Alternative Power Plays

For some time, marketing hydrogen in an affordable way has been a challenge to say the least. One company, Grimes Carbon Tech, says that assertion is untrue and they have the technology to prove it. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan's Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome Joseph Maceda, founder of Grimes Carbontech, and Haydn Palliser, Principal at green energy transition advisory firm Pivotal 180 and Grimes Carbontech advisor, to talk about their company and its hopeful technology.Grimes Carbontech was founded in 2022 and offers scalable technology that uses low-temperature waste heat to produce hydrogen in a liquid solution. The company says their technology is 80% cheaper than the electrolysis method and doesn't come with the need for pipelines or electrical grid infrastructure, enabling the firm to market hydrogen at the site of its use and convert carbon to sustainable fuel while also capturing and recycling carbon profitably. Grimes Carbontech calls it “Caustic Aqueous-Phase Electrochemical Reforming" or "CAPER.”During the episode, Joseph and Haydn talk about the ins and outs of their technology, how it works, why it's so valuable and what the future for this technology looks like. While the company is in its early stages, the future looks quite promising and our guests are thrilled about what its true potential could look like.To learn more about Grimes Carbon Tech visit: https://grimescarbontech.com/To learn more about Joseph Maceda and Haydn Palliser, visit: https://grimescarbontech.com/about-us To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠ To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis

What goes into building the largest underground electrical substation in the U.S., and why is the project so important? To answer this question, Buchanan's Alan Seltzer and Brattle's Metin Celebi sat down with Maija Benjamins, Director of Strategic Project Development at Eversource. Eversource is New England's largest energy delivery company, serving 4.4 million electric and natural gas customers across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. At Eversource, Maija plays a key role in shaping the future of energy, leading the planning, engineering, and execution of major strategic projects, including the Kendall Square Substation project.During the conversation, Maija talks about why the collaboration between Eversource and the City of Cambridge was so critical to its successful approval, how Eversource will adapt to the increase in electrical demand for vehicles, and the role Eversource plays in supporting Massachusetts' clean energy goals. Our hosts also get into Maija's experience as a woman in STEM as she shares her advice for fellow women in the energy field. To learn more about Eversource visit: https://www.eversource.com/content/residentialTo learn more about Maija Benjamins, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-benjamins-64352693  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠ To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis

How can digital infrastructure unlock electric grid capacity? Dynamic line ratings, or DLR, is a technology used by utilities to optimize the electrical carrying capacity of power lines. DLR helps them account for real-time issues like weather and dynamically adjust the maximum capacity for a line.Today, LineVision is the only DLR provider using tower-mounted optical sensors today. Their patented non-contact LIDAR platform is mounted to transmission structures rather than to live lines, which increases the safety, operational efficiency, and accuracy of data collected without interfering with the conductors. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan's Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis speak with Steve Hambric, Chief Revenue Officer at LineVision. They talk about how LineVision's tower-mounted sensors compare to the other segments in the market, the depth of information their technology is capable of gathering and what the future of this technology might look like. According to Hambric, LineVision's non-contact sensors collect critical information to unlock additional capacity on existing lines, provide insight into conductor health, and detect anomalies and risks. To learn more about LineVision, visit: https://www.linevisioninc.com/To learn more about Steve Hambric, visit: https://www.linevisioninc.com/our-team/steve-hambric  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠     To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis   

The challenges that transmission operators and utilities face are growing by the day. Integrating renewables, extreme weather, and grid reliability are just a few.On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan's John Povilaitis and Brattle's Metin Celebi welcome Dr. Pablo Ruiz, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer at NewGrid, Inc. Ruiz is an electrical engineer with over 15 years of experience in electric power systems analysis, research and software development. He specializes in power system operations and planning, renewable power integration and the modeling, analysis and design of wholesale electricity markets. During the conversation, Ruiz talks about how topology optimization leverages the redundancy in grid networks to find new operational breakthroughs and avoid potential electric crises. He shares insights on NewGrid's work with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and how it's led to both congestion reductions and cost savings. Later, Ruiz discusses the exciting potential of introducing more renewable energies into the grid and how it can be done safely and effectively -- with the help of NewGrid's offerings.To learn more NewGrid, visit: https://newgridinc.com/To learn more about Pablo Ruiz, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-ruiz-161a965/To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitisTo learn more about Metin Celebi, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/metin-celebi/ 

