EP.255 Philip Hirschhorn and Tim Nelson on the Future of Australia’s Wholesale Market
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Philip Hirschhorn, Ministerial Appointee to the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review Expert Panel, and Tim Nelson, Chair of the independent review of Australia’s NEM. They join Hugo Batten, Aurora’s Managing Director for APAC, and Hana Ramli, Principal in our Australian Advisory team, to discuss the draft recommendations of the Wholesale Market Settings Review and their implications for Australia’s energy transition.
Philip has over two decades of experience advising the energy sector, including 25 years at Boston Consulting Group where he led the Australian Energy practice. He now serves on the Expert Panel shaping reforms to Australia’s derivatives market and contract design. Tim brings extensive leadership experience across Australia’s energy institutions, including Iberdrola, the AEMC, AGL, and government roles, and is currently chairing the independent review of the NEM.
Main topics include:
The scope and goals of the NEM Wholesale Market Settings Review and the challenges it seeks to address
Key draft recommendations on the spot market, derivatives, and investment signals
Implications for batteries, coal exits, and state-level renewable targets in Australia’s energy mix
Lessons from overseas markets and what it will take to implement reforms successfully
To delve deeper into the investment landscape in Australia, reach out to our Aurora experts at auroraer.com/global-presence/australia.
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EP.254 Heather Reams on Conservative Leadership in US Clean Energy Policy
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Heather Reams, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). She joins Oliver Kerr, Aurora’s Managing Director for North America, to discuss the role of conservative leadership in driving clean energy policy and the prospects for bipartisan cooperation.
Heather has led CRES since 2016, building its role as a leading right-of-centre voice for pragmatic clean energy solutions in the US. With over three decades of experience in public affairs and energy policy, she brings a unique perspective on how conservative leadership can advance the energy transition.
Main topics include:
The state of conservative and Republican support for clean energy in the US
The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) on investment and tax credits
Why streamlining energy project approvals could be a rare opportunity for bipartisan cooperation
The implications of rising energy demand from AI and advanced manufacturing
If you enjoyed listening to this episode, attend the second edition of the Aurora Energy Transition Forum on October 21st, 2025 in New York! The event will bring together senior and influential leaders from the US energy sector - developers, utilities, investors, government, tech, and finance - to address America’s energy transition challenges and solutions. Join a curated group of senior decision-makers in a high-level setting designed to foster meaningful dialogue – more than just your usual networking. Head to Aurora’s website the to find out more and to book your ticket. We look forward to seeing you there!
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EP.253 Christoph Bellin on Battery Storage and Pumped Hydro in Europe
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Christoph Bellin, Head of Development & Projects at Alpiq. He joins Claudia Günther, our Research Lead for Northwestern Europe, to explore the evolving roles of flexible assets like battery storage and pumped hydro in Europe’s energy transition.
Christoph is a senior energy executive with over two decades of experience in the European energy market. At Alpiq, he leads the Development & Projects unit, driving the growth of a pan-European Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) portfolio from investment through to commissioning.
Main topics include:
How Alpiq is expanding its flexible assets portfolio across Europe
The key differences in development, financing, and operation of BESS and pumped hydro
Whether batteries and pumped hydro are competitors or complementary technologies in the decarbonised grid
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EP.252 Elyette Roux on Grid Deployment and Supply Chain Challenges
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Elyette Roux, Executive Vice President for the Power Grid market division at Nexans, and Managing Director of the company’s Accessories Business Unit. She joins Pierre Dennery, Aurora’s Country Head for France, to examine the global challenges of deploying the grid infrastructure required for the energy transition.
Elyette joined Nexans in 2021 and now oversees a division representing nearly 30% of the company’s business. She has held senior roles at Dassault Aviation, Schneider Electric, and Cisco, bringing a unique perspective on how industrial capability, innovation, and operations intersect in modernising grids.
Main topics include the following:
• How global supply chains, material availability, and workforce capacity are shaping grid project timelines
• Strategies to accelerate deployment — from advanced manufacturing to cross-industry partnerships
• The role of digitalisation and AI in enabling predictive maintenance, faster renewable integration, and more resilient networks
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EP.251 Ben Wilson, President, National Grid Ventures
This week on Energy Unplugged, we’re delighted to welcome Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures. He joins Dan Monzani, our Managing Director for UK & Ireland, to explore how infrastructure, interconnectors and electrification are shaping the future of the UK and global energy systems.
Ben sits on the Executive Committee of National Grid and was appointed President of NGV in August 2024. NGV is the group’s competitive arm, operating a diverse portfolio of low-carbon and renewable energy businesses across the UK, Europe and the US, including interconnectors, battery storage, LNG and clean power generation.
Main topics include the following:
The future of interconnectors and hybrid offshore grids in building a more integrated European energy system
The impact of electrification, AI, and economic growth on rising electricity demand
The role of hydrogen in decarbonising emissions-intensive industries and enhancing system flexibility
Welcome to ‘Energy Unplugged by Aurora’, a mix of in-depth conversations with key international industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, sharing their unique perspectives on the global energy transition.
Hosted by various Aurora experts, we explore the hottest topics and trends across the energy landscape. From renewables, battery storage, and grid integration, to hydrogen, commodity markets, and technology innovation, our high-profile guests weigh in with their valuable insights.
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in the energy industry, with a new episode released every week!
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