives of two of the key companies at the heart of the revolution. Josh Parker is Head of Sustainability at NVIDIA, and Craig Sundstrom is Head of Energy & Sustainability Policy at AWS. Xizhou Zhou, Wood Mackenzie’s Head of Power and Renewables, also joins the discussion, to add his perspectives on how the industry is changing The load shock is real. Xizhou says that more than 116 GW of US data centers are under construction or fully committed to interconnect in the next few years: equivalent to about 15% of US peak load today. After two decades of flat demand, the electricity industry must rebuild its muscle memory for rapid infrastructure build-out. US power prices went up 6% in the past year, with rates in some states going up far more. What is driving that surge? And what can be done to provide some relief for hard-pressed consumers? One answer comes from rapid progress in the technologies that make AI possible, including the chips. NVIDIA’s Josh Parker notes NVIDIA has cut energy use for inference tasks by 100,000× over the past decade ,and by about 30× in just the past two years. Craig from Amazon explains how new grid-enhancing technologies could quickly make a difference, pointing to an AWS/RMI study showing that 6.5 GW of extra capacity could be freed up on the PJM grid without building any new transmission lines. He adds that AI is already helping in California, where smart battery dispatch is cutting costs in real time. Data centers don’t only use electricity for computation: they create a lot of heat, too. Josh says there are ways to use that heat, and describes Scandinavian projects that use it for their local district heating networks. With geothermal and new small modular reactors unlikely to reach widespread deployment until well into the 2030s, the panel agrees that the real solutions in the next few years lie in upgrading transmission, expanding storage, redesigning rates, and building in flexibility. It's a busy and lively discussion, with a couple of questions from the audience answered by the panel. If you have any further questions or comments on the show, we’d love to hear them. You can comment on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or find us on YouTube and leave a comment there. Thanks! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For COP30, the international climate talks in Brazil in November, the countries of the world are supposed to roll out their new Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs: their commitments to cut emissions. China’s NDC is particularly eagerly awaited: it is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Its NDC has been described as the most important document that will be published this year. In this edition of the Energy Gang, recorded at New York University, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe (Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab) explore the security, technology and climate implications of China’s energy policy. They are joined by someone who knows a lot about China’s role in the energy transition: David Sandalow, who is the Inaugural Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. He talks through China’s rapid clean energy rollout, from solar to EVs, and its implications for the race for dominance in AI. We also welcome back Joseph Webster of the Atlantic Council, who studies China’s energy system and the implications for geopolitics. China’s energy surge in recent years has been staggering. The country added 217 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2023, and kept growing into 2024 and 2025. It is also leading the world in batteries and electric vehicles. Joseph explains how China’s energy investments intersect with military tech, particularly in AI and batteries, positioning China as a global leader in energy and technology innovation. Is the US struggling to keep up? Then, late drama! While we were recording, China finally released its new NDC, pledging a relatively modest 7-10% emissions reduction from peak levels. Some other countries and climate campaigners had hoped for more ambition. But the numbers involved are still staggering. The NDC sets a target of expanding wind and solar capacity to 3,600 GW by 2035, six times 2020 levels, and three times the entire generation capacity of the US, in all technologies. Ed, Amy, David and Joseph react to the news in real time and debate what it means for energy in the US and beyond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At Climate Week NYC continues, the hottest topic is the question of how to meet growing demand for electricity while cutting emissions. In New York State, electricity use is expected to increase by 25% over the next 15 years. To meet that demand, the state plans to add tens of gigawatts or renewables. But that is not enough. It also wants more “dispatchable, emissions-free” power to keep the grid stable, and that includes new nuclear reactors. Back in June, Governor Kathy Hochul asked the New York Power Authority to move ahead with at least 1 gigawatt of new nuclear generation. And the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is exploring what it needs to do to make that happen. Doreen Harris is President and CEO, and she explains to host Ed Crooks that nuclear is a central pillar of an emissions-free power mix. She says New