PODCAST: The energy transition in the Middle East, VPPs in Italy and coal’s diminishing status

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
Image: Scatec Solar.

In today’s episode, ESN’s Andy Colthorpe and Liam Stoker explore the way grids are changing in the Middle East to accommodate clean energy, the role virtual power plants are playing in Italy, and the contrasting role coal is playing in Germany and bush fire-stricken Australia.

The podcast can be streamed below:

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Alternatively, you can subscribe and listen to the podcast on the Solar Media Editor’s Channel, which is now on all popular audio channels, including;

Read Next

May 15, 2026
Australia’s New South Wales has seen 532MW of firming projects contracted through its seventh infrastructure tender, securing two projects designed to strengthen electricity supply during periods of peak demand and system stress in the Sydney-Newcastle-Wollongong region.
Premium
May 14, 2026
Energy-Storage.news Premium speaks with Pat Wood III, co-chair at Pew Charitable Trusts about the company’s DER Policy Playbook
May 14, 2026
Developer Akaysha Energy has received federal environmental clearance for its 400MW/1,600MWh Glenrowan battery energy storage system (BESS) in Victoria, with the project deemed “not a controlled action” under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
May 14, 2026
Australia has clawed back AU$1.3 billion (US$940 million) in uncommitted clean energy manufacturing funding, with the Solar Sunshot Program and Battery Breakthrough Initiative among the programmes hit by budget cuts announced this week.
May 13, 2026
In this US news roundup, battery energy storage system (BESS) project updates from Spearmint Energy in Texas, Polaris Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico, and Clearway Energy Group in Utah.