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Send us your thoughts! Grid congestion has become one of the biggest obstacles facing the Dutch energy transition, with businesses and new projects struggling to secure connections as electrification puts growing pressure on the power system. This week on Plugged In, we ask what the Netherlands can do to make better use of the grid it already has — and how the country’s energy regulator can boost flexibility, batteries and smarter connections to help ease bottlenecks. We also explore the role of batteries in relieving congestion, the debate over grid tariffs, transparency around solar and storage, the risks and benefits of algorithmic trading, and why greater integration with neighbouring power markets remains crucial. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guest: Timon Dubbeling– Senior Energy Regulator, Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets  Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon  #Energy #EnergyMarkets #EnergyTransition #GridCongestion #PowerMarkets #Electricity #GridFlexibility #BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #RenewableEnergy #Netherlands #DutchEnergy #EnergyRegulation #SmartGrid

Send us your thoughts! Europe’s energy infrastructure is facing a growing range of threats, from physical sabotage and cyberattacks to hybrid warfare targeting the wires, the pipelines and the substations that keep power and gas flowing. This week on Plugged In, we look at how vulnerable Europe’s critical energy infrastructure really is — and whether governments and operators are prepared for an increasingly hostile security environment. We explore the risks and ask how the threat has evolved since 2022. What can Europe do to strengthen resilience, from greater redundancy and decentralisation to closer cooperation between energy companies, intelligence services and armed forces? We discuss cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and attacks harder to attribute. Where are Europe’s biggest blind spots — and what would happen if a critical part of the energy system were deliberately taken offline? Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Laurence Walker – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Tobias Federico – Chief Analyst, Montel John Roberts – Energy Security Specialist, Methinks Ltd Petras Katinas – Research Fellow in Climate, Energy and Defence, RUSI Editor & Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EnergySecurity #EnergyInfrastructure #CyberSecurity #HybridWarfare #CriticalInfrastructure #EuropeanEnergy #EnergyMarkets #GasMarkets #EnergyResilience #EnergyTransition #Geopolitics #RenewableEnergy #Europe #PluggedInPodcast #MontelNews

Send us your thoughts! Europe’s carbon market is entering a critical period. Governments are pushing back against carbon costs, industrial competitiveness is climbing the political agenda and policy makers are debating changes that could alter how the EU ETS operates. This week on Plugged In, we look at whether Europe is simply fine-tuning its flagship carbon market, or moving towards a more actively managed system. We explore the political battle over the ETS review, proposals that could effectively create a soft carbon price corridor, and the growing tension between climate ambition and protecting European industry. We also look at what the reforms could mean for market liquidity and EUA prices, with tightening fundamentals pointing towards further upside into 2027. Host:  Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Cem Bektas – Carbon Correspondent, Montel News Hæge Fjellheim – Head of Carbon Analysis, Veyt Ben Lee – Head of Carbon Research, Redshaw Advisors Editor & Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EUETS #CarbonMarket #CarbonTrading #CarbonPrices #EUClimatePolicy #EnergyMarkets #EnergyTransition #EmissionsTrading #IndustrialCompetitiveness #EUA #PluggedInPodcast

Send us your thoughts! It’s been one year since Europe’s day-ahead power market moved from hourly to 15-minute trading in order to help integrate renewables, boost liquidity in the day-ahead market and improve supply security. So, has the shift delivered what it promised? This week on Plugged In, we look at how the change has reshaped Europe’s power markets — from shifting liquidity and the distinctive “sawtooth” price pattern to better integration of renewables and new opportunities for flexible assets. We also explore what still needs to change, the challenges of bringing other markets into 15-minute trading, and whether Europe could eventually make the leap to five-minute intervals. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Olav Endre Vilnes – Editor Nordics, Montel News Priyanka Shinde – Nordic Market Expert, Montel Analytics Vincent Thevenin – Market Manager, Montel Ina Schjelderup – Head of Public & Regulatory Affairs Nordics, Benelux and Baltics, EPEX SPOT Editor & Producer:  Alexandra Carlon #EnergyTrading #PowerMarkets #ElectricityMarkets #EnergyMarkets #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #15MinuteTrading #PowerTrading #MarketDesign #EnergyStorage #EPEXSPOT #PluggedInPodcast

