Navigating Europe's Energy Future with Mats Larsson

With Mats Larsson, founder of the Global Energy Transformation Institute (GETI), we delve into the critical challenges and promising opportunities shaping the continent's path towards a sustainable future. Our conversation explores the strategic imperative for Europe to bolster its domestic battery and electric vehicle economy, examining the lessons learned from past initiatives and the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on external supply chains. We dissect the roles of governmental policies and targeted investments, drawing insightful comparisons with historical successes such as the US Apollo program, as we consider how best to foster innovation and growth in the European context. The discussion also navigates the complex interplay of various energy sources -- from the resurgence of nuclear power and the expansion of solar and wind, to the potential role of hydrogen, and even the controversial prospect of coal's return amidst escalating energy demands driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. A significant portion of our conversation is dedicated to the often-overlooked backbone of our energy system: the electricity grid. We explore the challenges posed by aging, centralized infrastructure and the urgent need for digitization to accommodate transformative technologies such as vehicle-to-grid solutions. Furthermore, we highlight the crucial gap in understanding between the automotive sector and energy suppliers, emphasizing the necessity for greater collaboration and foresight in planning for the massive power requirements of future electric vehicle fleets. Join us as we unpack these multifaceted issues, offering a comprehensive overview of the strategic decisions and technological advancements that will define Europe's energy and automotive trajectory in the years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices