Energy Evolution

S&P Global Commodity Insights

Interviews, analysis and reporting from S&P Global Energy on energy and commodities' transition to a cleaner future. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with policymakers, industry professionals and S&P Global Energy in-house experts worldwide on topics related to decarbonization, climate, emerging fuels and energy sources, and the outlook for commodity markets from oil to power to metals. The Energy Evolution podcast merged with the Platts Future Energy podcast in January 2025.

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359 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes359

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Oct 26, 2021 · 25 min
Mechanical vs chemical recycling for plastics: competing or complementing to drive sustainable growth?
Recycled plastics has become a hot topic recently with soaring demand driven by legislation, corporate commitments and increasing consumer awareness across the globe. There are raising questions on how the current recycling mechanisms could cope with such rapid-changing market dynamics to drive the sustainable growth of recycled plastics industry. Which option is better – mechanically or chemically recycled plastics? In the latest Platts Future Energy podcast, our experts take a closer look at both plastics recycling mechanisms, how they work, and what what role they play in the industry at large.
Oct 12, 2021 · 20 min
At the heart of COP26: The role of carbon markets
The landmark Paris Agreement was agreed back in 2015 with 29 different Articles. Almost all have been fleshed out, agreed upon and finalized - but Article 6 has not – given ongoing debates. And this Article's text will prove critical to how international voluntary carbon markets develop going forward – with these markets seeing unprecedented growth and interest as corporates take steps to address their carbon footprints.
Oct 12, 2021 · 23 min
Mining lithium in North America to feed growing EV appetite
Piedmont Lithium President and CEO Keith Phillips sat down with the show to talk about the North Carolina-based company's efforts to tap into lithium supplies. Demand for the battery material is rapidly increasing as a critical component of electric vehicles. Check out S&P Global's recent dive into the growing electric vehicle sector here. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Sep 20, 2021 · 32 min
U.S. poised for Atlantic Coast offshore wind power boom
With construction set to begin on the 800-MW Vineyard Offshore Wind farm, the U.S. is on the cusp of a massive buildout of offshore wind generation along the Atlantic Coast. But challenges loom, from an arduous permitting process to grid interconnection to financing. In this episode the team talks to Ørsted COO Troy Patton, Dominion Energy's Mark Mitchell, Wells Fargo tax equity banker Samantha Buechner, Lesley Jantarasami of the Bipartisan Policy Center and Christy Guthman of GE Renewable Energy. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Sep 14, 2021 · 20 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: The challenge of meeting growing demand while transitioning the fleet
As London International Shipping Week 2021 begins, Platts Analytics discuss the major shipping fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In the final episode of the series, Platts Analytics reviews our outlooks of top line shipping demand by category - while laying out different expectations around turnover of the fleet – and the technologies, fuels and adaptations in play.
Sep 7, 2021 · 19 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: Ammonia & Hydrogen
Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode five, Platts energy transition reporters look at the practical and economic complexities of using ammonia or hydrogen to power the fleet.
Aug 31, 2021 · 14 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: Vessel Optimization and Oil-based Fuels
Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode four, we look at whether those caps can be met with existing fuels or with innovative vessel optimization technologies.
Aug 25, 2021 · 16 min
FERC's chairman on the urgent need for more transmission lines to combat climate change
Richard Glick, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, joins Energy Evolution to discuss what it will take deliver more clean energy to U.S. consumers. FERC recently began a push to address obstacles that are holding up the development of electric transmission in a bid to connect more consumers to less emissions-intensive energy and avert the worst impacts of a changing climate. Glick said he is confident that the U.S. can drastically increase its electric transmission capacity by mid-century to meet that goal. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Aug 24, 2021 · 9 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: Methanol
Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast miniseries looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode three, we look at methanol – a cleaner-burning hydrocarbon that is proving popular amongst shipowners.
Aug 17, 2021 · 18 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: Biofuels
Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast series looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode two, we look at biofuels – a diverse energy source derived from vegetable oils and waste matter, rather than from traditional hydrocarbons.
Aug 10, 2021 · 11 min
Marine Fuels of the Future: LNG
Ahead of London International Shipping Week 2021, a six-part S&P Global Platts podcast series looks into the pricing of alternative marine fuels for the global shipping industry. In each episode of Marine Fuels of the Future, Platts editors investigate the current state of the major fuel alternatives, as the shipping sector seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions ahead of stringent caps in 2030 and 2050. In episode one, we start with one of the frontrunners: LNG.
Jul 21, 2021 · 21 min
In ESG era, shale gas drillers try going green
Natural gas producers are partnering with data companies to reduce emissions amid growing pressure to decarbonize supplies. This episode features interviews with Chris Romer, the co-founder and CEO of Project Canary, and Andrew Baxter, the Environmental Defense Fund's director of energy strategy. The team also spoke with Andrew Logan, senior director for oil and gas at nonprofit investor network Ceres. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Jul 13, 2021 · 22 min
All Systems GO: How Guarantees of Origin are helping underpin Europe's renewable expansion program
Total renewables penetration targets in Europe require a "common currency" which provides a reliable price signal against which the cost of different technologies and renewable paths can be assessed. Guarantees of Origin certificates could become this common currency, incentivising the use of renewable sources as part of corporate fuel mix disclosures, and promoting a net-zero culture. In this Platts Future Energy Podcast episode, Glenn Rickson, Head of European Power Analytics, is joined by Energy Transition experts in the Platts Pricing team to discuss the scope of the Guarantees of Origin markets.
Jul 8, 2021 · 21 min
Electrification and biofuels: Combination, not disruption, is the path to decarbonize transportation
Electric vehicles have been trending as the primary choice to decarbonize the transportation sector worldwide. Although some could expect the EV revolution to disrupt all current technologies, existing biofuels can keep playing a key role where they are available. In this podcast, Brazil is discussed as an example of where transitioning to EVs is not as urgent as in other countries since the wide adoption of ethanol is already yielding significant reductions in emissions at a competitive cost.
Jul 2, 2021 · 22 min
Helping communities impacted by the energy transition
The move from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources can have a big impact on the communities that once depended on those industries. Our guest for this episode is Brian Anderson, director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory. He was recently tasked with leading the Biden administration's Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization. In this role, he aims to identify and ameliorate the economic and social problems encountered by communities reliant on fossil fuel extraction, as those fuels account for a smaller proportion of energy production. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Jun 22, 2021 · 16 min
Natural gas in the energy transition era
Today we are looking at how the energy transition to lower emissions and cleaner fuels will affect natural gas. Editors from S&P Global Platts and Market Intelligence discuss the findings of their recent series of stories looking the natural gas sector in the era of Energy Transition. From the burner tip back to the wellhead, natural gas interests will find that changes ahead bring risk and opportunity.
Jun 16, 2021 · 20 min
Voluntary Carbon Credits: what they are, why they matter
Voluntary carbon markets have seen significant growth in recent years and are expected to surge in the years ahead. But they have traditionally been seen as opaque, complex and niche. That is rapidly changing as a large range of companies start to engage with them. In the latest Platts Future Energy podcast, Jonty Rushforth is joined by Paula Vanlaningham and Jeff Berman to discuss the 'beauty' of carbon credit markets.
Jun 15, 2021 · 34 min
Utilities eager to charge a growing US electric vehicle fleet
