Switched On

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322

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

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60 recent

October 26, 202614 min

Oil Shock Puts Heat Pumps in Play: Analyst Reaction

The economics of heating your home are shifting. Whether a heat pump saves money increasingly depends on what heats your home, where you live and when you use electricity. Heating oil prices have surged to a two-decade high in the US, EU and UK, dramatically improving the economics of switching for some households, while changes to electricity tariffs can make heat pumps cheaper to run. With fossil-fuel prices volatile and power systems changing, electric heating is becoming more competitive. So where do heat pumps now make financial sense, and what could make them more attractive? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Yara van Ingen, an associate from BloombergNEF’s tech, industry & innovation team, to discuss some of her notes, including “Heating Oil Spike Opens Market for More Heat Pumps,” and “French Heat Pump Owners Gain From Cheaper Midday Power.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Heating Oil Spike Opens Market for More Heat Pumps - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/tmxz2dt96osp00 French Heat Pump Owners Gain From Cheaper Midday Power - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/tmxxyvkk3nye00 Gas Price Spike Still Too Mild to Drive Heat Pump Surge - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/texo3ukk3ny900 Heat Pump Market Outlook 2026: Blip, Not Bust - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39389 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 21, 202632 min

Gas Turbine Makers Cash In on Global Power Rush

Gas turbines are a hot topic. Orders for this critical piece of infrastructure are surging alongside rising power demand and the need to refurbish aging power plants. Data centers are adding urgency, particularly in the US, and scarce delivery slots are pushing prices higher. Manufacturers are expanding production, but past overcapacity is keeping them cautious about chasing today’s demand too aggressively. So how long can the boom last? And can manufacturers capitalize on the gas turbine boom without overplaying their hand? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BNEF global gas specialist Atin Jain to discuss findings from some of his research, including “Global Gas Turbine Order Trends 1H 2026: Records Shattered” and “Global Gas Turbine Manufacturing Outlook: Crunch, for Now.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Global Gas Turbine Order Trends 1H 2026: Records Shattered - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40519 US Data Center Gas Demand Outlook 2026-2035 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40383 Global Gas Turbine Manufacturing Outlook: Crunch, for Now - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40247 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 14, 202631 min

Europe's Power Markets Face a New Balancing Act

Europe’s power mix is changing fast. Ample output from wind, solar and nuclear means that northwest Europe could require significantly less power from fossil fuels this winter than last. At the same time, rising electricity demand from EVs and data centers is shifting market dynamics across Europe, creating new opportunities for technologies like solar and batteries. So how are Europe’s power markets evolving, and what does that mean for prices and investment? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Arhnue Tan from BNEF’s European power team to discuss findings from some of her team’s notes, including “European Power Monthly October 2026: Renewables Retreat,” “European Power Winter Outlook: Cleaner Mix,” and a series of outlooks covering individual power markets across Europe, which we’ve hyperlinked below. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: European Power Monthly October 2026: Renewables Retreat - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40545 European Power Winter Outlook: Cleaner Mix - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40431 Germany Power Market Outlook 2026: Batteries Versus Gas - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40407 Italy Power Market Outlook 2026: Renewables Edge Out Gas - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40373 Nordic Power Markets: Demand Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39425 France Power Market Outlook 2026: Price High, Supply Ample - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39197 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 8, 202627 min

Where Transition Risk Meets Corporate Opportunity

The energy transition is reshaping how companies make money. BNEF’s new Transition Risk and Opportunities Outlook models revenues for more than 70,000 companies as demand shifts across energy, transport and commodities. Businesses exposed to renewables, grids, EVs and transition metals could benefit, while others may face shrinking markets and rising carbon costs. So which companies are positioned to capture new opportunities, and which are most exposed to the transition? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF finance policy and transition risk specialist Maia Mesanger and transition risk and alignment analyst Estella Agyepong to discuss their note “Transition Risk and Opportunity Outlook 2026.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Transition Risk and Opportunity Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40403 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 30, 202625 min

