Energy Unplugged by Aurora

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flanagan, CEO of RWE Clean Energy. He chats with Oliver Kerr, our Managing Director for North America, to discuss the current and future landscape of U.S. power markets.With over 25 years of experience in the US energy sector Andrew has a wealth of expertise. He leads the third-largest renewable energy business in North America and his career spans working with international teams across Europe. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.Main topics of discussion include the following:How much of the load growth in the US is real, and how much of its forecasting should be factored in investment decisions?What challenges are interconnection queues in the US creating, and how are markets reacting?What will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we're excited to welcome Rohan Ma, the former Director of Energy Software at Tesla. Rohan joins Hugo Batten, our Managing Director for APAC, and Julia Hoos, our Head of USA East, for an insightful discussion on battery market economics.Rohan's career has focused on the intersection of energy economics and technology. The last 8 years saw him leading the global Energy Software team at Tesla, launching initiatives like Autobidder, Tesla's Virtual Power Plant, and the company’s retail electricity program, Tesla Electric. Before Tesla, Rohan held positions at SolarCity, Pacific Gas and Electric, Clearview Energy Partners, and the Chicago Climate Exchange.Main topics of discussion include the following:How did Autobidder develop within Tesla, and what were the biggest challenges facing scaling and rolling it out internationally?How do new battery markets compare to established ones, and which ones are the best for investment?How will the Trump Administration potentially impact the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are thrilled to welcome Tyler Norris, James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Tyler joins our Managing Director for North America, Oliver Kerr, to discuss the interconnection processes within U.S. power markets.Tyler's PhD research at Duke University focuses on electric power systems. His background includes roles as VP of Development at Cypress Creek Renewables, Director at S&P Global Platts, and Special Advisor for Tech-to-Market at the U.S. Department of Energy. Tyler has also served as an expert witness in multiple utility commission proceedings, with his insights featuring in prominent publications such as The New York Times and Foreign Affairs.Key topics in this episode include:What are interconnection processes, and why are these increasingly relevant in the US?“Invest and connect” vs “connect and manage” approaches to interconnectionWhat will the results of the US election mean for the energy transition in the country?Support the show

In this episode of Energy Unplugged, we are delighted to welcome Axel Thiemann, CEO of Sonnedix, to discuss the investment climate for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Europe. Axel joins our Global Research Director, Richard Howard, recorded live at the Aurora Battery Conference in November 2024.Axel has been with Sonnedix since 2011 and became CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, the company has experienced rapid growth and diversification to more than 3.5GW of operational capacity. Today, he leads a global team of over 500 employees across 10 countries.Main topics include the following:What are the factors and trends shaping the investment climate for BESS in Europe?What are the key risks and uncertainties for BESS investment in Europe, and how can these be managed?Where are the best opportunities and the hottest markets for BESS in Europe?Support the show