Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Montel News
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  • Business News
  • Updated Weekly

Coming from the heart of the Montel newsroom, Editor-in-Chief, Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson and his team of journalists explore the news headlines in the energy sector, bringing you in depth analysis of the industry’s leading stories each week.   Richard speaks to experts, analysts, regulators, and senior business leaders to the examine not just the what, but the why behind the decisions directing the markets and shaping the global transition to a green economy.   New episodes are available every Thursday.

  1. 2d ago

    Market design: Driving or derailing the transition?

    Europe's electricity system is changing fast. As renewables continue to reshape the power mix, new challenges are emerging; from negative pricing and falling pofitability  to the increased need for flexibility, storage, long-term investment signals and the growing demands of AI-driven data centres. In this episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, host Richard speaks with market experts Cillian O'Donoghue of Eurelectric and Fabian Huneke of Agora to explore whether Europe's electricity market design is still fit for purpose. The discussion examines whether the current market framework is delivering the right incentives for investment, the role of contracts for difference (CFDs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs), the importance of forward market liquidity, and why flexibility (from batteries to demand response) will be critical to keeping the energy transition affordable and secure. The guests also discuss how Europe can accelerate grid development, respond to rising electricity demand from data centres, and ensure market reforms keep pace with a rapidly evolving power system. Is Europe's market design driving the clean energy transition; or at risk of holding it back?  Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Cillian O'Donoghue, Director, Policy, Eurelectic Fabian Huneke, Project Lead Energy Transition in the Power Sector, Agora Producer: Alexandra Carlon  Editor: Alexandra Carlon #PluggedInPodcast #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #MarketDesign #Renewables #PowerMarkets #EnergyPolicy #GridFlexibility #EnergyStorage #CfDs #PPAs #DataCentres #EuropeanEnergy #MontelNews#Datacentres

    Market design: Driving or derailing the transition?

  2. 2d ago

    Untitled Episode

    Plugged In: the energy news podcast

  3. Jul 16

    Grids: Easing bottlenecks

    Europe has made remarkable progress in developing renewable energy, but grids – both at distribution and transmission level, are struggling to keep up. Congestion, long connection queues and ageing infrastructure are holding back the energy transition. So, is the answer simply building more grid infrastructure; or making better use of the network we already have? In this third episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, host Richard is joined by experts from across the electricity sector to explore how Europe can ease its growing grid bottlenecks. Frank Boerman-Lima shares insights from the front line of transmission system operation and cross-border electricity markets. Luuk Veeken explains how AI, forecasting and automated trading are helping integrate more renewable power, while Brian Lonn discusses the growing role of battery storage and flexibility markets in supporting the grid.  Together, they explore how smarter market design, flexibility and digital innovation can unlock more capacity from Europe's electricity networks and keep the energy transition moving. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Frank Boerman-Lima, Flow-Based Capacity Calculation Expert Luuk Veeken, CEO, Dexter Energy Brian Lonn, Head of UK Flexibility, Statkraft Producer: Alexandra Carlon Editor: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyTransition #PowerGrids #RenewableEnergy #GridFlexibility #ElectricityMarkets #EnergyTransition #PowerGrids #CleanEnergy #BatteryStorage #AI #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #PowerGrids #GridFlexibility #Renewables

    Grids: Easing bottlenecks

  4. Jul 9

    Renewables Roll-Out: Saturation Reached?

    Europe is developing green energy at lighting speed.  But as solar and wind generation reaches record levels, new challenges are emerging across the electricity system. Negative prices, grid congestion, curtailment and falling capture prices are raising a fundamental question: has renewable deployment reached its limits, or is the rest of the energy system failing to keep pace? In this episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, we explore whether Europe's next challenge is no longer building renewable generation, but integrating it. Host Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief of Montel News, is joined by Dr Lion Hirth, one of Europe's leading energy market economists and Professor of Energy Policy at the Hertie School; Luca Pedretti, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder of Pexapark; and Professor Jan Rosenow, one of Europe's foremost experts on energy efficiency and electrification, and Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford. Together they examine whether current market structures, grids and policy frameworks are fit for a predominantly green energy system,, how investors are responding to growing merchant risk, and why flexibility, storage and electrification could determine whether Europe's energy transition continues to accelerate…or begins to slow down. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Dr Lion Hirth, Professor of Energy Policy, Hertie School Luca Pedretti, Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder, Pexapark Jan Rosenow, Energy Programme Leader and Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, University of Oxford Producer: Alexandra Carlon  Editor: Alexandra Carlon

    Renewables Roll-Out: Saturation Reached?

  5. Jul 2

    State of Play: Where Are We Now?

    Europe's energy transition has delivered record renewable deployment and significant emissions reductions, but a new wave of geopolitical instability is once again putting the resilience of the energy system to the test. This episode launches the Plugged In Summer Series, where we'll be asking one overarching question throughout: is the energy transition slowing down, or speeding up? Across six episodes, we'll explore the market, policy and technology trends shaping the answer. To kick off the series, we're joined by three of the sector's leading voices: Professor Jan Rosenow of the University of Oxford, one of Europe's foremost experts on energy policy and the energy transition; Simon Flowers, Chairman and Chief Analyst at Wood Mackenzie and one of the industry's most respected market commentators; and Saul Kavonic, Head of Energy Research at MST Marquee, internationally recognised for his analysis of global energy markets and geopolitical risk. Together, they explore how conflict, energy security and volatile gas markets are reshaping policy, investment and market dynamics across Europe. They discuss whether Europe has learned the lessons of previous energy crises and why politics, not technology, may now be the biggest barrier to progress. This opening episode sets the scene for the rest of the series, asking a simple but critical question: can Europe's energy transition stay on course when the world around it becomes more unstable; and is this latest period of disruption ultimately slowing the transition down, or speeding it up? #PluggedInPodcast #EnergyTransition #EnergySecurity #Geopolitics #GasMarkets #PowerMarkets #NetZero #EuropeanEnergy #Renewables #EnergyPolicy Host:Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Simon Flowers, Chairman, Chief Analyst at Wood Mackenzie Saul Kavonic -  Head of Energy Research, MST Marquee Jan Rosenow - Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, University of Oxford  Producer: Alexandra Carlon  Editor: Alexandra Carlon

    State of Play: Where Are We Now?

