The smarter E Podcast

The Dunkelflaute has become one of the most persistent arguments against a fully renewable energy system. When the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing, where is our energy supposed to come from? Detailed new modeling from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE suggests these “dark doldrums” are a challenge – but should not be enough to halt the energy transition. The bigger challenge to be overcome is how the flexibility needed to manage low-renewable energy periods can be embedded into the country’s energy system. Recorded at The smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, host Jonathan Gifford speaks with Fraunhofer ISE senior scientist Charlotte Senkpiel about what it would take for Germany to reach climate neutrality with wind and solar at the heart of its energy system. And the result is not only good for the climate, it’s economically viable. The outcome of the Fraunhofer ISE study goes well beyond simply building more renewables. Batteries, electric vehicles, flexible demand, strengthened and smarter grids, international interconnectors, and dispatchable backup all have roles to play – while electrification dramatically reduces Germany’s dependence on fossil-fuel imports. And when prolonged periods of low wind and solar do arrive? The modeling shows how batteries, demand flexibility, electricity imports, and a limited use of hydrogen or synthetic-fuelled generation can work together to keep the system running. In the second part of the podcast, Global Solar Council CEO Sonia Dunlop joins the episode to discuss the push to unlock agrivoltaics and rooftop solar worldwide – and why she believes a near-term slowdown in global PV deployment doesn’t change solar’s mid-term trajectory. What the episode crystallizes: a 24/7 renewable energy system is about building an energy system flexible enough to handle the variability of wind and solar, and how it’s cheaper to do so. ✉️ Questions, comments or suggestions? Reach us at [email protected]

An increasing number of solar marketplaces have entered a new phase – one where achieving strong, ongoing installation rates depends heavily on system flexibility. Recorded live at The smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, this episode of pod brings together two conversations that examine how solar marketplaces are changing in the face of this new reality, which includes falling capture prices and the rapid rise of battery energy storage. Host Jonathan Gifford is first joined by Edurne Zoco, Executive Director of Clean Technologies and Supply Chain at S&P Global, for a wide-ranging look at the major trends in global solar in 2026. Zoco explains why a temporary slowdown in installations masks a future continued growth trajectory, how batteries are becoming indispensable as solar penetration increases, and why the distributed market segment is gaining momentum across Europe. The episode then shifts to Brazil with Barbara Rubim, recently elected President of AB Solar, who outlines the obstacles facing what was one of the world's fastest-growing solar markets. Rubin reflects on Brazil's rapid expansion to nearly 70 GW of installed capacity, the growing impact of renewable-energy curtailment, and the pivotal role that the country's first large-scale storage auctions could play in unlocking the next wave of development. Taken together, these conversations reveal the urgency of a shift towards energy storage, and how smarter market design and technologies will allow that storage to deliver greater value and flexibility across electricity networks. ✉️ Questions or feedback? Write to us at [email protected]

UNSW has played an outsized role in the development of crystalline-silicon solar technology and the modern solar industry. Through its leadership of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), it continues to help shape the future of solar innovation. ACAP brings together leading Australian solar research programs, works across the entire solar value chain, and collaborates closely with major global manufacturers – including industry giants in China. In this episode, UNSW researcher and ACAP Executive Director Professor Renate Egan joins host Jonathan Gifford to share the latest developments in solar research and discuss how technology will continue driving the PV industry in 2026. Follow The smarter E podcast for more global insights into the clean energy transition – and don’t forget to rate and review if you enjoy the show!

Today, we dive into one of the most exciting areas of the energy transition: the expansion and optimisation of our power grids and the role that startups play in this. There's no question that the big players in the energy industry are important. But more and more often, it's the young, courageous companies that are driving change in the system with fresh ideas, new technologies, and unusual business models. However they need tackle quite a few hurdles on their way. How do start-ups manage to assert themselves in a highly regulated and technically demanding industry? How do they work with grid operators, municipal utilities, or energy suppliers, and where do they encounter resistance? We talk about this with Johan Söderbom, Thematic Leader for Smart Grids and Energy Storage at EIT InnoEnergy. About Johan Söderbom Between 1995 and 2014, Johan worked at the northern European Utility Vattenfall AB in various positions in R&D. From 2014 to 2019, Johan was heading a section at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) responsible for electrical and optical measurement technology, and he now holds the position of thematic leader for Smart Grids and Energy Storage at EIT InnoEnergy. About INNOENERGY InnoEnergy is industrialising clean tech innovation to enable and grow a global net-zero economy. Active in Europe and the US, the company invests in early-stage start-ups and in the current and future workforce, building resilient clean-tech value chains that drive sustainable economic growth. Through its ecosystem – with 1,400 partners including 39 shareholders spanning industry, finance, public policy, and academia – the company scales the energy transition at speed. Since 2010, InnoEnergy has supported 540+ companies, helping 4 of them grow into industrial unicorns. These companies have raised more than €34 billion to date, created over 47,000 jobs, and are on track to generate €110 billion in revenue and reduce 2.3 gigatons of CO2e by 2030. Currently, InnoEnergy is invested in 160+ start-ups and scale-ups. In support of the EU’s climate and industrial goals, InnoEnergy leads industrial alliances in batteries and solar, and accelerates the uptake of green hydrogen. Pinpointing market gaps, InnoEnergy launches new industrial champions in sectors including batteries, steel, and fertilisers. InnoEnergy was established in 2010 by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, as one of its first Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC). In 2025, the EIT and InnoEnergy entered into a new partnership, continuing their collaboration on specific projects.

Today, we're examining a region that's rarely in the spotlight in the international energy debate, yet has enormous potential: Central Asia. Specifically five countries characterised by a long tradition of fossil fuels, but also by an abundance of sun, wind, and water: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Are these countries already tapping into their potential for a sustainable energy future? We’ll get up to speed in regards to their political strategies and investment programs driving the transformation. What are the biggest hurdles in terms of regulation, financing, and infrastructure? How important are international partnerships in making this region a key player in the global energy transition? We talk about this with Elena Metzger. About Elena Metzger Elena Metzger leads the German Energy Dialogues with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). She has been the driving force to shape the Energy Dialogues into a key platform for political and technical exchange on energy efficiency, industrial decarbonization, renewable energies, and green hydrogen. She is also team leader for Central Asia, Türkiye, and the South Caucasus in the International Cooperation Department at the German Energy Agency (dena). About the bilateral Energy Partnership Central Asia With regard to cooperating in the field of energy policy, achieving international climate goals and making climate neutrality a reality by 2045, the German Government’s bilateral Energy Partnerships (EPs) have become one of its most important international energy and climate policy instruments. The growing network strengthens political dialogue on climate protection and energy system transformation between Germany and partner countries worldwide. The declared aim of this cooperation is to shape a successful global energy transition that combines security of supply, decarbonisation of industry and foreign trade promotion with effective climate protection. Today's episode is supported by Weidmüller, a specialist in electrification, automation, digitalisation, electrical connectivity and renewable energies. The family-owned company celebrates its 175th anniversary this year and is a true solar pioneer, boasting over 20 years of experience in PV. With more than 80 locations worldwide, Weidmüller markets combiner boxes, communication infrastructure and installation accessories for utility-scale and rooftop systems.