Energy Evolution

In this episode of Energy Evolution, we explore how heat waves are driving fundamental shifts in European power demand patterns and stress-testing the region's energy infrastructure. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Glenn Rickson, head of short-term European power analysis at S&P Global Commodity Insights, who breaks down the supply and demand pressures that are emerging from warmer temperatures. Co...

Nuclear fusion still has a long road ahead before commercial viability, but optimism — and funding — is on the rise. Surging interest in the technology has recently seen $7.1 billion raised across 50 global fusion startups. Research timelines appear to be accelerating, Steve Piper , director of energy research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, said on the podcast. Big Tech is well represented in t...

In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Matt Hoisch, senior price reporter at Platts, to explore how the energy-intensive fertilizer industry is navigating extraordinary turbulence, from supply chain shocks to spiralling energy costs, while potentially becoming an enabler of the energy transition itself. They look at ammonia's pivotal role as both a key ingredient in nitrogen fertilizer...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall speaks with Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Co. Barron and his company are looking to mine the ocean floor for metals like cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements as demand for the materials surges due to the rise of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. Barron discusses the potential of polymetallic nodules found in the d...

The global energy transition was already facing headwinds even as trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty escalated. Supply chain disruptions, elevated interest rates, and persistent inflation have created additional hurdles for renewable projects. But could rising resource nationalism paradoxically accelerate the transition by spurring countries to prioritize domestic renewable energy develop...

In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast we delve into the emerging field of carbon removal technologies and their role in the fight against climate change.  The discussion highlights various methods, including both technology-based solutions like direct ocean capture and nature-based approaches such as reforestation. Our guests on this week's episode are Jan-Willem Bode, President, Puro.ea...

Clean energy buyers are facing new challenges and opportunities in the face of a shift in US politics and rising demand for electricity to power energy-hungry data centers.  Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association, joins Energy Evolution to talk about how his organization, representing over $15 trillion in market cap and contracts for 84 gigawatts of new clean energy, is tackling t...

A blackout of historic proportions on the Iberian peninsula April 28 has sparked a debate on responsibility and prevention, while the investigation into the causes is ongoing.  One undeniable conclusion is that investments in grids are becoming more important, S&P Global Commodity Insights analysts Kerry Thacker-Smith and Alexandre Mace explain on this episode of Energy Evolution.  Albéric Mongren...

This episode of Energy Evolution examines the complex trade relationship between the US and China, with a focus on how ongoing tariff measures are reforming Chinese energy markets. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Ivy Yin , energy transition market specialist at S&P Global Commodity Insights, who explains how China is shifting toward a more inward-looking energy strategy by boosting domestic gas pro...

In the latest episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with  Daniel Klier, CEO of South Pole, a key player in the carbon markets. As the industry grapples with a credibility crisis, Klier shares insights on the various initiatives the voluntary carbon market is undertaking to restore trust and foster a more resilient and robust ecosystem. He also discusses how South Pole has adapted...

In this episode of Energy Evolution,  Taylor Kuykendall interviews Jonathan Silver, chair of the Global Climate Council at Apollo Global Management and co-founder of the new advisory firm Multiplier. Silver, who was executive director of the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office during the Obama administration, shares insights on the current clean energy financing landscape and discusses...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Tim Gould, chief energy economist at the International Energy Agency (IEA). Gould shares his insights on how the expansion of renewables, coupled with geopolitics and evolving economic policies, is reshaping energy security. Gould explains the need to adapt energy supply security measures as the growth of clean energy leads to new...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall moderates a panel discussion at the Tom Tom Festival in Charlottesville, Virginia, focusing on the question of how to fund solutions to climate change.  The panelists highlighted the current challenges faced by climate tech companies in securing funding, particularly in a volatile political and economic landscape. Their conversation delve...

The International Maritime Organization recently agreed to a global deal to tackle shipping emissions after over a year of tense and fraught talks, with the US dramatically exiting discussions. The agreement includes mandatory marine fuel standards and a carbon trading mechanism. It will need to be adopted in October, but some countries still vocally oppose the measures. In this episode of Energy...

Efforts to simplify the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism reflect a broader struggle within the bloc to balance environmental goals with economic realities. In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Commodity Insights senior director Coralie Laurencin , Dan Maleski of Redshaw Advisors , and Nick Ogilvie of CarbonChain , who dig deep into what these proposed changes...

This episode of Energy Evolution focuses on the recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump to boost domestic mineral production in the US. This order seeks to reduce reliance on foreign mineral supplies, particularly from China, which dominates the mining and refining sectors for critical minerals. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements are just a few materials essential for...

Having ramped down imports of Russian gas at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union may need to answer industry calls for higher imports if peace or a ceasefire are achieved. But will politicians be comfortable with this, and what about the damaged Nord Stream pipelines? And how does the US approach the topic, having become a major LNG supplier to Europe in the past few years? Lau...

As global competition and trade tensions rise, the EU Commission has pledged to create a supportive business environment for cleantech manufacturing and deployment, including €100 billion in support for manufacturing. But will this be enough to stave off the risk of deindustrialization? In this episode of Energy Evolution, podcast correspondent Camilla Naschert explains the EU's latest legislation...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall chats with Ernest Moniz, founder and CEO of the EFI Foundation and the former US Department of Energy Secretary during the Obama administration. We'll also talk to Vast Energy CEO Craig Wood and Plug Power Chief Strategy Officer Sanjay Shrestha.   The discussions, held on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference, focus on in...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall engages with more industry leaders at CERAWeek, including Maria Pope, CEO of Portland General Electric; John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid; and Rebecca Kujawa, CEO of NextEra Energy.  The discussion revolves around the rapid growth of datacenters and the evolving energy landscape. Pope highlights the significant role of semiconductor ma...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, co-host Taylor Kuykendall delves into developments in battery technology with Pure Lithium founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin and explores methods for extracting lithium with International Battery Metals CEO Iris Jancik from the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference. The episode also addresses electric vehicle adoption, the impact of changing political...

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall sits down with Hannah Hauman, head of carbon trading with multinational commodities company Trafigura, to learn more about the world of carbon markets.  After a brief overview of carbon markets, listeners will learn more about the impacts of geopolitical changes, artificial intelligence and more shaping carbon trading. Hauman emphasized t...

As CERAWeek by S&P Global wraps up,  Taylor Kuykendall sits down with Commodity Insights co-president Dave Ernsberger , LNG news reporter Corey Paul and power news reporter Kassia Micek to tease out the interesting themes and moments from the conference.  With the AI race front and center at CERAWeek, some of the biggest conversations revolved around powering datacenters, and with a new Trump admi...

Grid planning and capacity optimization in the US have much room for improvement, for instance through new AI capabilities, Arshad Mansoor , president and CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), says on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference. Increased flexibility could stave off the potential of rising power bills for general consumers in light of the country's rapid...

"One difficulty may be the wind side," says Rich Voorberg, president of the North America hub of energy equipment provider Siemens Energy, on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston. Meanwhile, the gas turbine and grids divisions are struggling to keep pace with surging demand, Voorberg tells Energy Evolution host Taylor Kuykendall. When it comes to the impact of tariffs, Siemens Energ...