Feb 11 2025 43 mins
In this episode of Climate Confident, I sit down with Jarand Rystad, CEO of Rystad Energy, to take a hard look at where we are in the global energy transition and whether we’re moving fast enough to meet climate targets.
We discuss:
- How disruptive technologies are reshaping the energy landscape – and why the transition would happen even without climate concerns.
- Why solar, wind, and battery technologies are now economically outcompeting fossil fuels.
- The China paradox – leading the world in renewables while still expanding coal power.
- Whether current momentum is fast enough to keep warming below 1.5°C.
- The overlooked challenges – from sustainable aviation fuel to long-duration energy storage.
- The role of policy and regulation in shaping the speed and direction of the transition.
We also touch on AI’s rising energy demand, how agrivoltaics and floating solar could resolve land use concerns, and why hydrogen won’t be the all-encompassing energy solution some envision.
Rystad brings data-driven insights into what’s working, where we’re lagging, and the key economic and technological trends shaping the future of energy. If you want a clear-eyed analysis of the energy transition, this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Listen now!
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Credits
Music credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper