DNV Talks Energy

The Brooklyn Microgrid - Blockchain-enabled community power

A local marketplace enabling communities to choose where their power comes from - is the microgrid the future for consumers? DNV discusses the Brooklyn Microgrid project with Belinda Kinkead, Director of LO3 Energy, Australia, and discovers how it will transform the way that we interact with our power supply.
In this thought-provoking episode, DNV talks to Belinda about the creation of LO3’s Brooklyn Microgrid project. Belinda explains how it is both a virtual and a physical microgrid, and what this means for the community. She also shares the challenges that the project encountered, including regulatory and scalability issues; details of how the system operates technically; and the innovative way that blockchain has enabled customers to buy and sell energy. Finally, we discuss how this type of system could help those living in natural disaster zones.
*This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Integrating a complex fragmented IoT ecosystem

With an abundance of devices, networks and platforms coming together to create a complex environment, how easy is it to create the perfect IoT system? Ludovic Lassauce, Director of IoT and Mobility at Tata Communications considers the benefits and challenges of global communication in today’s digital era.
Modern-day businesses use a multitude of platforms, systems and networks all with different protocols and languages. So how do we ensure that they are all able to connect seamlessly? In this engaging and informative interview, Ludovic discusses the challenges in creating an increasingly connected world. He explains why customers will no longer tolerate an inability to connect globally, and introduces the Tata Communications’ platform, ‘MOVE’, which aims to enable a borderless mobile experience. Finally, Ludovic shares how advancements in communication have and will continue to impact on our lives through technology.
*This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Germany’s power grid - a model for the energy transition

Germany is leading the way in integrating renewables into their energy system. In this inspiring episode, Dr Dirk Biermann, Chief Markets and System Operations Officer at 50Hertz shares with DNV how 50% of renewables penetration has been achieved, and what lessons can be learnt by other countries wanting to follow suit.
In this engaging interview, Dirk shares with us the three phases of successful high renewable penetration, and shares Germany’s findings on how to deal with the intermittent and decentralized nature of volatile renewables. He discusses how more adaptive pricing structures have supported the increased proportion of renewables; and shares his views on whether technology developments will have a further impact on price. He also gives us an insight into the innovative WindNODE Projekt, and discusses the delicate balance between capacity and scarcity of the power supply; alluding to what the future will hold in this regard.
*This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Digitalization: The ‘new Industrial Revolution’

The most significant changes in the energy sector since the Industrial Revolution are upon us. DNV talks to CEO of VDE, Ansgar Hinz about some of the biggest issues currently affecting the energy market: the need for interconnectivity; the impact of digitalization; and the continued threat against cyber security.
In this informative interview, Ansgar predicts how businesses will adapt to this drive towards digitalization and increased interconnectivity. He discusses the inevitable issues arising from an increasing number of platforms connecting; a greater number of sensors; machine learning and automated systems. Ansgar also shares his views on the steps required to manage mass data; and explains the solutions which will help us to do this most effectively. Finally, Ansgar discusses how cyber-crime is evolving; and how cross border connectivity will change the way we combat cyber-attacks in the future.
*This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Renewables integration: The importance of storage

With the increasing importance of renewable energy, grids must deal with the variability and intermittency of renewables generation. DNV talks to Paul Gardner, Segment Director - Storage at DNV, on the ongoing developments ensuring that storage solutions can support the growing energy demand. Our Energy Transition Outlook 2017 report concluded that the electricity demand will rise by 140% by 2050, and of this, 72% will be generated by renewables. However, with this transition comes challenges on output consistency. In this insightful interview, Paul gives an overview of the current solutions that will support and optimize renewable energy in the future, with a focus on storage. He explains the different options available; their most appropriate usage; and considers why some available storage technologies may no longer remain efficient in the future. Finally, as cost is often at the forefront of power generation discussions, Paul addresses what can be done to lower the cost of storage in the future . *This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Impacts of climate change and the role of the ocean

Decarbonization of our energy system is imperative to combat climate change, but also to protect our oceans. DNV talks to Jose Maria Figueres, former President of Costa Rica, and Co-Chair of the Global Ocean Commission, and Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), about the progress being made in achieving the target of a maximum temperature increase of 2 degrees, and what it will mean for our future if we fail. Decarbonization and the protection of our oceans are two sides of the same coin. In this vibrant and fascinating episode, Christiana and Jose Maria’s message to us couldn’t be clearer. We can only reach our goal by addressing these issues in tandem, and often the role of the ocean in preserving the planet’s ecosystem is taken for granted. We also discuss DNV's prediction, in the Energy Transition Outlook 2017 of a global temperature increase of 2.5 degrees, and the impact that this will have not only on humanity, but also the global economy. We consider whether some of the damage already done can be reversed, and how current initiatives will help to improve the world economic situation. Finally, they consider the responsibility of fossil rich countries and how future changes are likely to impact on their geopolitical status. *This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Energy financing challenges - Coal, gas and renewables

Whilst renewables continue to gain a significant position in the energy market, gas remains the predominant energy source for the immediate future. DNV talks to Tim Rockell, Director of Global Energy Institute, KPMG, and Sharad Somani, Partner in Global Infrastructure Advisory, KPMG about how gas and renewables can co-exist, and the challenges faced in financing these projects in the future.
In this multi-faceted episode, Tim and Sharad discuss the new approaches being adopted to secure funding for energy projects. They share with us which types of institutions will be the predominant source of funding; how the investments can be structured to maximize yields and the challenges faced in securing funding for coal and gas projects. With the delicate balance between renewable and traditional energy sources in mind, Tim and Sharad also share their views on why coal and gas projects still have a clear role to play, and how these sources will inevitably co-exist alongside renewables in the future.
*This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Energy Transition Outlook 2017

A cleaner, more electrified world is within our reach by 2050. In this first episode, Ditlev Engel, CEO of DNV’s Energy business area, discusses the findings of our inaugural Energy Transition Outlook 2017, and highlights the developments that will drive the energy transition in the future. Profound changes in the energy sector are upon us, with topics such as electrification and energy efficiency leading the discussions. In this thought-provoking episode, Ditlev discusses the findings of our Energy Transition Outlook 2017, and explains why our independent forecast for the energy system takes a different approach. He also considers the rise of new technologies, and how cost will play a pivotal role in determining which of these will spearhead the facilitation of a cleaner future. Ditlev also discusses the balance between the rising demand for electricity and the overall reduction in demand for energy, and how energy efficiency is contributing to this evolution. *This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.

Digitalization & the energy ecosystem

How technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence and cloud technology are revolutionizing the energy sector. DNV talks to Danny Venables, Chief Digital Advisor at Microsoft Asia Pacific.
In an inspiring and visionary interview, Danny Venables gives us an insight into the impact of digitalization on the energy market; his views on the future significance of machine learning and artificial intelligence; the advancements in technology that are transforming the soft grid into a ‘smart grid’ and the role of the cloud in enabling communication between different protocols. Danny also gives invaluable advice to companies on how to best prepare for digitalization, and shares his innovative and visionary views on how technology will change our lives in the future.

Towards a future of net zero emissions

Significant changes must be made to achieve the challenging goal of net zero emissions. DNV talks to Shell International about their ambitions for the future and the possible routes for the evolution of the future energy system.
In this week’s episode, we discuss with Brian Davis, Vice President, Integrated Energy Solutions at Shell International, what it will take to achieve the challenging goal of net zero emissions; how long it will take; and what organizations, nations and their citizens will need to do to help to achieve this aim. We also discuss how the pace of change will differ for developed and developing countries, and the impact that this will have on the overall goal.