Interchange Recharged

A year ago the data centre conversation was about scale. Increasingly it is about what happens when the announcements meet the physical grid. New capacity is being announced at roughly 435 megawatts a month, enough to power a city of 400,000 people, but two-thirds of that committed load tends to disappear the moment utilities ask for a financial commitment behind it. AI training facilities create load profiles that drop 30% in five minutes, or 190 megawatts in three. The grid's mechanical inertia is retiring just as hyperscaler ambition accelerates, and regulation is lagging on both sides of the meter.In this episode, interim host Bridget van Dorsten returns the microphone to host Sylvia Leyva Martinez. The two recap six months of the show through clips from Chris Seiple (Wood Mackenzie), Tom Falcone (Large Public Power Council), Akhil Batheja (Bloom Energy), Kay Aikin (Dynamic Grid), Kristina Carlquist and Christian Payerl (ABB), Shannon Miller (Mainspring Energy) and Nick Chaset (Octopus US), and map out the questions that will shape Sylvia's return.The central tension of the past six months: announcements are racing ahead, but utilities, regulators and the physical grid cannot move at hyperscaler speed. A data centre can be built in two years. New generation takes five to ten. That mismatch is why developers have stopped waiting on the grid: 35% of US data centre project capacity announced in 2025 was planned with around-the-meter generation, and 92% of bridge prime power deals are now struck before the end tenant is signed, inverting the usual logic of infrastructure development. But collocated power is still, in Bridget's framing, a science project. The load behaviour demands a coordinated portfolio: supercapacitors and UPS catching millisecond swings, synchronous condensers supplying inertia, fuel cells and linear generators offering modular, fuel-flexible bridging power as a hedge against demand risk. Nick Chaset's intervention cuts the other way: the UK already hosts the world's largest residential virtual power plant, and the cheapest megawatt is the one you don't build. The episode closes on duelling forward views, Tom Falcone's cooperative optimism against Kay Aikin's affordability death spiral, with the question of who ultimately holds the bag if the announcements don't materialise still unresolved.Sylvia sets out what she wants to explore next: the regulatory contradiction where utilities support bring-your-own-generation but cannot guarantee protection from curtailment; renewables supply constraints and the transformer and labour bottlenecks that affect every fuel source equally; the return of energy security as a framing now that "energy transition" has fallen out of political favour in the US; and the community opposition data centre developers are only beginning to grapple with.Here is the latest Horizon's piece that Bridget referenced: https://www.woodmac.com/horizons/can-us-data-centre-development-outpace-grid-development/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Electrification is surging, AI data centres are multiplying, and volatility is rising on both sides of the meter. Can storage step in as the flexible backbone the US grid now needs? Host Sylvia Leyva Martinez is joined by Joanna Martin Ziegenfuss, General Manager for Strategic Market Development (North America), and Ruchira Shah, General Manager of Software Product Management at Wärtsilä Energy Storage. Together they unpack how high-performance hardware paired with sophisticated control software delivers real-time flexibility, from synthetic inertia and fast frequency response to price arbitrage and microgrid operation. The conversation tracks the shift from treating storage as a bolt-on to renewables to viewing it as a core reliability asset. Sylvia, Joanna and Ruchi explore how AI-driven load growth and volatile demand profiles change planning assumptions; why interconnection queues are pushing some data centres toward on-site generation plus batteries; and how market rules and policy must evolve to reward flexibility and sub-second response. They also dig into software’s role in future-proofing assets as grid requirements tighten, and where innovators are already meeting new performance thresholds.If you’re navigating project economics, market design or grid operations in a fast-changing landscape, this episode offers a pragmatic look at what’s working, what’s missing, and why storage is set to anchor a resilient, decarbonised grid. This episode is brought to you by Wärtsilä Energy Storage – Wärtsilä delivers high performing, large-scale energy storage systems by combining sophisticated software, robust safety, and long‑term reliability—empowering utility, IPP, and data center customers to maximize energy value and investment returns. To learn more, visit: https://www.wartsila.com/energy/energy-storage?utm_source=woodmac&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=energy_storage_saving_the_grid&utm_content=hostSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live on day two of Wood Mackenzie’s CCUS Conference in Houston, this episode of Interchange Recharged explores how carbon capture is advancing from state-level regulation to real-world innovation and global market trends.Host Sylvia Leyva Martinez begins with Lily Barkau, Groundwater Section Manager at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, who explains how Wyoming became one of the first states to secure Class VI primacy and why local leadership is key to building trust, speeding up permitting, and ensuring long-term stewardship of CO₂ storage.Next, Katherine Hough of GEVO connects policy with practice, describing how her team links biogenic CO₂, carbon sequestration, and sustainable aviation fuel to create a truly circular carbon economy. Her insights show how business models, not just technology, are making carbon management commercially viable.Finally, Sylvia sits down with Ed Crooks, Vice Chair, Americas at Wood Mackenzie and host of  Energy Gang, for a wide-angle look at how policy clarity, AI-driven demand, and global energy dynamics are shaping the next phase of CCUS.From permitting to project finance to public perception, this on-the-ground episode captures the collaborative energy driving carbon capture forward—and marks a rare crossover between Wood Mackenzie’s two flagship podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As RE+ 2025 wrapped up in Las Vegas, the mood across the show floor was one of contradiction: anxiety, anger, optimism, and opportunity all rolled into one. In this episode, Sylvia Leyva Martinez – Research Director and analyst covering global solar markets - sits down with Chris Seiple, Vice Chair of Power & Renewables, and Kasim Khan, Senior Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, to unpack the forces shaping today’s energy market. From the shockwaves of OB3 and FEOC restrictions, to investors navigating the whiplash of shifting subsidy regimes, Sylvia, Chris and Kassim talk about the conversations they’ve had with developers and manufacturers. Everyone is facing the same dilemma: double down on building compliant supply chains or hold back in anticipation of yet another policy reversal? Meanwhile, the collapse of early-stage development activity and the race to prove FEOC compliance are reshaping