Switched On

Епизоде

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  Food and Farming Caught in Geopolitical Crossfire 18.09.2026 26мин

  No country can feed itself entirely on its own. The global food system depends on a complex web of trade, not just for food but for fertilizer, animal feed, pesticides and labor. Even major agricultural exporters rely on imports somewhere in their supply chains, leaving markets exposed when extreme weather, conflict or trade disputes disrupt these connections. Those vulnerabilities can appear in unexpected places: China and the Middle East depend heavily on imported food while supplying fertilizer to the world, and Brazil is a major food exporter that relies on imported fertilizer to sustain production. So in an increasingly volatile world, what makes a food system resilient, and where are its weakest links? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF analyst Helen Ramsbottom to discuss her note “Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40191See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  US Grid Ban Hits Batteries Hardest: Analyst Reaction 14.09.2026 17мин

  US efforts to secure its power grid could come at a cost. A new executive order could restrict grid and power equipment supplied by companies tied to China, with batteries particularly exposed. Around 60% of US lithium-ion battery imports came from mainland China and Hong Kong in 2025. The rules could boost demand for non-Chinese suppliers, but also increase costs and delay battery projects as developers await further guidance. So why could batteries feel the biggest impact from the latest US move to restrict Chinese power equipment? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Zoe Zakrzewska, a member of BNEF’s trade and supply chain team, to discuss findings from her Analyst Reaction, “US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tkfzv6t9njly00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  BNEF Pioneers: Buses, Bioleaching and Better Batteries 09.09.2026 44мин

  Some of the most interesting climate technologies don’t fit neatly into a category. That is the idea behind the Wildcard entries in BloombergNEF’s annual Pioneers competition, which recognizes promising innovations from across the energy transition. This year’s Wildcard winners span three very different fields: BasiGo is electrifying bus fleets in Africa, Endolith is using microbes and machine learning to recover more copper from low-grade ores, and GRST is developing a water-based battery binder designed to make lithium-ion cells less toxic and easier to recycle. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees and BNEF Pioneers co-chair Benjamin Kafri speak with all three companies about the technologies they’re building, the markets they’re targeting and the challenges of scaling up. More information regarding the upcoming 2027 BNEF Pioneers program can be found at about.bnef.com/about/pioneers/ Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Climate-Tech Companies to Watch in 2026: BNEF Pioneers - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39231See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Six Months In, the Iran War Redraws the Energy Map 02.09.2026 33мин

  The Iran war is redrawing the global energy landscape. Six months of high oil prices and disrupted trade have strengthened the case for technologies that reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Chinese exports of solar, batteries and electric vehicles have risen, while markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America are seeing growing demand for clean technologies. But the response varies widely. Some governments are shielding consumers from higher fuel costs, while others are leaning more heavily on domestic fossil fuels as a source of energy security. So has the Iran war changed the direction of the energy transition, or simply its pace? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by, Ethan Zindler who leads BNEF's countries and policy research. Together they discuss the note “Six Months In: The Iran War’s Global Impact.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Six Months In: The Iran War’s Global Impact - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40249See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Turkey's Renewables Boom Has More Than Climate in Mind 27.08.2026 32мин

  Turkey is quietly becoming a renewables heavyweight. Rapid wind and solar deployment is helping the country meet rising electricity demand while reducing exposure to imported fossil fuels. Turkey ranked among the world’s top 10 markets for new wind and solar capacity in 2025, and it is targeting 120 gigawatts of combined capacity by 2035. But sustaining that growth will require much greater investment in the grid, and meeting government transmission targets would require annual investment to rise roughly fivefold from 2025 levels. So can Turkey turn its renewable energy boom into a broader transformation of its power system and strengthen its energy security along the way? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Abdullah Alkattan, BNEF’s Middle East energy transition analyst, to discuss findings from the “Turkey Transition Factbook 2026.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Turkey Transition Factbook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39689See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  States Put Data Centers on Pause: Analyst Reaction 24.08.2026 14мин

  America’s data center boom is running into political resistance. Texas, New York and Pennsylvania are moving to slow or pause new projects amid concerns over electricity costs, infrastructure and local impacts. Texas alone accounts for around 20% of the US pipeline, meaning even short delays could cost developers billions. The pushback is increasingly bipartisan, as politicians respond to growing opposition from local communities and overloaded power grids. The result is new uncertainty for developers racing to secure electricity and bring projects online. So has America’s data center boom finally hit the brakes? And what happens next? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF’s senior associate for North American policy, Derrick Flakoll, to discuss his recent notes “Texas’ Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions” and “Pennsylvania’s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Pennsylvania’s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tk0z0wt96osi00 Texas’ Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40105See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  EV Boom Changes Lanes as New Markets Take the Wheel 20.08.2026 31мин

  The electric vehicle boom is entering a new phase. As China’s market matures and the US steps back from EVs, emerging markets are becoming the new hotspot for electrified transport. At the same time, autonomous and shared vehicles are changing how cars are used. Robotaxis can travel much farther each year than private cars, potentially allowing fewer vehicles to provide the same amount of mobility. So as EV adoption evolves and autonomous driving takes off, what does the next phase of road transport look like? On this episode, Aleksandra O’Donovan and Andrew Grant, who lead BNEF’s EV and intelligent mobility teams, join Tom Rowlands-Rees to discuss the newest edition of the Electric Vehicle Outlook. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39553 Executive Summary (free to access) - https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  EU Electrification Push Lacks Pull: Analyst Reaction 17.08.2026 18мин

  Europe’s electrification ambitions are running ahead of its policies. The EU wants electricity to account for 46% of final energy consumption by 2040, but BNEF’s modeling suggests even a maximum-effort net-zero pathway would fall short. Getting closer will require greater support for electric vehicles, heat pumps and industry, while keeping electricity affordable. Much of that challenge will fall to member states, many of which are scaling back incentives or facing tight public finances. Meanwhile, the EU’s latest proposals do little to address the upfront costs of electrification. So what will it take to close the gap between Europe’s electrification targets and reality? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BNEF’s head of policy, Victoria Cuming, to discuss her note “EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tibg16t9njlt00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Offshore Wind Is Outgrowing the Boats That Build It 13.08.2026 26мин

  Offshore wind turbines are getting too big for the ships that install them. BloombergNEF estimates more than 30 gigawatts of offshore wind installations could struggle to find suitable vessels through 2035 if turbine growth continues. But building bigger ships takes years and hundreds of millions of dollars, and retrofits have their limits. That leaves the industry facing a choice between expanding its installation fleet or slowing the relentless growth in turbine size. So could a shortage of sufficiently large vessels become offshore wind’s next major bottleneck? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF wind team analyst Kajsa Jernetz to discuss her note “Wind Installation Vessels: You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Wind Installation Vessels: You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Rhine Drought Drives Fuel Costs Up: Analyst Reaction 10.08.2026 14мин

  Europe’s energy supply chains are running out of water. Weeks of heat and drought have pushed Rhine water levels to exceptional lows, restricting barge traffic and sending gasoil freight rates to record levels. That is adding pressure to an already tight market for gasoil, diesel, jet fuel and other middle distillates, while exposing refineries, chemical plants and industries that depend on the river for critical supplies. Companies are responding with smaller cargoes, trucks, rail and shallow-draft vessels, but those alternatives come at a cost. And with warmer, drier conditions expected to persist in the near term, the disruption highlights a broader challenge for Europe: adapting critical energy infrastructure to increasingly severe weather. So how are low water levels on the Rhine disrupting Europe’s energy markets, and how long could the pressure last? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF weather associate Jess Hicks and oil associate Claudio Lubis to review findings from their analyst reaction “Freight Rates Skyrocket in EU as Rhine River Runs Low.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Freight Rates Skyrocket in EU as Rhine River Runs Low - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tj8l8skk3ny900See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Battery Tax Credits Are Rewriting US Solar Economics 05.08.2026 28мин

