Conversations about global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Each week, Dana Perkins sits down with different BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to discuss their latest research and unique perspective on the future of energy, transport, agriculture, sustainability and more.
EVs Race Ahead of Renewables in Transition Investment
At the beginning of each year, BloombergNEF releases the Energy Transition Investment Trends report, its definitive resource on global investment in the low-carbon energy transition. Since the report’s inception a decade ago, investment levels have steadily risen, breaking the $1 trillion mark in 2021 and reaching a record $1.5 trillion in 2022. Was 2023 another record year for energy transition investment, and which sectors saw the most notable growth or decline?
On today’s show, Dana is joined by BNEF’s Deputy CEO, Albert Cheung, and Head of Technology and Innovation, Mark Daly. They discuss financing global supply chains, which clean energy technologies are on track for meeting net-zero targets, and whether climate tech equity financing has rebounded from recent lows.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Energy Transition Investment Trends 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33273See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/21/2024 • 30 minutes, 59 seconds
Are We Addicted to Cars? The Case for Public Transport
California has long been proactive when it comes to environmental policy, implementing measures ranging from a carbon market to put a price on emissions, to legislation to phase out the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars. But are current policies going far enough, and what can be done to ensure the state’s position as the climate leader in the US?
On today’s show, we bring you an interview from our recent San Francisco Summit, where California State Senator Scott Wiener sat down with Corey Cantor, a Senior Associate in BloombergNEF’s Electric Vehicle team. Together they discuss California’s need for better public transportation alongside the shift to cleaner cars, the new law Wiener spearheaded on corporate emissions disclosure, and the potential impact of a Trump second term on the Golden State.
Today’s episode was recorded live at BNEF's San Francisco Summit. To learn more about our Summits and to listen to more interviews, please visit https://about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/14/2024 • 23 minutes, 48 seconds
Things to Watch: Hydrogen
On today’s bonus episode of the podcast, Dana is joined by Kathy Gao, a Senior Associate from BloombergNEF’s Hydrogen team, to unpack the things to watch for the sector in 2024. Together they discuss offtake agreements and the potential for shipping and aviation to step up as customers, whether nuclear could become a viable method of hydrogen production among the plethora of available options, and the policies that could drive supply and demand in the year ahead.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Hydrogen: 10 Things to Watch for 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33105/viewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/9/2024 • 23 minutes, 5 seconds
Wall Street Gets Greener But Fossil-Fuel Habit Lingers
For every dollar supporting fossil-fuel supply, at least $4 must be put towards low-carbon energy this decade to keep the world on track to limit warming to 1.5C. But are the capital flows of corporations and financial institutions anywhere close to this balance? BloombergNEF has devised the Energy Supply Investment and Bank-Facilitated Financing Ratios to find out.
On today’s show, Dana is joined by two of BNEF’s Sustainable Finance Associates, Trina White and Ryan Loughead. Together they discuss how energy financing varies by geography, how the sector has been performing against the wider market for debt and equity, and the ratios required to 2030 and in the decades ahead.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Energy Supply Investment and Bank Financing Ratios 2022 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33005
Energy Supply Banking Ratio Tool (ESBRT 2.0.1) - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30865See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/7/2024 • 31 minutes, 25 seconds
Things to Watch: Industrial Decarbonization
On today’s bonus episode of the podcast, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Industrial Decarbonization Specialist, Julia Attwood, to discuss what to watch in this space in 2024.
Together they talk about the expanding opportunities to use captured CO2 and the growth in storage capacity for this gas, the momentum in large-scale chemical recycling of plastics, and the potential decarbonization of the steel and cement sectors.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Industrial Decarbonization: Things to Watch in 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33115See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/5/2024 • 20 minutes, 18 seconds
Things to Watch: Wind
On today’s bonus episode of the podcast, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head of Wind Research, Oliver Metcalfe, to discuss the things to watch for the wind sector in 2024.
Together they talk about whether this year will offer a more stable environment for offshore wind development, if auctions for such projects will see more success, and the challenges facing Chinese turbine makers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/3/2024 • 15 minutes, 49 seconds
Election Fever: Fate of Climate Fight Hangs in Balance
Set against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, this year will see elections taking place in markets that account for a combined 67% of global GDP. With the uncertainty that changes in leadership can bring, could these crucial votes lead to a slowing of investment in the energy transition as investors wait for the results and clear policy direction?
On today’s show, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head of Global Policy, Victoria Cuming, and US policy analyst, Derrick Flakoll. Together they discuss the implications for the Inflation Reduction Act should Donald Trump return to the White House, how useful polling data really is, and if growing right-leaning sentiment will be reflected in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Wave of Elections Poses Risk for the Energy Transition - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33191See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/1/2024 • 31 minutes, 45 seconds
Things to Watch: Aluminum, Copper and Steel
On today’s bonus episode of the podcast, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF metals analyst Yuchen Huo, to discuss the things to watch in industrial metals markets in 2024.
Together they talk about what a continued slump in China’s property sector could mean for steel demand, how the expansion of electricity grids will drive the need for copper, and the impact of the ongoing surge in solar power capacity on aluminum.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Industrial Metals Monthly: Things to Watch in 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33089/viewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/29/2024 • 15 minutes, 29 seconds
Gas Versus Solar: South Africa’s Battle to Ditch Coal
With an energy mix dominated by aging and increasingly unreliable coal power plants, South Africans have been putting up with rolling blackouts all the way back to 2007. The government’s latest energy strategy lays out a path to reduce these electricity shortages by replacing coal-fired generation. But rather than renewables being the natural successor, the focus is instead on gas.
On today’s show, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head of Regional Energy Transitions, Emma Champion. Together they discuss why South Africa is still looking to fossil fuels for its power supply, why the new energy blueprint has rolled back utility-scale solar targets as smaller rooftop installations boom, and the attractiveness of the country as a renewable energy investment opportunity versus other markets in the region.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
South Africa Favors Gas Over Solar as Successor to Coal - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33121
Climatescope 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32751
South Africa Power Transition Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32751See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/24/2024 • 31 minutes, 20 seconds
Road Ahead for EVs in 2024: BYD and Tesla Break Away
The start of each year sees BloombergNEF look at what could play out across the energy transition over the next 12 months. During January, Switched On will interview the brains behind the ‘Things to Watch’ series, starting with what to expect from the electric vehicle market.
On today’s episode, Dana sits down with Colin McKerracher, BNEF’s Head of Advanced Transport. Together, they discuss the race between Tesla and BYD to claim the global EV sales crown, the new opportunities presented by emerging markets, and whether 2024 could be the year that oil demand sees a real dent from the shift to electric drivetrains.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
EVs and Clean Transport: 10 Things to Watch in 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33099See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/17/2024 • 23 minutes, 24 seconds
Fires, Floods and Freezes: The Cost of Climate Change
Extreme weather events like fires and floods are causing companies to take a closer look at the physical risks posed by climate change, and how they could impact their income and balance sheets.
Despite the financial threat posed, awareness of physical risk is currently low and exposure to potential losses and damage is still underreported in financial disclosures. As demand for transparency grows among investors and policymakers, what is the actual scale of the threat from physical climate risk, and what can be done to improve reporting and data collection?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Danya Liu, an analyst from BloombergNEF’s climate risk team. Together, they discuss the different forms physical risk can take and which weather events leave the largest financial impact, why the financial services industry is especially vulnerable to climate-driven catastrophes, and how insurers could help improve awareness of physical risk and data reporting.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Beyond Fire and Floods: Firms Gauge Costs of Physical Risk - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32983See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/10/2024 • 30 minutes, 33 seconds
BNEF Pioneers Award 2023: Metals and Materials
BNEF Pioneers is BloombergNEF’s annual climate-tech competition identifying game-changing innovations with the potential to accelerate global decarbonization and halt climate change. Last year, awards were given in three categories: accelerating the deployment of hydrogen, building a net-zero food production system, and sustainable metals and materials for an electrified future.
On today’s show, Dana is joined by guest host Benjamin Kafri, BNEF’s Head of Client Relations and Innovation, to explore the third of these categories. Together, they interview representatives from Jetti, Nth-Cycle and Li-Cycle, the three Pioneers Award winners dedicated to cleaning up the world’s metals and materials supply chains.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
BloombergNEF's 2024 Pioneers Award page - https://about.bnef.com/bnefpioneers/
BloombergNEF's 2023 Pioneers Award winners - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31219See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/3/2024 • 51 minutes, 36 seconds
Farming’s New Frontier: AI Steers Path to Green Future
Pesticides are considered an indispensable part of modern agriculture, but with links to environmental damage and soil pollution, their use comes at a cost. Could cutting-edge technologies that harness artificial intelligence help clean up farming’s chemical footprint?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Alexander Liddington from BloombergNEF’s sustainable agriculture team. Together, they discuss the positive environmental impact and cost savings that ‘green-on-green’ detection could have for farmers, as advanced cameras and AI are deployed to identify the weeds hiding among crops. They also explore the limitations of drones for precision pest control and whether pesticide manufacturers are embracing the technological revolution.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Precision Pesticide Delivery: Booming, to Spray the Least - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32161
AGCO and Trimble Link Up to Develop Anti-Weed Weaponry - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s2eenwdwlu6801
Bayer Enters Collision Path With Farm Equipment Makers - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s4gjmbt1um0w01See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/27/2023 • 30 minutes, 3 seconds
OPEC and Peak Oil: Future of Energy in the Middle East
The final agreement signed at the COP28 climate summit marked a significant step forward, addressing for the first time the need to transition away from fossil fuels. Among its signatories were oil-and gas-rich nations in the Middle East, many of whom currently center their economies around the export of fossil fuels. But what are these countries’ clean energy plans, and do they have alternative business models to offset the potential losses from a greener future?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Philip Geurts, an analyst from BloombergNEF’s oil team, to talk about the Middle East. Together, they discuss OPEC+ and the significant output cuts from some of its members, the debate over when and if peak oil demand will be reached, and whether hydrogen offers the region a realistic path away from fossil-fuel production.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Fossil Fuels Are Raking in Investments in Emerging Markets - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s53df5dwx2ps00?context=eyJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6InNob3J0IiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbIjJkNjM3YWE4NDExYjNiMjUiLCIyZDYzN2FhODQxMWI0YjA5Il0sImF1dGhvciI6W119
Hydrogen Hard-Pressed to Become Pillar of Big Oil’s Future - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32349/view
$290 Billion Oil Cash Edge Allows Late Mideast Transition - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32111
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/20/2023 • 22 minutes, 42 seconds
Guarding the Grid: Hackers Target Smarter Power System
As power grids evolve to accommodate new clean energy sources and smart technology, they are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattackers looking to exploit weaknesses in these increasingly connected systems. But what form do these attacks take, and what can be done to prevent them in the first place?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Amanda Ahl from BloombergNEF’s grids and utilities team. Together they discuss what form a cyberattack on the grid can take and the scale of damage it can cause, the marketplace for cybersecurity and costs involved in securing networks, and how utilities can future-proof their infrastructure against new artificial intelligence and quantum computing threats.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Guarding the Grid: Utilities Fortify Cyber Defenses - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32631See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/14/2023 • 26 minutes, 50 seconds
US Offshore Wind Blows Cold as Interest Rates Heat Up
With a quarter of offshore wind project deals having been canceled in the US this year, the Biden administration’s target of having 30 gigawatts of installed capacity by 2030 is looking even further out of reach. But why are developers coming under so much pressure and are these strains also being felt onshore?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Chelsea Jean-Michel and Atin Jain from BloombergNEF’s wind team. Together, they discuss the impact of inflation and interest rate hikes on US offshore wind projects, why some developers are allowed to re-bid on contracts they’ve canceled, and also why Texas is a bright spot for the rollout of onshore turbines.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Global Wind Market Outlook 2H 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32859?context=eyJxIjoib25zaG9yZSIsImNvbnRlbnRUeXBlIjoiaW5zaWdodCIsInJlZ2lvbiI6W10sInNlY3RvciI6WyIyZDYzN2FhODQxMTJiOTg4Il0sImF1dGhvciI6W10sImluc2lnaHQtdHlwZSI6W119
Offshore Wind Market Outlook 2H 2023: Ramp-Up Delayed - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32797See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/6/2023 • 31 minutes, 11 seconds
Cruising to a Million: US EV Sales Near Key Milestone
The US has historically lagged behind mainland China and Europe for electric vehicle ownership, but is this about to change? If you believe GM and Ford, who cite falling demand for the delaying of their near-term EV sales targets, the logical answer would be no. But here at BloombergNEF, we’ve been crunching the numbers and what they show is not only are US sales of battery-electric cars rising, they are poised to cross the 1 million mark this year.
On today’s show, Corey Cantor from BNEF’s EV team returns to talk with Dana. Together they discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act has supercharged the US market, whether red or blue states have the highest EV uptake, and whether Rivian can cross the ‘EV valley of death’ to scale from a startup to mass production.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Rivian’s Path Through ‘EV Valley of Death’ Looking Clearer - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32741
US Annual EV Sales Close In on 1 Million All-Electric Cars - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s3va1ydwx2ps01?context=eyJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6InNob3J0IiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwNjI3Il19
US EVs Hit 1 Million Annual Sales - With Time to Spare - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s20elht0g1kw01?context=eyJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6InNob3J0IiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwNjI3Il19
EV Sales Speed Past the 10% Tipping Point in 10 US States - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s1p7zydwx2ps01?context=eyJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6InNob3J0IiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwNjI3Il19
Biden States Faster to Adopt EVs But It’s Not All Politics - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s1nv4tt0g1kw01?context=eyJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6InNob3J0IiwicmVnaW9uIjpbXSwic2VjdG9yIjpbXSwiYXV0aG9yIjpbIjQwNjI3Il19See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/30/2023 • 29 minutes, 45 seconds
Solar Supply Glut Crushes Margins But Buildout Booming
It’s a good news, bad news situation for solar right now. On the one hand, annual installations are continuing to break records, with China set to build almost as much solar this year as the entire world rolled out in 2022. But on the other hand, the industry is suffering from a supply glut, weighing on the prices and margins of module makers. What is driving China’s boom and will the global momentum continue? Are there any underestimated threats to growth beyond grid bottlenecks?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Jenny Chase, lead solar analyst at BloombergNEF. Together, they discuss the latest outlook for solar, the onshoring of US production and whether its modules can be competitive against cheaper foreign producers, and the role solar can play in ambitions to triple global renewables capacity by the end of the decade.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Global PV Market Outlook, 4Q 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32793See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/23/2023 • 28 minutes, 28 seconds
Gridlock: US Struggles to Make Enough Transformers
Large power transformers, or LPTs for short, are integral for the functioning of the energy grid. But with BloombergNEF forecasting that the US will need to nearly double its units by 2030, will the country manage to meet the demand, or could it be facing further bottlenecks?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Eva Gonzalez Isla from BNEF’s modeling team. Together, they discuss what large power transformers are and what they do, US government policy and whether it has been aiding or hampering production, and the countries that are making up for a shortfall in the US’s transformer production capacity. Today’s episode draws from the BNEF research note US Risks Power Transformer Supply Gap Becoming a Chasm.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
US Risks Power Transformer Supply Gap Becoming a Chasm - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32571See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/15/2023 • 29 minutes, 34 seconds
CCS Extends Its Reach Beyond Oil and Gas
Investment in carbon capture and storage is skyrocketing. Last year, the technology attracted some $6.4 billion globally, more than double the year before. But why are industries now looking to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to cut down on their carbon emissions, rather than other, better-established methods?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Allen Tom Abraham and Anastasia Tomasidou from BNEF’s Sustainable Materials team. Together, they take a look at the various sectors that are utilizing CCS technology, methods of carbon capture and storage and potential bottlenecks in the existing system, and the role that policy plays in the expansion of CCS across the globe.
Today’s episode draws from the BNEF research note CCUS Market Outlook 2023.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
CCUS Market Outlook 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32621See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/8/2023 • 35 minutes, 33 seconds
Retreat or Engage? Green Investors’ Big Oil Dilemma
Oil and gas majors have long stated their intention to diversify away from fossil fuels and move toward clean energy production. However, in the last few years, many have wound back these plans, shooting for less ambitious targets or returning to their traditional business models. Against this backdrop, can climate-conscious investors hold major fossil-fuel companies to account?
On today’s show, BNEF Sustainable Finance analyst Ryan Loughead hosts a conversation on oil and gas investment with panelists Annika Brouwer, Sustainability Specialist at Ninety One Asset Management; Ronan Hodge, Technical Lead from the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); Thina Saltvedt, Chief Analyst in Sustainable Finance at Nordea Bank; and Peter Taylor, Corporate Engagement Programme Director for the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). Together they discuss the different approaches of asset managers who keep oil and gas investments on their books, the challenges around divesting from fossil-fuel holdings, and the varying strategies of oil and gas majors themselves.
Today’s episode was recorded live at BNEF Summit London. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, please visit https://about.bnef.com/summit/.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/2/2023 • 31 minutes, 20 seconds
Climate Risks and Rewards: Rating Companies’ Exposure
Climate change and the transition to a net-zero economy presents both opportunities and risks to companies and assets. But how might an investor assess this exposure?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Tifenn Brandily and Mike Daly from BNEF’s Transition Risk team to take a look at two proprietary models, the Clean Energy Exposure Ratings and the Transition Risk Assessment Company Tool. Delving into the methodology behind these, Tifenn and Mike explain how they analyze revenues generated by less-transparent industries, and which sectors are most exposed to the transition’s risks and rewards.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Transition Risk Assessment Company Tool (TRACT) - https://www.bnef.com/insights/28081
Clean Energy Exposure Portfolio Tool (CEEPT) - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31449
BNEF Clean Energy Exposure Ratings 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31451See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/25/2023 • 30 minutes, 40 seconds
Crises Collide: Balancing Net Zero and Energy Security
Energy security has come into sharp focus over the past two years, as the shifting geopolitical landscape shakes up power markets around the world. To help customers, numerous governments have introduced regulatory mechanisms to tackle inflation and strengthen domestic energy requirements. But in some instances, these policies have undermined climate goals and even had knock-on effects to the stability of utilities companies themselves. So just how damaging have the last few years been, and are we still on track to meet our net-zero goals?
On today’s show, BNEF’s Deputy CEO, Albert Cheung, hosts a conversation on energy security with panelists Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy; Georgios Stassis, CEO and Chair of Public Power Corporation; and Rui Teixeira, CFO of EDP. Together they discuss the energy ‘trilemma’ of sustainability, affordability and security, including what’s required to increase the pace of clean energy deployment and the compatibility of ever-increasing fossil-fuel investments with a net-zero future.
Today’s episode was recorded live at BNEF Summit London. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, please visit https://about.bnef.com/summit/.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/18/2023 • 47 minutes, 4 seconds
Pulling Carbon From the Sky: A Pricey Climate Solution
Removing carbon directly from the air might seem like a technology of the distant future, but ‘direct air capture’ is increasingly becoming a reality, especially as companies try to figure out how they’re going to meet their net-zero targets. How does DAC actually work, and how seriously should we take it compared to other means of carbon removal?
On today’s show, Dana sits down with Sharon Mustri and Brenna Casey from BNEF’s Sustainable Materials team. Together they take a look at the companies that are investing in DAC, the cost of this technology as well as its rival carbon removal methods, and how one can go about storing all that carbon once it’s been filtered and captured.
Today’s episode draws from the BNEF research note Direct Air Capture: Market and Cost Outlook, which assesses the DAC market through 2050.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Direct Air Capture: Market and Cost Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32021
Amazon, Microsoft Boost Demand for Carbon Removal Tech - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/s16pkct0g1kw01
Occidental’s Big Buy May Alter Path of $150 Billion Market - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32055See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/11/2023 • 42 minutes, 59 seconds
Japan Revisits Nuclear But Solar and Wind Are Future
Japan has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, yet the pathways to this target are complicated by the country’s recent history. In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima meltdown, Japan suspended all of its nuclear reactors, which at the time supplied one third of the nation’s energy. Today, the majority of these reactors still lie dormant, and fossil fuels are filling the energy void.
So how can Japan achieve its climate goals? On today’s show, Dana sits down with Isshu Kikuma, an associate from BNEF’s Tokyo office. Together they talk about the clean energy technologies Japan is using to replace its fossil fuel outlay, the country’s still-complex relationship with nuclear energy, and the surprising group that’s currently blocking the nation’s geothermal energy potential.Today’s episode draws upon themes found in BNEF’s New Energy Outlook: Japan. The regional New Energy Outlook reports analyze local technology pathways to reach net zero and the policy recommendations BNEF identifies as key for a successful transition.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
NEO Japan - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31823/view
Geothermal in Japan: A Tale of Hot Springs Vs Net Zero - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30857See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/4/2023 • 30 minutes, 42 seconds
Winter Gas Outlook: Cautious Optimism as LNG Steps Up
It’s been a volatile year for natural gas. Last winter, global gas prices spiked in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and European nations rushed to replace sanctioned Russian pipeline supply. North America increased LNG exports with most of these volumes going to Europe to meet higher demand for seaborne cargoes. Prices have since normalized thanks to a relatively mild winter, helping the spot demand recovery in Asia. But now, as cold weather returns, European and North Asian demand, and global gas supplies are once again in the spotlight.
On today’s show, Dana speaks to Iryna Sereda, BNEF’s Head of European Gas, and Abhishek Rohatgi, the Head of Global LNG and APAC Gas, about their newly published Winter Gas Outlook. Together they discuss European gas inventories, Asian markets, where new supply is coming online, and how demand dynamics are shifting around the world. They also talk about how climate events from El Niño to global warming are complicating gas market forecasts and why they remain cautiously optimistic for the year ahead.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Global LNG Winter Gas Outlook 2023-24 - https://about.bnef.com/blog/global-lng-winter-outlook-2023-24/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/27/2023 • 33 minutes, 33 seconds
Lithium Rush: The Key Metal Powering the EV Revolution
Lithium is integral to the majority of electric vehicle battery chemistries, making it one of the world’s most sought-after metals. Once it’s out of ground, who controls the supply of lithium and its refining? With the majority of major diversified miners not actively taking part in lithium extraction, who are the companies involved in this space?
On today’s show, Dana speaks with Ellie Gomes-Callus from BNEF’s metals and mining team, and Dr. Andy Leach from the energy storage team. Together, they discuss the different methods of lithium mining and their varying ecological impacts, why the major diversified miners are largely avoiding the extraction of this metal, and the relationship between lithium and different battery chemistries. They also consider whether sodium-ion technology poses a threat to lithium’s current dominance.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
1H 2023 Battery Metals Outlook: Shift In Demand Dynamics
Energy Transition Metals Production Scores: Australia Top
Sodium-ion Batteries Target China’s Mini EVs to Cut Costs
Rio Tinto Doubles Down on Lithium Mining With Rwanda Deal
Battery Metals Monthly - August 2023See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/20/2023 • 34 minutes, 56 seconds
Domino Effect: How Tesla Is Winning the Charging War
When it comes to charging an electric vehicle in the US, drivers face a complex landscape. Tesla currently dominates the sector with its highly efficient stations and ultra-fast chargers, but an array of companies are vying for a share of this burgeoning market. And with $7.5 billion from the Biden administration’s NEVI program now available for building out the nation’s charging network, the competition is hotter than ever. On today’s show, Dana speaks to Ryan Fisher, BNEF’s head of EV Charging, and Corey Cantor, a Senior Associate from BNEF’s New York office. Together they discuss the different US charging networks, who owns them, how many chargers they each have. They also discuss how the public charger rollout varies from state to state, the subsidies involved, and whether anyone is in a position to challenge Tesla.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Automakers Assemble for US EV Charging - Six Years Late - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31871
EV Charging Outlook 2023: Grounds for Optimism - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31781
GM Crawls Back to Twitter and Tesla to Save EV Ambitions - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31583/viewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/13/2023 • 39 minutes, 9 seconds
Ammonia: From Fertilizer to Fuel of the Future
Ammonia is one of the world’s most widely used chemicals, found in everything from fertilizers to explosives. But this tiny, crucial molecule has a heavy carbon footprint, with ammonia production and end use applications accounting for 2-3% of emissions worldwide. Now, green ammonia could be within reach, as hydrogen, its key component, moves toward an emissions-free production process of its own. To find out more, Dana speaks with Adithya Bhashyam, an Associate from BNEF’s Hydrogen team. Together they explore the relationship between ammonia and hydrogen, ammonia’s potential as a clean shipping fuel, and the prospect of using ammonia as a more efficient means of transporting green hydrogen itself.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Ammonia Market Primer: The Struggle to Go GreenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/6/2023 • 34 minutes, 2 seconds
G-20 Sherpa Sees India as a Global Hydrogen Champion
This month, BNEF’s New Delhi Summit took place alongside the B20 meetings, the official business community engagement forum for the G20. Among BNEF’s guests was Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa for the Indian government, who sat down for a conversation with BNEF CEO Jon Moore on the Summit stage. Amitabh has had a long career in public service, including serving as the Secretary for India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, the Chairman and CEO of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corporation, and the Secretary for the Indian Ministry of Tourism. He is now the CEO of the Government of India’s think tank NITI Aayog. Together, he and Jon discussed Amitabh’s vision for Indian green hydrogen production, the nation’s expanding EV sector, and how attracting private capital investment will help decarbonize India’s hard-to-abate sectors.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Information on upcoming BNEF summits - https://about.bnef.com/summit/
Videos of interview and talks from previous BNEF summits - https://www.bnef.com/videos?video-type=summitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/30/2023 • 18 minutes, 23 seconds
Cream of the Crop: The Business of Plant-Based Milk
The dairy industry relies on 270 million cows to produce over 600 million tons of milk annually, and these cows are having a significant impact on the environment. Plant-based milks have been presented as an alternative, a dairy-free way for us to enjoy our milk and be more environmentally conscious, too. But how does the plant-based milk business work, and just how clean is the industry in comparison to dairy? On today’s show, Dana speaks with Sarrah Raza, a Technology and Innovations Analyst from BNEF’s New York office. Together they discuss a variety of plant-based milk alternatives and their ecological footprints, the major companies that are operating in the space, and how agricultural policies in the US are helping keep plant-milk prices high.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Milking Crops Not Cows: A Primer on Plant-Based Dairy - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31455See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/23/2023 • 36 minutes, 47 seconds