York’s plan isn’t about bringing back old reactors like the ones at the Indian Point nuclear plant, controversially closed in 2021. The state wants new designs that are safer, modular, and more efficient. NYSERDA is leading a “Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development”, expected to be published by end of 2026, to explore technologies ranging from large reactors to small modular and micro reactors. Ed and Doreen discuss the plan, and the barriers and opportunities for nuclear in the US. Support from federal, state and local governments is going to be essential to make new nuclear construction a reality. But backing from the private sector will also be essential. Nick Campanella is a Senior Equity Research Analyst at Barclays investment bank. He says new nuclear investment will move forward only if three pieces line up: clear policy support, customers willing to buy the power, and an EPC ready to build the plant. Nick and Ed discuss the cost overruns and delays that have plagued nuclear projects in the West. Hyperscalers might be able to get costs down by committing to multiple reactor builds at once. The ‘first-of-a-kind’ project is always risky. The ‘nth-of-a-kind’ developments that benefit from the lessons learned on previous projects should be more predictable, and less costly. Nick believes it is quite possible that a final investment decision to build at least one new nuclear plant in the US is very possible before the end of 2026. If that happens, the first project to go ahead could be for large plants, not small or micro reactors. The US grid doesn’t need tens of megawatts; it needs thousands. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s New York Climate Week this week, and we’re bringing you highlights from all the key debates and discussions. Climate Week NYC is one of the most important gatherings in the energy calendar, bringing together business leaders, investors, scientists, campaigners and policymakers to discuss the global effort to prevent catastrophic global warming. Last year, confidence in renewable energy was riding high, but now the conversation is shifting toward the challenge of meeting rising electricity demand. The race to achieve the most advanced AI capabilities is widely seen in the energy industry as the most urgent issue it is facing today. And that is creating challenges for the drive towards decarbonization. At the Climate Week opening ceremony, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, said that climate advocates have “not explained to people in the right way what needs to be done”. He urged them to connect their messaging to immediate, everyday issues rather than distant disasters. To discuss all this, host Ed Crooks is joined by Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, which puts on the event. She describes Climate Week NYC as the “green room for COP,” a place to sharpen focus before the big UN negotiations that are this year being held in Belem, Brazil, in November. While climate ambition is clearly faltering in the US, she says, there are rapid shifts under way elsewhere, such as the explosion of cheap rooftop solar in Pakistan. As this divide opens up between the US building on its strengths in fossil fuels, and other countries embracing low-carbon technologies, America risks losing competitiveness, she warns. Plus, the financial analyst’s view on the big themes of the week. Will Thompson is a Director in the Thematic Investment Research Team at Barclays Investment Bank, and he spends a lot of his time at the moment thinking about the intersection of AI and energy. He talks to Ed about how AI is driving a surge in electricity demand, with US data centers potentially doubling their share of the nation’s power use by 2030. And he describes the “power wall” facing AI: a looming bottleneck when companies want more power than the grid can provide. To overcome this, tech giants are moving toward distributed or “bring your own power” solutions, such as on-site natural gas plants and battery storage, he says. This shift prioritizes “speed to power” over cost and could push up emissions in the near term. Will and Ed discuss permitting delays, grid constraints, and fragile supply chains as the major barriers to accelerated investment in electricity supply capacity. There is bipartisan urgency in the US to secure AI dominance over China. Will it be enough? Follow the show wherever you get podcasts, so you don’t miss any of our Climate Week coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, there is renewed interest in what can be done to capture carbon dioxide. Until now, most of the investment in carbon capture has gone into projects to take those emissions and store them underground forever. But what if we could make use of that captured carbon? To find out what role carbon capture and utilization, or CCU, could play in tackling climate change, host Ed Crooks is joined by three experts in the sector. He is joined by Sarah Lamaison, who is the CEO and co-founder of CCU start-up Dioxycle, Tim van den Bergh, the climate tech innovation lead at the World Economic Forum, and John Ferrier, a senior research analyst at Wood Mackenzie. Together they unpack what CCU actually is (and isn’t), and where it can deliver the biggest punch; for example in the chemical industry, which is a sector