Energy Evolution

Latest Episodes:

CERAWeek: Three utility CEOs on energy transition, AI demand and changing US politics Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall engages with more industry leaders at CERAWeek, including Maria Pope, CEO of Portland General Electric; John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid; and Rebecca Kujawa, CEO of NextEra Energy.

The discussion revolves around the rapid growth of datacenters and the evolving energy landscape.

Pope highlights the significant role of semiconductor manufacturing and AI in shaping energy consumption patterns.
Pettigrew discusses National Grid's ambitious $75 billion capital investment plan, focusing on enhancing network reliability and capacity to accommodate increasing energy demands.
Kujawa underscores the importance of renewable energy and storage solutions in meeting new load growth driven not only by AI but also by reshoring manufacturing capabilities in the US.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: Opportunities and challenges for the US lithium battery supply chain Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Energy Evolution, co-host Taylor Kuykendall delves into developments in battery technology with Pure Lithium founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin and explores methods for extracting lithium with International Battery Metals CEO Iris Jancik from the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference. The episode also addresses electric vehicle adoption, the impact of changing political climates on incentives, and the need for innovation in the face of a looming natural resource crisis.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: Navigating the evolving landscape of carbon markets with Trafigura Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall sits down with Hannah Hauman, head of carbon trading with multinational commodities company Trafigura, to learn more about the world of carbon markets.

After a brief overview of carbon markets, listeners will learn more about the impacts of geopolitical changes, artificial intelligence and more shaping carbon trading. Hauman emphasized the importance and complexities of carbon accounting and the need to recognize that carbon markets are a vital part of business strategy and not merely a philanthropic endeavor.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: Takeaways on power, permitting, and policy Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

As CERAWeek by S&P Global wraps up, Taylor Kuykendall sits down with Commodity Insights co-president Dave Ernsberger, LNG news reporter Corey Paul and power news reporter Kassia Micek to tease out the interesting themes and moments from the conference.

With the AI race front and center at CERAWeek, some of the biggest conversations revolved around powering datacenters, and with a new Trump administration looming large as the backdrop, the spotlight shifted from decarbonization and clean tech in past years to a new emphasis on investment and production, with a constant eye toward energy policy and geopolitics.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: Why grids are the missing piece in energy-blessed America Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Grid planning and capacity optimization in the US have much room for improvement, for instance through new AI capabilities, Arshad Mansoor, president and CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), says on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference.

Increased flexibility could stave off the potential of rising power bills for general consumers in light of the country's rapid load growth, he tells Energy Evolution host Taylor Kuykendall.

While the US is blessed with abundant gas as well as renewables potential, much remains to be done on the accompanying grid expansion, Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy, tells Taylor in this episode from CERAWeek.

Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the duration of CERAWeek, featuring guests attending the conference.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: Siemens Energy exec sees Trump as a boon for its North American business Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

“One difficulty may be the wind side,” says Rich Voorberg, president of the North America hub of energy equipment provider Siemens Energy, on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in Houston.

Meanwhile, the gas turbine and grids divisions are struggling to keep pace with surging demand, Voorberg tells Energy Evolution host Taylor Kuykendall.

When it comes to the impact of tariffs, Siemens Energy and its competitors sit in the same boat, with limited relative competitive impact, Voorberg notes.

Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the duration of CERAWeek, featuring guests attending the conference.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes now regularly publish on Tuesdays.

CERAWeek: FERC chairman lays out demand challenge facing US grids Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

As power demand rockets thanks in part to datacenter operators, the US grid needs more dispatchable power, FERC chairman Mark Christie tells Energy Evolution host Taylor Kuykendall on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference in Houston.

Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the next several days, featuring guests attending CERAWeek.

Adapting climate strategies as US sees shift in political support for the energy transition Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Taylor Kuykendall speaks with Mark Brownstein, leader of energy transition efforts at the Environmental Defense Fund about environmental and climate priorities related to the energy transition in 2025.

They discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape impacting energy policies, the role of market forces in advancing clean energy technologies, and private sector adaptation amidst changing political support. The conversation also touches on the need for collaborative efforts in permitting reform and the critical actions required to ensure the continued momentum of the energy transition into 2025 and beyond.

Taylor will be hosting additional episodes in addition to Energy Evolution's typical weekly schedule for the next several days, featuring guests attending CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Texas.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now regularly published on Tuesdays.

Previewing CERAWeek: What world energy leaders will talk about in Houston Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast, host Taylor Kuykendall discusses the upcoming CERAWeek conference, scheduled for March 10-14 in Houston. He is joined by Ken Downey, Executive Director of Innovation Agora at CERAWeek, and Naki Mendoza, director of CERAWeek Programs at S&P Global.

Key topics for this year's conference include the changing geopolitical landscape, especially in light of recent elections. Mendoza and Downey said energy leaders will also be focused in on supply chains, AI's role in energy, and the growing importance of metals and mining to the energy transition.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now published on Tuesdays.

War & emissions: The climate costs of conflict Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

On Energy Evolution this week, Eklavya Gupte and Rosemary Griffin examine the often-overlooked environmental ramifications of military conflicts as we mark the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Lennard de Klerk, who has studied the climate impact of this war, gives us some insights into how warfare, fuel consumption, forest fires, attacks on energy infrastructure and the estimated costs of rebuilding Ukraine have led to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions.

As concerns around the climate costs of war have intensified, there have been wider calls for military emissions to be calculated and included in international reporting.

We speak to Patrick Bigger, research director at the Climate and Community Institute, and Benjamin Neimark, a senior lecturer at the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London, to learn more about the growing carbon footprint of militaries globally.

Energy Evolution has merged with Platts Future Energy, and episodes are now published on Tuesdays.