priorities across the industry.But there’s more than just uncertainty, there’s also innovation. Utilities are experimenting with new ways to fast-track data center interconnections, EPCs are doubling down on execution, and storage is emerging as the wildcard technology that could reshape both grid reliability and investor confidence. With US utilities already committed to 99 GW of new load from data centers - equivalent to nearly 15% of peak demand - the industry faces a defining test. Will the removal of subsidies finally level the playing field for capital, or will it strip away the last federal lever for climate policy? Tune in to hear why industry leaders believe we are living through the most uncertain moment in US clean energy history, and why that uncertainty could also create the biggest opportunities yet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite the US adding 4.3 gigawatts of solar manufacturing capacity in Q2, there were no additions to the upstream components of polysilicon wafer and cell manufacturing. As gas prices continue to rise and the demand for alternative power supplies grows, get a detailed look at what big names in energy are doing to get over the hurdles. On her second day at RE+ in Las Vegas, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, explores the trajectory of solar and storage. Alongside industry experts, this episode of Interchange Recharged discusses the exciting yet challenging future of solar energy and energy storage amidst changing policy landscapes and growing demand. Sylvia and her guests explore and explain the dynamics of solar capacity, regulatory and financial challenges such as One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) accelerating the phase-down of key tax credits, and emerging technologies fueling the renewable energy sector. This episode includes an exclusive excerpt from Sylvia’s presentation with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). She discusses energy policy uncertainty, market saturation in the solar energy industry, and manufacturing hurdles in the renewable energy space. Featured guests in this episode of Interchange Recharged:  Sean Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Policy at SEIA Steven Munson, Valuation and Tax Credit Advisor for Energy Transition at CohnReznik In this episode, Sylvia and her guests discuss: The State of Solar Energy and Storage - Sean discusses why solar and energy storage are crucial for power demands in the coming years, emphasizing their role in new energy infrastructures. Impact of Policy Changes - Sean and Sylvia explore the effects of recent legislative changes, including the projected decline in solar installations post-2027, and how peak chaos impacts the industry. Investor Perspectives and Valuations - Steven shares insights on current investor sentiments, valuation challenges, and trends in renewable energy financing. Technological Advancements – The guests discuss strategies to improve efficiencies in solar modules, automated permitting, and innovations aiming to lower costs. Looking Into the Future – Sylvia and her guests explore potential long-term effects of emerging technologies like AI on power markets and the need to adapt quickly to policy updates. --Interchange Recharged explores clean tech, green finance and energy innovation, the three lanes on the road to a successful global energy transition. At the intersection of these lanes is a place where ideas on finance, technology and policy are shared and debated. Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, and her guests bring you data and forecasts on clean technology, climate change, and offer predictions on the build out of utility-scale projects and the future of green finance. --Check out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Energy Gang, at woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gang Wood Mackenzie is the leading global data and analytics solutions provider for renewables, energy and natural resources. Learn more about Wood Mackenzie on the official website: https://www.woodmac.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The policy environment in the US at the moment is challenging, but developers, utilities, and investors are still moving forward with decarbonisation goals and climate action; they’re just talking about it and approaching it in a different way. As RE+ (North America’s biggest clean energy event) kicks off, Sylvia Leyva Martinez talks to veteran climate journalist and cleantech investor Molly Wood, about the ways in which the industry is navigating the uncertainty. Molly talks about the outdated forecasts of 1–2% load growth which are being blown apart by real demand increases of up to 30% in some regions, driven by electrification, AI, and data centers. If you can’t make it to the event this year, Interchange Recharged will bring you the key discussions and exclusive insights so you don’t miss out. You’ll hear why traditional load forecasts are being upended by surging demand from AI and data centers, and what that means for project planning and risk management. Despite policy headwinds, the money is still flowing, but in smarter ways: into scalable tech like batteries, grid modernization, and distributed solutions. Investors are refocusing on scalable, commercial-ready technologies like batteries, grid modernization, and distributed energy solutions. And as the narrative shifts from using terms like “net zero” to the more pragmatic “energy dominance,” the conversation explores how storytelling shapes strategy, and why hyperscalers like Google and Amazon may even build their own small modular reactors or power islands to secure the future of energy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Way back in 2016, US energy storage capacity had just hit 336MWh, a 100% year-on-year increase. The growth forecast for storage was for 7.3GWh by 2022 – a US$3.3 billion market. It’s just one example of how far we’ve come; the IRA’s tax credits and incentives created a bullish environment for developers, and the renewable project pipeline grew and grew. Then came OB3, and the uncertainty around the future of the tax credits slowed everything down in the first half of 2025. However, a key market condition still exists: the ability to transfer tax credits. It’s a new market and one that could prove crucial for financing renewable projects. So how does it work? And what can it offer developers and financers? To find out, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez – a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie covering global energy markets – is joined by Alfred Johnson, CEO of Crux. Crux facilitates the raising of capital, including the sale of tax credits and debt capital. Sylvia and Alfred review the last few years of clean energy market developments, explore the outlook for renewables out to 2028 and analyze the impact of tax credit transfers on solar, wind, biofuels and other clean energy projects The introduction of transferable tax credits has nearly doubled the market – to US$52 billion last year. It’s allowed developers to access financing for renewables that was previously difficult to get. Find out how it all works and how to make the most of it, right here on Interchange Recharged. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.