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Exploring Clean Energy

Exploring Clean Energy

Written by: Andy Marsland
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 Join Andy Marsland in Exploring Clean Energy where we uncover the ideas, innovations, and projects powering our sustainable future. You may know us as Exploring Hydrogen, where for 31 episodes we’ve shone a spotlight hydrogen. However, our global challenge of decarbonisation is much bigger than one energy vector. Now, as we continue as The Exploring Clean Energy Podcast, this 2nd season we’re expanding the conversation to include the other stories that are shaping the energy transition of Australia and the world. We hope you enjoy the diversity of thought, and I welcome you so engage with me to help shape the episodes moving forward – so we can bring you the technical experts and projects that you want to hear about and to answer your important questions. Welcome to our energising journey.Stellar Recruitment Careers Economics Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • SAF and Sustainable Aviation: Bringing the Regions to the Runway with Jet Zero

    SAF and Sustainable Aviation: Bringing the Regions to the Runway with Jet Zero
    Dec 18 2025
    In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy sits down with Neil Gardner, Executive Manager at Jet Zero Australia, to explore one of the most practical pathways to decarbonising aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Neil breaks down what SAF is, why it’s considered the near-to-medium term solution for long-haul flight, and how policy, mandates, and corporate demand are shaping a fast-scaling global market. The conversation also goes behind the scenes at Jet Zero - covering the Ulysses and Mandala projects, community engagement in regional Queensland, and why “bringing the regions to the runway” is more than a motto - it’s a blueprint for Australia’s clean fuel future.Show Notes & Timestamps0:00 - Welcome to Exploring Clean EnergyAndy introduces the show and today’s focus: clean energy solutions accelerating a sustainable future.0:16 - Introducing Today’s Guest: Neil Gardner (Jet Zero Australia)Neil’s background and role leading Jet Zero’s growth and SAF project development.0:32 - What is SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)?Neil explains SAF as a non-fossil jet fuel and the lifecycle emissions reduction potential (around 60% to 85%+).1:42 - “Drop-in fuel”: why SAF matters right nowHow SAF works with existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure - no new planes required.3:11 - SAF vs batteries vs hydrogen for aviationWhy batteries are currently too heavy for long-haul; hydrogen storage and infrastructure constraints; why SAF is viewed as the near/medium-term solution.6:10 - SAF production pathways and “technology agnostic” deliveryNeil explains multiple ASTM-approved pathways and why Jet Zero focuses on high “TRL” (readiness) technologies.7:40 - Alcohol-to-Jet and HEFA pathways explainedHEFA: currently the main global SAF pathway (using used cooking oil/tallow/oilseeds)Alcohol-to-Jet: emerging as a key scalable pathway (ethanol → SAF)9:15 - LanzaJet and the Ulysses projectLanzaJet’s commercialisation of Alcohol-to-Jet and Jet Zero’s relationship + licensing approach.10:40 - Feedstocks: ethanol, sugarcane, corn waste, and future optionsHow different feedstocks support different SAF pathways—and why diversity matters.12:20 - “There isn’t enough feedstock”: addressing the common critiqueNeil’s take on market saturation risks for used cooking oil/tallow and the need for new feedstocks.14:40 - Certification, transparency, and avoiding unintended consequencesWhy traceability, certification, and supply chain governance are essential for integrity and emissions claims.16:30 - Book-and-claim + blockchain traceability (in practice)How corporates can track SAF impact across the supply chain and confidently report emissions reductions.18:50 - Global mandates driving demand (EU, UK, Japan)How blend mandates create demand certainty and unlock investment for capital-intensive SAF projects.21:10 - Australia’s policy gap and the opportunity aheadWhy Australia is behind on mandates, what consultation is underway, and the “second-mover advantage”.23:10 - Corporate-led momentum: Qantas, the SAF Coalition, and the $200m fundHow corporate Scope 3 commitments are pulling SAF into the market before regulation arrives.25:30 - Why this industry scales fast: growth outlook and demand by 2050Neil shares the growth trajectory and why this could be one of the fastest fuel transitions globally.27:20 - What is Jet Zero and why it was createdJet Zero’s purpose, investor support (including Airbus, Qantas, Idemitsu), and focus on bankable, near-term delivery.28:40 - Funding correction (Queensland Government grant)Neil corrects the Queensland Government grant figure mentioned in the episode.29:35 - Project 1: Ulysses (Townsville) - Alcohol-to-Jet~200M litres of ethanol input~100M litres SAF output~11M litres renewable diesel outputTargeting FID in 2H 2026 and operations by end of 202832:20 - Project 2: Mandala (Gladstone) - HEFAFeedstocks include tallow, used cooking oil, and domestic canola, plus exploration of future native crops.33:39 - Closing reflectionsSAF as the most practical near-term decarbonisation route for aviation and Australia’s chance to lead.Funding CorrectionCorrection: Queensland Government grant valueIn the episode, the Queensland Government grant was misstated as $660,000. The correct amount is $760,000.Official announcement:https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100955Guest Bio - Neil GardnerNeil Gardner is the Executive Manager at Jet Zero Australia and was one of the organisation’s first employees, playing a key role in its growth from start-up to an emerging industry leader in sustainable aviation fuels. Neil has 20 years’ experience in the energy industry, leading teams of up to 200 people, and brings deep commercial and strategic expertise across the energy transition. He has held senior roles with Shell across Australasia, spent seven years with Arrow Energy (Shell & CNPC CSG JV) as Commercial Manager and Senior Advisor to the CEO, and is ex-Verbrec (...
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    34 mins
  • The Practicalities of Decarbonising the Trucking Industry – With Volvo

