The smarter E Podcast

• #TSEP 226 Built to Last: Business Resilience in the Renewables Industry

  It’s not for the faint of heart: succeeding as a manufacturer in the fiercely competitive solar and energy storage industries. So, why do some companies thrive, while others fail? As relatively young industries, clean energy markets offer rapid opportunities – but they can disappear just as quickly. The solar industry, in particular, has seen a long list of manufacturers rise and fall amid shifting market forces and policy landscapes. Today, with solar nearing maturity and battery storage following close behind, there’s renewed optimism. Greater policy stability, growing investor confidence, and economies of scale could pave the way for a more resilient and diverse manufacturing ecosystem. How this plays out will vary across regions – making it all the more important to examine what’s working, what’s not, and what lessons we can take forward. Jonathan Gifford discusses in this podcast with Ivan Saha, Sebastian Gatz, and Josefin Berg, why the competition in the solar industry and energy storage market is so challenging. About the Speakers Ivan Saha is the CEO of Renewable Manufacturing at Reliance Infrastructure (Rinfra). Before this, he worked at the Indian solar manufacturer Vikram Solar for nearly a decade, serving as both CTO and CEO. Sebastian Gatz is the Vice President, Renewable Energies & Strategic Partnerships at Von Ardenne. Before joining Von Ardenne, Gatz had diverse experience with production equipment suppliers, including Meyer Burger and Manz. Josefin Berg is a Research & Analysis Manager for Solar & Energy Storage at S&P Global Commodity Insights. She has worked in solar and storage analysis at IHS Markit, which was then acquired by S&P, for approximately 15 years. About the Companies Reliance Infrastructure Reliance Infrastructure is a part of the Reliance Group. It is in the business of providing Engineering and Construction (E&C) services for power, roads, metro rail and other infrastructure sectors. The company is a leading Indian utility, having presence across the value chain of energy businesses. Von Ardenne is a technology company specializing in the development and production of vacuum coating systems and processes. Based in Dresden, Germany, it is a world market leader in large-scale architectural glass coating and thin-film photovoltaics. S&P Global Commodity Insights is a leading independent provider of information, benchmark prices, and analytics for the energy and commodities markets. It's a division of S&P Global, a global provider of financial information and analytics. The company offers insights, data, and price assessments for various commodities, including oil, gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture, and shipping

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• #TSEP 225 Solar Meets Storage: Unlocking the Potential of PV Power Plants and Large-Scale Battery Systems

  Hybrid solar, which combines solar energy with storage or wind, is key to Europe’s energy transition. It supports system flexibility, improves the cost-effectiveness of an asset and makes energy generation more reliable. Overall, large-scale storage accounts for a significant portion of the current BESS storage growth. However, there are still a few hurdles to be overcome, and growth isn’t where it should be. In this episode, we will discuss the current state of the large-scale battery storage market, particularly the hybrid solar market, its prospects, and how to overcome the remaining roadblocks. About Antonio Arruebo Antonio works at the Market Intelligence team of Solar Power Europe, the premier association for the European solar PV and storage sector, which unites 320+ organisations.

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• #TSEP 224 Enabling Flexibility: Balancing the Grid with Storage & E-Mobility

  We’re in the midst of a mobility revolution – one that’s reshaping not only how we move, but how we power our lives. Electric vehicles (EVs) of all shapes and sizes are accelerating the rate of change, transforming the way we move and the framework of our energy systems. Because what’s especially interesting about EVs is that in addition to being vehicles, they’re also mobile batteries. And the way they connect to our grids, homes, and the broader electricity network could become one of the most powerful tools we have in harnessing and optimizing solar and wind energy. Jonathan Gifford discusses the mobility revolution in this podcast with Adele Zhao, Gerard Reid, and Thomas Raffeiner. About the Speakers Adele Zhao is the Head of Marketing, Product & Service, Europe, for Solar Energy & Storage, at Trina Solar. She has been with the company for 16 years and has been based in its Zurich, Switzerland office since 2015. Adele leads teams across marketing, product management, and service, working closely with both internal cross-functional teams and external partners. Gerard Reid is a leading global expert and financier in the energy transition space. An independent advisor and published author, he is co-host of the highly acclaimed “Redefining Energy” podcast, which explores how finance, technology, innovation, markets and regulations are radically redefining the world of energy. Thomas Raffeiner is the founder and CEO of The Mobility House. His goal is a zero-emission energy and mobility future at no cost for all of us to achieve this net zero vision. In 2009, Thomas founded The Mobility House, one of the first service companies for electromobility in Europe. Today, he is working on innovative energy services and intelligent storage solutions. About the Companies Trina Solar is a global leader in photovoltaic products, applications, and services. Founded in 1997, the company is based in China and has expanded its operations to over 100 countries and regions. Trina Solar is known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and driving the adoption of renewable energy. The Mobility House is a technology company focused on electromobility and renewable energy. It develops intelligent charging and energy solutions, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, and integrates electric vehicle batteries into the power grid. The company offers smart charging solutions for various industries, such as logistics and bus fleets, and also provides personalized advice and individualized charging solutions.