in large part built on carbon. Sarah explains how Dioxycle’s carbon electrolysis can turn carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into high-value molecules such ethylene using electricity and water. It is effectively “dual” decarbonization: it uses captured carbon instead of fossil feedstock, and also avoids process emissions. But despite those compelling advantages, CCU faces some steep challenges. The gang examines the policy landscape, and the economics that can make or break CCU projects. John outlines why support has historically skewed toward carbon storage rather than utilization: it offers measurable, near-term reductions and simpler business models. To accelerate the growth of CCU, it needs clearer incentives, and standardized lifecycle assessment of carbon emitted and avoided. Sarah compares Europe’s current framework, which can disadvantage CCU, with more supportive tax credits that are available in the US. She explains that the choice of product to be made using CCU really matters. For fuels, conventional feedstocks such as crude oil and natural gas are hard to beat on cost. For complex chemical pathways, there is room for CCU to undercut incumbents as efficiency improves. Tim looks at the system level, calling for global, aligned policies, early markets in cost-competitive niches and “patient capital” to bridge the valley of death that innovative companies face as they scale up. There’s a strong case that can be made for CCU, if policy, finance, and industry can travel in the same direction. This episode explains what would be needed to make that a reality, taking businesses from promising pilots to deployment at scale and cost parity with conventional feedstocks. UpLink is a World Economic Forum initiative focused on impactful early-stage innovation. It builds ecosystems that enable purpose-driven, early-stage entrepreneurs to scale their businesses for the markets and economies that are essential to a net-zero, nature-positive and equitable future. You can learn more in the World Economic Forum and Wood Mackenzie’s new report on scaling CCU, available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is adding to US electricity consumption at a pace not seen in decades. That demand growth is creating new strains on the grid in many parts of the country. But what if AI could instead help keep the system running? Varun Sivaram is a founder & CEO of Emerald AI and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He says that far from undermining the grid, AI could actually save it. If we can enable AI data centers to provide flexibility during times peak stress, they can become a powerful ally for reliable, affordable, and clean electricity. Earlier this year, the Energy Gang hosted a conversation with Tyler Norris of Duke University, author of an influential paper assessing the potential for large flexible loads in the US electricity system. He argued that if grid operators could ask data centers to dial back the power consumption when the system is under strain, those new facilities could get online faster without waiting for long transmission and generation upgrades. In effect, flexibility is like a fast-track pass: by allowing short reductions in consumption during peak stress, the grid can handle more demand and data centers can connect sooner. That’s the theory. In this show we talk about how to make it a reality. To explain how data center flexibility works, and will work in the future, Varun joins host Ed Crooks, regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, and resident investment expert Shanu Mathew, Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Lazard Asset Management. How can data center developers, operators and customers create flexible loads? Spread computing tasks across multiple sites, pause the less time-critical ones during grid stress, and use smarter software and batteries to smooth short spikes. The gang discuss early real-world tests with utilities and tech companies, and why some regions are considering rules that let them temporarily reduce power to big users rather than risk neighborhood blackouts. Is this all hype? Some of the claims being made are running ahead of what is actually being achieved in the industry today. And even as chips get more efficient, demand for AI is growing even faster. But Varun wants to run more pilots, reward flexibility with quicker hookups, and build toward a “virtual power plant” made of data centers that can respond in milliseconds. If the irresistible force of AI development is to overcome the immovable object of power grid capacity, that is the kind of innovation that is going to be needed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2024 was the first year on record in which global temperatures were 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The goal of limiting global temperatures to that level was set in 2015 at COP 21 in Paris, in 2015. We’ve now smashed past it. So what is the world really getting out of the annual UN Conference of the Parties? Every year pledges are made and commitments agreed, but little seems to happen to move the needle on addressing climate change. What do we need to see from COP 30 in Belem in a couple of months time? To discuss it, host Ed Crooks is joined by climate and energy journalist Simon Evans, PhD in