About this episode

The episode discusses the primary energy fallacy and how electrification can transform energy services with less energy input.

This week on Energy Unplugged, Richard Howard, Aurora Energy Research’s Global Research Director, is joined by Jan Rosenow, Energy Programme Lead, Jackson Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Energy & Climate Policy at Oxford University. Drawing on his latest research, Jan explores the concept of the “primary energy fallacy” - the mistaken assumption that the clean energy transition requires replacing today’s fossil fuel energy inputs on a one-for-one basis with clean power. Richard and Jan discuss why this view overstates the scale of the challenge, and how electrification fundamentally changes the equation by delivering the same energy services with far less energy input. The conversation examines how electrification is reshaping transport, buildings, and industry, why electric technologies are often dramatically more efficient than their fossil-fuel counterparts, and what this means for energy demand, system planning, and decarbonisation strategies. From electric vehicles and heat pumps to industrial process heat and thermal storage, the discussion explores the opportunities and barriers that will determine the pace of electrification over the coming decades. You will…

More episodes of Energy Unplugged by Aurora

• Can the Grid Keep Up with AI? EP. 298 · July 21, 2026 · 35 min
• Without Metals, there is no Energy Transition EP. 297 - Video Edition · July 14, 2026 · 47 min
• Without Metals, there is no Energy Transition EP. 297 · July 14, 2026 · 47 min
• Designing Resilient Power Systems: Lessons from the Iberian Blackout Ep. 296 · July 7, 2026 · 33 min
• Designing Resilient Power Systems: Lessons from the Iberian Blackout EP.296 - Video Edition · July 7, 2026 · 33 min
• The Solar Boom Meets the Grid, EP 295 - Video Edition · June 30, 2026 · 47 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Energy Unplugged by Aurora podcast page.