Solar thermal power plants can provide electricity when demand is most high, during the evening, or even all night long. This ability could become more valuable in certain locations as the amount of less consistent wind and photovoltaic solar power on the grid expands. This week on Switched On, we talk with Jenny Chase, head of solar analysis for BloombergNEF, about where this lesser-known renewable works, and doesn't, and how it fits into the energy mix of the future.

This episode is based on a report titled Solar Thermal Market Outlook 2019. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.

Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.

Solar thermal power plants can provide electricity when demand is most high, during the evening, or even all night long. This ability could become more valuable in certain locations as the amount of less consistent wind and photovoltaic solar power on the grid expands. This week on Switched On, we talk with Jenny Chase, head of solar analysis for BloombergNEF, about where this lesser-known renewable works, and doesn't, and how it fits into the energy mix of the future.This episode is based on a report titled <a href="https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/21545">Solar Thermal Market Outlook 2019</a>. BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more from Bloomberg analysts

Switched On

Solar Thermal: All Night Long

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ccc5d27b-287e-442b-9463-ae3c0011f491/transcript

America’s data center boom is running into political resistance. Texas, New York and Pennsylvania are moving to slow or pause new projects amid concerns over electricity costs, infrastructure and local impacts. Texas alone accounts for around 20% of the US pipeline, meaning even short delays could cost developers billions. The pushback is increasingly bipartisan, as politicians respond to growing opposition from local communities and overloaded power grids. The result is new uncertainty for developers racing to secure electricity and bring projects online. So has America’s data center boom finally hit the brakes? And what happens next? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF’s senior associate for North American policy, Derrick Flakoll, to discuss his recent notes “Texas’ Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions” and “Pennsylvania’s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Pennsylvania’s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tk0z0wt96osi00

Texas’ Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40105

America&rsquo;s data center boom is running into political resistance. Texas, New York and Pennsylvania are moving to slow or pause new projects amid concerns over electricity costs, infrastructure and local impacts. Texas alone accounts for around 20% of the US pipeline, meaning even short delays could cost developers billions. The pushback is increasingly bipartisan, as politicians respond to growing opposition from local communities and overloaded power grids. The result is new uncertainty for developers racing to secure electricity and bring projects online. So has America&rsquo;s data center boom finally hit the brakes? And what happens next? On today&rsquo;s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF&rsquo;s senior associate for North American policy, Derrick Flakoll, to discuss his recent notes &ldquo;Texas&rsquo; Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions&rdquo; and &ldquo;Pennsylvania&rsquo;s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Pennsylvania&rsquo;s Data Center Pushback Raises Pipeline Risk -<a href="https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tk0z0wt96osi00"> https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tk0z0wt96osi00</a>
Texas&rsquo; Data Center Pause Could Cost Projects Billions -<a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/40105"> https://www.bnef.com/insights/40105</a>

States Put Data Centers on Pause: Analyst Reaction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa6ff578-d11e-4f21-aa0c-b4b000b42ba7/transcript

The electric vehicle boom is entering a new phase. As China’s market matures and the US steps back from EVs, emerging markets are becoming the new hotspot for electrified transport. At the same time, autonomous and shared vehicles are changing how cars are used. Robotaxis can travel much farther each year than private cars, potentially allowing fewer vehicles to provide the same amount of mobility. So as EV adoption evolves and autonomous driving takes off, what does the next phase of road transport look like? On this episode, Aleksandra O’Donovan and Andrew Grant, who lead BNEF’s EV and intelligent mobility teams, join Tom Rowlands-Rees to discuss the newest edition of the Electric Vehicle Outlook.

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39553

Executive Summary (free to access) - https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/

The electric vehicle boom is entering a new phase. As China&rsquo;s market matures and the US steps back from EVs, emerging markets are becoming the new hotspot for electrified transport. At the same time, autonomous and shared vehicles are changing how cars are used. Robotaxis can travel much farther each year than private cars, potentially allowing fewer vehicles to provide the same amount of mobility. So as EV adoption evolves and autonomous driving takes off, what does the next phase of road transport look like? On this episode, Aleksandra O&rsquo;Donovan and Andrew Grant, who lead BNEF&rsquo;s EV and intelligent mobility teams, join Tom Rowlands-Rees to discuss the newest edition of the Electric Vehicle Outlook.
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on<a href="https://www.bnef.com/"> bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026 -<a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/39553"> https://www.bnef.com/insights/39553</a>
Executive Summary (free to access) -<a href="https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/"> https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/</a>

EV Boom Changes Lanes as New Markets Take the Wheel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/30cd1324-d1f1-4e91-91b5-b4ac009d2c35/transcript

Europe’s electrification ambitions are running ahead of its policies. The EU wants electricity to account for 46% of final energy consumption by 2040, but BNEF’s modeling suggests even a maximum-effort net-zero pathway would fall short. Getting closer will require greater support for electric vehicles, heat pumps and industry, while keeping electricity affordable. Much of that challenge will fall to member states, many of which are scaling back incentives or facing tight public finances. Meanwhile, the EU’s latest proposals do little to address the upfront costs of electrification. So what will it take to close the gap between Europe’s electrification targets and reality? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BNEF’s head of policy, Victoria Cuming, to discuss her note “EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tibg16t9njlt00

Europe&rsquo;s electrification ambitions are running ahead of its policies. The EU wants electricity to account for 46% of final energy consumption by 2040, but BNEF&rsquo;s modeling suggests even a maximum-effort net-zero pathway would fall short. Getting closer will require greater support for electric vehicles, heat pumps and industry, while keeping electricity affordable. Much of that challenge will fall to member states, many of which are scaling back incentives or facing tight public finances. Meanwhile, the EU&rsquo;s latest proposals do little to address the upfront costs of electrification. So what will it take to close the gap between Europe&rsquo;s electrification targets and reality? On today&rsquo;s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BNEF&rsquo;s head of policy, Victoria Cuming, to discuss her note &ldquo;EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
EU Electrification Goal Unreachable Without More Support - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tibg16t9njlt00">https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tibg16t9njlt00</a>

EU Electrification Push Lacks Pull: Analyst Reaction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2fac3e8b-0690-47e9-8a4c-b4a900855bdf/transcript

Solar Thermal: All Night Long

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