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• #TSEP 223 Ladeinfrastruktur optimal planen: Wissen für Installateure und Planer

  Die Vorgaben der EU-Richtlinie zur Unternehmens-Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung (CSRD) und des Energieeffizienzgesetzes (EnEfG) haben der Industrie die notwendige Orientierung geben, die Umrüstung ihres Fuhrparks auf Elektromobilität voranzutreiben. Doch immer noch gibt es Unwägbarkeiten. Was steht im neuen Koalitionsvertrag? Was wollen die neuen Minister? Und Wie sollen Unternehmen nun vorgehen? Darüber sprechen wir mit Andreas Varesi, Vorstand des Bundesverbands Beratung Neue Mobilität. Über Andreas Varesi Andreas Varesi ist seit 2008 Experte für Elektromobilität und alternative Antriebe. Bereits 2009 teilte er seine Expertise in einem Experteninterview im ZDF-Morgenmagazin. Als Work Package Leader im EU-Projekt SmartV2G war er ab 2010 Teilprojektleiter eines der ersten europäische Vorhaben zum bidirektionalen Laden. 2019 gründete er die eMobile Academy, die in Partnerschaft mit der DEKRA zertifizierte Ausbildungen für Berater und Projektmanager Elektromobilität anbietet. Seit 2023 ist Andreas Varesi zudem geschäftsführender Vorstand des Bundesverbands Beratung Neue Mobilität (BBNM), der sich für eine zukunftsfähige und rechtssichere Mobilitätsberatung einsetzt. Über den Bundesverband Beratung Neue Mobilität (BBNM) Der BBNM ist ein Fach- und Interessenverband für E-Mobilität und Energiewirtschaft. Als Vereinigung von zertifizierten Experten für Elektromobilität und alternative Antriebe engagiert er sich für innovative Mobilitätslösungen mit nachhaltigen Energiequellen. Sein Ziel ist es, durch Aufklärung, Kooperation und aktives Engagement einen positiven Wandel in unserer Gesellschaft zu bewirken.

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• #TSEP 222 Power Beyond Politics: Surviving the Storm When Policy Changes

  Podcast Intro “Powering Through: The Resilience of Renewables” is a feature series of The smarter E podcast, recorded on-site at The smarter E 2025 in Munich. Spanning six episodes, the series highlights the critical role of resilience in the global energy transition. It explores how electricity networks, renewable energy companies, research institutions, and public policy development intersect to build a more robust and sustainable energy future. Episode Intro Electrons may not be political – but energy policy certainly is. From solar and wind to battery storage and e-mobility, the pace and scale of clean technology deployment are shaped by public policy. And 2025 has been another year of seismic shifts in the policy landscape. In this episode of Powering Through, we explore what it takes to create resilient, long-term energy policy and how to build lasting public support for the clean energy transition. The speakers Abigail Ross Hopper is the president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade organization for America's solar and storage industry. She currently serves on the board of directors of RE+ Events, the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society at Dartmouth, the Consumer Energy Education Fund, and Earthday.org. Jenny Chase is a solar analyst with BloombergNEF having founded its solar team in 2006. The team provides market research for financial and corporate clients on solar demand, supply, price, technology and investment. She authored Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon in 2019. Walburga Hemetsberger has been the CEO of SolarPower Europe since 2019. She has been working in Brussels for more than 20 years predominantly in the energy sector. Before joining SolarPower Europe, Walburga headed the VERBUND Representation Office in Brussels and was a Board Member of Hydrogen Europe. Host Jonathan Gifford is the co-founder and Head of Content at Climate Copy, a clean-energy communications agency. Company Introductions The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy in the United States. SEIA works with its 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. BloombergNEF provides clear perspectives on global commodity markets and the technologies driving the energy transition, empowering decision-makers to navigate disruptive trends in an evolving energy economy. SolarPower Europe is the premier association for the European solar PV sector, uniting more than 300 organisations. Based in Brussels, it shapes regulations and business landscapes for solar’s growth in partnership with its members. It helped found the RE-Source Platform, Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, and the Energy Storage Coalition, and actively engages in EU and international projects, fostering partnerships with 40+ organisations globally.

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