Send us your thoughts! With European gas storage levels relatively low, periods of cold temperatures, weak wind or low rainfall could have an outsized impact on gas and power prices. In this episode of Plugged In, we look at the key weather patterns to watch in the months ahead and what they could mean for Europe’s energy system. How could El Niño shape the European winter? Could a weakening polar vortex raise the risk of colder weather later in the season? And what happens to power markets when high demand coincides with low wind and solar generation? We also examine the importance of rainfall and snowpack for hydropower, the growing exposure of European markets to weather-driven volatility, and how energy companies are increasingly hedging against temperature, wind and precipitation risks. Host:  Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Julia Demirdag – Germany Correspondent, Montel News Mark Stephens-Row – Client Engagement Manager EMEA and Asia, AtmosphericG2 Pierre Buisson – Head Weather & Commodity Risks - Europe, Munich Re Rebecca McManus – Renewables Lead, European Energy Market, Aurora Editor & Producer:  Alexandra Carlon #EnergyMarkets #EuropeanEnergy #Weather #PowerMarkets #GasMarkets #Renewables #ElNino #Dunkelflaute #Hydropower

Send us your thoughts! The rules that have underpinned global shipping and energy trade for decades are coming under increasing strain. From the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea to the Baltic and the Arctic, geopolitical tensions are raising risks for shipping, supply chains and energy markets. Recorded in Svalbard, this episode looks at what a more fragmented and dangerous maritime landscape means for global energy security. The discussion explores how the Iran war has changed LNG trade, why Asian buyers are rethinking their reliance on Middle Eastern supplies, and whether the world is shifting from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” energy supply chains. The conversation also turns to Europe, where low gas storage levels, growing reliance on US LNG and uncertainty over Russian and Qatari supplies are creating fresh concerns for the winter and next year.  Host:  Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Saul Kavonic – Head of Energy Research, MST Marquee Henning Gloystein – Managing Director, Energy & Resources, Eurasia Group Editor & Producer:  Alexandra Carlon #EnergySecurity #LNG #GasMarkets #Shipping #StraitOfHormuz #EuropeanGas #EnergyMarkets #Geopolitics #Arctic #Svalbard

Send us your thoughts! Europe is heading into winter with gas storage well below comfortable levels, LNG supplies under pressure and the Strait of Hormuz crisis adding further uncertainty to an already tight market. Could a cold winter push European gas prices to EUR 150/MWh? And with Europe increasingly competing for LNG on the global market, how exposed is the continent to another energy price shock? This week, we discuss Europe's gas balance, the race for LNG, the impact of continued disruption in the Middle East and what needs to happen to prevent another painful winter for consumers and industry. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Laurence Walker – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Tony Jordan – Founder, Energy Price Intelligence Yuriy Onyshki – Senior Gas Analyst, LSEG Trevor Sikorski – Head of Natural Gas and Emissions, Energy Aspects Editor & Producer:  Alexandra Carlon #EuropeanGas #LNG #GasStorage #EnergyMarkets #GasPrices #StraitOfHormuz #EnergyCrisis #EnergySecurity

Send us your thoughts! Batteries are emerging as one of the big winners from Europe’s increasingly volatile power markets. In this episode, we look at how huge amounts of solar generation are driving down midday power prices before sharp evening peaks create opportunities for battery storage. The discussion explores who profits from these price swings, whether batteries could begin to displace gas-fired generation, the shift towards larger and longer-duration storage, and whether a rapidly expanding battery fleet could eventually flatten the very volatility it profits from. We also look ahead to what Europe’s battery boom could mean for power prices, grid investment and the shape of the energy system by 2030. Host:  Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Julia Demirdag – Germany Correspondent, Montel News Fintan Devenney – Market Expert, Montel Beatrice Petrovich – Senior Energy Analyst, Europe, Ember Erik Strømsø – CEO, BW ESS Editor & Producer:  Alexandra Carlon #BatteryStorage #BESS #EnergyStorage #PowerMarkets #EnergyMarkets #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #Gas #EnergyTransition #Europe