U.S. utilities are responding to growing demand for electric vehicles by forming new coalitions to build charging infrastructure for their consumers. Energy Evolution spoke with two leaders in the utility space to better understand the trend. This episode features interviews with Badar Khan, the U.S. President of National Grid and Matthew Forck, the vice president of community economic development and energy solutions for Ameren Missouri. The team also spoke with Kara Kockelman, a professor of transportation engineering at the University of Texas Austin and Amanda O'Toole, a specialist in clean economy investing and portfolio manager for AXA Investment Managers. Energy Evolution co-hosts Dan Testa, Allison Good and Taylor Kuykendall are veteran journalists with broad expertise covering the utility, oil and gas and mining sectors. Subscribe to Energy Evolution on your favorite platform to catch our latest episodes!
Jun 2, 2021 · 26 min
Evolving electric vehicle trends cause lithium prices to diverge and defy expectations
Evolving choices around EV battery composition have altered price dynamics in the lithium market, with the two main forms, hydroxide and carbonate, now moving independently to each other, reflecting different use cases and trading patterns. LFP was considered by many industry participants to be a lower priority in the upcoming EV boom. This started to change with the gradual removal of Chinese EV subsidies, which lowered the incentives for local automakers to target only long-range EVs and increased the pressure to reduce costs. Moreover, improvements on the pack design, through the cell-to-pack approach, allowed a bigger portion of the battery pack to be filled with cells which significantly increased energy density. In the latest S&P Global Platts Future Energy Podcast, Platts Pricing Director of Metals Scott Yarham speaks to Tianqi Lithium's Sales Director Ron Mitchell and Platts Pricing Specialist Henrique Ribeiro to unpack these new trading patterns and what is emerging in the market.
May 11, 2021 · 32 min
China's climate conundrum: Carbon neutrality 2060 and its implications for fossil fuels
China has laid out some lofty goals for its climate action. In September 2020, it pledged that it would peak its carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and hit carbon neutrality before 2060. This was followed in December 2020 by an announcement to enhance its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement for 2030, including increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25%. Earlier this year, it issued rules for its emissions trading scheme for the power sector and carbon trading is expected to begin in late 2021. How realistic are these goals? How can China's climate policy align with its economic and social goals? And what is the role for fossil fuels in a carbon neutral China? These questions are more are addressed on this episode of Future Energy Podcasts, with S&P Global Platts Editorial Team Lead for LNG and Energy Transition Eric Yep, Platts Analytics Lead for Global Coal Matthew Boyle, Platts Senior Writer Oceana Zhou, and Dr. Philip Andrews-Speed, senior principal fellow at the National University of Singapore's Energy Studies Institute Dr. Andrews-Speed has 38 years of experience in the field of energy and resources, and his current research focuses on the low carbon energy transition in China and Southeast Asia as well as on the governance of nuclear energy. He is the author of the book China As A Global Clean Energy Champion, which looks at the institutions of governance that are shaping the trajectory of China's low carbon energy transition. Get access to the Annual Guidebook mentioned on this podcast: Platts Future Energy Outlooks

Energy Evolution

Mechanical vs chemical recycling for plastics: competing or complementing to drive sustainable growth?

At the heart of COP26: The role of carbon markets

Mining lithium in North America to feed growing EV appetite

U.S. poised for Atlantic Coast offshore wind power boom

Marine Fuels of the Future: The challenge of meeting growing demand while transitioning the fleet

Marine Fuels of the Future: Ammonia & Hydrogen

Marine Fuels of the Future: Vessel Optimization and Oil-based Fuels

FERC's chairman on the urgent need for more transmission lines to combat climate change

Marine Fuels of the Future: Methanol

Marine Fuels of the Future: Biofuels

Marine Fuels of the Future: LNG

In ESG era, shale gas drillers try going green

All Systems GO: How Guarantees of Origin are helping underpin Europe's renewable expansion program

Electrification and biofuels: Combination, not disruption, is the path to decarbonize transportation

Helping communities impacted by the energy transition

Natural gas in the energy transition era

Voluntary Carbon Credits: what they are, why they matter

Utilities eager to charge a growing US electric vehicle fleet

Evolving electric vehicle trends cause lithium prices to diverge and defy expectations

China's climate conundrum: Carbon neutrality 2060 and its implications for fossil fuels