EnergyCents

As electricity demand surges from AI data centers and electrification, the race is on for safer, cheaper and more flexible energy storage. In this episode of EnergyCents, Mukesh Chatter, CEO of Alsym Energy, joins Sam Humphreys and Hill Vaden to explore the potential of sodium-ion batteries and why he believes they could challenge lithium-ion across a growing range of applications.    Learn more a...

The shale revolution transformed energy production. Could geothermal be next? In this episode, Carolyn Seto and Melissa Greig join Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to unpack how horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing and lessons from unconventional development are being applied underground to unlock new sources of clean, firm power. The conversation explores costs, scale, superhot rock and why the...

Diesel markets are under mounting pressure as disruptions in Russia and the Middle East squeeze global supplies just as the Northern Hemisphere heads into winter. In this episode of EnergyCents, Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys are joined by Karim Fawaz and Will O'Neil to unpack what is driving the tightening market, whether the new US-Russia diesel deal can offer meaningful relief, and why government...

Copper sits at the heart of the energy transition, data centre expansion and global electrification. But behind the bullish headlines lies a market wrestling with tight mine supply, negative smelting margins, tariff uncertainty and rising interest rates. In this episode, Nick Trickett joins Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys on EnergyCents to explain what is really driving copper prices and what the nex...

The rules of Europe's gas market have changed. Russian pipeline gas is gone, LNG is king, and storage has become one of the continent's most important energy buffers. This week on EnergyCents, Alun Davies joins Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to explain why Europe is entering winter with lower-than-expected gas inventories, how global LNG competition is influencing prices, and what a warmer or colder...

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has removed a significant share of global LNG supply from the market, reshaping gas trade flows and raising questions about energy security ahead of winter. In this episode of EnergyCents, Sam Humphreys and Hill Vaden are joined by S&P Global gas expert Laurent Ruseckas to unpack the latest developments in global LNG markets.    Why have gas prices surged despit...

Oil prices are up by more than 75% since the start of the year and recently crossed the psychologically important $100/barrel milestone. The corresponding rise in US drilling rigs, however, has been far more modest.   S&P Global Energy Shale Sector expert Imre Kugler joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss activity levels in US shale, and why operators are hesitant to ramp up productio...

Why are the world's largest oil companies turning their attention back to West Africa? In this episode of EnergyCents, Sam Humphreys and Hill Vaden are joined by S&P Global's Justin Cochran and Roderick Bruce to explore the region's deepwater revival. From promising geology and the pursuit of "needle-moving" discoveries to improved fiscal terms and faster licensing, the conversation examines what...

Phillips 66 is a US-based downstream energy company that operates through five core segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties (M&S), and Renewable Fuels. Sean Maher, Phillips 66 chief economist and head of investor relations, joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss how Phillips 66 is navigating the current high-margin, high-utilization environment and outline...

What happens when plenty of capital enters the energy transition, but not enough of it reaches the companies best positioned to scale? In this episode of EnergyCents, Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys speak with Francis O'Sullivan, Managing Director of Energy Investment at S2G, about "The Illusion of Crowds," a paper that challenges the idea that more investors automatically create a smarter, more effe...

Scenario planning allows investors and executives to prepare for situations outside of their base-case expectations. S&P Global Energy developed a new case called "Quagmire" that assumes conflict around the Strait of Hormuz becomes a permanent geopolitical feature and trade flows fragment in favor of regional energy security. Oil markets experts Louise Vertz and Sandra Abdallah join hosts Hill Vad...

Traditional grids rely on the physical inertia of massive, spinning turbines to stabilize frequency during sudden power outages. This stability is being challenged by the growth of solar and wind power, which lack the physical spinning parts needed to buffer the grid. Grid-forming inverters create a 'digital inertia' that enables grid stability and are increasingly critical to ensuring reliability...

Fresh investment in North American refining infrastructure stalled in prior years as the sector braced for long-term demand destruction. However, capacity has fallen faster than demand and profit margins are now healthier than many expected. Refining expert Debnil Chowdhury joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the North American refining landscape and how disruptions in the Strait o...

South America is undergoing a major political shift, with a wave of right-leaning governments reshaping the region's approach to energy and natural resources. In this episode, Upstream risk expert Ford Tanner joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to explore what the rise of the "New Right" could mean for oil and gas investment, energy security, and the future of key markets including Argentina,...

Oil and product markets showed unexpected resilience in prior weeks thanks, in large part, to reduced crude demand from China. The system is now much tighter and its resilience could be tested, particularly when it comes to refined product markets, as we enter a new phase.    Oil markets expert Karim Fawaz joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the evolving balances of global crude an...

ACORE is a Washington-based non-profit that brings together partners in finance, policy and technology to advance clean energy initiatives in the US. ACORE SVP of Policy and Engagement Lesley Hunter joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss financing trends in the clean energy economy and consider how the sector is weathering changes in federal policy support. Learn more about ACORE at:...

Ethanol has been a cornerstone of the US biofuels industry for decades, but what role will it play in an energy system increasingly shaped by electrification, low-carbon fuels and evolving policy?   Biofuels expert Kevin Lindemer joins EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Samantha Humphreys to explore the current state of the biofuels market, why ethanol remains central to US transportation fuels, and...

The US data center complex is building against speed-to-power mandates that require developers to get projects online as quickly as possible. Delays plugging into grid-connected power are forcing projects to invest in behind-the-meter (BTM) gas generation assets as they seek access to electricity. S&P Global Energy expert Ben Levitt joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the rise of b...

More than 90 GW of offshore wind capacity has been installed globally, split almost equally between Europe and China. Development in many parts of the world has slowed as rising interest rates and wavering policy support pressure new-project economics. S&P Global Energy expert Andrei Utkin joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the global landscape for offshore wind and flag areas tha...

As data center projects become more visible across the US, they are having to manage more not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) concerns from community stakeholders and policymakers.  These concerns often lead to delays, cancelations, and even state-wide moratoria that can thwart the ambition of AI innovators. S&P Energy expert Dan Thompson joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the evolving pac...

Budderfly is an energy-as-a-service company that assumes responsibility for its commercial customers' utility bills and installs energy-efficiency equipment on their behalf. A portion of the monthly savings from its customers' reduced energy consumption then becomes a revenue stream for Budderfly.   Budderfly CEO Al Subbloie joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to describe Budderfly's energy-a...

Neogenyx Fuels launched in May 2026 as a 70/30 joint-venture project between Ameresco and HASI. The spin-off company is built with Ameresco's legacy biofuels business and a $400 million capital commitment from HASI. Neogenyx CEO Mike Bakas joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the evolution of Ameresco's RNG business and how its partnership with HASI will help scale increased product...

District energy uses a centralized network of underground pipes to transport produced steam and hot or chilled water to heat or cool end-use buildings. The model is most commonly found in densely populated and connected environments, such as college campuses, medical centers, or centrally planned residential communities. International District Energy Association CEO Rob Thornton joins hosts Hill V...

A nuclear renaissance in the US stalled 20 years ago when gas-fired generation won market share and power demand flattened. This time, many believe, is different. S&P Global Energy expert Bill Freebairn joins hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to put America's history with nuclear power into perspective and highlight some of the signposts to watch as the current revival gathers steam. Learn more a...

This week on EnergyCents, Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys speak with LNG pioneer Charif Souki about the extraordinary rise of the US from LNG importer to global export leader — and what that means for markets, infrastructure, and energy security. Souki pushes back on fears of an LNG glut, warns that the Permian gas bottleneck is becoming economically unsustainable, and argues that AI-driven power dem...