Energy Insiders - a RenewEconomy Podcast

In our last episode of the year, federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen joins us to discuss the CIS, climate targets, EVs, the agenda for 2025, and the Coalition's nuclear plan.

In this episode we take a quick look at the Coalition’s nuclear plan and its costings. Not much of it makes sense. Plus: The other news of the week.

CSIRO’s Paul Graham on the findings of the latest GenCost report, which proves yet again that integrated renewables are by far the lowest cost option, even after responding to all the Coalition complaints about its modelling methods.

Solar researchers held their annual conference in Sydney this week, with the focus on improved efficiency, grid integration, recycling and social equity. Monash University's Roger Dargaville explains. Plus: News of the week.

Energy expert Gabrielle Kuiper on getting the best out of distributed energy resources in the new market design and as coal exits the grid. Plus, news of the week.

The rules of Australia's main electricity grid are constantly changing. Should they be completely rewritten? AEMC commissioner Tim Jordan discusses the state of play. Plus: News of the week.

V2G technology, turning EVs into batteries on wheels, will be big – for drivers, households and the grid. Jon Sibley from enX explains why. Plus: News of the week.

Donald Trump is back. Richie Merzian from the CEIG joins the podcast to discuss the likely impact on climate efforts, COP29, and the outlook in Australia as its big renewable tender is accelerated.

The gas industry says we need more of the fossil fuel to prosper. Jarrod Leak, from the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, says that’s not true, and there are alternatives. Plus: News of the week.

Simon Emms from transmission company Electranet explains how the state has moved so quickly towards 100 per cent net renewables, and why so much industry wants to plug in. Plus: All Energy buzzes while gas lobby bleats.

Ric Brazzale from Green Energy Markets discusses what’s happening in key markets for renewables, emissions, efficiency and electrification. Plus, news of the week.

Renewable records continue to tumble, while a big battery helps solve one of the grid's main challenges. Julius Susanto from Ampere Labs joins us to explain. Plus: Lots of big wind stories.

Retiring Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank reflects on the changing nature of grids, the role of hydro, Battery of the Nation and building wind farms in the right place. Plus: Shutting down coal.

Carl Hutchinson, the country manager of Enel X, on the difficulties of getting demand response on Australia’s main grid, despite its obvious benefits. Plus: News of the week.

AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman explains why Australia is shifting from the old paradigm of "baseload" power, and why he still wants spinning machines. Plus: News of the week.

Matt Kean on being a private citizen, duelling with Barnaby, rent-seeking on Eraring and pathways to net zero.

Climate expert Lesley Hughes on the recent weather extremes and the impact on biodiversity, and people. Plus: News of the week including the first big CIS tender.

ENA chief executive Dominique van den Berg on the hotly contested role that networks can play in distributed resources. Plus, news of the week.

NAB's Andrew Smith on the challenges of raising equity for Australia's renewable energy transition. Plus: News of the week.

VicGrid CEO Alastair Parker has a job some would not envy, managing the planning of transmission lines and renewable zones in the state of Victoria. He joins the podcast to talk about transmission routes, battery storage, the option of going underground, and where things went wrong on social licence. Plus, the news of the week including windfall profits for all the big utilities.

Rebecca Colvin from ANU and John Cole from University of Southern Queensland and their takes on obtaining social licence for energy projects, and the lessons from King Island and CSG. Plus, news of the week.

Andy McCarthy on setting up a solar business in the heart of coal country more than a decade ago, when a 1 kW system cost $8,000. And what the industry can learn from that as it struggles for social licence. Plus: News of the week including high prices and farmers walking away from wind.

Doug Lewin, from the Energy Capital podcast in Texas, explains how a massive storm triggered unprecedented investment in solar and storage in the oil state. Plus: News of the week.

What we learned from Ted O'Brien, Chris Bowen and everyone else at the CEC summit. Plus: Hydrostor's Jon Norman on why advanced compressed air storage is beating pumped hydro, and why even nuclear needs lots of storage.

Contractors and developers are struggling with higher costs and projects delays. Matt Rennie joins us to discuss the issue. Plus: News of the week.