biochemistry at the University of Bristol and deputy editor at the climate science publication Carbon Brief. Simon and Ed were on the ground in Azerbaijan last year at COP29, and they reflect on the progress made in the months since then. Regular Amy Myers-Jaffe – Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab – is also back on the show, asking the question of whether China and the EU have stuck to their commitments under that historic Paris Agreement. So what can we expect from COP30? And is it perhaps time for an overhaul of the way we approach global cooperation on climate? Ed, Simon and Amy discuss the effectiveness of COPs, the role of carbon pricing, and what needs to change to enhance multilateral climate efforts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is the global transition to low-carbon energy accelerating or slowing down? One answer is that it depends where you look. In the US, energy policy has shifted away from support for low-carbon technologies, but China is continuing with record installations of solar, wind, and batteries, and record sales of EVs. With AI emerging as the central arena for great power completion, which model will work best at providing the power the new technologies need? The AI revolution will be the most transformative change in human history. That’s according to Gerard Reid, this week’s guest, a veteran energy commentator and co-founder of the advisory firm Alexa Capital. Gerard, who also co-hosts the podcast Redefining Energy, says he thinks AI will reinvent the world’s energy system. There is a widening gulf between ‘petrostates’ such as the US, which are rich in oil and gas and favor fossil fuels, and the ‘electrostates’, led by China, which is dominates global manufacturing for technologies such as solar panels, batteries and EVs. Europe, which is relatively resource-poor, is following China’s path out of necessity, while India and others weigh up which model to adopt. Gerard, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe debate the different approaches that different countries are taking to build secure energy systems that will be able to meet growing demand for electricity for AI. Electricity is now the ultimate security priority, demanding grid upgrades, new technologies to support resilience including vehicle-to-grid, and new strategic partnerships. Gerard argues that OPEC’s current strategy suggest it sees oil demand peaking soon. As the world adopts Chinese EVs and other low-cost, low-carbon technologies, some big questions are becoming increasingly urgent. Will the US continue to cling to fossil fuels? Will cheap solar upend electricity industries around the world? And above all, will the race for strategic and economic success be won by whichever country integrates AI, low-cost power, and resilient grids first? Ed Crooks is Vice Chair for the Americas at Wood Mackenzie. Amy Myers-Jaffe is the Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The grid “is designed for the core components - supplying electricity - but we are definitely pushing it to its limits,” says Melissa Lott, Partner for energy technologies at Microsoft*. The electricity grid has been described as one of the greatest achievements of human civilisation, because of its complexity, scale, and essential role in our societies. But it’s been around for over century, and in some places its components are many decades old. Whatever you think about the future of energy, it seems clear that we need a modernized grid to meet the new challenges we are facing, including growing demand and increased reliance on variable renewables. So how do we build the right things in the right places? Joining Melissa and host Ed Crooks is first-time Energy Gang guest Alice Jackson. She’s a VP of Grid Modeling at the think-tank and cleantech investment firm Breakthrough Energy*. Alice shares how Breakthrough Energy is working to help develop a grid that will meet future needs, around the world. Among other work, they are building open-source, open-access tools for grid planners, to shorten the time needed to secure regulatory approvals and start building. With rising energy needs driven by data centers for AI and new gigafactories, and new types of load such as EV charging, the grid requires radically different system planning to meet demand. On top of that, the physical infrastructure that makes up the grid is aging and badly in need of renewal in many developed countries. Alice, Ed and Melissa discuss the challenge of balancing the need to replace old and crumbling infrastructure with the need to scale up capacity to match demand. The gang also assess a recent paper from the US Department of Energy, which warns that “the status quo is unsustainable” for the nation’s grid. And they debate cutting-edge approaches that are being proposed to help boost flexibility in electricity systems and minimise the need for more fossil fuel generation. The US energy department report discussed in this episode can be found here: https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-releases-report-evaluating-us-grid-reliability-and-security *Melissa and Alice are appearing in this episode in a personal capacity; their views do not necessarily represent those of Microsoft or Breakthrough Energy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we take a trip in a time machine, five years into the future. 