Green Shift
Green Shift
Podcast Description
A rolling conversation on the struggles and successes of transitioning to a sustainable economy. Based in Singapore, we focus on stories from Asia that are missing from the broader international conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes like carbon pricing, renewable energy, and just energy transitions. Episodes dive into specific topics such as the mechanics of carbon taxes, the debate between nuclear and renewable energy sources, and insights into global climate policy frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the EU Emissions Trading System. For example, one episode features discussions on the nuances of cap-and-trade versus carbon taxes, while another explores the implications of renewable energy on sustainable economies.
A rolling conversation on the struggles and successes of transitioning to a sustainable economy. Based in Singapore, we focus on stories from Asia that are missing from the broader international conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Green Shift, we sit down with Dr. Mary Ann Franco, Senior Consultant and Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia at Aquatera and a global network expert at the Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources (CSER). Dr. Franco shares her insights from years of research and fieldwork on how off-grid and island communities in Southeast Asia adopt renewable energy.
We explore the misconceptions about “easy” renewable adoption, the social and cultural dimensions that often determine whether projects succeed or fail, and the importance of building not just hardware and software, but what she calls “orgware”—the community structures that keep projects running in the long term.
From karaoke nights powered by diesel gensets to the role of women as household energy managers, this conversation uncovers the human side of energy transition and why community-led approaches are critical for lasting impact.
Show Notes
Guest: Dr. Mary Ann Franco, Senior Consultant & Regional Coordinator (Southeast Asia) at Aquatera, and CSER Global Expert
Topics Covered:
What daily life really looks like in off-grid island communities
Why renewable energy projects often fail without social buy-in
The role of women and inclusion in sustainable energy adoption
How to move from “donation projects” to durable community energy solutions
The concept of orgware—and why it’s the missing piece in many energy projects
Here are the links to the projects Dr. Franco mentioned:
Rural Energy Hub: https://www.braeruralenergyhub.com/
https://communityenergy.scot/projects/rural-energy-hubs/
https://www.aquatera.co.uk/news/brae-rural-energy-hub-secures-significant-funding-boosting-its-community-impact
Ayrton POWERE Project: https://www.ukri.org/news/projects-funded-to-propel-low-carbon-energy-transition/
EC10 Wave-Powered Microgrid in Thailand: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/innovate-uk-grants-1-9-million-for-wave-energy-project-in-thailand/
#RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #SoutheastAsia #Sustainability #GreenShiftPodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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