The Rethink Energy Podcast complements the Rethink Energy weekly strategy bulletin, as we dive deeper into the dynamic factors of the energy market. We discuss the week’s key issues, while providing insight into our own research and forecasts to give clearer direction of where momentum is building through the energy transition.
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Geely has announced a fast-charging LFP battery which boasts an impressive 4.5C charging rate enabling fast charging of up to 500 kW, marking another Chinese manufacturer stealing a march on Western producers. The UK has introduced a carbon tax legislation, soon to be further clarified, which is analogous to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). And Angola has quit the OPEC organisation in a context of moderately low oil prices.
Rethink Energy Interviews Longevity Partners’ Chief Innovation Officer Ed Wealend, primarily talking about ESG within the built environment, Longevity’s new power unit, and recent developments in the policy landscape including energy efficiency and heat pump targets.
2024’s expected copper surplus has all but vanished as the Panamanian government has ordered First Quantum’s Cobre Panama copper mine to cease output and Anglo American’s output is expected to fall significantly. Maeve Aerospace is looking to commercialize hybrid jet fuel/battery aircraft later this decade when hydrogen should be well on its way to establishing itself as the leader within the industry.
Rethink Energy has published its new solar module price report covering the next 17 years of technological developments and the effect this will have on global supply chains. COP28 has given nuclear energy a significant boost despite the difficulties in bringing online new capacity. Finally the US treasury has released guidance on what exactly constitutes a foreign entity of concern, bringing massive implications for the structure of the future US battery industry.
In this episode, the team discusses why Chinese electrolyzer manufacturers are likely to take over the European market in the absence of any decisive protectionist policy. The UK publishes its national battery strategy, giving cause for optimism. Finally, European solar manufacturing is faltering under a deluge of Chinese modules made with cheaper electricity.
Global Q3 solar installations came to 105 GW, with 398 GW expected for the full year; Stellantis and CATL have agreed to jointly develop a battery technology roadmap for Stellantis’ budget vehicles; and Japan Airlines is pushing hydrogen flights
Lithium chemical supply will more than triple by 2030, with mining investment remaining strong despite low prices. China’s capacity market mechanism will secure the financial position of the country’s 1,300 GW coal and gas fleet by introducing payments based on capacity, not just per kWh generated, as renewables reduce the utilization rate of coal-fired power stations. Two big hydrogen stocks have fallen this week, but this won’t affect the mainline progress towards green hydrogen.
Europe’s goal to source 15% of battery raw materials from recycling is proving unworkable as today’s batteries are increasingly different from the old stock being recycled, and hydrometallurgical capacity is lacking; Over one-sixth of Germany’s entire skilled workforce shortage for all industries can be attributed to the wind and solar sectors; and HIF Global’s synthetic gasoline is a decarbonisation red herring.
Grid operator ElectraNet has announced that South Australia’s grid will reach 100% net renewable energy at some point in 2026 or 2027, Poland’s Nanopure Technology will begin selling LFP cathode additives by the end of the year, and state-owned enterprise China Energy Engineering Corporation is to develop a $7 billion green hydrogen complex in Egypt, intended to supply Europe.
In this week’s episode the team discusses the European solar module stockpile, which may not be as large as previously reported, the massive impact which China’s graphite export ban will have on the EV industry, and how the upcoming US Farm Bill will support the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).