2030 has been set as a deadline for many climate goals, and is a milestone for checking progress towards a low-carbon energy system. Ed Crooks, Amy Myers Jaffe and Melissa Lott imagine themselves five years from now, and look back at how the US energy industry has changed since the “big beautiful bill” was passed. What do they think have been the key headlines from the last half-decade? And how will history judge America’s energy bets? The reconciliation bill that was signed into law by President Trump on July 4 restricted support for low-carbon energy, especially wind and solar power, and doubled down on fossil fuels. The gang break down the sectors that are most at risk, and assess what the changes to tax credits will mean for project developers in renewables and storage. EVs are another sector that will be hit hard. Amy warns that the end result is likely to be a struggling US auto industry and increased Chinese dominance. Another important change is that geopolitics is playing an increased role in deciding who can claim tax credits and who can’t. The new rules on FEOCs – foreign entities of concern – from China, Iran, Russia and North Korea could cause headaches for battery storage developers, in particular. Mitigating the impact of all that are state policies and private sector commitments to invest in clean energy, which will continue to push the industry forward. Will they be enough? Amy Myers Jaffe is Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at NYU. Melissa Lott is a Partner at Microsoft, focusing on energy technology, speaking on the show in a personal capacity. With host Ed Crooks, they assess whether the “big beautiful bill” will result in a lasting setback for clean energy in the US, or just a pause for breathe before the next leap forward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Building out the electricity grid was traditionally a predictable and straightforward business. Now it’s like trying to land a jet on a moving aircraft carrier in the dark. That’s a quote from this week’s guest Quinn Nakayama. He’s the senior director of Grid Research and Innovation at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). He joins host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe to discuss how California is dealing with all the uncertainty created by new demands being placed on the grid: variable renewable generation, electric vehicles, data centers, and more. Quinn refers to the fast-changing electricity system of today as the ‘crazy grid’, because so many things are happening at once. Wind and solar power create new challenges for grid stability, while batteries and demand response offer new solutions. Electric vehicles, following mandates from the state of California and other governments around the world, create new patterns of electricity consumption. The latest breakthroughs in AI are creating a surge in power demand from data centers. And those advances in AI are also opening up new possibilities for grid management. Planning is harder than ever. Are Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) an important solution? Amy, Ed and Quinn debate their effectiveness; these tools are helpful, but they can't solve everything. Large loads such as data centers still need major upgrades to wires and substations. But with a high penetration of electric vehicles, California is working on smart tech that makes it easier to install EV chargers without expensive upgrades. PG&E is also exploring faster ways to connect large users, such as allowing temporary solutions until new lines are built. Despite the range of innovations that are available, and the exciting rate of progress in new technologies, the US risks falling behind other countries. Quinn and Amy warn that cuts in support for clean energy and EVs could lead to the US losing out to China, which is investing heavily in these technologies. The Reconciliation Bill that was signed into law last week included abrupt curtailments of tax credits for wind and solar power. So what is the right way forward for the grid? For the electricity system to meet the fast-evolving demands of the modern world, it needs everything: more energy, more flexibility, and faster action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week the US budget reconciliation legislation, dubbed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, squeaked through the Senate on a 51/50 vote. The bill has wide-ranging implications for energy in the US, including an imminent end to tax credits for wind and solar power. To discuss what the new legislation means, host Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe, director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab. Also joining the show are Robbie Orvis, senior director of Modeling and Analysis at the think-tank Energy Innovation, and Jeremy Horan, VP for Government Affairs at ACORE, the American Council on Renewable Energy. They discuss some of the key implications of bill: less investment in wind and solar, increased use of natural gas, and a relatively bright outlook for battery storage. And they explain the dramatic twists and turns of the past few days that have brought us to where we are today. They also dive into the impacts of the dreaded rules on FEOC: Foreign Entities of