    The Practicalities of Decarbonising the Trucking Industry – With Volvo
    Dec 3 2025
    In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy sits down with Corbin Luther, E-Mobility Solutions Specialist at Volvo Group Australia, to unpack one of the most challenging and exciting frontiers of decarbonisation: heavy vehicles. From electrical infrastructure and driver behaviour to hydrogen fuel cells and renewable diesel, Corbin provides a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at how Volvo is approaching the transition at scale. This conversation moves beyond theory into real-world fleet operations, exploring what is working, what is not, and what the next decade will really look like for Australia’s trucking industry. Show Notes & Timestamps0:00 - Welcome to Exploring Clean EnergyAndy sets the scene for today’s topic: the innovations reshaping freight, logistics, and heavy vehicles.1:05 - Introducing Today’s Guest: Corbin Luther (Volvo Group Australia)Corbin outlines Volvo’s structure globally and in Australia, including the role of Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks in local manufacturing.3:45 - How Big is Volvo in the EV Trucking Space?Discussion of global volumes, Australian production, and the rapid rise to 117 electric trucks now on the road, with more than 50 delivered this year.6:10 - What Makes E-Mobility Technically Challenging in Australia?Corbin breaks down:The constraints of aging electrical infrastructureLong distances vs short-haul suitabilityMarket misconceptions about what electric trucks are designed forFitting technology to specific applications11:40 - Driver Behaviour: The Make-or-Break VariableHow telematics, regen braking, and driving style impact EV range, and why driver training is essential for fleets moving to electric.16:30 - From Resistance to Enthusiasm: Changing Attitudes to EV TrucksReal-world stories of sceptical drivers who change their minds within minutes of getting behind the wheel.19:30 - Charging Infrastructure: The Volvo ApproachVolvo’s advisory role, partnerships with charging companies, and why they stay out of owning physical charging hubs.23:05 - Decarbonising Heavy Transport: Electric, Hydrogen and Renewable Diesel (HVO)A detailed breakdown of:Hydrogen fuel-cell trucks under development in EuropeHow HVO works and why it is a promising transition fuelEuropean advancements and realistic timelines for change30:50 - Fit for Purpose: Why There Is No One-Size-Fits-All SolutionHow Volvo assesses a customer’s fleet, routes, power costs and operational realities before recommending EV adoption.37:20 - The Economics: Total Cost of Ownership and the Sweet SpotWhy electricity price, kilometres travelled, and utilisation all determine whether an EV truck makes financial sense.43:00 - Behaviour Change and Second-Mover AdvantageHow sustainability pressure from customers, supply chains, and even employees is influencing fleet decisions.48:00 - Government Policy: What’s Helping and What’s NotCorbin discusses axle weight restrictions, the pace of ADR changes, and the role of ARENA-funded projects.54:10 - Road Wear, Vehicle Design and the realigning misconceptionsFindings from Volvo and Austroads showing how tyre footprint and suspension design can reduce pavement impact.58:40 - Operational Optimisation: The ‘Hidden’ Decarbonisation ToolRoute planning, idle time, fleet telematics, and the small daily decisions that reduce fuel and emissions.1:04:30 - Battery Performance, Temperature Impacts and Real-World Range ModellingHow Volvo forecasts range using topography, historic traffic data, temperature profiles and aerodynamics.1:10:10 - Looking Ahead: What the Next Decade Will BringPredictions on:Uptake of electric trucksHydrogen’s likely roleGrowth of HVOHow often EV trucks will be seen on Australian roads1:15:00 - Final Thoughts from CorbinWhy the transition is gaining momentum, and why fit-for-purpose solutions will be critical. Guest Bio - Corbin LutherCorbin Luther is the E-Mobility Solutions Specialist at Volvo Group Australia, where he works directly with fleets, operators, and Volvo’s dealer network to support the transition to electric trucks. With a background in transport operations and fleet management, Corbin combines technical insight with deep knowledge of real-world trucking applications, ensuring customers put the right truck on the right job and adopt EVs in a way that is operationally sound, commercially sensible, and driver-friendly. Website: volvotrucks.com.auCorbin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corbin-luther-2598651b7/Volvo Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volvo-group/
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    46 mins
  • Raising the Bar: Windlab’s Next Chapter in Renewable Energy