Power Grids: The Backbone of the Race to Net Zero
The transmission grid is a topic that reaches across many of our episodes, but it’s never before been the center of attention. That changes today. While the installation of clean energy equipment is essential for the net-zero transition, the grid that delivers this electricity to consumers is equally critical. On today’s show, Dana speaks to Meredith Annex, BNEF’s Head of Clean Power, and Sanjeet Sanghera, Head of Grids and Utilities at BNEF. Together they discuss the transmission grid and why it’s so important, which nations are successfully upgrading their grids (and which are failing), and the scale of materials and buildout necessary to prepare the grid for a net-zero world.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
New Energy Outlook: Grids - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30899
Spain Fights Off Its Grid Connection Woes - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31137
Germany's Grid Holds Up Against Renewables Influx So Far - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30949
Grid Connection Queues Threaten Europe’s Net-Zero Goals - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30897See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/16/2023 • 38 minutes, 19 seconds
Ercot’s Extremes: Weather, Solar and Bitcoin
The Texas power grid has had a volatile few years. As temperatures in the Lone Star State soared earlier this summer, power prices spiked to nearly $5,000 per megawatt-hour. However, that eye-watering price tag paled in comparison to what happened after Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, when per-MWh prices hit a staggering $9,000. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) has a grid structure unlike any other in the US, but equally unique are some of its solutions for handling grid flexibility. On today’s show, Dana speaks with Thomas Rowlands-Rees, BNEF’s Head of Research for North America, and BNEF Associate for US Power Nathalie Limandibhratha. Together they discuss the way ERCOT operates, how Bitcoin mines are impacting grid flexibility and the state’s growing renewable energy rollout.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Texas Is Sizzling, But Renewables Keep Power Prices Cool
Ercot Market Outlook: Everything Depends on BitcoinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/9/2023 • 29 minutes, 17 seconds
Forging a Clean Future: The Challenge for Steelmakers
Steel is one of the world’s most widely used materials. It also accounts for 7-8% of global emissions, and ‘greening’ its production process presents an enormous challenge. So how can manufacturers decarbonize this crucial product? On today’s episode, Dana talks with Dr Julia Attwood, BNEF’s Head of Sustainable Materials, and Yuchen Tang, a sustainable materials analyst from Bloomberg’s Beijing office. Together they discuss the tech that’s helping steel manufacturers reduce their emissions, how the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is impacting steel manufacturing, and the role nuclear power could play in the sector.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Decarbonizing Steel: Corporate Strategies - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31199
Decarbonizing Steel: Company Profiles - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31409See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/2/2023 • 29 minutes, 2 seconds
Mining for Scrap: The Future of Green Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals today, appearing in everything from new buildings to food packaging. But what, exactly, makes aluminum such an important metal, and why are its emissions so difficult to abate? On today’s show, Dana talks to Dr Kwasi Ampofo, BNEF’s head of metals and mining. Together they offer a deep dive into aluminum production and consumption, discussing not only the metal’s applications across a range of sectors, but also the sky-high energy needs of primary aluminum production, the importance of aluminum scrap and recycling, and how ‘urban mining’ could help alleviate supply-chain snags.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Global Scrap Outlook: Filling the Supply Gap
Transition Metals Outlook 2023
Global Aluminum Outlook, 2021-2040See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/26/2023 • 29 minutes, 37 seconds
Embracing Imperfectionism, with Charles Conn
Imperfection is usually considered a negative, but is there something to be said for embracing ‘imperfectionism’? What can we learn from failures, and what are the mindsets and tools we need to turn imperfect outcomes into long-term gains? On today’s show Dana talks with Charles Conn, the current chair of the Patagonia board, about his new book, The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times. Together they discuss real-life applications for Conn’s six different mindsets, how AI illustrates a curiosity mindset in practice, and how imperfectionism can be harnessed to boost the climate-sensitive areas of our economy. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/19/2023 • 33 minutes, 36 seconds
Electric Vehicle Outlook 2023: On the Road to Net Zero
Electric vehicle sales are gaining momentum around the world, ushering in the end of the internal combustion era. On today’s episode, Dana speaks with Colin McKerracher, BNEF’s Head of Advanced Transport, about his team’s newest Electric Vehicle Outlook. Delving into electrification, shared mobility and autonomous driving (among other factors), the annual report considers how road transport will evolve in the coming decades – and what these changes could mean for the automotive, energy, infrastructure and battery-materials markets. Together, Dana and Colin dive into this flagship publication, considering policy changes and the pace of global EV adoption, the speed bumps that still face e-trucking and the advances in tech that could pave the road to net zero. BNEF's Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook 2023 can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. A publicly available executive summary can also be found here: https://www.bnef.com/flagships/ev-outlookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/12/2023 • 34 minutes, 15 seconds
Sun, Wind and Pink Tides in Latin America
Clean energy is booming in Latin America, where wind and solar are breaking records year after year. But as the world battles inflation, can the trend continue? And can the region harness its clean-energy resources to become a key green hydrogen exporter? To find out more, Dana spoke with BNEF’s Head of Latin America Research, James Ellis, and São Paulo-based BNEF Associate Natalia Castilhos Rypl. Together they discuss the key findings from BNEF’s most recent Latin America Market Outlook, which nations are throwing their weight behind renewable energy installations, and whether the region could be on the brink of a green hydrogen boom.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
1H 2023 Latin America Market Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31585
Latin America’s Big Green Hydrogen Export Dreams May Slip - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31343See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/28/2023 • 31 minutes, 6 seconds
Resourceful Diplomacy with Helaina Matza
Countries are racing to acquire the rare minerals and resources necessary for clean energy tech. So how can they secure their own positions while also building strategic partnerships? Helaina Matza, who has spent her career as a diplomat and negotiator with the US Government, is here to help explain the process. Now the Deputy Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Helaina has also served as Director of Energy Transformation at the Bureau of Energy Resources and Director of Climate Diplomacy and Energy Transformation at the National Security Council in the White House.
Helaina sat down with BNEF Editor Kamala Schelling to discuss US policy and the energy transition, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, and what her work as a diplomat has taught her about tackling climate change.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to https://about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/21/2023 • 21 minutes, 50 seconds
Perennial Possibilities for Agriculture
Agriculture, forestry and land use are among the most climate-sensitive areas of our economy. They also account for almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, which begs the question: Can anything be done to reduce farming’s sizable carbon footprint? On today’s show, Dana talks to Caroline Lewis, an analyst from BNEF’s Sustainable Agriculture team, about perennial crops, one possible solution. Together they discuss the benefits of multiyear lifecycles, the evolution from annual to perennial cereals, and how these crops could aid carbon sequestration while also reducing overall emissions in the sector. This podcast drew upon themes found in the BNEF research note, Perennial Cereals: The Root of Regenerative Agriculture. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/16/2023 • 24 minutes, 58 seconds
G-20 Climate Policy in Focus
The last year has been a tough one for the G-20 member nations, with soaring energy prices and a global inflationary crisis. Against such a backdrop, what is happening to climate policies and net-zero targets? Victoria Cuming, Head of Global Policy at BloombergNEF, returns to the pod to talk with Dana about the 2023 edition of the G-20 Zero-Carbon Policy Scoreboard. Together they discuss a range of topics, including this year’s ‘winners and losers,’ the US Inflation Reduction Act’s global impact, and what the upcoming G-20 meeting may mean for climate goals worldwide.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
G-20 Zero-Carbon Policy Scoreboard: Issue 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31383See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/9/2023 • 31 minutes, 57 seconds
DOE Loans and How to Get Them, with Jigar Shah
Have you ever wondered what it would take to get a clean energy transition loan from the US government? Jigar Shah knows all about it. An entrepreneur, podcaster, and director of the US Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, Jigar helps businesses fund their clean energy transition while offering thought leadership in the field. He recently sat down with BNEF Senior Editor Vandana Gombar to discuss his current role, available DOE loans and how companies can apply for them, and who should pick up the tab for new transmission capacity in the US.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to https://about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/6/2023 • 27 minutes, 10 seconds
Webber on Entrepreneurship in the Energy Transition
From investing in startups and appearing on TV shows to writing books and teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs, Michael Webber, the CTO of Energy Impact Partners and the Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources at the University of Texas at Austin, brings an array of experiences and insights to the energy transition. On today’s episode, he joins BNEF Chief Editor Ben Vickers to discuss the art of entrepreneurship, what Energy Impact Partners look for when investing in startups, and how his time working with ENGIE helped him change his mind about ‘green’ hydrogen.
Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/31/2023 • 29 minutes
Will Biden’s IRA Spark a New Era in Clean-Tech Supply?
The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act by the Biden administration was partly designed to stimulate US clean-tech energy projects and equipment production. In the nine months since its introduction, has the IRA succeeded in increasing domestic renewables production, and what has been the reaction to it outside the US? On today’s show Antoine Vagneur-Jones, BNEF’s head of trade and supply chains, returns to talk to Dana. Together, they discuss a variety of topics, including the potential fracturing of existing supply chains as countries attempt to onshore their clean-tech production, the policies that other nations and trading blocs have introduced in response to the IRA, and the dangers posed to international net-zero targets by these structural shifts.
BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Energy Transition's New Industrial Landscape - https://about.bnef.com/blog/energy-transitions-new-industrial-landscape/
Europe's Bid to Reshore Clean Tech Pulls Its Punches - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31053See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/26/2023 • 38 minutes, 9 seconds
What's in a Name? ESG and Greenwashing
For more than a century, the ESG label has been used to describe investments that take environmental, social and governance concerns into account. Recently, the label has become a political flashpoint, buffeted between lawsuits from the right and accusations of greenwashing from the left. So where does ESG investing go from here? On today’s show, Dana talks with Maia Godemer, a Senior Associate from BNEF’s Sustainable Finance team. Together they discuss a variety of topics, including how ESG fits into different investment strategies, the greenwashing risks attached to the label, and where ESG sits within the turbulent political landscape in the US.
BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.
Links to research notes from this episode:
Mass ESG Fund Downgrades That Rocked Market May Be Reversed - https://www.bnef.com/news/1131545
Unpacking ESG ETFs' Fall From Grace - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31157
US Lawmakers Hoisted By Own Petard With Anti-ESG Push - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31121
To Stop Greenwashing We First Need to Agree on What It Is - https://www.bnef.com/insights/30359 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/19/2023 • 45 minutes, 23 seconds
Powering the World’s Most Populous Country
Having overtaken China as the world’s most populous nation, and with a developing economy that’s rapidly industrializing, India’s energy demand is growing. But as other countries move toward green energy sources and net-zero targets, can India, this year’s G-20 host, find a way to successfully transition away from its coal-dominated energy market? On today’s show, Dana talks with Rohit Gadre, a Senior Associate from BNEF’s New Delhi office. Together they discuss a variety of topics, including the current makeup of India’s energy sector, the IPPs and global companies taking part in India’s energy auctions, and how – and whether – the country can achieve its net-zero goals.
BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. BNEF Insight Notes cited in this podcast include, Renewables Meet Peak Power Demand in Latest India Auction and 1H 2023 India Renewables Market Outlook: A Turbulent Time. Information regarding BNEF's New Delhi Summit can be found at https://about.bnef.com/summit/newdelhiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/12/2023 • 34 minutes, 12 seconds
CEPSA Sets A New Strategy in ‘Positive Motion’
CEPSA, the Spanish multinational traditionally known for its oil and gas expertise, is looking toward a greener future with its new Positive Motion strategy. On today's show, Albert Cheung, Deputy CEO at BNEF, speaks with CEPSA CEO Maarten Wetselaar about what it means to rethink the future of a business that has traditionally focused on hydrocarbons. Together they discuss a variety of subjects, including how the implementation of the Positive Motion strategy is successfully transitioning the company across multiple sectors, conflicting approaches between public and private multinational investment in renewables, and recent international competition between nations within the green energy space.Complimentary research from BNEF on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com, or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/5/2023 • 42 minutes, 4 seconds
Presidential Hopeful Baswedan on a Net-Zero Indonesia
Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan spoke to BloombergNEF about his vision for a cleaner future for Indonesia. He shared his views on the country’s 2060 net-zero target, potential funding models for the transition of its domestic energy market, the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid urbanization of Indonesia’s population, and how a targeted buildup of domestic industry could reduce its overall carbon footprint. Baswedan was interviewed by Ben Vickers, chief editor at BNEF.
Complementary research on Indonesia’s transition in energy, transport and commodities can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com, or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/25/2023 • 24 minutes, 10 seconds
Biofuels and EV Charging in Carbon Credit Tussle
Carbon credit schemes in Europe and North America are making the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure increasingly profitable. In this episode of Switched On, we hear from BloombergNEF’s Ryan Fisher, electric vehicle charging specialist and Jade Patterson, renewable fuels specialist. They discuss what the proliferation of carbon credit schemes means for the future of biofuels and electric vehicles. Will the impacts differ in the near and longer term? What should we keep in mind when considering the role that carbon credit schemes play in decarbonization? This podcast draws upon research found in the BNEF research notes titled EV Chargers, Biofuels Square Off in Billion-Dollar Tussle and Carbon Credits Could Be the Key to EV Charging Conundrum. Complementary research includes 2023 US Biofuels Outlook: Ethanol and Batteries and Biofuels Will Share Europe’s Roads. BNEF subscribers can find research at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/27/2023 • 34 minutes, 32 seconds
Google Shakes Up Corporate Renewable Energy Purchasing
Renewable energy power purchase agreements have been integral to many companies’ sustainability strategies. Google was early to enter this space and is now thinking about how to take its targets a step further with around-the-clock carbon-free energy.
