In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Yusuf Latief speaks with Michael Villa, Executive Director at SmartEn, and Jochem van Hove, Managing Director for Energy and Resources EMEA at Microsoft, about how data platforms, AI and digital tools can help coordinate these resources in real time.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, you will learn more about:

• Why flexibility is becoming critical in a decentralised energy system;
• The role of AI and data in managing distributed energy resources;
• How EVs, buildings, industries and data centres can provide flexibility;
• The importance of real-time data and digital platforms;
• Cyber-security considerations in digitalised energy systems;
• Policy and market frameworks needed to unlock demand-side flexibility.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Pamela Largue speaks with Sandro Baldi, Commercial Director at NUWARD SMR, EDF, about why SMRs are a viable technology in terms of meeting rising data centre demand and decarbonising industries where direct electrification is challenging.

In this episode you will learn more about:

• The importance of SMRs in the future energy landscape of Europe;
• The role of SMRs in providing energy security, reducing emissions and meeting increasing demand;
• Key barriers to deployment;
• Policy and economic enablers for SMR projects;
• Whether Europe’s supply chain is sufficiently robust to support advancement;
• When we can expect projects to reach commercial operations;
• The projects NUWARD SMR is working on and plans for the future.

In this Energy Transitions podcast, Michael Hierholzer and Armin Fürderer of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, highlight the technical, operational and human aspects of this pioneering BESS project.

In this episode you will learn more about:

• The pace of energy transition in the Baltic region, as well as current energy mix and market dynamics;
• The BRELL disconnect and the impact it had on Latvia’s grid;
• The opportunities that made Latvia’s first grid-scale BESS project possible and the challenges associated with the project;
• How the system has been performing thus far;
• How to mitigate cybersecurity risks for critical infrastructure like BESS;
• Key learnings from the project that could be employed in projects throughout the region;
• What’s next for Rolls-Royce Power systems in this region and in terms of BESS.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Christiane Mann, Chair of the T&D Europe working group on grid digitalisation and Vice President, Head of Industry Affairs at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, helps unpack what true grid digitalisation really means.

In this episode you will learn more about:

• What grid digitalisation actually means in technical and operational terms;
• How advanced digital functionalities help operators manage renewables, decentralised energy resources and rising electrification in transport and heating;
• Why flexibility and “flexumers” are central to the future system;
• The growing importance of data governance, harmonisation and digital skills in Europe’s energy transition;
• The impact of “capex bias” and how current regulatory models can disadvantage software and digital investments;
• How grid digitalisation represents a system-wide change management challenge

In this episode of the Energy Transition podcast, two members from the EU DSO Entity, Oliver Franz of E.ON and Alco de Lange of Stedin, discuss and compare the power grid crunches that have been unravelling in the Netherlands and Germany.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, you will learn more about:

• The three key issues where the resilience of the grid needs to be strengthened: cybersecurity, physical resilience, and climate change;
• How battery storage and data centres in Germany were the “two new kids on the block”, requiring new approaches to consumption management;
• What led to the power congestion crunch in the Netherlands and how the country is re-approaching connection queues;
• The role of digitalisation and data in making effective grid investment decisions;
• A comparison of new congestion management methods between the Netherlands and Germany;
• The role of flexibility in solving grid issues? Or will we see a future with a resilient grid that can cope with all stresses?

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, former CEO of Volkswagen and current Board Chair of The Mobility House, Herbert Diess, explains why people can't underestimate the role of cars in the energy transition.

In this episode you will learn more about:

• Why decentralised solutions hold so much promise when it comes to solving energy transition challenges;
• Investing in solutions that are practical and make good business sense;
• Why Herbert Diess believes it's time to go all in on e-mobility;
• How to overcome the barriers to e-mobility, including antiquated mindsets;
• The Mobility House and some of the exciting projects the team is working on;
• Why innovation and agile start ups will drive sustainable energy transformation.

To unpack how CBAM works and explore whether its design is truly fit for purpose, Pamela Largue spoke with Jostein Røynesdal, Vice President and Head of EU Affairs at Hydro, and Hélène Lavray, Government Affairs Leader Europe for Climate & Energy at Dow. Both highlighted the complexity of the mechanism and warned of potentially serious trade implications.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, you will learn more about:

• Shortcomings of the current CBAM system and what can be done to fix it;
• What will change this year with the implementation of CBAM, what it means for importers and the resource shuffling that could arise;
• The potential impacts of applying CBAM on electricity;
• How CBAM could impact emissions allowances within the EU ETS and impact European producers;
• The potential pitfalls of administering and reporting;
• The impact of CBAM on developing nations and diplomatic relations;
• Potential impacts on global trade.

Jostein Røynesdal and Hélène Lavray will be speaking at European Industrial Energy Days in a panel discussion entitled, Carbon Costs and Competitiveness: What EU ETS and CBAM means for Industrial Energy Users. Register to meet them in person and join the conversation.

In this Energy Transitions podcast episode, Nils Beenen of Uniper explains the critical role of well-designed, long-term gas PPAs in Europe’s path to decarbonisation.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, you will learn more about:

• Uniper’s current position in the market and strategic focus;
• Why Europe needs price-secured long-term contracts;
• The difference between Asia and Europe in terms of securing long-term gas contracts and what Asia is getting right;
• The regulatory or market changes that would lower the risk of gas procurement;
• How higher gas prices have impacted Europe in terms of competitiveness and energy security;
• How long-term PPAs facilitate Uniper’s decarbonisation agenda;
• The benefits and risks of prioritising and implementing long-term PPAs;
• The risks related to energy transition and decarbonisation, electrification and renewables (upstream and downstream);
• How to mitigate these risks.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Uniper.