Send us your thoughts! The Strait of Hormuz crisis has reshaped the outlook for global energy markets, with uncertainty over LNG flows, European gas storage and geopolitical risk hanging over the months ahead. In this episode, we look at how the conflict has affected oil and gas markets, whether disruption through Hormuz has become a lasting feature of global energy trade, and why Europe could face a tight autumn and winter; particularly on price, even if outright gas shortages remained unlikely. The discussion also covers low European storage levels, the role of weather, market reactions to Donald Trump’s interventions, and the wider geopolitical and energy risks facing Europe into 2027. Host:  Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Elise Wu - LNG Correspondent, Montel News Amund Vik - Senior Advisor, Eurasia Group Bjarne Schieldrop - Chief Analyst, Commodities, SEB Tobias Federico - Chief Analyst, Montel Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon #StraitOfHormuz #EnergyMarkets #EuropeanGas #GasPrices #LNG #EnergyCrisis #EnergySecurity #OilMarkets #Geopolitics #EuropeanEnergy #GasStorage #WinterOutlook #Iran #EnergyTransition

Send us your thoughts! Reservoir levels in southern Norway are at their lowest for 30 years raising concerns about power prices in the months ahead and the Nordic region’s ability to balance domestic needs with exports to neighbouring markets. In this episode of Plugged In, we examine the state of Nordic hydropower, the outlook for reservoir refilling and what current weather patterns could mean for power markets in the months ahead. The discussion explores the role of interconnectors, changing power flows between countries and how weather uncertainty continues to shape market expectations. Looking beyond this winter, our guests also consider how the Nordic power system may evolve over the next five to ten years as demand rises, generation changes and the energy transition gathers pace. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Gert Ove Mollestad – Norway Editor, Montel News Gro Klæboe – Product Manager, Mid- and Long-term Modelling, Volue Data & Forecasts Silje Eriksen Holmen – Head of Fundamentals and Hydrology, Volt Power Sigbjørn Seland – Chief Analyst, StormGeo Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon #Nordics #PowerMarkets #Hydropower #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #Reservoirs #NordicPower #EnergySecurity #Montel #PluggedInPodcast

Send us your thoughts! Extreme heat and drought are putting Europe’s power system under pressure on close to an annual basis.  Low river levels and high water temperatures are constraining nuclear and hydropower generation, just as demand for cooling rises. Meanwhile, solar has emerged as a bright spot — providing a quarter of the EU’s power mix in June and helping meet increased daytime demand. In this episode of Plugged In, we look at how extreme weather is reshaping Europe’s power markets, why countries overly reliant on one generation source may be particularly vulnerable, and what growing price volatility tells us about the need for storage and flexibility. We also ask whether Europe is prepared for a future in which today’s extreme summers become increasingly commonplace; and what needs to happen now to make the power system more resilient. #Energy #PowerMarkets #ClimateChange #ExtremeWeather #EnergyTransition #Renewables #SolarPower #NuclearEnergy #EnergySecurity #Europe #Drought #PowerSystems #PluggedInPodcast  Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Maja Žuvela -  SEE Correspondent, Montel News Dr Chris Rosslowe -  Senior Energy Analyst, Europe, EMBER  Professor Mark Maslin - British climate scientist and Professor of Earth System Science, UCL  Chiara Cagnazzo - Principal Scientific Officer at Copernicus Climate Change Service  Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon

Send us your thoughts! After a summer spent exploring the technologies, markets and policies shaping Europe's energy transition, the final episode of the Plugged In Summer Series asks one key final question: is the green shift slowing down, or speeding up? Richard is joined by two expert academics. David Reiner of the University of Cambridge and  Michael Grubb of University College London to explore what's next for the energy transition. Together, they assess how geopolitical instability, rising electricity demand and shifting global dynamics are reshaping the path ahead—from energy security and electrification to market reform, investment, China's growing influence and the future of clean energy policy.  The conversation concludes by returning to the central question that has run throughout the series: is the energy transition accelerating, stalling, or taking a different path? Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Dr David Reiner, Professor of Technology Policy, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge Professor Michael Grubb, Professor of Energy and Climate Change, University College London Producer: Alexandra Carlon Editor: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyTransition #NetZero #EnergySecurity #ClimatePolicy #Electrification #CleanEnergy #ElectricityMarkets #Geopolitics #Decarbonisation #EnergyMarkets #MontelNews #PluggedInPodcast