  6. Jun 25

    Can Britain Still Deliver Net Zero? Chris Stark on “ungumming the system” and the UK's Energy Future

    The UK has set one of the most ambitious energy targets in Europe: a fully clean power system by 2030. But achieving it will require a transformation of the country's electricity network, unprecedented levels of renewable investment, and difficult political and regulatory decisions. Recorded in Whitehall, Richard Sverrisson sits down with Chris Stark, Head of UK’s Mission for Clean Power, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, to discuss whether the country is on track to meet its target and what still stands in the way. Can the UK build the grid, generation and flexibility needed in time?  And what lessons could the rest of Europe learn from its approach? The conversation explores the UK's efforts to reform grid connection queues, accelerate infrastructure delivery, expand battery storage, develop new nuclear capacity and strengthen links with European energy markets. Or as Chris Stark put it the tough choices needed to “ungum the system”. #PluggedInPodcast #EnergyTransition #CleanPower2030 #EnergyPolicy #GridInfrastructure #RenewableEnergy #EnergySecurity #NetZero #ChrisStark Host:Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guest: Chris Stark – Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon

    Can Britain Still Deliver Net Zero? Chris Stark on “ungumming the system” and the UK's Energy Future

  7. Jun 18

    Data Centre Boom: catalysts and constraints

    Europe is experiencing a rush of investment into data centres as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services drive a new wave of electricity demand. From Finland to Spain, developers are searching for locations with abundant clean power, available grid connections and supportive policy frameworks. But as data centres grow larger and more power-hungry, questions are emerging about whether Europe's electricity infrastructure can keep pace. Grid operators are facing mounting connection queues, policymakers are weighing economic benefits against environmental concerns, and system planners are grappling with how to integrate large new sources of demand without compromising reliability. Could data centres become a catalyst for investment in grids, renewables and flexibility? Or do they risk adding further pressure to already constrained electricity systems? In this episode, Richard Sverrisson is joined by Janne Peljo of Finnish Industries, Elisabeth Cremona of Ember and Liam Newcombe of GreenScale to discuss the future of data centres in Europe, the impact of AI-driven demand growth, grid investment requirements, system stability, and the policy choices that will determine whether Europe can successfully power its digital future. #DataCentres #AI #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #PowerGrids #EnergySecurity #GridInfrastructure #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #DigitalInfrastructure #ArtificialIntelligence #Electrification #EnergyPolicy #PowerMarkets #EuropeEnergy Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Janne Peljo – Chief Policy Adviser on Climate and Biodiversity, Finnish Industries Elisabeth Cremona – Senior Energy Analyst, Europe, Ember Liam Newcombe – SVP Product, Energy Strategy & Innovation at GreenScale Alina Trabattoni – Italy Correspondant, Montel Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon

    Data Centre Boom: catalysts and constraints

  8. Jun 11

    Finland - a power success story?

    As Europe grapples with energy security concerns, expectations of rising electricity demand, and the rapid growth of AI-driven data centres, Finland is emerging as one of the continent's most compelling energy success stories. In this episode of Plugged In, Richard Sverrisson is joined first by Elias Huuhtanen, Finland Correspondent at Montel News, who explains why Finland's long-term approach to energy planning, infrastructure investment and security preparedness has positioned the country as a model for Europe. Richard then speaks with Markus Rauramo, CEO of Fortum and President of Eurelectric, about the opportunities and challenges facing Europe's energy transition. They discuss the impact of AI and data centres on power demand, how Finland is preparing for industrial electrification, the importance of grid investment, and why affordable, clean and reliable energy remains essential for maintaining Europe's competitiveness. The conversation also explores geopolitical risks, Europe's exposure to global LNG markets, hybrid threats to critical infrastructure, and the lessons other countries can learn from Finland's pragmatic and technology-neutral energy strategy. Can Finland's approach offer a blueprint for Europe's energy future? #PluggedInPodcast #EnergySecurity #Finland #Fortum #Eurelectric #EnergyTransition #DataCentres #AI #ElectricityMarkets #Renewables #NuclearEnergy #GridInfrastructure #EnergyPolicy #LNG #CyberSecurity #EnergyResilience #IndustrialElectrification #Nordics #CleanEnergy #EnergyMarkets Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Markus Rauramo – CEO of Fortum & President of Eurelectric Elias Huuhtanen – Finland Correspondent, Montel News Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon

    Finland - a power success story?
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Coming from the heart of the Montel newsroom, Editor-in-Chief, Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson and his team of journalists explore the news headlines in the energy sector, bringing you in depth analysis of the industry’s leading stories each week.   Richard speaks to experts, analysts, regulators, and senior business leaders to the examine not just the what, but the why behind the decisions directing the markets and shaping the global transition to a green economy.   New episodes are available every Thursday.

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