But what differentiates Google's new strategy from others that are predominantly based on power purchase agreements, and how does this impact the broader decarbonization of electricity grids? In today’s show, Caroline Golin, global head of energy market development and policy at Google, shares her views. She is interviewed by Kyle Harrison, head of sustainability research at BloombergNEF.Complementary research from BNEF on corporate sustainability strategies and power purchase agreements can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/10/2023 • 49 minutes, 24 seconds
Graichen on Germany’s Way Out of the Energy Crisis
Although the end of winter is approaching, the energy crisis will not end when flowers bloom in the spring. Policymakers around the world are hard at work and considering the actions that will ensure energy security at an affordable price for their country. In this episode of Switched On, Germany’s Dr. Patrick Graichen, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, sits down in conversation with Emma Champion, Head of Regional Energy Transitions at BloombergNEF. They discuss Germany’s approach to the energy crisis and the things we need to watch in the months, seasons and years ahead.Subscribers can read related research on the energy transition at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/10/2023 • 31 minutes, 18 seconds
Electrolyzers Help Heat Up the Great Hydrogen Debate
Hydrogen's role in the energy transition is hotly debated. Technology costs, the practicalities of distribution and storage, and potential applications in hard-to-abate industries are just a few of the discussion topics surrounding this little molecule. In today’s show, we consider the future of hydrogen by zooming in on the electrolyzer market. Cumulative electrolyzer installations are expected to grow from 2 gigawatts in 2022 to roughly 240 gigawatts by 2030. Europe and China are already major electrolyzer markets, and with the advent of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the hydrogen market in the United States is likely to grow. Today’s show features BNEF hydrogen analysts Adithya Bashyam and Matthew Bravante, who draw upon insights found in BNEF's Global Electrolyzer Outlook 2030 as they lead us through this fascinating field. Subscribers can read this BNEF research note at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/19/2023 • 33 minutes, 32 seconds
Expanding Charging Networks with Melanie Lane, Shell Recharge
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining market share and reducing transportation-related emissions around the world. Facilitating this roll-out are the critical charging networks. When supplied with clean energy, these networks can further decarbonize vehicles, and their expansion can combat range anxiety and facilitate user adoption. On today’s episode of Switched On, Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced Transport at BloombergNEF, speaks with Melanie Lane, CEO of Shell Recharge Solutions Europe, about the role of charging networks in the broader EV landscape, challenges the industry is currently facing and how EV networks may shape our future. Related research on Advanced Transportation can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or on our mobile app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/11/2023 • 29 minutes, 57 seconds
Shifting Supply Chains for Batteries and Solar
When Covid-19 disrupted global supply chains, many people realized for the first time how vulnerable these complex systems really are. Some Western governments have responded by looking to expand manufacturing on their own soil. In today’s episode, we are joined by Antoine Vagneur-Jones, BNEF’s Head of Trade and Supply Chains, to discuss what a turn toward domestic clean-energy manufacturing may mean for battery and solar value chains. As Antoine explains, any such shift would bring benefits – but also come at a cost. This podcast is based on the BNEF Research Note titled Localizing Clean Energy Supply Chains Comes at a Cost. This can be read at BNEF < GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or via our mobile app. This episode was produced by Mariko O'Neil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/2/2022 • 28 minutes
COP27 Scorecard Comes Up Short After Overtime
The 27th Conference of the Parties has concluded in Egypt, with the annual UN climate summit finally reaching a deal after two days of overtime. In today’s show, we take a closer look at the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan.
Headed into COP27, many referred to the event as the “implementation COP,” given the need to deliver on previous commitments. To tell us how this year’s COP performed against stated objectives, we speak with Victoria Cuming, global head of policy at BNEF. From loss and damage, to carbon trading, to funding the $100 billion of climate finance promised to developing nations, Vicky shares her scorecard on how this COP measured up against expectations.
This podcast is based off the BNEF research note “Implementation COP Fails to Implement Much Climate Action.” It can be read at BNEF< GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or via our mobile app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/25/2022 • 34 minutes, 40 seconds
Rewiring the European Electricity Grid with Chris Peeters, Elia Group
Europe is constructing a more flexible electricity grid to prepare for what is shaping up to be a volatile transition to net zero. There is a range of projects ranging from the mega, such as the proposal to build artificial islands in the North Sea, to the micro, for example, deploying distributed resources to make residential and industrial customers more flexible. In this episode, Sanjeet Sanghera speaks with Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group. They explore what Elia is doing in both of these domains of grid flexibility and how Europe is preparing for this winter.Research on electricity grids by BloombergNEF can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on BNEF's mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/18/2022 • 37 minutes, 32 seconds
Europe Breaks Up With Natural Gas
Natural gas prices remain elevated and security of supply is uncertain. In Europe, the reduced flows of natural gas coming from Russia have impacted everything from home heating to manufacturing. As we head into winter in the Northern Hemisphere, what is likely to happen in natural gas markets and what factors are important to consider when we think about implications beyond this year? In today’s episode, we hear from Stefan Ulrich and Arun Toora, who are both European gas specialists at BNEF. They address outstanding questions like whether Europe has enough gas in storage to make it through this winter and how big of a role demand destruction could play.
Complimentary research from BNEF includes the ‘European Gas Winter Outlook 2022: Demand Swings Too Far?’ and ‘Global LNG Winter Outlook 2022-2023.’ These can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com and on our mobile app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/4/2022 • 33 minutes, 39 seconds
Sowing Seeds of Innovation with Agriculture Offsets
The voluntary carbon offsets market is growing as companies and countries look to meet their climate goals. Offsets from agriculture have been getting attention recently. While they comprise only 1% of total offsets today, their potential to spur innovation and change in agricultural practices means there is scope for a much bigger impact. From soil management to livestock-related activities, farmers are at the heart of the agriculture offsets market.
Today, we speak about what agriculture carbon offsets are, what one needs to think about when considering whether the emissions reductions are additional, and who is keeping an eye on them. To provide us with those details, Kyle Harrison, Head of Sustainability Research at BNEF, joins us on the show. For further reading on this topic, BNEF subscribers can read, Agriculture Carbon Offsets Outlook: Barren to Bountiful, at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, and bnef.com or via our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/28/2022 • 36 minutes, 59 seconds
Africa and The Road Not Taken
Several countries in Africa are looking to expand their energy systems to meet rising electricity demand. The question remains whether they will industrialize in the same way developed nations have done in the past, or whether they will install a greater proportion of low-carbon technologies. The region is at an inflection point and just like in Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken, choosing the road less traveled may have benefits.
As we look ahead to the COP27 summit, which will be held in Egypt in November 2022, climate finance for the developing world will be in the spotlight. Today, we speak with Chasity McFadden, an energy transition analyst at BloombergNEF focused on Africa, about what she is seeing in the region. Through case studies in Namibia and South Africa, we think about what the future energy system could look like in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For additional information, BNEF subscribers can read the research notes titled Namibia Spearheads Energy Storage in Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s Power Technology Debate, and South Africa Tackles Power Outages Through Private Sector. These can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on BNEF's mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/21/2022 • 29 minutes, 34 seconds
Solar Shines Bright in the Energy Crisis
Solar has a critical role to play in decarbonizing the global energy system. It also has the potential to reduce power price volatility by increasing domestically produced energy supply in some parts of the world. In 2022, BloombergNEF expects to see yet another record year of solar build. This is all the while the cost of components, materials and projects remains elevated. In today’s episode of Switched On, Dana Perkins speaks with Jenny Chase, head of solar at BNEF, about what is happening in the solar industry today and what she expects to see going forward. This podcast draws upon research found in the BNEF 3Q 2022 Global PV Market Outlook, which can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or via our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/14/2022 • 24 minutes, 47 seconds
Scramble for Battery Metals Puts Chemistries in Focus
Batteries for electric vehicles and stationary storage are increasingly in demand. But while ever-cheaper batteries were expected only a couple of years ago, supply turbulence for the key metals needed has increased prices in 2022 and made future costs uncertain. Depending on the chemistry selected, battery metals can make up 60-80% of a battery’s total cost. Alongside human rights concerns, metals prices have led battery manufacturers to take a closer look at their chemistries.
In today’s episode of Switched On, we speak with Kwasi Ampofo, head of metals and mining at BNEF, about the outlook for battery metals – specifically, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. This episode draws upon the research found in BNEF’s 1H 2022 Battery Metals Outlook: Supply Turbulence Ahead, which can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or via our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/7/2022 • 39 minutes, 49 seconds
Whatever Floats Your Wind Turbine
Not long ago, floating offshore wind turbines were treated as conceptual cleantech. More recently, they have become reality with gigawatts of capacity slated for installation within this decade. In this episode, we discuss the potential for floating wind, its growth drivers and cost trends with Oliver Metcalfe, head of wind research at BloombergNEF, and Luisa Amorim, the offshore wind specialist at BNEF. This episode draws upon research found in the BNEF 1H 2022 Offshore Wind Market Outlook and was produced by Sanjeet Sanghera. To access this research, subscribers can find it at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or via our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/30/2022 • 32 minutes, 53 seconds
Nuclear Stages a Comeback
In the years following the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, the conversation around decarbonizing the energy sector moved away from nuclear. However, current commodity price volatility has brought nuclear back to the fore and countries that were previously focused on decommissioning nuclear power stations are now, once again, discussing its virtues. Will this spur a nuclear renaissance and how might this time be different from the 1960s and 1970s? What technology breakthroughs could make the future of nuclear different, and will they happen quickly enough to respond to current market signals? To address these questions and more, Dana Perkins speaks with Chris Gadomski, lead nuclear analyst at BloombergNEF.
This episode of Switched On draws upon a BNEF research note titled, Nuclear 1H 2022 Market Outlook: Unprecedented Opportunity. To access this research, BNEF subscribers can find it at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com or via our mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/16/2022 • 43 minutes, 39 seconds
Getting Fit for 55
Fit for 55 is designed to support the European Union’s pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 when compared with 1990 levels. To aid in achieving this goal, there are several changes proposed to the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
In today’s episode of Switched On, we speak with Bo Qin and Emma Coker, who focus on carbon markets for BNEF. They outline these changes and their impact on the EU ETS. This episode was based on two BloombergNEF research notes: How ‘Fit for 55’ Would Reform the European Carbon Market, as well as Reforms and Offsets Front and Center for EU Carbon Players. These can be found at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on BNEF's mobile app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/2/2022 • 31 minutes, 40 seconds
EV Chargers, Coming to a Street Near You
The roll out of charging infrastructure is combatting range anxiety and enabling the adoption of Electric Vehicles. Ryan Fisher, whose research focuses on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure for BNEF, discusses how quickly this is happening, what is facilitating charger installations around the world, and how charging might impact the electricity grid in the future. Today's podcast pulls from research found in BNEF's Electric Vehicle Outlook (EVO) 2022. For more information, go tohttps://about.bnef.com/electric-vehicle-outlook/. Today's episode was hosted by Dana Perkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/28/2022 • 39 minutes, 58 seconds
Irene Feige from BMW on Designing a Circular Economy Vehicle
Today’s episode features an interview from BNEF’s Summit in Munich that took place on May 24, 2022. Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced Transport at BNEF, spoke with Irene Feige, Head of Climate Strategy and Circular Economy at BMW Group. They discuss how to take emissions and the circular economy into account when designing a vehicle. Irene shares her views on the automotive supply chain, spanning from materials to manufacturing.To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to about.bnef.com/summit/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/17/2022 • 21 minutes, 17 seconds
Europe's Energy Future in Focus
To understand how the energy transition could play out around the world, one might turn to Europe to see how progressive policies and favorable economics for renewables are having an impact. For the second year in a row, BloombergNEF has taken a closer look at Europe’s place in the energy transition through a series of forward-looking scenarios found in the European Energy Transition Outlook 2022. In today’s episode, we speak with Andreas Gandolfo, Head of European Power Analysis, and Emma Champion, Head of Regional Energy Transitions at BNEF. They tell us what aspects of the report stood out, discuss the repercussions of the current energy crunch, and identify which technologies are likely to have the most impact on a net-zero future for the European energy system.
To learn more, BNEF subscribers can read the European Energy Transition Outlook 2022 at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, at bnef.com, or on BNEF mobile. Today’s episode is hosted by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/10/2022 • 48 minutes, 59 seconds
Mark Carney on the Energy Transition
Today’s episode features an interview from BNEF’s recent Summit in New York City, where Ethan Zindler, Head of Americas for BNEF, spoke with Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance and Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). As emphasis on sustainable finance grows and reporting frameworks refine, he highlights the importance of corporate disclosure. Mark also shares his perspective on the role of renewable energy in the energy transition, and how it presents an opportunity for greater energy security.
To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to about.bnef.com/summit/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/19/2022 • 19 minutes, 4 seconds
Sustainable Finance Gets Organized
Looking to better understand the newly proposed rules on climate-related disclosures from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or where nuclear and gas belong on the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities, or perhaps what the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) is doing? You’ve come to the right place and today’s episode goes through all of this and more with Maia Godemer and Mallory Rutigliano, who write about sustainable finance for BloombergNEF (BNEF). Complimentary BNEF research includes the 1H 2022 Sustainable Finance Market Outlook, Including Gas and Nuclear Will Burn Holes in EU Taxonomy, and U.S. Finally Moves on Climate Reporting With SEC Proposal. BNEF clients can access this analysis on BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile. This episode of Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/17/2022 • 49 minutes, 26 seconds
Consumers and Climate Action
From flight shaming to solar ‘buycotts,’ political consumers are making their voices heard on climate by using their wallet. In today’s episode we speak with Hugh Bromley, who writes about consumer issues across the global energy, transport, and sustainability sectors for BloombergNEF (BNEF). We discuss case studies from around the world, where political consumers are driving decarbonization through actions like buying electric vehicles or eating vegan diets.