Water Stress Brings Risks for Thirsty Power Generators

Power plants have a water problem that’s getting harder to ignore. Coal, gas and nuclear facilities rely heavily on water for cooling, leaving some exposed as drought and heat intensify pressure on freshwater supplies. Wind and solar generation have a dramatically lower dependence on water, but thermal plants will remain critical to power systems, and many existing assets are located in areas facing growing water stress. That creates risks beyond individual generators. Water shortages can constrain power supply just as heat pushes electricity demand higher, potentially affecting prices and consumers across the system. So how vulnerable is the power sector to water stress, and can the energy transition reduce the risk? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF climate research analyst Alistair Purdie to discuss findings from his note “Thirst for Power: Water Stress in Electricity Generation.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Thirst for Power: Water Stress in Electricity Generation - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40317 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 23, 202627 min

Global Gas Tug of War Is Brewing for Winter

Europe’s gas market is heading into winter with little room for error. Lower storage levels and disruption in the Middle East have left the region more exposed to weather and competition for LNG. BNEF’s base case sees European storage falling to 21% by the end of March, but a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption or a particularly cold winter could push it toward 10%. Much will depend on temperatures, renewable generation and LNG demand elsewhere, particularly in Asia. Longer term, new supply could loosen the global gas market, but BNEF expects that relief to arrive from 2028 onwards. So how tight could the gas market get this winter, and what could tip the balance? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF European gas market analyst, Arham Muhammad, and weather team associate, Jess Hicks to discuss the notes “LNG Market Outlook 2035: Oversupply to Fuel Demand Growth” and “European Gas Market Outlook 2035.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: European Gas Winter Outlook 2026-2027 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40331 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 18, 202626 min

Food and Farming Caught in Geopolitical Crossfire

No country can feed itself entirely on its own. The global food system depends on a complex web of trade, not just for food but for fertilizer, animal feed, pesticides and labor. Even major agricultural exporters rely on imports somewhere in their supply chains, leaving markets exposed when extreme weather, conflict or trade disputes disrupt these connections. Those vulnerabilities can appear in unexpected places: China and the Middle East depend heavily on imported food while supplying fertilizer to the world, and Brazil is a major food exporter that relies on imported fertilizer to sustain production. So in an increasingly volatile world, what makes a food system resilient, and where are its weakest links? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF analyst Helen Ramsbottom to discuss her note “Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40191 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 14, 202617 min

US Grid Ban Hits Batteries Hardest: Analyst Reaction

US efforts to secure its power grid could come at a cost. A new executive order could restrict grid and power equipment supplied by companies tied to China, with batteries particularly exposed. Around 60% of US lithium-ion battery imports came from mainland China and Hong Kong in 2025. The rules could boost demand for non-Chinese suppliers, but also increase costs and delay battery projects as developers await further guidance. So why could batteries feel the biggest impact from the latest US move to restrict Chinese power equipment? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Zoe Zakrzewska, a member of BNEF’s trade and supply chain team, to discuss findings from her Analyst Reaction, “US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tkfzv6t9njly00 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 9, 202644 min

BNEF Pioneers: Buses, Bioleaching and Better Batteries

Some of the most interesting climate technologies don’t fit neatly into a category. That is the idea behind the Wildcard entries in BloombergNEF’s annual Pioneers competition, which recognizes promising innovations from across the energy transition. This year’s Wildcard winners span three very different fields: BasiGo is electrifying bus fleets in Africa, Endolith is using microbes and machine learning to recover more copper from low-grade ores, and GRST is developing a water-based battery binder designed to make lithium-ion cells less toxic and easier to recycle. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees and BNEF Pioneers co-chair Benjamin Kafri speak with all three companies about the technologies they’re building, the markets they’re targeting and the challenges of scaling up. More information regarding the upcoming 2027 BNEF Pioneers program can be found at about.bnef.com/about/pioneers/ Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Climate-Tech Companies to Watch in 2026: BNEF Pioneers - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39231 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 2, 202633 min

Six Months In, the Iran War Redraws the Energy Map

The Iran war is redrawing the global energy landscape. Six months of high oil prices and disrupted trade have strengthened the case for technologies that reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Chinese exports of solar, batteries and electric vehicles have risen, while markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America are seeing growing demand for clean technologies. But the response varies widely. Some governments are shielding consumers from higher fuel costs, while others are leaning more heavily on domestic fossil fuels as a source of energy security. So has the Iran war changed the direction of the energy transition, or simply its pace? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by, Ethan Zindler who leads BNEF's countries and policy research. Together they discuss the note “Six Months In: The Iran War’s Global Impact.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Six Months In: The Iran War’s Global Impact - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40249 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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