Send us your thoughts! Artificial intelligence is transforming the global economy at extraordinary speed, but it's also creating one of the biggest new sources of electricity demand Europe has faced in decades. As hyperscale data centres continue to expand, are Europe's power systems, grids and energy markets ready to keep pace? In this episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, we explore what the AI boom means for the energy transition. The discussion centres around power supply and how grid constraints could shape investment, to the role of flexibility, policy and smarter energy management. We chat about the challenges and opportunities facing Europe's electricity system in the wake of such a growing industry.  Featuring insights from experts in technology policy, data centre strategy and the power sector, this episode asks whether AI's growing appetite for energy can be aligned with Europe's ambitions for a secure, affordable and low-carbon future—and what needs to happen next. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Katie Berriman Davies, Head of Energy, TechUK Liam Newcombe, SVP Product, Energy Strategy & Innovation, GreenScale Steve Smith, Group Chief Strategy & UK External Affairs Officer, National Grid Producer: Alexandra Carlon Editor: Alexandra Carlon #AI #DataCentres #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #PowerSystems #GridInfrastructure #Renewables #Flexibility #Decarbonisation #EnergyPolicy #Hyperscalers #DigitalInfrastructure #CleanEnergy #PluggedInPodcast #MontelNews

Send us your thoughts! Europe's electricity system is changing fast. As renewables continue to reshape the power mix, new challenges are emerging; from negative pricing and falling pofitability  to the increased need for flexibility, storage, long-term investment signals and the growing demands of AI-driven data centres. In this episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, host Richard speaks with market experts Cillian O'Donoghue of Eurelectric and Fabian Huneke of Agora to explore whether Europe's electricity market design is still fit for purpose. The discussion examines whether the current market framework is delivering the right incentives for investment, the role of contracts for difference (CFDs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs), the importance of forward market liquidity, and why flexibility (from batteries to demand response) will be critical to keeping the energy transition affordable and secure. The guests also discuss how Europe can accelerate grid development, respond to rising electricity demand from data centres, and ensure market reforms keep pace with a rapidly evolving power system. Is Europe's market design driving the clean energy transition; or at risk of holding it back?  Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Cillian O'Donoghue, Director, Policy, Eurelectic Fabian Huneke, Project Lead Energy Transition in the Power Sector, Agora Producer: Alexandra Carlon  Editor: Alexandra Carlon #PluggedInPodcast #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #MarketDesign #Renewables #PowerMarkets #EnergyPolicy #GridFlexibility #EnergyStorage #CfDs #PPAs #DataCentres #EuropeanEnergy #MontelNews#Datacentres

Send us your thoughts! Europe has made remarkable progress in developing renewable energy, but grids – both at distribution and transmission level, are struggling to keep up. Congestion, long connection queues and ageing infrastructure are holding back the energy transition. So, is the answer simply building more grid infrastructure; or making better use of the network we already have? In this third episode of the Plugged In Summer Series, host Richard is joined by experts from across the electricity sector to explore how Europe can ease its growing grid bottlenecks. Frank Boerman-Lima shares insights from the front line of transmission system operation and cross-border electricity markets. Luuk Veeken explains how AI, forecasting and automated trading are helping integrate more renewable power, while Brian Lonn discusses the growing role of battery storage and flexibility markets in supporting the grid.  Together, they explore how smarter market design, flexibility and digital innovation can unlock more capacity from Europe's electricity networks and keep the energy transition moving. Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Frank Boerman-Lima, Flow-Based Capacity Calculation Expert Luuk Veeken, CEO, Dexter Energy Brian Lonn, Head of UK Flexibility, Statkraft Producer: Alexandra Carlon Editor: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyTransition #PowerGrids #RenewableEnergy #GridFlexibility #ElectricityMarkets #EnergyTransition #PowerGrids #CleanEnergy #BatteryStorage #AI #EnergyTransition #ElectricityMarkets #PowerGrids #GridFlexibility #Renewables