Today’s episode is based on a report titled, Boycotts, Buycotts, Lifestyle Choices and Discursive Acts. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins. This episode was produced by Eva Marina Gonzalez Isla.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/5/2022 • 31 minutes, 29 seconds
Movie Marathons and Grid Flexibility
By the end of the decade, energy demand could grow by 80% across the five countries containing the majority of European data centers. Instead of placing strain on the grid, data centers have the potential to serve as a source of flexible demand. In today’s episode, Michael Kenefick and Sarrah Raza from BNEF discuss the future of the grid and how data centers might interact.Today’s episode is based on a report titled, Data Centers and Decarboninziation: Unlocking Flexibility in Europe’s Data Centers. This was done in partnership with Eaton and Stakraft. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/15/2022 • 30 minutes, 26 seconds
Decarbonizing Petrochemicals
They are also one of the largest sources of industrial emissions. In today’s episode we talk about how companies are looking to reduce these emissions and some of the emissions reducing technologies that are being developed. We also discuss how high oil prices might this impact the petrochemicals supply chain. We are joined by Ilhan Savut who writes about sustainable materials for BNEF and Sisi Tang who an oil and chemicals analyst. Today’s episode is based on two separate BNEF research reports titled, Decarbonizing Petrochemicals: Corporate Strategies and Decarbonizing Petrochemicals: Technologies and Costs. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched on is hosted by Dana Perkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/29/2022 • 29 minutes, 37 seconds
Carbon Offsets and the New Wild West
What companies are buying voluntary carbon offsets? How much do offsets cost? Are they truly providing an additional carbon benefit? These are just some of the hotly discussed topics in the carbon offset space. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF’s Head of Sustainability Research, Kyle Harrison, about the outlook for voluntary carbon offsets. He addresses some of the issues being discussed right now and what this might tell us about the future for offsets. This episode is based on the BNEF research note titled, Long-Term Carbon Offsets Outlook 2022. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins. This episode was produced by Eva Marina Gonzalez Isla.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/18/2022 • 35 minutes, 10 seconds
How to Think About the Future
What must be true today, in order to achieve a net-zero future? That is one of the questions considered by the BloombergNEF Energy Economics team when building forward-looking energy transition scenarios out to 2050. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF’s Chief Economist, Seb Henbest. He talks about our Energy Transition Scenario, as well as what we might learn from the three net zero scenarios that were added in the last release of BNEF’s flagship New Energy Outlook report. Recorded in late-2021. This episode is based on BNEF’s New Energy Outlook report series. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/25/2022 • 27 minutes, 27 seconds
Natural Gas Is Wishing for a Warm Winter
Recent volatility and high prices in natural gas commodities markets have created a knock-on effect for utilities and consumers. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF's global head of LNG analysis, Fauziah Marzuki, about the once regional but now global natural gas market. She discusses the future of natural gas including when and under what conditions natural gas prices and trade flows might stabilize.This episode is based on a report titled Four Ways to Think About the Future of Natural Gas. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/11/2022 • 34 minutes, 19 seconds
The Future of Geothermal Part 2: The Business Case
In June of this year, the California Public Utilities Commission put out a decision requiring an additional 11,500MW of clean energy capacity to be procured by entities supplying the California grid by 2026. But also stipulated 1,000MW of this has to come from zero-emitting, renewable resources that have at least an 80% capacity factor, or, geothermal. In part 1 of this series we talked about the new technologies enabling geothermal development. In part 2, we'll talk about the business case -- how this regulation has set off a wave of activity in the sector, from incumbent geothermal developers, and those planning to utilize new geothermal generation technologies. Today on the show, we’ve got Paul Thomsen, Vice President of Business Development at Ormat Technologies. He’ll tell us about what’s going on in California and how Ormat and others are responding to this demand.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/7/2021 • 30 minutes, 55 seconds
The Future of Geothermal Part 1: Technology Development
Geothermal is a small industry, with just about 14 gigawatts of capacity online globally. But where it matters, it matters a lot. In pockets around the world, geothermal can be not just the cleanest form of power, but also the cheapest. Still, geothermal development is hard -- drilling wells involves similar risks to oil and gas projects, but offers returns more in line with utilities. That risk profile has stunted the growth of geothermal. There are several companies working hard on technologies to de-risk geothermal development and squeeze additional value out of the hot water coming out of the wells. In some cases, they are throwing out the concept of conventional geothermal and starting afresh. Today, Switched On speaks with Hidda Thorsteinsson, managing director for research and innovation at Reykjavik Energy.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/3/2021 • 30 minutes
Rio Tinto Turns to Carbfix to Bury CO2
In late October, Rio Tinto announced plans to capture and bury CO2 from its ISAL aluminum smelter outside Reykjavik in the basalt right under its feet. The initiative is part of a $7.5bn effort to reduce firm-wide operational emissions by 50% by 2030. Today, Switched On speaks with Kari Helgason, head of research and innovation at Carbfix, the company that will take Rio's CO2 and inject it underground where it will turn to rock within two years. In our conversation, which takes place on location in Iceland at the site of Carbfix's first CO2 injection project, he tells us how the technology works, and how Carbfix's solution could scale to make a meaningful dent in global emissions.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched on this week is hosted by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/22/2021 • 33 minutes, 59 seconds
Government Net-Zero Strategy Playbook
Hundreds of countries and companies aim to hit net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, or thereabouts. But even after COP26, most have not laid out clear pathways to getting there, and are putting themselves in the position of starting too late to meet the mid-century deadline. This decade is critical to get things going. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of energy transition, Luiza Demoro, about the Pathfinders Initiative. Launched on October 18, Pathfinders is a resource from Bloomberg for policymakers to see what has worked around the world and get actionable ideas for policies to meet their net-zero targets.You can find out more about the Pathfinders Initiative at bloomberg.com/netzeropathfinders.Switched on this week is hosted by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/15/2021 • 22 minutes, 38 seconds
Methane's Big Moment
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. When it comes to reducing methane emissions, monitoring technology, economics, and policy all have an important role to play. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF analysts Antoine Vagneur-Jones, who covers EMEA Energy Transitions, and Nakul Nair, who covers U.S. Gas & LNG. They tell us about methane emissions and what can be done.This episode is based on a report titled Global Demethanization Poised to Give U.S. LNG an Edge. You can also find Bloomberg’s coverage of COP26 and the Global Methane Pledge on the Bloomberg COP26 blog.Switched on this week is hosted by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/5/2021 • 28 minutes, 53 seconds
The Final Countdown: Biden's Last Push Before Glasgow
The pressure is on the U.S. to get its climate house in order before it seeks to lead negotiations in Glasgow. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of Americas, Ethan Zindler, and BNEF head of global policy, Victoria Cuming. They will walk us through the politics in the U.S. and what to watch out for in Glasgow, whether or not Biden shows up to the conference as a leader, or just an attendee.This episode is based BNEF's ongoing coverage of U.S. and global policy, and special coverage of COP26. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/28/2021 • 35 minutes, 24 seconds
Europe Energy Crunch, Explained
Europe's energy crunch is complex and weeks in, does not yet seems to be resolving, with higher gas prices, gasoline shortages and electricity retailers going out of business. This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF head of research for EMEA, David Hostert. He will walk us through the big picture -- why the energy crunch, why now -- and talk us through how gas, coal, carbon and renewables are all tied into this. The podcast also touches on the implications for governments and consumers.This episode is based BNEF's ongoing coverage of European power, gas, and carbon markets. BNEF clients can access this analysis at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/11/2021 • 29 minutes, 59 seconds
Hydrogen 101
Hydrogen is a clean burning molecule that could be used to cut carbon emissions in some of the hardest to abate sectors like steel, cement, and aluminum production. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF lead hydrogen analyst Martin Tengler about the fundamentals of hydrogen. He will talk us through the many ways hydrogen can be produced, transported and used, plus the challenging economics behind this promising energy source for the clean energy transition.This episode is based on a report titled, Hydrogen for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/5/2021 • 56 minutes, 16 seconds
Glencore on Net-Zero Mining
International mining company Glencore has set a net-zero 2050 ambition across its operations for scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, meaning not only the mining but the use of its products, like coal. Today, Switched On speaks with Anna Krutikov, head of sustainable development at Glencore. She walks us through the company's targets, opportunities faced by Glencore in the energy transition in areas like battery metals, and some of the ethical considerations associated with decarbonization timelines.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/27/2021 • 39 minutes, 40 seconds
Technology for Greener Cities
The urban sprawl can seem endless, but in reality, cities only cover 3% of global landmass, while accounting for 70% of global emissions. Cities around the world are therefore turning their focus to sustainability. This week, Switched On speaks with Technology & Innovation analyst for BNEF, Kirti Vasta. She will tell us about cities making moves toward sustainability and why now. How different types of cities are approaching the challenge in different ways, and how all cities are using technology as a key component to their strategy.This episode is based on a report titled Digital Technologies for Smarter, More Sustainable Cities. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/16/2021 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
The Coming Boom in Offshore Wind
The offshore wind sector is set to grow more than 10-fold over the next 15 years. Growth has been largely in Europe to date, but China is about to go big with more than 25 gigawatts coming online in the next five years, and President Biden is pushing for 30 gigawatts to be installed in the U.S. by 2030. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF offshore wind analysts Imogen Brown and Chelsea Jean-Michel about why offshore wind and why now, and who is positioned to win in the boom ahead.This episode is based on a report titled 1H 2021 Offshore Wind Market Outlook. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/2/2021 • 31 minutes, 3 seconds
EV Future so Bright Biden Wears Shades
BloombergNEF's Electric Vehicle Outlook is our long-term view on how electrification, shared mobility, and autonomous driving will re-shape road transport in the next three decades. This week, Switched On speaks with Colin McKerracher, the report's lead author and head of transport analysis, about when the world must start to meet net zero targets, which sectors are on track to do so, and what surprised him most in this year's analysis.This episode is based on the Electric Vehicle Outlook 2021. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/9/2021 • 43 minutes, 31 seconds
Energy Transition Fund Frenzy
Over the past four months more than $30 billion has been raised by some of the world's largest asset managers for energy transition-focused funds. The capital raised will be invested in things like wind, solar, and energy storage projects, and equity in the companies developing and supplying these projects. Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF Chief Content Officer and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Nat Bullard about this fundraising activity, why now, who's involved, and whether this is just the start of things to come.This episode is based on Bullard's latest Sparklines column, More Money Than Ever Is Flowing Into Climate Tech, which can be found on the Bloomberg terminal under NI BULLARD, and on bloomberg.com.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/2/2021 • 36 minutes, 5 seconds
AES Chief on the Transition to Net Zero
Power company AES has been an energy company in transition for well over a decade, and continues to develop and own renewable and other power assets globally. Today, Switched On's Dana Perkins speaks with AES CEO, Andres Gluski. He shares his views on the many aspects of the energy business -- from generation to storage to nuclear -- as well as what AES is doing to reduce its own carbon footprint as it drives toward its net zero goal.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/28/2021 • 39 minutes, 59 seconds
Tesla Crushing it in China's Car Cap and Trade
China will be a huge market for electric vehicles. In BloombergNEF's latest Electric Vehicle Outlook, published last month, we project that EVs will be 25% of China's passenger vehicle sales in 2025, 48% in 2030, and 77% in 2040. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF electric vehicle analyst Siyi Mi about the policies China has in place to accelerate this growth, and how pure-play EV manufacturers - including Tesla - are benefiting.This episode is based on a report titled China’s New Energy Vehicle Credit System – 2021. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/13/2021 • 31 minutes, 41 seconds
U.S. Shale Oil Walks the Line
U.S. benchmark oil prices are up almost 50% this year, as global demand continues its pandemic recovery. In the States, rising demand and rising prices have led to production increases - but only modest increases so far. This week, Switched On speaks with Tai Liu and Anna Dialynas, U.S. oil analysts for BloombergNEF. They will tell us us about how most U.S. oil producers are choosing fiscal discipline over major production increases, and opting for debt reductions and shareholder paybacks over drilling new wells.This episode is based on a report titled U.S. Shale Oil Quarterly Outlook: 3Q 2021. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/29/2021 • 28 minutes, 50 seconds
BP EVP of Sustainability Giulia Chierchia on Net-Zero Ambitions
Oil major BP has ambitions to cut its greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations, its oil & gas production, and the products it sells to net-zero by 2050. Also during that time the company plans to ramp up investment in non-oil and gas activities, like renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Today, Switched On's Dana Perkins speaks with Giulia Chierchia, executive vice president of strategy and sustainability at BP about the energy transition from an energy company perspective.BNEF users can hear this interview and more, on BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/21/2021 • 38 minutes, 48 seconds
The Cost of Clean, Green Aluminum
The aluminum industry can achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and there are multiple routes to get there, starting from recycling and going all the way to carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offsets. Producers will need a combination of technologies to decarbonize fully. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF analysts Sharon Mustri and Julia Attwood about the costs of decarbonizing aluminum, and the implications for policymakers and aluminum producers.This episode is based on a report titled Decarbonizing Aluminum: Technologies and Costs. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/14/2021 • 32 minutes, 37 seconds
Carbon to Hit 100 Euros Sooner Than You Think
For more than a decade, BloombergNEF has been forecasting the price of carbon credits under the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), and in the latest edition, the forecast breaches the 100-euro barrier for the first time ever. This week, Switched On speaks with Jahn Olsen, lead carbon analyst for BNEF about the factors contributing to this price forecast, and what it means for carbon emissions and the players involved.This episode is based on the 1H 2021 EU ETS Market Outlook. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/7/2021 • 27 minutes, 17 seconds
