Energy Unplugged by Aurora

Hosted by Aurora Energy Research

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327

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to ‘Energy Unplugged by Aurora’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, sharing their unique perspectives on the global energy transition. Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights. Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!

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June 16, 2026Episode 2931 hr 3 min

The Primary Energy Fallacy: Why Electrification Changes Everything, EP. 293

This week on Energy Unplugged, Richard Howard, Aurora Energy Research’s Global Research Director, is joined by Jan Rosenow, Energy Programme Lead, Jackson Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Energy & Climate Policy at Oxford University. Drawing on his latest research, Jan explores the concept of the “primary energy fallacy” - the mistaken assumption that the clean energy transition requires replacing today’s fossil fuel energy inputs on a one-for-one basis with clean power. Richard and Jan discuss why this view overstates the scale of the challenge, and how electrification fundamentally changes the equation by delivering the same energy services with far less energy input. The conversation examines how electrification is reshaping transport, buildings, and industry, why electric technologies are often dramatically more efficient than their fossil-fuel counterparts, and what this means for energy demand, system planning, and decarbonisation strategies. From electric vehicles and heat pumps to industrial process heat and thermal storage, the discussion explores the opportunities and barriers that will determine the pace of electrification over the coming decades. You will learn about: Why the “primary energy fallacy” may be causing us to overestimate the scale of the energy transition. How electrification can deliver the same energy services with significantly less energy input. Why transport is electrifying rapidly, while buildings and industry continue to face economic and policy barriers. How technologies such as heat pumps, thermal batteries, and electric process heating are expanding the scope for electrification. What governments and energy markets need to do to make electricity the default choice across the economy. For a deeper dive into the topic, read Jan Rosenow's accompanying article, "Is Electrification Happening Fast Enough?": Is electrification happening fast enough? - by Jan Rosenow

June 9, 2026Episode 29235 min

How Does Germany Fix Its Grid Congestion Problem? EP. 292

This week on the Energy Unplugged podcast, Casimir Lorenz, Managing Director for Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Aurélie Alemany, CEO of enercity, to explore one of the most pressing questions facing Germany's energy transition: how can the country solve its growing grid congestion challenge? Aurélie became CEO of enercity in July 2024, taking over as Chair of the Board of Management of the Hanover-based energy company. She sees her most important task as advancing the digital energy transition across the Hanover region, Northern Germany and beyond. With more than 15 years of experience in the energy sector, she previously served as CEO of energy solutions provider SENEC and Managing Director of Yello Strom, alongside holding several senior leadership positions within the EnBW Group. Her experience spans renewable energy, battery storage, retail energy and grid operations, providing a uniquely broad perspective on the challenges facing Germany's evolving power system. Recorded as Germany grapples with rising congestion costs, increasing renewable curtailment and mounting pressure to modernise its electricity market design, the conversation examines the competing approaches being proposed to manage grid constraints and deliver a more efficient energy system. Casimir and Aurélie discuss the role of flexibility, dynamic grid tariffs, regional pricing models and nodal pricing, as well as the practical and political challenges associated with reforming Europe's largest single-price-zone electricity market. You will learn about: Why grid congestion has become one of Germany's most significant energy market challenges. The differences between dynamic grid tariffs, regional pricing zones and nodal pricing. How flexibility and battery storage can help reduce curtailment and improve grid efficiency. Why market design reforms could shape future investment decisions across Germany's energy sector. The technical, political and economic barriers to implementing more granular electricity pricing.

June 2, 2026Episode 29143 min

Designing Batteries for a Changing Grid, EP. 291

This week on Energy Unplugged, Joshua Margulies, Aurora’s Market Lead for France, is joined by Olivier Jacquemin, Head of Power Revenues at Amarenco, one of Europe’s leading independent power producers focused on solar PV and battery storage. With more than 20 years of experience across the energy sector, Olivier has played a key role in Amarenco’s expansion into the French battery storage market and brings firsthand insight into the operational and commercial realities of battery repowering. The conversation explores why repowering is becoming an increasingly important part of battery investment strategy as developers adapt to evolving grid needs, changing ancillary service markets, and rapidly advancing battery technologies. Using Amarenco’s Claudia project as a case study, Joshua and Olivier discuss how flexibility, financing structures, and long-term optionality are reshaping the economics of battery storage across Europe. You will learn about: Why battery repowering is becoming part of long-term project design. How evolving market structures are changing battery revenue models. The key technical and commercial challenges involved in upgrading battery assets. Why flexibility and partnership alignment are becoming critical for storage developers.