  US solar developers are building projects around batteries, not panels. Federal tax credits for energy storage are reshaping the economics of new solar projects, encouraging developers to install larger batteries and allocate more capex to the storage component. The batteries can then shift low-cost solar power into higher-value hours. As energy storage reduces curtailment and generates revenue from services provided to the grid, batteries are becoming a defining feature of the next generation of US solar projects. On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by Cosmo van Steenis, an analyst from BloombergNEF’s solar and storage team, to discuss his recent notes “Solar and Storage Couple Up After US Tax Credit Cuts” and “US Tax Credit Maxxing Via Solar-Plus-Storage Projects.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Solar and Storage Couple Up After US Tax Credit Cuts - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39961 US Tax Credit Maxxing Via Solar-Plus-Storage Projects - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39943See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  China Builds Nuclear Power While the West Reinvents It 29.07.2026 39мин

  Nuclear power is gaining momentum around the globe, but the industry’s path has diverged. China and India are rapidly expanding conventional reactor fleets, while the US and Europe are betting on smaller and more advanced designs to overcome decades of cost overruns and delays. Rising AI electricity demand, energy security concerns and decarbonization goals have all renewed interest in nuclear energy. But turning that momentum into new projects will depend on whether the industry can build reactors faster, more cheaply and with greater confidence than it has in recent decades. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by joined by Stephanie Diaz, a senior associate from BloombergNEF’s technology and innovation team, and Chris Gadomski, BNEF’s head of nuclear research, to discuss their note “Nuclear Power Market Outlook 1H 2026: Approaches Diverge.”  Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Nuclear Power Market Outlook 1H 2026: Approaches Diverge - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39881See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Gas Is Letting Data Centers Grow Beyond the Grid 23.07.2026 28мин

  Artificial intelligence is heating up the race to build data centers, and with BloombergNEF projecting 194 gigawatts of demand by 2035, the biggest challenge isn't computing power…. It's electricity. Faced with years-long grid connection delays, developers are turning to on-site gas generation to bring projects online faster, creating a rapidly expanding market for turbines, engines, fuel cells and battery storage. Choosing the right technology is a trade-off between speed, cost, efficiency and emissions. And while on-site generation is often seen as a temporary bridge, developers are also weighing what role those assets could play once permanent grid connections become available. So is on-site gas generation a lasting part of the AI data center boom, or simply the fastest route through today’s power constraints? On this episode, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Musfika Mishi, an analyst from BNEF’s technology and innovations team, to discuss her note “Data Center On-Site Gas Power Costs: Engines Beat Turbines.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Data Center On-Site Gas Power Costs: Engines Beat Turbines - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39767See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  AI’s Edge in Hurricane Forecasting: Analyst Reaction 20.07.2026 15мин

  Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform weather forecasting. New AI models are proving remarkably accurate at predicting hurricane tracks, in some cases matching or outperforming traditional forecasting models while delivering faster results. For energy markets, those gains could be significant. Earlier and more accurate forecasts give utilities, LNG exporters and offshore operators more time to prepare for approaching storms, improving resilience and reducing disruption. Yet AI is unlikely to replace traditional forecasting anytime soon, with meteorologists increasingly using it alongside conventional models to improve confidence in critical decisions. So how is AI changing the way we predict hurricanes, and what could that mean for energy markets as extreme weather becomes more common? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Ryan Ward, an associate from BNEF’s weather team, to discuss his note “AI Models Show Edge in Tropical Cyclone Prediction.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: AI Models Show Edge in Tropical Cyclone Prediction - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39679See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mexico's Energy Future Sits Between Two Superpowers 16.07.2026 37мин

  Mexico is entering a pivotal period for its energy system. A new wave of reforms is opening the door to greater private investment in clean power, storage and grid infrastructure after years of subdued activity, creating one of the region's largest energy transition opportunities. The shift comes against a complex geopolitical backdrop. As negotiations over the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement continue, Mexico is balancing its deep integration with North American supply chains against a desire to diversify investment, strengthen energy security and reduce its dependence on imported US natural gas. At the same time, the country is building on its role as a manufacturing hub for technologies ranging from electric vehicles to transformers. So why does Mexico matter to the energy transition now, and what opportunities could emerge as the country reshapes its energy system? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF Latin America associate, Stephan Mothe, to discuss his note “Mexico Transition Factbook 2026.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Mexico Transition Factbook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39557See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How Bitcoin Could Save Texas From an AI Power Crunch 09.07.2026 33мин