Concern. These are new regulations intended to ensure that companies controlled by China and Russia, among others, don’t benefit from US energy subsidies. But they will have the effect of tying the industry up in a mountain of new red tape. Before that, Ed and Amy talk about an even more dramatic event in global energy: the US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict. The US dropped 30,000 pound ‘bunker-buster’ bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated with threats to close the Straight of Hormuz: the critical artery that delivers oil from the Gulf to the West. But by the middle of last week, tensions had eased significantly: there was a ceasefire, and negotiations were under way to agree a lasting peace. Put it all together, and it adds up to a hectic couple of weeks for the future of energy. Expect in-depth analysis of all the news, and ideas on how the energy industry can prepare for what’s coming. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sponsored content from Shoals Technologies Group. EBOS – electrical balance of systems – includes everything that carries electricity from solar panels to the grid: wiring, switches, connector boxes and other components. It might not grab headlines, but it’s the backbone of every solar and storage project, and is essential to performance, reliability and project success. In this special episode of The Energy Gang, host Ed Crooks talks with Stephen LaFleur, Senior Director of Sales for Utility-Scale Solar at Shoals Technologies Group, about why getting EBOS right is critical. Stephen explains how incorporating EBOS early in project planning helps EPCs and developers avoid delays, lower costs, and ensure long-term reliability. Connectors are just one example of an EBOS component that can cause serious issues. A recent report from HelioVolta found that 83% of projects surveyed had at least one connector-related issue, many of them due to simple installation mistakes. In one solar portfolio, connector failure and replacement costs added up to nearly 60% of annual revenues. So how can developers avoid that kind of severe cost impact? Stephen and Ed discuss. Also joining the conversation is Grant Reasor – he’s an Associate Electrical Engineer for Solar PV and Storage Projects at Burns & McDonnell, the international architecture, engineering and construction firm. From a project engineer’s point of view, he unpacks why EBOS matters more than ever, especially as the industry shifts to higher voltages and looks to repower aging solar sites. The solar and storage industries are evolving fast. Stephen and Grant break down how smart EBOS choices can improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support the next wave of clean energy growth. This episode is brought to you by Shoals Technologies Group. If you are in clean energy, you know that project success depends on more than just panels and batteries, it’s about the electrical backbone that connects it all. That’s where Shoals comes in. Their factory-built, rigorously-tested EBOS solutions for solar and storage streamline installs, reduce costs, and improve long-term reliability. Want to learn more? Just head over to shoals.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world is experiencing a new reality: infrastructure, agriculture, and supply chains were built for a historical climate that no longer exists. Last year the average global surface temperature was about 1.47° C warmer than in the late 19th century, according to NASA. On current trends we are on course for perhaps 2.7° C of warming by the end of the current century: far in excess of the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5° C. As it becomes increasingly likely that the world is not going to cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to meet that Paris goal, it becomes more and more important for us to learn how to adapt and become more resilient in a warming world. It’s an issue that has been a focus for Dr Sarah Kapnick, the Global Head of Climate Advisory at the bank JP Morgan. She is a former Chief Scientist at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and she knows the worlds of climate science and climate finance inside out. She returns to the show to talk to host Ed Crooks and regular Amy Myers-Jaffe about what the world’s failure to get on track for meeting the Paris goals means for finance, investment and our futures. Together they unpack what global warming means for economies, energy systems and vulnerable communities. One critical point where climate damages and risks are emerging as an urgent issue is in insurance costs. Some areas are becoming uninsurable as threats of flooding or wildfires mount. The impacts are worst for low-income communities and countries. Without support to adapt and build resilience, many nations could face a climate-induced debt spiral. So what can we do to be prepared for a warming world? How are energy companies investing to stay ahead of the risks? And can there be a profitable business in climate adaptation? