Energy Transitions Enlit Europe

In this Energy Transitions podcast episode, Brussels Editor and Host of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou, talks to Markus Rauramo, the CEO and President of Finnish energy giant Fortum and the Vice-President of Eurelectric, about Europe's road to net zero, policy robustness and the importance of technological neutrality to achieve the ambitious decarbonisation targets.

On a windy day at the Eurelectric Power Summit in Athens, they discussed:



How ambitious EU energy policy provides incentives to energy companies;

Why cyber security is increasingly important for the security of supply;

How Fortum is planning for increased renewable energy integration onto the network and what role storage would play;

What technologies are needed to ensure uninterrupted power to heavy industries;

The different nuclear energy technologies that could assist in achieving decarbonisation goals;

What the energy sector can learn from the Nordics.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Pamela Largue speaks to Ann Burton, head of global BECCS deployment at Drax, about BECCS and what makes it a viable and sustainable decarbonisation solution. Burton talks about how Drax is progressing with the new energy system's project deployment, as well as the challenges, wins and lessons learned thus far.
In this episode, you will gain insight into:


Why bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a viable solution despite its bad reputation

How BECCS can be sustainable

Challenges associated with projects and how to overcome them

An update on the 600MW North Yorkshire plant and Drax's expansion plans into US markets

The skills needed to make these projects successful

Why education and awareness are critical to ensure the growth of the sector

How BECCS is developing a robust carbon credits market

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Pamela Largue spoke to Inna Braverman, the CEO and co-founder of Eco Wave Power. Braverman details the development of her company and their technology, the challenges and triumphs encountered on the path to commercialisation, and her personal journey from a girl that no one would listen to, to a well-respected industry pioneer.
In this episode, learn about:


The state of wave energy in Europe and across the globe

The technology that works and doesn't work, and why

Why onshore and near shore are less risky than offshore

Lessons learned from pioneering wave energy projects

Why an updated regulatory framework is critical to the success of projects

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Pamela Largue speaks to Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, Eurelectric and Serge Colle, Global Energy & Resources Industry Market Leader, EY, about what is needed to overcome grid bottlenecks while maximising reliability.
This episode will answer questions about:

The importance of derisking investment through updated policy frameworks
Incentives and derisking mechanisms to rightsize grids for 20 years from now
How TSOs and DSO need to prepare for future challenges
Accessing funding for grid expansion without creating a huge bill for the customer
The importance of closing the loop between electrification needs,  grid plans and climate targets
Understanding the need to build a foundation of knowledge to guide policymakers in future decision making

Both Kristian Ruby and Serge Colle will be discussing the future of grids at the Eurelectric Power Summit, taking place in Lagonissi, Greece, 22 – 23 May 2024. The summit will address in detail the challenges and opportunities we face to keep the lights on.

In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Pedro Amaral Jorge, President of APREN (Portuguese Renewable Energy Association), explains how being an early adopter of renewable energy set Portugal up for success on its path to energy and economic transformation.
In this episode, we answer these questions:

How is Portugal maximising its renewable energy resources, especially wind and hydro?
What policy mechanisms give the country an advantage and help speed up renewables uptake?
Why was renewable energy critical to ensuring a positive economic cycle in the country?
Does Portugal have the skills and experience needed to achieve net zero goals?
What is the future of transition fuels like natural gas?
What is APREN's role in Portugal's renewable energy sector and how can renewable energy associations in other countries model their advocacy and policy efforts?

In this episode of the Energy Transitions Podcast, Danielle Merfeld, Global Chief Technology Officer at Hanwha Qcells, provides insights into these expansion plans, highlighting the success of their Dalton factory, one of the largest manufacturing plants of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
In 2023, Hanwa Qcells, founded in Germany and headquartered in South Korea invested $2.5 billion in starting a US supply chain.
In this episode, insights will be provided into:


The capital and technical know-how needed to create a complex solar supply chain

How Q Cells fosters innovation by centralising production processes

Why the US market is a strategic focus for Qcells

The importance of partnerships and investing in other suppliers to stimulate growth

How the US policy landscape is facilitating growth and participation from European companies

Why Europe has lost its first-mover advantage over the US when it comes to solar

Why there is still room for innovation and disruption in the mature solar market

How effective data management can lead to greater efficiency


Merfeld will be speaking at the World Energy Congress taking place in Rotterdam 22-25 April.