  Texas is becoming a test case for one of the biggest questions facing electricity markets. As AI-driven power demand for data centers accelerates, grid operators are exploring whether large loads can do more than consume electricity – and instead become a source of flexibility when the power system is under stress. The answer depends on the workload. Cryptocurrency mines have already demonstrated they can respond quickly to wholesale prices, while AI and colocation data centers face much stricter reliability requirements. New policies are now pushing large data centers to demonstrate operational flexibility, even as developers weigh options such as on-site generation and demand response. So can flexible data centers help manage the next wave of electricity demand? And what can Texas teach the rest of the world about building power systems for the age of AI? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF US power analyst Lara Kammen and senior associate Nathalie Limandibhratha, to discuss findings from the note “Data Center Flexibility to Relieve Power Prices in Ercot.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Data Center Flexibility to Relieve Power Prices in Ercot - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39741See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  China Bets Big on Green Hydrogen: Analyst Reaction 06.07.2026 26мин

  China is emerging as the standout exception in the global hydrogen market. While many countries are scaling back ambitions, Beijing has set a new target to increase green hydrogen production eightfold by 2030, a level that could make it the world's largest producer and account for roughly half of BloombergNEF's projected global output that year. The strategy is about more than decarbonization. China sees green hydrogen as a way to strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, and build on its manufacturing leadership in technologies such as electrolyzers. Yet major technical and commercial challenges remain, with many projects still struggling to compete economically and developers treating the current wave of investment as a learning phase. So why is China doubling down on green hydrogen, and what could its strategy mean for the future of the global hydrogen industry? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF hydrogen specialist Xiaoting Wang, to discuss her note “China Seeks Green Hydrogen Lead With Eightfold Growth.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: China Seeks Green Hydrogen Lead With Eightfold Growth - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/th8md3kjh6v400See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Hidden Economics of EV Charging Networks 01.07.2026 36мин

  What does it take to build an electric-vehicle charging network that really works? As EV adoption accelerates, charging operators are shifting from installing as many chargers as possible to designing networks that can reliably attract drivers, manage grid constraints and generate sustainable returns. At the same time, retail partnerships, on-site batteries, battery swapping and dedicated charging for commercial fleets are reshaping the economics of the sector. On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Madeleine Brolly and Ash Wang, two of BloombergNEF’s EV charging analysts, to review findings from their note “Public Charging Utilization 2026: Demand Keeps Rising” and discuss how EV charging must evolve as clean cars become an ever greater part of the global energy system. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Public Charging Utilization 2026: Demand Keeps Rising - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39379See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Battery Boom Is Upending Australian Power Market Rules 24.06.2026 38мин

  Australia is becoming a proving ground for the future of electricity markets. With renewables now supplying a large share of generation and batteries being deployed at unprecedented scale, the country is offering an early look at how power systems operate when storage becomes a central part of the grid. Yet batteries’ remarkable success in the country brings with it new challenges, as growing competition begins to erode the arbitrage opportunities that drove the sector’s early growth. So what happens when batteries move from a niche technology to a core part of the power system, and what can Australia’s experience teach the rest of the world? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by  joined by Sahaj Sood, an associate from BNEF’s Australian research team, to review findings from his notes “Australia Energy Storage Update 2026: Arbs and Flows” and “Batteries Supercharge Australia’s Solar and Wind Economics.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Australia Energy Storage Update 2026: Arbs and Flows - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39303 Batteries Supercharge Australia’s Solar and Wind Economics - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39135See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Defending the Power Grid in an Age of Digital Threats 18.06.2026 34мин

  As power grids become more digital and interconnected, they are also becoming more exposed. Utilities are facing a growing mix of physical and cyber threats, from attacks on substations to increasingly sophisticated efforts to infiltrate the systems used to monitor and operate the grid. Smart meters, distributed energy resources and connected devices are creating new vulnerabilities, while AI has the potential to both strengthen defenses and lower the barrier to more complex attacks. Yet security spending remains difficult to prioritize, forcing utilities and regulators to weigh uncertain risks against other pressing investment needs. So how should the power sector think about grid security, and what does resilience look like in an increasingly connected energy system? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Hayley Lai, an analyst from BNEF’s grids team, to discuss findings from her note “Physical and Cyber Threats Reshape US Grid Investment.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Physical and Cyber Threats Reshape US Grid Investment - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39285See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.