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the third and final special episode recorded live from the ACORE Finance Forum, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to industry leaders to explore some key issues in renewable energy technology and finance. Amy starts the episode by speaking with David Ulrey, CFO of Fervo Energy, an innovative geothermal startup. David shares insights into Fervo’s projects, including their initial commercial pilot in Nevada and the ambitious 100-megawatt development in Utah. They discuss the challenges and successes of pioneering next-generation geothermal energy, the potential for the technology to offer clean, reliable power across the US, and the evolving landscape of financing structures in the industry. Ed then sits down with Mona Dajani, global co-head of Energy, Infrastructure and Hydrogen at the law firm Baker Botts. Mona provides an expert perspective on the shifting sands of energy dealmaking amidst political and economic uncertainty in the US. She highlights how companies are rapidly pivoting their strategies, shifting from green hydrogen to alternative technologies or repurposing sites for data centres, and discusses why global markets remain committed to clean energy despite changing US policy priorities. Later, Ed and Amy speak with leaders from businesses supported by ACORE’s Accelerate programme. Amy talks with Tonya Hicks, founder of Power Solutions Inc, who shares her inspiring journey as a woman entrepreneur in electrical contracting and renewable energy. Tonya stresses the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of policy volatility and argues that the industry’s momentum will continue despite political shifts. Ed also speaks with Jennifer Rouda, CEO of 7Skyline, who discusses the unique challenges faced by tribal governments in the US pursuing renewable energy projects. Jennifer highlights the critical role of bridging finance and impact investors as federal funding becomes less predictable. Finally, Ed and Amy wrap up with a comprehensive conversation with Ray Long, President and CEO of ACORE. Ray summarises key themes from the forum, including the industry’s concerns about the abrupt potential removal of energy tax credits and the urgent need for viable alternative financing mechanisms. He underscores the economic and environmental impacts of current legislative uncertainty and outlines the future resilience strategies the clean energy industry may adopt. This concludes our three-part series from the ACORE Finance Forum. We'll be back in two weeks, resuming regular coverage of all the latest developments and discussions shaping the energy transition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the US races against China to develop the most advanced capabilities in AI, energy is critical. In this second episode from the ACORE finance forum, we speak to experts about how US energy policy, and in particular the reconciliation bill now being debated in Congress, might affect that race. Host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk first to Joseph Webster, a Senior Fellow at the think-tank the Atlantic Council. They discuss the need for increased power supplies for data centers, the US reliance on clean energy supply chains that originate in China, and the challenges facing attempts to reduce that dependence. Ed and Amy then talk to Seth Hanlon, a Senior Fellow at the New York University Tax Law Center, and to Lesley Hunter, the Senior VP for Policy and Engagement at ACORE. They dig into the politics around the reconciliation bill currently being worked on in the Senate. Seth previously worked at the US Treasury on the implementation of the energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, and shares his perspectives on the possible effects of the new legislation that could come out of Congress. Lesley provides her insight on the prospects for persuading senators to support a more favorable outcome for the clean energy industry. This is the second of three special episodes from the ACORE Finance Forum. We’ll be back next week with further coverage of all the essential conversations at the event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Energy Gang are at The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Finance Forum in New York City, which brings together industry leaders, investors, and bankers to discuss the hottest issues in clean energy. Host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to ACORE Chief Executive and President Ray Long about the uncertainty hanging over the industry following the debate in Congress over repealing energy tax credits. He talks about the reasons why a Republican president and Congress should preserve tax breaks for low carbon technologies to advance their energy dominance agenda. Ed and Amy also talk to Meghan Schultz, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Invenergy, the largest independent power producer in the US, and to Ted Brandt, CEO and Founder of Marathon Capital. They explain the impact that uncertainty over tax credits has already had on their businesses. They discuss what rising demand from data centers means for electricity prices. And they explore the potential implications if subsidies for low carbon energy are scrapped. Finally, Ed and Amy reflect on what the proposed legislation could mean for energy competition between the US and China. This is the first of three special episodes from the ACORE Finance Forum. We’ll be back tomorrow with further coverage of all the essential conversations at the event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.