    Raising the Bar: Windlab’s Next Chapter in Renewable Energy
    Nov 12 2025
    In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy is joined by Nathan Blundell, Chief Development Officer at Windlab. Together, they explore how one of Australia’s leading renewable energy developers is raising the bar for wind and hybrid projects nationwide. They discuss Windlab’s journey from CSIRO spin-out to a fully integrated developer, the realities of project timelines and approvals, best-practice community engagement, biodiversity net gain, grid connection challenges, and two major Queensland projects set to shape the next phase of Australia’s clean-energy transition.Episode topics & timestamps00:00 - Welcome: How Windlab began, its CSIRO origins, and the evolution of wind development in Australia02:05 - The integrated model: From mapping wind to delivering and operating full-scale renewable projects05:10 - Development lifecycle: Why five to ten years is realistic and how early community engagement reduces risk08:30 - Data and bankability: From LiDAR and met masts to ensuring project certainty11:10 - Community engagement: Listening before telling, regional focus, and building trust early16:05 - Common community concerns: Managing change, benefits, and consultation fatigue19:40 - Industry reputation: Why one poor project can tarnish the whole sector. Windlab’s focus on raising the bar.22:20 - Approvals and the EPBC process: Reform, complexity, and the need for certainty26:50 - Biodiversity net gain: Practical examples from Windlab’s Gawara Baya project in North Queensland30:00 - Site selection: Wind profile, demand centres, grid constraints, and coexistence with agriculture33:15 – Technology improvements and turbine scale: 6-8MW turbines, 150m hub heights, and the limits of logistics37:10 - Construction logistics: Workforce, site access, and the legacy benefits of upgraded infrastructure40:00 - Rising costs: Global pressures, local solutions, and the power of competitive procurement44:00 - Grid innovation: Turning connection risk into advantage with in-house grid engineering48:10 - Project pipeline: Gawara Baya and Bungaban projects —Queensland’s next major renewable builds52:00 - Policy reform: Implementing EPBC changes and “finding a way to do the good things that we must do”55:00 - The decade ahead: Delivery, scale, and getting match-fit for the 2030s57:30 - Follow Windlab: Staying informed via LinkedIn, project websites, and newslettersGuest bioNathan Blundell is the Chief Development Officer at Windlab, leading a $30 billion portfolio and 20 GW development pipeline across Australia. Since joining in 2021, Nathan has overseen some of the nation’s most significant renewable energy projects, including the North Queensland Super Hub, Bungaban Wind, which secured Australia’s largest renewable PPA and Gawara Baya, the first project in the country designed around a biodiversity net-gain strategy. With over 20 years in the global energy sector, Nathan brings deep industry insight and a strong commitment to doing renewables the right way - delivering projects that respect Country, support communities, and protect the planet.LinksWindlab: windlab.comNathan Blundell (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/in/nathan-blundell-b1601142Windlab (LinkedIn): linkedin.com/company/windlab
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    35 mins
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