Opel CEO Lohscheller on the Transition to Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are creating a lot of buzz, but are they profitable for the manufacturers? This week, Switched On speaks with Opel Automotive CEO Michael Lohscheller about his strategy for the transition to EVs. He discusses what the automotive industry must do to drive up profit from electrified cars, which includes taking a closer look at supply chains and battery manufacturing.Nikolas Soulopoulos, advanced transport analyst at BloombergNEF (BNEF), interviewed Lohscheller as a part of the BNEF Munich Summit on May 21. For more information regarding BNEF's Summits, go to about.bnef.com/summit.BNEF users can see this interview and more, including all the BNEF Analyst Talks at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com, or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/2/2021 • 18 minutes, 26 seconds
Cutting Carbon with Giant Mechanical Trees: Direct Air Capture
Elon Musk put out a $100 million prize earlier this year for innovation in 'carbon negative solutions', or pulling carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air. But BloombergNEF carbon capture analyst David Madrid says Musk is missing the point -- what is needed for direct air capture is scale, not new technologies., This week, Switched On speaks with David about direct air capture, how it works, and the pilot projects aimed at bringing the technology down the cost curve.This episode is based on a report titled Material Tech Highlight: Direct Air Capture. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/17/2021 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
The Great Divide: Why Some Fear, Others Ignore Climate Change
Why does the threat of climate change give some nightmares while others simply ignore it? Where do perceptions lie and how do they differ by country, age, education level, or political affiliation? This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF consumer research analyst, Hugh Bromley, about several recent surveys that ask how people perceive climate change and whether they see it as a top risk.This episode is based on a report titled What Divides and Unites on Climate Action and Awareness. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/6/2021 • 22 minutes, 36 seconds
It's Biden Time for Global Climate
This year is looking like a major year for dialogue on - and commitments to - climate action. This week, Switched On speaks with two BloombergNEF colleagues to put this Summit into context and discuss some early indicators of how countries plan to meet their net-zero targets: Victoria Cumming, global policy lead, and Ali Izadi-Najafabadi, Head of Asia Pacific Research.This episode is based on our ongoing research on national climate commitments and the run-up to COP26 later this year. BNEF clients can access this research at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/30/2021 • 32 minutes, 43 seconds
Wind Power Boom of Today Is Just the Start
The global wind market is booming, with nearly 100 gigawatts of new capacity going online in 2020. Today, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF wind analysts Isabelle Edwards and Leo Wang, who talk about what made 2020 a record year for installations, where the growth is happening, who is supplying all those turbines, and how all of this is just the start of things to come.This episode is based on a report titled 2020 Global Turbine Market Shares. BNEF clients can access this at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/23/2021 • 23 minutes, 24 seconds
U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm on Biden’s Green Dreams
This week, Switched On speaks with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who was sworn into office on February 25th. One of Secretary Granholm's objectives at the Department of Energy will be to set the U.S. on a path to achieving President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions from the power sector by 2035 by advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies, and creating millions of clean energy jobs.Ethan Zindler, head of Americas for BloombergNEF did the interview as part of the BNEF New York Summit on April 13th.BNEF users can see this interview and more, including all the BNEF Analyst Talks on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/15/2021 • 22 minutes, 24 seconds
The Energy Transition Fuels Competition in European Utilities
European utility strategy continues to evolve as the energy transition moves forward. Today, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF carbon analyst, Bo Qin, and decentralized energy analyst, Michael Kenefick. They will tell us about how low gas prices, combined with high carbon prices and renewables output, are squeezing coal out of the merit order in Europe, and how retail power continues to be a highly competitive market.This episode is based on a report titled European Utility Company Profiles 2020. BNEF clients can access this report on at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/30/2021 • 22 minutes, 44 seconds
VW and GM Revv Up to Challenge Tesla in Electric Vehicles
On March 15, Volkswagen signaled its ambition to compete in the growing electric vehicle market by building out battery production and charging infrastructure, as well as adding new EV models. And in January, General Motors announced its plan to only sell zero-emission light-duty vehicles by 2035, on its way to becoming carbon-neutral. This week, Switched On speaks with Colin McKerracher, head of transport research for BNEF, about VW, and electric vehicle analysts Alejandro Zamorano Cadavid and Nikolas Soulopoulos about GM's plans. They will tell us about the motivations behind these announcements, the strategies involved, and how clarity of mission could help these companies compete with EV frontrunner Tesla.This episode is based on a report titled Volkswagen's Plan to Bridge the Tesla Charging Gap, and another titled GM to Deal With Electrification Transition Risks, BNEF clients can access these reports on at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, or on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/18/2021 • 42 minutes, 56 seconds
Europe Must Go 'Ludicrous Speed' to Meet Climate Targets
The transition to a low-carbon economy has been at the center of policy making in the European Union over the last decade. But Europe is still not on track to meet its 2030 clean energy and climate goals. This week, Switched On speaks with Dario Traum, global head of energy transition research for BloombergNEF, and Andreas Gandolfo, head of European power research. They will tell us about progress on climate targets in Europe, and what might accelerate things. They also say that change could happen a lot faster than we think.This episode is based on a report titled European Energy Transition Outlook 2021, BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/5/2021 • 33 minutes, 12 seconds
Texas Winter Storm – Lessons for Power, Gas, Oil
Prolonged frigid temperatures last weekend caused electricity demand in the Texas power grid, or ERCOT, to explode. The extreme cold resulted in more than 30GW of power plant outages, and a situation where demand outstripped supply by 30%. This resulted in millions of Texans being without power, heat, and clean water. This week, Switched On speaks with Anastacia Dialynas, head of US oil research, and Nick Steckler, head of North America power analysis for BNEF. They're going to tell us about how the state’s power, oil and gas sectors went down at once, and what Texas might consider to 'build back better'.BNEF users can find ongoing coverage of U.S. power, oil and gas markets on bnef.com, the bnef mobile app, and the Bloomberg terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/19/2021 • 26 minutes, 2 seconds
How New EU Sustainability Disclosure Rules Will Affect Companies
The EU Taxonomy regulation, which defines what the European Union considers an environmentally sustainable economic activity, will require additional disclosures from large listed companies in Europe starting in January 2022. This week, Switched On speaks with Maia Godemer, sustainable finance analyst for BNEF, about what the new rules mean for large European companies and asset managers.This episode is based on a report titled EU Taxonomy: How to Prepare Your Reporting for 2022, BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/12/2021 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
Modeling the Energy Future: Ants, Birds and Dr. Strange
The engine behind the analysis in BloombergNEF's New Energy Outlook (NEO) is the New Energy Forecast Model, or NEFM. This week, Switched On speaks with Ian Berryman, modeling analyst for BNEF. He'll tell us how the model works, the process he and team went through in building it, and how he took cues from ants and birds in building a lot of the software that powers it.This episode is based on the model powering the New Energy Outlook 2020, BNEF's flagship report. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/29/2021 • 29 minutes, 40 seconds
In 2020 Vietnam Put Solar Panels on Everything
Vietnam had a boom in rooftop solar installations in December 2020 as installers raced to capture a generous feed-in tariff that expired at the end of the year. This week, Switched On speaks with Caroline Chua, BloombergNEF analyst focused on Southeast Asia, and Jenny Chase, head of solar for BloombergNEF. They talk about how this massive buildout occurred, how it beat BNEF forecasts, and what other market players and policy makers can learn from Vietnam's big year in solar.This episode is based on a report titled Vietnam Was Likely the Third-Largest Solar Market in 2020. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/22/2021 • 23 minutes, 57 seconds
U.K.'s Climate Envoy on the Race to Net Zero
This week, Switched On speaks with Dr. John Murton, COP26 envoy for the U.K. government. During a conversation which was part of the BNEF Shanghai Summit on December 2, he and Veronika Henze, head of communications for BloombergNEF look at the upcoming global climate conference in November 2021, carbon neutrality, and the race to net zero emissions.BNEF users can see this interview and more, including all the BNEF Analyst Talks on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/8/2021 • 25 minutes, 15 seconds
Peak Oil and the Long Descent Down the Mountain
Electric vehicles, plastic alternatives, electrification of industrial processes – and more – are set to cut into demand for oil. In fact, we may have already reached a peak for the amount of oil produced in a single year, an idea known as ‘peak oil’. This week, Switched On speaks with oil demand analyst David Doherty. He will tell us about what peak oil means, how it is more than an academic concept, and how oil producers are managing this change – pivoting their business models, or going all-in on black gold.This episode is based on BloombergNEF's flagship report, New Energy Outlook 2020. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/18/2020 • 27 minutes, 5 seconds
Fake Meat, Real Food
Startups and food industry giants alike are working to improve the taste, texture, and appearance of alternative proteins, or fake meat. If they can get it good enough there is a huge market out there. This week, Switched On speaks with Hugh Bromley, consumer insights analyst for BloombergNEF. He talks about the various options out there for alternative proteins, along with go-to-market strategies and potential barriers for producers.This episode is based on a report titled Alternative Proteins: Fake It Till You Make It. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/11/2020 • 28 minutes, 10 seconds
Greasing the Way to Sustainable Transport
The renewable diesel market is set to triple in the next four years. Increasingly stringent environmental standards, and imperatives to reduce transport emissions, make this like-for-like replacement for conventional diesel an attractive option. This week on the show, Switched On speaks with BNEF oil demand analyst Daisy Maugouber about market players, growth, and just where all the fry grease it needs will come from.This episode is based on a report titled Renewable Diesel: A Green Light for Refiners. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/4/2020 • 24 minutes, 10 seconds
Amazon, Walmart, and Microsoft Compete to Have the Least Impact
A net-zero target is achieved when a country or company balances out its greenhouse gas emissions with other activities that store, reduce or offset those emissions. So in the end, what you’re putting up into the air is effectively, well, nothing. This week on the show, Switched On speaks with BNEF corporate sustainability analyst Kyle Harrison about what is driving the many corporate net zero announcements of late, what net zero actually means in practice, and the bumpy ride ahead for those going down this road.This episode is based on a report titled Corporate Net-Zero Targets Primer: Jump on the Bandwagon. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/26/2020 • 34 minutes, 39 seconds
Airbus on Ambitions for Zero Emissions Flight
Airbus aims to have an electric airliner in service by 2035. As part of this, the company announced three electric concept planes in September that are targeted for demonstration by 2025. Today Switched On speaks with Glenn Llewellyn, vice-president of zero emission aircraft at Airbus. He speaks with BloombergNEF Sustainability Editor Bryony Collins about this effort, the tradeoffs between batteries and hydrogen, and other challenges to be overcome for no-emissions planes to become a reality.BNEF users can read a transcript of this interview, and see all BNEF analyst content on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/18/2020 • 16 minutes, 11 seconds
Enough EVs at the Right Price Is a Good Start for Net Zero
Minister Rachel Maclean says that for the United Kingdom to meet its 2050 net zero-emissions target, the country will need to expand the electric vehicle charging network, and offer enough EVs at the right price. During a conversation as part of the BNEF London Summit on October 20, she and Dana Perkins look at the future of transport in the UK as a whole. They discuss hydrogen, trains, planes, emissions standards, bikes, scooters and how each can contribute to the 2050 net-zero target.BNEF users can see this interview and more, including all the BNEF Analyst Talks on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/12/2020 • 23 minutes, 3 seconds
Ex-BP CEO Bob Dudley on Big Oil Going Green
Reducing methane emissions and carbon intensity of upstream operations are two main objectives of the Oil & Gas Climate Initiative, or OGCI, a coalition of 12 of the world's largest oil companies brought together to drive the industry toward meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. This week, Switched On speaks with its chairman, Bob Dudley, about the organization, its mission, and learnings so far. Dana Perkins, head of Europe, Middle East & Africa for BNEF did the interview as part of the BNEF London Summit on October 19th.BNEF users can see this interview and more, including all the BNEF Analyst Talks on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/27/2020 • 18 minutes, 39 seconds
Digital Supply Chains Know Where Your Lettuce Comes From
To keep up with regulations around products -- on sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, safety -- and to answer questions from consumers, companies need a lot more visibility on their supply chains. This week, Switched On speaks with Kirti Vasta, Digital Industry Analyst for BloombergNEF. She will tell us about new developments in track and trace, and how implementing advanced technologies and systems to more deeply understand their supply chain can make a company's operations safer, more efficient and competitive.This episode is based on a report titled Track and Trace: Digitalizing Supply Chains. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/21/2020 • 22 minutes, 36 seconds
Sustainable Finance Outlook, Way Up and to the Right
Green bond issuance has hit the trillion-dollar mark, but this year appears to be the year of social bonds, up 376% in the first half of 2020 to $41.9 billion. This week Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF analysts Maia Godemer and Mallory Rutigliano about the state of sustainable finance. They will tell us about the many types of available financial products, who's using what, and trends in this fast-growing area.This episode is based on a report titled 2H 2020 Sustainable Finance Market Outlook. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/15/2020 • 36 minutes, 5 seconds
California’s Paradox: Cutting Power to Protect Public Safety
Grid operators in California face increasingly frequent decisions to abandon their operational commitment to 24/7 availability and cut service to retail customers in regions threatened by wildfires. This week Switched On speaks with Logan Goldie-Scot, head of clean energy research at BloombergNEF, and Yayoi Sekine, who leads decentralized energy coverage, about the challenges of maintaining the utility mission in the face of climate change.This episode is based on a report titled Pandemics and Power Networks, and another titled Policy Responses to California's Wildfires. BNEF clients can access these reports on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/7/2020 • 26 minutes, 37 seconds
Biden, Trump and the U.S. Energy Transition
Many issues are at stake in the November U.S. election, including energy and climate. This week Switched On speaks with Head of Americas Ethan Zindler, and Stephen Munro, senior policy analyst for BloombergNEF, about what wins on the Republican or Democratic side could mean for these issues. Their wide-ranging conversation speculates on the Paris Climate Agreement, the Green New Deal, coal, electric vehicles, and the two trillion dollars former Vice President Joe Biden has pledged for climate initiatives should he win.BNEF clients can access ongoing U.S. and energy transition coverage on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/25/2020 • 34 minutes, 39 seconds
Sparks Fly -- Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Safe?