May 26, 2026Episode 29044 min

EP. 290 AI, Flexibility and the Rise of the Autonomous Grid

This week on the Energy Unplugged podcast, Richard Howard is joined by Devrim Celal, Chief Marketing & Flexibility Officer, Kraken to explore how flexibility, AI and distributed energy resources are reshaping the future of electricity systems. Devrim oversees flexibility and product capabilities at Kraken, the cloud-based platform that optimizes and orchestrates distributed energy resources including EVs, batteries, heat pumps and renewable generation assets. Prior to Kraken, Devrim was CEO of Upside Energy, which was acquired by the company in 2020. Recorded against the backdrop of rapidly accelerating electrification and growing grid constraints, the conversation explores how electricity systems are evolving from centrally managed networks into highly dynamic, data-driven platforms powered by millions of connected devices. Richard and Devrim discuss the growing importance of flexibility markets, low-voltage network visibility, interoperability standards and real-time optimization in enabling higher penetration of renewable energy while avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades. The episode also examines the role of AI and automation in future grid operations, the balance between market-based incentives and regulatory intervention, and how increasingly granular data and intelligent orchestration could unlock significantly greater utilisation of existing network infrastructure. The discussion spans everything from virtual power plants and dynamic pricing to locational signals, consumer flexibility and the future role of autonomous “agentic” systems in electricity markets. You will learn: Why distributed flexibility is becoming critical for renewable-heavy electricity systems. How AI and device-level data could transform the operation of electricity networks. Why low-voltage grid visibility is emerging as one of the industry’s biggest challenges. How virtual power plants and intelligent automation are reshaping grid operations.

May 19, 2026Episode 28928 min

EP. 289 Lord Browne on the New Energy Equation: Security, AI and Decarbonisation

Recorded live at the Aurora Spring Forum 2026, this episode of Energy Unplugged features John Feddersen, Founder & CEO of Aurora Energy Research, in conversation with Lord John Browne of Madingley - former CEO of BP and one of the most influential figures in global energy and industrial innovation; currently serving as the Chairman of BeyondNetZero and co-Chair of the UK Prime Minister’s Council on Science and Technology. Lord Browne reflects on the geopolitical and economic implications of the Iran crisis, the resilience of global energy systems, and the growing importance of energy security in shaping policy and investment decisions. The conversation explores Europe’s exposure to supply disruption, the future role of natural gas and renewables, and why an “all of the above” energy strategy remains essential. They also discuss AI’s transformative potential across the energy sector - from optimizing grids and supply chains to accelerating breakthroughs in materials science, industrial processes, and low-carbon fuels. Lord Browne explains why AI-driven discovery could dramatically accelerate innovation, lower costs, and reshape the future of energy and industry. The discussion closes with reflections on the long-term trajectory of the energy transition, Europe’s industrial competitiveness, and the technologies and institutions likely to shape the next era of global energy. Key takeaways Energy security is once again driving global energy and industrial policy. AI could significantly improve grid efficiency, industrial optimization, and scientific discovery. Cost reduction remains the key factor in determining the pace of decarbonisation. Europe faces structural competitiveness challenges due to higher energy costs. An “all of the above” energy strategy - spanning gas, renewables, and new technologies - will remain essential throughout the transition.

May 12, 2026Episode 28817 min

EP. 288 Building the Backbone of the Energy Transition

This week on Energy Unplugged, Pierre Dennery, Aurora’s outgoing Country Head for France, is joined by Dominique Ferreira, Global Brand Director for Omexom, the energy infrastructure brand of VINCI Energies. Recorded live at the Building Beyond Conference in Paris, hosted by Leonard, VINCI's foresight and innovation platform. The conversation explores the growing importance of grid infrastructure in the energy transition, and why long-term investment, policy stability, and electrification are becoming central to energy security and decarbonisation strategies worldwide. Dominique works across Omexom’s global operations supporting grid infrastructure, electrification, and digitalisation projects that enable the energy transition across more than 30 countries. Pierre and Dominique discuss the evolving balance between decentralisation and interconnection, how infrastructure priorities differ across regions, and the role of digitalisation, AI, and new grid technologies in shaping the future electricity system. You will learn about: Why grid infrastructure has become one of the key bottlenecks of the global energy transition. How countries are balancing energy sovereignty, decarbonisation, and electrification through different energy strategies. Why interconnection and decentralisation are developing simultaneously across energy systems worldwide. How AI, digital twins, and predictive maintenance are changing the way grids are designed and operated.

