Flexibility is emerging as one of the most vital and misunderstood elements of Europe’s future energy system. As renewables scale at unprecedented speed, volatility in the grid is growing, creating both challenges and opportunities.

In this episode of AFRY on Strategy, we speak with Christoph Gardlo, COO and co-founder of Esforin, one of Europe’s most innovative players in the flexibility space. Christoph shares his journey from corporate energy markets to entrepreneurship and explains how Esforin helps industrial and commercial consumers monetise their flexibility through AI-driven trading and digital platforms.

From the rise of intraday optimisation to the role of batteries, industrial demand response, and regulatory shifts across Europe, we explore why flexibility is no longer optional, it’s essential. Christoph also reflects on the company’s growth story, the lessons of building a start-up to rival incumbents, and why putting the customer at the centre is key to success in an industry often dominated by policy and technology

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Nuclear energy has long been a cornerstone of Spain’s power system, yet all reactors are set to shut down by 2035. As electrification surges and the Iberian blackout serves as a stark reminder of system fragility, tough questions are being asked about how to secure clean, reliable energy.

In this episode, we speak with Guillem Sanchis, co-founder of Econucleares and a passionate advocate for nuclear power as part of the clean energy transition. Guillem shares his views on Spain’s nuclear phase-out plan, the broader role of nuclear in decarbonisation, and what inspired his activism. From public perception to political decision-making, we explore why nuclear remains one of the most debated (yet potentially essential) tools in the energy mix.

Join us to hear why Guillem believes it’s time for a serious rethink.

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We all take energy for granted. But what does it take to ensure the light comes on when we flick the switch? Generation and transmission are easy to understand but a less well known, but increasingly critical capability, is gas and power trading. With the progress of the energy transition, trading has become an essential tool to meet reliably the demand for gas and power. Whether in the importation of LNG, the balancing of the intra-day market or the provision of ancillary services like capacity or frequency response, the role of the trader has never been more important.

In this episode we talk with Navin Parasram, the Head of Trading and Executive Board member at Alpiq. Alpiq is a key player in both the Swiss and European energy markets and we cover a range of topics from the company and its business model to the critical role that flexibility plays in the emerging European energy system. With an asset portfolio covering hydropower, thermal, renewables and batteries, a significant retail business and a pan-European trading team, Alpiq helps keep the lights on in Switzerland and beyond. Join Richard and let’s hear about it from Navin.

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Energy and materials have always been inseparable. Hydrocarbons are a source of energy and a feedstock. Without steel there are no machines. Without coal there is no steel. Without copper there is no transmission. Without haul trucks fueled by diesel there is no copper. Energy and materials are symbiotic and part of the same system. All materials come from somewhere. They are either mined, drilled or grown. Then they have to be refined, processed, manufactured, deployed, maintained and eventually disposed of or recycled. Our energy system is highly complex and it is above all a system.

Simon Michaux is an associate professor at the Geological Survey of Finland. He decided to take on the task of trying to quantify the materials needed to support the energy transition. His analysis has been refined over time and peer reviewed and his conclusions make uncomfortable reading.

We can’t understand an energy transition and how it might unfold without understanding materials. Simon is someone who definitely does.

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Much of the focus on decarbonisation rests on road vehicles given the scale of the emissions and their daily visibility.

Shipping in all its forms from ocean-going vessels to barges to ferries gets much less exposure. But it is significant in terms of how dependent we are on the maritime arteries for global and regional trade and the emissions it creates. The IMO has led with measures to reduce sulphur emissions from 2020 and is now, in concert with the industry and governments, addressing the need for maritime decarbonisation.

This really comes down to two factors, fuel and efficiency. What fuel is used and how efficiently vessels and fleets are operated are the two main levers which make the difference.

Richard is joined to discuss this by two respected industry leaders from two well respected giants of the industry. Jan Dieleman is the President of Cargill Ocean Transportation and Tom Strang is the Senior Vice President for Maritime Affairs at Carnival Corporation plc. These two companies are taking the lead both within their sectors and across the industry as this vast but often invisible industry does its bit to support decarbonisation.

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