Generous policy support in in a handful of markets has led to a rush to deploy energy storage projects. But the eagerness to deploy quickly resulted in shortcuts with alarming outcomes. There have been 29 fires at battery storage facilities in South Korea since 2017. Whether or not this should raise red flags for players is a bit more complicated. This week Switched On speaks with decentralized energy analyst Yayoi Sekine and energy storage analyst James Frith.This episode is based on a report titled Ensuring Safe Use of Lithium-Ion Batteries. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/17/2020 • 24 minutes, 44 seconds
Deliveroo and DoorDash, You Mean So Much to Me
Food delivery services have an impact on vehicle miles traveled, at least right now. But will food delivery services be around long enough to make a dent in this metric in the long term? This week Switched On speaks with intelligent mobility analyst Andrew Grant about food delivery and the market dynamics in that sector. He'll also tell us more about why food delivery is important for BNEF to understand, how he's thinking about it, and what it could mean for our long-term transport forecast.This episode is based on a report titled Can Food Delivery Services Deliver Profits? BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/24/2020 • 21 minutes, 6 seconds
Mini-Grids, Mighty Power
For universal electrification to become reality by 2030, some 238 million households will need to gain electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and island nations. Mini-grids can serve almost half of this total – an estimated 111 million households. This week, Switched On speaks with Takehiro Kawahara, head of Frontier Power for BloombergNEF, and senior modeling analyst Ulimmeh Ezekiel, about a report they did in collaboration with the Sustainable Energy for All initiative on the global mini-grid market -- the challenges, drivers, opportunities, and potential impact on electrification.This episode is based on a report titled State of the Global Mini-Grids Market 2020. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Listeners can also find this report at seforall.org.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/13/2020 • 34 minutes, 34 seconds
Old Wind or Solar Farm: Run it Ragged, or Rebuild?
We all know wind and solar are intermittent -- at some point the sun stops shining and the wind stops blowing. But is wind and solar power reliable? The answer seems to be that at least with a battery, yes, it is. This week Switched On speaks with Nat Bullard, chief content officer for BloombergNEF, about the future of renewables on the grid. We discuss renewables reliability, competitiveness of gas peakers in a renewables-plus-storage world, and what to do with old wind and solar farms.This episode is based on the weekly Sparklines series from Bloomberg Green, by Nat Bullard.Users can access this series on bloomberg.com, or on Bloomberg Anywhere at NI BULLARD<GO>. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/5/2020 • 29 minutes, 20 seconds
The Fight for Mexico's Energy Future
Mexico became one of the hottest markets for clean energy development. Newly open Mexico attracted billions in investment driven by three highly successful auctions that are tied to more than 8GW of new wind and solar capacity. But policy under president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO, has taken a U-turn. Since taking office in late 2018, AMLO has cancelled Mexico’s renewable energy auctions and sidelined national clean energy targets. And recent regulation goes further, asserting that renewables threaten Mexico’s power grid, placing at risk over 4.5 gigawatts of wind and solar currently under development. This episode is based on a report titled No Winners in AMLO's Clean Energy Feud. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/23/2020 • 27 minutes, 5 seconds
Tiny Satellites: Eyes in the Sky, Thousands of Them
Lower manufacturing costs, innovative launch vehicles, miniaturized sub-systems and new sensor technologies have resulted in a surge in the number of satellites orbiting earth. The more than 1,300 small satellites orbiting earth means we can now scan any given location on the planet multiple times per day -- and not just with cameras, but with sensors that measure atmospheric pressure, temperature, and more. This week, Switched On speaks with technology analyst Sarrah Raza about the rapid growth in the industries that make these small satellites, send them to space, and analyze the data they send back.This episode is based on a report titled Tiny Satellites – Space’s Next Frontier. BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/15/2020 • 24 minutes, 39 seconds
Green Stimulus: Nice Work, If EU Can Get It
The European Commission on 27 May proposed 1.85 trillion euros in stimulus spending over the next seven years, 25% of which must go to things classified as ‘green’. Notable parts of the proposed spending include building renovations to improve efficiency, a massive roll-out in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and enough spending on hydrogen to make it competitive a lot sooner than it would be otherwise. This week, Switched On speaks with energy transition analyst Dario Traum about the proposed spending, what it means to be 'green', and the questions that need to get answered before the money can be spent.This episode is based on a report titled How Green is the EU's Trillion-Euro Recovery Plan? BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/7/2020 • 24 minutes, 21 seconds
A Coal-Free Europe Could Be Sooner Than You Think
A higher carbon price and cheaper gas have made coal-fired power less competitive in Europe. Reduced demand from the pandemic have made it almost impossible for coal to keep up. This week, Switched On speaks with energy transition analyst Katherine Poseidon, and power analyst Andreas Gandolfo about how several countries have gotten away from coal entirely since the pandemic started -- a trend that is likely to continue even after things get back to normal.This episode is based on a series of reports titled the EU Power Weekly. BNEF clients can access this series on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/23/2020 • 24 minutes, 36 seconds
Asia's Roads Go From Rumble to Whirr
We hear a lot about growth in the electric car market, but what about electric two- and three-wheelers? In 2040 about half of the 1.25 billion mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles out on the road will be electric, and most of these will be in Asia. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF mobility analysts Nick Albanese and Allen Abraham about the future of two- and three-wheeled transport.This episode is based on a report titled How Fast Will Two-Wheelers Electrify? BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/11/2020 • 21 minutes, 41 seconds
To Save on Lithium, Buy Local
Lithium is used the world over for electronics and, increasingly, electric cars. There is a supply and security risk in that most of this lithium comes from just a few countries, and those are not where the phones and cars get made. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF metals analyst Sharon Mustri about growing demand for unconventional lithium. Alternative lithium resources that put the source of the mineral closer to the factory.This episode is based on a report titled Unconventional Lithium: The Road to Supply Security. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/2/2020 • 19 minutes, 16 seconds
When Enough's Not Enough, Try Carbon Offsets
Companies can do everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint, and most often it is still not enough to cover all their emissions. After everything they can do themselves, they can buy carbon offsets -- investments in projects that reduce CO2, like tree-planting or cook stoves. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF sustainability analyst Kyle Harrison. about growing demand for these offsets as more companies set plans to reach net-zero emissions, and challenges as this market grows.This episode is based on a report titled Voluntary Carbon Offsets: a Shortcut for Heavy Emitters. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins and Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/19/2020 • 20 minutes, 7 seconds
CCUS: Clean Coal Is So Last Season
Carbon capture, utilization and storage -- taking CO2 out of the air and putting it underground or into products. The sector has had a few false starts, but appears it could be having a revival. In this episode, Switched On speaks with Julia Attwood, head of advanced materials research for BloombergNEF, and advanced materials analyst Ryan Anderson about the current state of play in CCUS. They will also introduce promising new applications that could give a boost to the sector and make a dent in global emissions.This episode is based on a report titled CCUS: Applications in Oil & Gas, Power and Industry. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/12/2020 • 14 minutes, 50 seconds
Solar Cars: The Future Now May Be Now, Almost
Solar on cars has been around for a long time. But until recently, it has either been pure gimmick or used to power small auxiliaries -- not the drive train. In this episode, Switched On speaks with Hugh Bromley, head of consumer research at BloombergNEF, about solar cars. He will tell us about how they are starting to power the wheels, even if just a bit.This episode is based on a report titled Solar-Powered Cars: Trickle or Charged? BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5/6/2020 • 12 minutes, 44 seconds
Digital Strategies in the Time of Covid
In this episode, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF head of digital industry research, Claire Curry, and digital industry analyst Kirti Vasta. Claire and Kirti tell us about digital strategies in the time of Covid-19. Some companies are all-in on their digital strategies. Others have pedaled back, and are retrenched in what they know best. A few are even giving away software, on the hopes that new users they hook today, will pay up once economic conditions improve.This episode is based on a report titled Technology Radar April 2020: Covid-19 Impact. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Users can also subscribe to this report and ongoing Covid coverage at bnef.com/series.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/28/2020 • 18 minutes, 39 seconds
In Stockpiles and Order Backlogs We Trust
In this episode, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF head of clean energy research, Logan Goldie-Scot, and head of transport, Colin McKerracher. Logan and Colin give the bird's-eye view of how Covid-19 will shape the year in clean energy and transport. Supply and demand balances are definitely disrupted, but order backlogs, existing stockpiles and construction queues, could provide significant buffers to short-term shocks.BNEF users can follow ongoing Covid coverage at bnef.com/series or at BNEF<GO>.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/21/2020 • 31 minutes, 46 seconds
To go Carbon Neutral, Electrify (All Of) It
In this episode, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF head of research, Albert Cheung, and head of policy, Vicky Cuming. Albert and Vicky tell us about how electrifying more sectors of an economy can enable countries to make substantial progress toward carbon neutrality. BNEF calls it "sector coupling", and it brings both new industrial opportunities and a significant increase in total power generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/17/2020 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
China Wants to Sell, the World's Not Ready to Buy
In this episode, Switched On speaks with Ali Izadi-Najafabadi, head of Asia Pacific research for BloombergNEF. He'll tell us about China starting to get back to work -- how it seems ready to go, but is waiting on the rest of the world to catch up.BNEF users can follow ongoing Covid coverage at bnef.com/series.This episode of Switched On is hosted by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/14/2020 • 12 minutes, 4 seconds
Coronavirus Blew Up Your Forecast – Now What?
What do you do when a pandemic upends every one of your forecasts and expectations for the future? This week, Switched On speaks with BNEF Head of Research, Albert Cheung, about making sense of things during Covid-19. He’ll walk us through how we started to get our heads around the problem, and the frameworks BNEF analysts developed to explain what’s happening and accommodate the ever-changing impacts the virus is having on the global economy.BNEF users can follow ongoing Covid coverage at bnef.com/series.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4/7/2020 • 23 minutes, 12 seconds
Robots, Drones, and Sensors Help You Mine More By Digging Less
To stay competitive in a world where commodity prices fluctuate and environmental pressures grow, for miners, going digital is no longer a question of if or should, but a question of when, or how. This week Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF Digital Industry analyst Danya Liu about recent advances in mining digitalization. She’ll walk us through the ways miners are incorporating sensors, robots, drones, and more to improve operational efficiency, conserve resources, and raise their bottom line.This episode is based on a report titled Digitalization Strategies in Mining. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3/16/2020 • 19 minutes, 39 seconds
Making Room for Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa
Generation oversupply, not enough transmission, and offtaker risk are just a few challenges facing clean energy developers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these obstacles, projects continue to get built a faster rate than almost anywhere in the world. This week, Switched On speaks with energy analyst Antoine Vagneur-Jones, from BloombergNEF's EMEA team, about clean energy proliferation in this region, what's driving it, and what developers should pay attention to when exploring opportunities there.This episode is based on a report titled Sub-Saharan Africa Market Outlook 2020.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/27/2020 • 21 minutes, 59 seconds
U.S. Energy: Same As It Ever Was? Not Even Close
The growth of renewables and the fracking revolution has made for a lot of cheap energy in the U.S. and an energy landscape nearly unrecognizable from what it was a decade ago. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF's head of Americas, Ethan Zindler, about the changes we've seen in U.S. energy over the past decade, who is best positioned in the current market, and what to expect going forward.This episode is based on a report titled Sustainable Energy in America Factbook 2020 done by BloombergNEF in collaboration with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. This report is also available publicly at www.bcse.org.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/18/2020 • 24 minutes, 11 seconds
When Mines Are Hedges, Cars Get Cheaper
Batteries are getting cheaper. This means more affordable electric cars, and wind and solar as a more viable option for round-the-clock power. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF's energy storage analyst James Frith about trends in battery pricing. We discuss results from the latest BNEF battery price survey, the future of battery pricing and technologies, and who is best positioned to win in this market.This episode is based on a report titled 2019 Lithium-Ion Battery Price Survey.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2/11/2020 • 19 minutes, 13 seconds
Aviation Demand: Come Fly With Me, and Everyone Else
Do you fly more than you used to, or less? For most of the world, the answer is more, and it’s likely to be more for the foreseeable future. This week, Switched On speaks with BloombergNEF oil demand analyst David Doherty about aviation’s current and future demand paths. Expanding aviation means more demand for aviation fuel, but it also means additional airports, runways, and aircraft. There is increasing pressure to reduce aviation emissions, in a sector that for many reasons is extremely difficult to decarbonize.This episode is based on a report titled Jet Fuel: Turbulence Ahead for Demand Growth.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/30/2020 • 20 minutes, 38 seconds
EVs in 2020: Buckle Up for Twists and Turns
Have you noticed more electric vehicles on the road recently? How about charging stations? Well, you’ll probably see a lot more in 2020. This week on Switched On we talk with Colin McKerracher, who leads transport analysis at BloombergNEF, about his 10 predictions for EVs and mobility in 2020. The market will speed forward in 2020, but there are some twists and turns in the road ahead. The wide-ranging conversation touches on everything from EV sales projections, to charge-point proliferation and charging speeds, to advances in electric marine and air travel.This episode is based on a report titled EVs and New Mobility: Trends to Watch in 2020.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/24/2020 • 29 minutes, 2 seconds
Chemical Recycling: Break It Down
Today less than 20% of plastic waste is recycled. This week on Switched On we talk with Ilhan Savut and Julia Attwood about chemical recycling, a new way to recycle. Instead of simply washing and melting down plastic, chemical recycling breaks plastics down into their most basic materials. Doing this opens up the options for using recycled plastic and has the potential to save a lot more waste from the landfill or the incinerator.This episode is based on a report titled Chemical Recycling: Technologies, Costs and Capacity.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1/14/2020 • 19 minutes, 6 seconds
IMO 2020: Holiday Gift Guide, No SOx
Remember acid rain and worries about sulfur emissions from your car? Maybe. Maybe not. It was a long time ago that sulfur was regulated out of the gas you put in your car. Well those concerns are front-of-mind for the global shipping industry, which still relies heavily on high-sulfur fuel to move goods across the seas. On January 1, new regulations come into play that drastically reduce the amount of sulfur oxide ships can emit. This week on Switched On we talk with Richard Chatterton, who leads oil market analysis for BloombergNEF, about how shippers will meet the new standards, what the regulations could do for refiners, and what it all means for the rest of us.This episode is based on a report series titled IMO 2020 Monthly. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/23/2019 • 25 minutes, 48 seconds
A Solar Boom Without the Subsidy Gloom
In solar’s early days, getting electrons from solar panel to power grid was as much a financial as a technical challenge. Photovoltaic power cost more than conventional grid power, and so deploying it required government subsidy of some kind. Those subsidies could create a booming market, and gloom thereafter when subsidies expired. However, with more than a decade of decreasing costs and increasing efficiency, solar is now not just cheap enough to be viable - it is often cheaper than any other source of power in a given market. This competitive position is driving a boom in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. This week on Switched On we talk with Pietro Radoia about this coming-of-age for solar, and the challenges this boom brings.This episode is based on a report titled Europe’s Subsidy-Free PV Market Takes Off.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/17/2019 • 19 minutes, 16 seconds
Ethical Cobalt: Feel Good About Your Batteries
We use cobalt every day. It's in the lithium-ion batteries in our phones, and in the growing fleet of electric vehicles out on the road. But chances are more than good that at least some of the cobalt in your phone or EV is not ethically sourced. This week on Switched On, we talk with Kwasi Ampofo, a BloombergNEF analyst focused on metals and mining, about his recent travels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We'll hear about what he observed in the cobalt mines there, and what companies are doing to ensure ethical sourcing of this critical metal.This episode is based on a report titled Solving the ‘Blood Cobalt’ Challenge for EVs.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12/2/2019 • 21 minutes, 22 seconds
Asia Outlook: The Biggest of Everything
Asia has the biggest share of everything -- area, population, economic growth, and now, carbon dioxide emissions. Can Asia keep its pace of development while reducing CO2, or does it have to go dirty to get rich? This week on Switched On, we talk with Justin Wu, head of Asia Pacific for BloombergNEF, about Asia's three largest economies, China, Japan, and India, and BNEF's outlook for how they are approaching the energy and transport transition.This episode is based on three reports:
2H 2019 China Market Outlook
Japan to Take on Plastics But It’s Not Quite in the Bag
New Energy Outlook 2019, section on India
BNEF clients can access these reports on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/21/2019 • 25 minutes, 43 seconds
Solar Thermal: All Night Long
Solar thermal power plants can provide electricity when demand is most high, during the evening, or even all night long. This ability could become more valuable in certain locations as the amount of less consistent wind and photovoltaic solar power on the grid expands. This week on Switched On, we talk with Jenny Chase, head of solar analysis for BloombergNEF, about where this lesser-known renewable works, and doesn't, and how it fits into the energy mix of the future.This episode is based on a report titled Solar Thermal Market Outlook 2019. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/14/2019 • 17 minutes, 58 seconds
U.S. Anti-Climate Agenda: So What? Who Cares?!
