This week, Daniel Fletcher-Manuel, Director of Prices and Data at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, joins the Hypercube podcast to discuss the company’s role as a price reporting agency, the challenges of gathering and analysing data from opaque commodity markets like lithium, and the important role it plays in the energy transition.

Daniel gives an insight into how, in a hyped market like lithium, Benchmark uses diverse data sources and analytical techniques to verify production capacity claims and gather market intelligence for reliable reporting. He discusses the pitfalls of using information that strays too far from fact into opinion and speculation and the impact this has on reporting accuracy.

We also step back and look at the bigger picture of why accurate price reporting on commodities like lithium is so essential as part of the energy transition. He explores the wider consequences of exaggerating volatility for policymakers and decision-makers, particularly around energy storage.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Why accurate lithium pricing data is essential for the energy transition
• How geospacial capabilities can be used to verify market information
• The problem of conflating plurality and liquidity in PRAs
• The human challenge of data collection for price reporting
• Allocating capital to the assets needed to drive the energy transition

The weekly Hypercube podcast sits down with leaders in the energy and utilities sectors to explore how data analytics can help businesses make smarter decisions and accelerate business growth.

Chapter Markers

[0:42] Daniel starts by giving an overview of his background and the current focus at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

[2:26] Daniel emphasises the importance of lithium prices in the context of decarbonisation and electric vehicle production.

[5:16] Adam asks Daniel to explain in more detail about the role of a commodity price reporting and market intelligence agency, particularly around utilising data.

[7:45] Daniel highlights the importance of pricing analysts having relationships across the supply chain.

[9:13] Daniel outlines the techniques that Benchmark employs to verify market information, including using geospatial capabilities.

[12:53] Daniel walks through the structured and unstructured data challenges that he faces when compiling market analysis.

[17:02] Daniel demonstrates why accurate pricing data for lithium is crucial for decision-making around the energy transition.

[20:03] Daniel compares the methodology of price reporting for new markets like lithium and graphite with that of mature commodities and explains the need for a different approach.

[22:43] Daniel discusses the challenge of capital investment in assets needed for the energy transition.

[26:14] Daniel shares where listeners can access information, including policy and pricing newsletters from Benchmark.

If you want to explore how data and artificial intelligence can be used to help your organisation make smarter decisions and accelerate business growth, get in touch by visiting the Hypercube website: https://wearehypercube.com