In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome John Pettigrew, Chief Executive, National Grid. He joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, to discuss the outlook for power systems in both the UK and the US, with a particular focus on the investment required in grid infrastructure in these markets.

John has extensive experience in the utility sector. He joined National Grid as a graduate in 1991 and has progressed through many senior management roles. As Chief Executive, he has delivered transformational organisational and portfolio change, positioning National Grid to play a pivotal role in the energy transition and helping shape energy policy. John is also a Fellow of the Energy Institute and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Key topics include the following:

• The Great Grid Upgrade
• The potential impact of the upcoming US election result on network investments
• Risks facing interconnection projects from technical, economic, regulatory, security, and market perspectives

Support the show

Support the show

Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Louise Oriol, Advisor, RTE (France's Transmission System Operator). She joins our Head of France, Pierre Dennery, and Jonathan Hoare, Senior Analyst in our French Research team, to discuss negative price hours in the French market.

Louise is an expert on electricity regulatory issues and electricity markets with over 10 years of experience, that include having worked for the French Ministry of Energy in the Electricity Markets Office and then in the Renewable Energy Office. She became advisor to RTE’s Director of New Flexibilities for the Power System in 2022, dealing with flexibilities for balance of demand and supply, but also for solving congestions.

Main topics include the following:

• What is driving negative price hours growth in France during 2024?
• How will actions by regulators, policymakers and private players affect negative price hours in the future?
• Would renewable energy participation in the balancing market during hours of negative prices be a possible solution for France?

Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Brett Perlman, President and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future. He joins our Head of US Central, Olivier Beaufils, to discuss the current state of the US hydrogen Industry.

For the past seven years, Brett has been running the Center for Houston’s Future, particularly being involved in the development of Houston’s hydrogen hub. With a distinguished career in the US energy sector, Brett’s experience spans from consulting at McKinsey & Company to serving as a Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where he led the restructuring of the state’s electric utility industry.

Key topics of discussion include:

• What is a hydrogen hub, and what kind of supply is Houston focusing on—blue, green, or a mix of both?
• Hydrogen exports
• The impact of emerging hydrogen markets on the power system

Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Tim Jarratt, Group Executive of Market Development and Strategy at Ausgrid. He joins our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, and Head of Research for APAC, James Ha, to discuss the current state of the energy transition in Australia.

Tim has a long and distinguished career in the energy sector. Before joining Ausgrid, he worked at National Grid, where he led the strategy team and served as Chief of Staff to the CEO. He has also held roles at Bain & Company, among other prestigious positions, and completed both his undergraduate and engineering PhD studies at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Key topics include the following:

• A comparison of the energy transition in the UK, rest of Europe, and Australia
• Ausgrid's vision for EV charging infrastructure, community batteries, and consumer tariffs
• Investment and costs in Australian distribution networks

Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Kevin O'Donovan, Vice President and Managing Director, UK & Ireland at Statkraft. He joins Robert Pearce, Senior Associate in our UK & Ireland Advisory team, to discuss the renewables landscape in Great Britain (GB).

As part of Statkraft’s Europe business area, Kevin oversees wind, solar, battery, and grid services across the UK and Ireland. He holds an engineering degree from University College Cork and a master’s in renewable energy.

Main topics include the following:

• How have recent political changes affected the sector in GB, and what is the likely impact on renewables deployment?
• GB’s position in the broader European energy transition
• The potential influence of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in supporting renewables

Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, our Managing Director for APAC, Hugo Batten, is joined by members of the Aurora team responsible for developing the analysis underpinning our market and grid forecasts for Korea.

Just last month, the team celebrated the launch of Aurora's Korean Power & Renewables Market service at a live event in Seoul, attended by numerous market experts. As Korea goes through a period of immense transformation, our team will take you through the intricacies of energy in the country and what makes it unique.

Key topics of discussion include the following:

• An overview of Korea's market, policy, and grid, along with the role of KEPCO and other key strategic considerations as the country navigates the challenges of achieving a Net Zero power system
• The long-term drivers and market outcomes in Korea
• Insights from our long-term electricity market and grid forecasts for the region
• Feedback from our Korean network on key challenges and strategic opportunities

Support the show