April 30, 2026Episode 28740 min

EP. 287 Elias Saba on Battery Economics, Risk and the Future of Storage

This week on Energy Unplugged, Hugo Batten, Managing Director of APAC for Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Elias Saba, Chief Commercial Officer of Eku Energy, and Lara Panjkov, Aurora’s Head of Research in APAC. Together, they explore how battery storage economics are evolving across Australia and Japan, and how shifting market dynamics are reshaping investment strategies. Elias leads Eku’s global Technology, Markets and Trading function and brings over 15 years of experience across energy storage, renewables, and market design, including previous roles at Tesla and Macquarie. He has played a key role in commercialising major battery projects such as Hazelwood, Rangebank, and Williamsdale, and shares insights into how developers are structuring revenue, managing risk, and scaling storage portfolios across global markets. The conversation examines key trends shaping battery investment today: falling but volatile technology costs, increasingly bespoke offtake structures, and the growing role of merchant exposure and optionality. The speakers also explore how Australia’s mature market contrasts with Japan’s more policy-driven approach, and how evolving regulation, grid constraints, and utility participation are influencing deployment. You will learn about: Why early battery projects relied on merchant exposure and built-in flexibility. How offtake structures remain bespoke despite growing market standardisation. Why Japan’s battery market is developing differently, with strong government support. How new use cases like data centre co-location are shaping the next phase of storage investment.

April 23, 2026Episode 28659 min

EP. 286 Beyond Buildout: Brazil’s Next Power Market Evolution

This week on Energy Unplugged, Rodrigo Borges, Market Lead for Brazil at Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Veronica Coelho, Country Manager & SVP at Equinor, and Roberto Colindres, CEO of Rio Energy. Together, they explore how Brazil’s power sector is entering a new phase of development – where system optimisation, rather than pure capacity growth, will define the next cycle of investment. Veronica brings a global developer perspective from Equinor’s international portfolio, including large-scale offshore wind, while Roberto draws on his experience leading the development and scaling of renewable assets in Brazil. The discussion highlights how Brazil’s abundance of wind, solar, water, and land positions it as a potential global clean energy powerhouse – provided the right regulatory and system-level frameworks are in place. The conversation examines the evolving dynamics of Brazil’s electricity market: rising curtailment, increasing intraday price volatility, and mounting pressure on grid infrastructure. The discussion highlights the growing importance of BESS to reduce curtailment, capture price spreads, and improve system flexibility, while also discussing why offshore wind—despite world-class resource potential—remains a longer-term opportunity given current cost challenges relative to onshore renewables. You will learn about: Why Brazil’s next phase of renewables growth depends on optimisation, not just expansion. How BESS can reduce curtailment, lower system costs, and enhance grid flexibility. Why offshore wind in Brazil is a major long-term opportunity but not yet cost-competitive. How grid constraints and market design challenges are shaping investment decisions. Why long-term policy visibility and regulatory stability are critical to unlocking future growth.

April 8, 2026Episode 28429 min

EP. 284 Luuk Veeken on navigating volatility in Europe’s power markets

This week on Energy Unplugged, Claudia Gunter is joined by Luuk Veeken, CEO and co-founder of Dexter Energy. Together, they explore how rising renewable penetration is driving short-term power market volatility – and why success increasingly depends on mastering real-time trading and forecasting. Luuk explains how the shift from predictable, subsidy-backed renewables to weather-driven, merchant assets is transforming the market. With falling capture prices, rising imbalance costs, and more frequent price spikes, generators must move from simply maximizing output to actively optimizing value – continuously updating positions as forecasts evolve. The conversation highlights how improved forecasting, intraday trading, and automation can significantly reduce imbalance exposure, while also examining the growing role of batteries, evolving market design, and cross-border balancing in stabilizing prices. Looking ahead, Luuk outlines how AI-driven forecasting and automated trading will shape the next generation of renewable business models. You will learn about: Why short-term volatility and imbalance costs are rising in renewable-heavy systems How forecasting and intraday trading can protect revenues The role of market design and cross-border balancing in price formation How AI, automation, and batteries are reshaping renewable trading strategies Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged. Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.

April 3, 2026Episode 28347 min

EP. 283 Offshore Wind Reset: Duncan Clark on What Comes Next

This week on Energy Unplugged, Richard Howard, Global Director of Research at Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Nick Civetta, Project Leader at Aurora Energy Research, and Duncan Clark, Board Member at Renewable UK and former Head of Europe Development at Ørsted. In this episode experts unpack what recent allocation rounds mean for offshore wind project economics, and why the UK’s 50GW target is increasingly a question of delivery rather than ambition. While confidence is returning after a market reset, significant challenges remain – particularly around grid infrastructure, supply chains, and the sheer scale of projects needing to be built this decade. The conversation also looks ahead to how competition may evolve in future auctions, the growing role of system integration, and whether floating wind can scale commercially. Alongside this, they examine how AI and data centre demand could become a major driver of electricity consumption – and a potential opportunity for offshore wind. You will learn about: Why recent auctions signal a reset for offshore wind economics What’s really holding back project delivery in the UK How grid constraints could shape deployment this decade The outlook for floating wind and its challenges Why AI and data centres are a key wildcard for future demand Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged. Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.