The Energy Essentials Podcast

In our latest podcast, Senior Modeller Tom Edwards and Senior Consultant Emma Burns, discuss the impact that changing system conditions are driven by the COVID-19 pandemic has had on how the system is balanced. They discuss the new tools that National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has developed, how the market might respond to these and what this might mean for the future of balancing the...

In our latest podcast, Senior Consultant Craig Lowrey and Senior Writer Nick Palmer discuss Craig’s Energy Spectrum piece on the lessons from the current lockdown for the path to net zero. They look at the current low demand-high renewables situation and what we can learn for the future of the GB energy mix. Craig analyses the generation mix changes we’ve seen during the lockdown, looking at the v...

In our latest podcast, Cornwall Insight’s Research Partner, Daniel Atzori, and Key Account Leader, Bertie Bagge, talk with Dan Wells, partner at Foresight, and Gareth Baker, partner at Gowling WLG , about the likely impact of the COVID-19 crisis on financing low-carbon infrastructure. Our experts look at whether the current economic slowdown will lead to delays to projects and government auctions,...

In this podcast our Retail Manager, Anna Moss and Senior Analyst, Kate Hill defy the challenges of being in lockdown under Covid-19 with multi-locations and persistent cats, to discuss the domestic tariff landscape. We’re currently in a time of great change and as a result we’ve seen some significant changes to the wholesale market and the oil price in response to Covid-19. We look at the effects...

With the RESS qualifications fast approaching, we take a look at the some of the keys parts of the qualification process, what to look out for when creating your bid and some of the price drivers for bids in the auction. The scheme is vital in achieving 70% renewables by 2030, delivering up to 3TWh in the first auction, and given the high level of competition anticipated in the first RESS auction,...

In this podcast our expert Tom Edwards, senior modeller and BSC Panel member, introduces new arrangements that allow for many more asset owners and operators to provide balancing services to National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO). We discuss what a Virtual Lead Party (VLP) is, what this may mean for the market in terms of who may provide VLP services, and the services that can be accessed...

In our latest podcast, Anna Moss and Oliver Archer discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the connected homes market with Tom Faulkner. They discuss the latest Cornwall Insight research into the market players offering connected technologies and where the services in this market could go next. Keep up to date with latest from Cornwall Insight by following us on Linkedin , or by sign...

In our latest podcast, experts Emma Burns and Tom Edwards discuss the recent developments in the Capacity Market since its reinstatement announcement on 24 October. They discuss what led to the suspension Capacity Market, the outcome and implications of the suspension, what changes the Government have now committed to and where do we go from here? Keep up to date with latest from Cornwall Insight...

In our latest podcast, experts Duncan Southgate, Ed Reed, Tom Lusher and Stuart Leaver discuss developments in the UK Heat Network Space. They set out the pathway the UK has taken up to the present day and the vision for heat in the future, comment on opportunities for investment and risk management, and explore the key role of Local Authorities in this nascent market.  Our experts highlight the o...

In our latest podcast James Goldsmith and James Brabben discuss businesses procuring their energy sustainably, in both GB and Ireland. They discuss how the landscape for procurement is changing, the imperatives for businesses to better manage their consumption through efficiency or behind the meter generation and the increasing popularity of direct procurement through Corporate PPAs.  Keep up to d...

In our latest podcast Tom Lusher, Tom Edwards and Jacob Briggs discuss recent developments in the EV smart charging space by unpacking two significant consultations from the government. The first lays out proposals for the future of smart charging, while the second seeks views on installing charge points in buildings. Our experts comment on the opportunities and challenges that face the electricit...

In our latest podcast Ed Reed talks to our Code experts Adam Boorman and Tom Edwards discuss the Code reform programme. We discuss the ongoing Code governance reform work, our thoughts on potential beneficial consolidation changes that could be made based upon the outputs from a report commission by Elexon and other wider opportunities to improve Code governance. To see more of our thinking the El...

In our ninth podcast, the modelling and consulting teams at Cornwall Insight discuss Electricity Storage in the UK, what is it, what role does it play, what are the available revenue streams and where next for Electricity Storage in the GB power market?  Our experts, Paul Anderson, Tom Edwards and Tom Palmer discuss where electricity storage can meet the requirements of a changing system, what cha...

In our latest Podcast, our two Senior Modellers, Tom Edwards and Tom Musker, provide their views on a range of wholesale market issues, including recent trends and future developments. The questions are posed by Ben Hall, our Head of New Business, and focus on key topics including: • Drivers of recent spikes in carbon prices and Cornwall Insight’s views on longer-term carbon pricing • The evolving...

Ofgem’s Switching Programme is working towards facilitating faster, more reliable switching for all customers in mid 2021. It is underpinned by a new industry code – the Retail Energy Code (REC) – which sets out the new requirements for suppliers and other industry participants and went live in February to help them prepare for the new arrangements. In this podcast, Cornwall Insight’s Steven Britt...

In our latest podcast we explore the business energy retail market in GB. We discuss innovation in supplier propositions and shifting strategies, as well as the primary route to market for suppliers – Third Party Intermediaries.  Anna Moss is joined by Molly Lloyd and Tom Goswell to look at the evolution of competition over time, and consider where things may go next. Keep up to date with latest f...

In our latest podcast we explore Corporate PPAs and how the market for them is developing in GB. We look at the structures being used to overcome complex contracting arrangements, the numbers signed so far in GB and case studies from the US and Europe that can be learned from.  We also discuss the potential barriers and enablers for subsidy free Corporate PPAs and our thoughts on developments over...

In our fourth podcast, Conall Bolger and Evie Doherty, discuss the emergent shape of the PPA market three months into SEM. They consider how SEM, by making players financially responsible for their traded position, profoundly alters the commercial underpinnings of PPAs in the market.  These dynamics affect all players. The discussion reviews just how far participants have come in a short period of...

In our first podcast for 2019 our metering experts, Tom Goswell and Rowan Hazell, discuss the smart metering programme. We provide thoughts on the progress of the roll-out and the wider infrastructure necessary to deliver the market-wide benefits.  This includes points on the nationwide communication system and the role of metering providers and agents. Keep up to date with latest from Cornwall In...

In this, the second of a new monthly series of podcasts, Cornwall Insight’s retail energy market experts Anna Moss and Robert Buckley chat to Head of Research, Ed Reed. They mull over a busy autumn 2018 of increasing competition, several supplier exits and the looming default price cap. They conclude by discussing the ongoing work by the regulator and government to possibly introduce further marke...

This is the first in a regular series of podcasts from Cornwall Insight on the major contemporary issues confronting the energy sector. In this initial installment, recorded before Greg Clark’s speech on the 15th November 2018 and the recent trials and tribulation facing the Capacity Market, Tom Crisp, Editor of Energy Spectrum, discusses with Cornwall Insight Chief Executive Gareth Miller his ref...