The Obama-era Clean Power Plan is being cut out by the Trump administration. It probably doesn't matter so much because the U.S. power fleet is decarbonizing anyway. And cars are getting more fuel efficient, despite efforts by the federal government to roll-back regulations there as well. This week on Switched On, we talk with Ethan Zindler, Head of Americas for BloombergNEF, to make sense of what is going on in the U.S. in power, transport and climate.This episode is based on reports titled Time Running Short for Trump’s Anti-Climate Agenda, and Democrats Go to Town on Climate.BNEF clients can access these reports on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/7/2019 • 33 minutes
Who's Boring Now: Utilities vs Oil
Oil has always carried with it the possibility of adventure and big wins to be had, and thereby a growth story for investors. Utilities, not so much. But we could be seeing the tables turn as there seems to be no shortage of oil, and the world is increasingly going electric. Could there be a swap of sectors in the dull club? This week on Switched On, we delve into that with Nathaniel Bullard, BNEF's Head of Executive Insights and author of a weekly opinion piece called Sparklines.This episode is based on the weekly Sparklines series from Bloomberg Opinion, by Nat Bullard.Or on Bloomberg Anywhere at NI BULLARD<GO>. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11/1/2019 • 27 minutes, 35 seconds
Big Business Says: I've Got the Power
Governments play a role, but the private sector may hold the real keys to decarbonization. This week on Switched On, we talk with Kyle Harrison, a BloombergNEF analyst focused on corporate energy strategy, about companies increasing use of renewable electricity and the targets they're setting to cut down on carbon. This episode is based on a report titled 2H 2019 Corporate Energy Market Outlook. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/18/2019 • 24 minutes, 11 seconds
Should We Take My Car, or Get a Robotaxi?
Ride-hailing, e-commerce, micro-mobility, robotaxis – each of these is or will chip away at the need to own a car. Will the day come when the car becomes obsolete? This week on Switched On we talk with Ali Izadi, BNEF’s head of intelligent mobility, about this and whether car sales will peak, or if they already have.This episode is based on a report titled Peak Car? BNEF Light Duty Vehicle Outlook.BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/27/2019 • 28 minutes, 38 seconds
Battery Metals - A Nickel for Your Thoughts
As demand for lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage increases, a lot more lithium, cobalt, and nickel will be needed. This week on Switched On we talk with Sophie Lu about BNEF's battery metals forecast to 2030 and some of the political, environmental, and economic challenges of getting these critical metals out of the ground and into the factory.This episode is based on a report titled 2H 2019 Battery Metals Outlook: Demand Realities. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.If you want to read more about the Wedderburn meteorite mentioned at the top of the show, have a look here, or here. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/12/2019 • 24 minutes, 52 seconds
The Hydrogen Economy: It's a Gas
Hydrogen has been in and out of fashion several times over the years. But now its potential to decarbonize long-haul trucking, and industrial processes that have been hard to reach with renewables and batteries, mean hydrogen could be back for good.This week on Switched On we'll kick off the discussion about hydrogen with some basics, and start to get into the economics. We'll open the discussion with Albert Cheung, Global Head of Research for BloombergNEF who will introduce the topic and why BNEF is looking at it. Then we'll go into further detail with Kobad Bhavnagri and Martin Tengler about a report they wrote titled Hydrogen: The Economics of Storage. This report is the first in a series BNEF is doing on hydrogen, and can be found at: https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/21015BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/23/2019 • 19 minutes, 37 seconds
I Drive a Tesla, I Do My Part...Right?
Sure, a Tesla has zero tailpipe emissions, but it charges from the grid, and the grid is powered by coal, so it can't really be considered clean, right? Today on Switched On we talk with Logan Goldie-Scot, who leads energy storage coverage for BloombergNEF, and BNEF Energy Storage Analyst James Frith. We'll discuss the CO2 footprints of electric vehicles and the batteries that go into them. EVs generally produce fewer lifetime emissions than vehicles with internal combustion engines, but there's a bit of nuance to this. It turns out it matters a lot where you are. James and Logan will explain this and the findings that throw BNEF squarely into the debate about whether EVs are actually clean. This episode is based on a report titled Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing Emissions, which can be found at: https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20953 BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/16/2019 • 18 minutes, 20 seconds
It's Like Netflix for Electricity - New Business Models in Electricity Retail
Light-up your dryer, TV, dishwasher, microwave, air conditioner, and maybe even mine some bitcoin, all at dinnertime, because it's all-you-can-eat electricity. Today on Switched On we talk with Jame Sprinz, Head of Decentralized Energy for BNEF, about the raft of new business models being applied to retail electricity. Never think about your bill and don't want to? There's a company that'll help you do that. Want to take control of your bill to get the best price, or pool electricity with other solar panel owners in your neighborhood? Someone wants to help you there, too. James will walk us through these business models, the start-ups testing them out, and the incumbents scoping their next moves. This episode is based on a report titled Company Profiles: New Residential Retail Models that can be found at: https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20973 BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF< GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/9/2019 • 26 minutes
Climate Insurance and Chasing Ducks Across the Street
Hong Kong taxi drivers are getting older. What happens when they retire? Is a busy city like Hong Kong ready for driverless cars? Insurance and insurability in a climate change world, and what companies are doing about it. And how climate change is all most of us have ever known. This week on Switched On we have a wide-ranging discussion with Nathaniel Bullard, BNEF's Head of Executive Insights and author of a weekly opinion piece called Sparklines. This episode is based on the weekly Sparklines series from Bloomberg Opinion, by Nat Bullard. You can sign-up here: http://link.mail.bloombergbusiness.com/join/4wm/sparklines-signup&hash=b9b2681361bede0e1069ca238efb1ec2 Or on Bloomberg Anywhere at NI BULLARD<GO>. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8/1/2019 • 33 minutes, 44 seconds
Oil Majors Going Digital: Personality Test
This week on Switched On we talk with Hannah Davinroy and Claire Curry about oil companies going after digital technologies. Whether it is to make their operations more efficient or help them expand into new areas, oil companies are developing digital capabilities via work in-house, acquisitions, or partnerships with big tech. Is it all just PR or are oilcos making meaningful steps to becoming more dynamic and sustainable organizations? It kind of depends. Listen to Hannah and Claire discuss oilco modernization efforts and how companies have different personalities or traits that lead them to different digital strategies. This episode is based on: Digitalization Strategies of Oil Majors: Company Profiles -- https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20883 BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by BNEF Head of Product, Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/25/2019 • 25 minutes, 33 seconds
Heating and Cooling: Heat Pump Revolution! Or is it?
This week on Switched On we talk with Meredith Annex, who leads BNEF's coverage of heating and cooling. Making buildings warmer or cooler accounts for 21% of global energy consumption, and a considerable share of CO2 emissions. Listen to Meredith explain why this is the missing piece to the energy and emissions puzzle. We will discuss the different ways of decarbonizing this sector, one so far driven by scrappy startups and generational players. This episode was based on two reports: The Greening of Heat -- https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20787 Decarbonizing U.S. Heat: Getting Started -- https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20779 BNEF clients can access these reports on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF< GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/9/2019 • 26 minutes, 35 seconds
Because Why Not? Floating and Airborne Wind
Today on Switched On we talk with BNEF Wind Industry Analyst Tom Harries, about floating and airborne wind power. These applications are still in their infancy but show promise. Floating turbines can open up new market territory for offshore wind power, allowing for placement in waters too deep for fixed-bottom kit. And airborne wind could potentially provide quick deployment in disaster locations to power relief efforts. But first, costs have to come down at sea and in the air. Switched On is hosted this week by BNEF's Head of Business Development, Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/4/2019 • 19 minutes, 2 seconds
Bioplastics: Beyond recycling
Today on Switched On we talk to Dr. Julia Attwood, Head of Advanced Materials for BNEF about bioplastics. Bioplastics comprise just about 1% of the plastics market right now, but its share is growing. Concern about plastic waste in the environment, climate change, and product sustainability has driven interest in bioplastics, though additional capacity has been slow-going. Julia walks us through the basics and what could push bioplastics to be a more significant part of our daily lives. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/3/2019 • 24 minutes, 36 seconds
The loud hum of air conditioning in global electricity demand
Air conditioning already accounts for 9% of electricity consumed globally, and that demand is set to grow substantially in the coming decades. While many living in hot climates need it just for comfort, others see it as a status symbol – their ticket to the middle class. For businesses, it may underpin worker productivity. BNEF's Seb Henbest and Matthias Kimmel join the show today to discuss the effect of the ever-louder hum of aircon units on global electricity demand. Switched On is hosted this week by Head of Business Development Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7/1/2019 • 26 minutes, 30 seconds
Bricks from mud and straw - a primer on composites and where to find them
Today we talk to Dr. Julia Attwood, Head of Advanced Materials for BNEF about composites. We see them in high-end sporting goods and automotive, but carbon fiber and other composites are starting to make their way through industry and down the cost curve. Julia will introduce us to composites, go over their uses, advantages and limitations, costs, and future demand. Hosted this week by BNEF's Head of Product, Mark Taylor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/28/2019 • 19 minutes, 25 seconds
5G in Cars: Is This Where We Go Autonomous?
This week on Switched On we talk with BNEF Intelligent Mobility Analyst Andrew Grant about the role of 5G in cars. It looks like baby steps as we start to see more 5G roll-outs worldwide with things like better video streaming and gaming to entertain passengers. But as more 5G is deployed we could see such applications as cooperative and autonomous transport take hold. Embedded in this 5G future are considerable opportunities for telecoms and automakers. BNEF clients can find the report this episode was based on at https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/20559 on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the terminal. Switched On is hosted this week by BNEF's Head of Business Development, Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6/26/2019 • 12 minutes, 37 seconds
Oil Demand for Transport: Stronger for Longer
Will you still be driving an internal combustion engine vehicle in 2040? Maybe. This week on Switched On we talk to David Doherty, a BNEF senior analyst specializing in oil demand analysis. Today on the show he'll make the case that despite all the EVs and trucks getting out on the road, oil demand and CO2 emissions in 2040 from transport will be largely flat from today. Transport demand in developing economies, as well as growing demand for things -- think of it as the Amazon effect -- will be the main drivers. David gets right to the point of how this scenario plays out and the factors contributing to it. Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.