Cement is the critical ingredient required to make concrete – the literal foundation of countless construction projects here in the U.S. and abroad. However, the environmental impact of producing traditional cement has been one of the biggest downsides of this all-important building material. That is, until Fortera and its proprietary cement-making process takes off.On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan's Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis speak with Keith Krugh, Chief Manufacturing Officer at Fortera, a materials technology company that is developing low-carbon cement using a proprietary process inspired by nature. While traditional cement production is energy-intensive and contributes about 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Fortera has a new method of making the cement necessary for concrete that has a 70% lower carbon footprint. During the discussion, Keith shares more about how Fortera's technology works, what its applications are, and how recent regulations are affecting the company.To learn more Fortera, visit: https://forteraglobal.com/ To learn more about Keith Krugh Hoffman, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithkrugh/ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis 

What is the outlook for the U.S. Energy Sector under President Donald Trump's second term in office? We welcome back Ed Hild, principal in Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's government relations practice to give us a download on what to expect. Ed is a former Chief of Staff for Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and has deep connections with powerful voices in Washington, D.C.During this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis speak to Ed as he shares his insights on the President's cabinet selections, the future of renewable energy under a Republican-controlled federal government, potential permitting reform, and more. To learn more about Ed Hild, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-hildTo learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠   To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis

As the world increasingly moves toward cleaner energy solutions, the demand for long-duration energy storage is at an all-time high. Hydrostor, a global leader in compressed air energy storage, is addressing this challenge by providing scalable, efficient, and sustainable alternatives to traditional battery technology. In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis speak with Scott Bolton, Executive Vice President of Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Hydrostor. They discuss how the company's innovative storage technology is helping to stabilize power grids around the world. Scott explains the mechanics of compressed air energy storage and compares it to lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro, illustrating why this technology is positioned to play a crucial role in the transition to clean energy.The conversation also highlights Hydrostor's flagship projects—the Silver City Energy Center in Australia and the Willow Rock project in California—showing how these large-scale storage solutions meet various energy market needs. Additionally, Scott addresses the regulatory challenges that Hydrostor faces, discusses how they collaborate with policymakers to facilitate energy storage deployment, and shares insights on the future of energy infrastructure development.To learn more about Hydrostor, visit: https://hydrostor.ca/ To learn more about Scott Bolton, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-bolton-72489/To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠   To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis

In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis explore a transformative technology that is reshaping landfill energy with Melinda Sims, Co-Founder and Director of Product Development at LoCI Controls. The conversation will get into how LoCI's technology platform utilizes automation, advanced algorithms, and real-time data to optimize methane capture and reduce emissions.During the episode, Melinda discusses the delicate balance between maximizing gas collection and ensuring safety. She shares real-world success stories, such as reversing production declines at a landfill in Washington, and explains how AI and policy changes are influencing the future of waste-to-energy innovation. Join us for an enlightening conversation about sustainability, engineering ingenuity, and the untapped potential of landfills.To learn more about LoCI: https://locicontrols.com/ To learn more about Melinda Sims: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindasims/ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis

The U.S. electric grid is experiencing unprecedented demand growth driven by data centers, manufacturing, and increased electrification.   On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis are joined by Rob Gramlich, President of Grid Strategies. Rob breaks down the numbers behind this surge in demand and discusses its implications for grid reliability, power markets, and electricity prices. He highlights which regions are facing the highest load growth, identifies bottlenecks in interconnection and transmission, and outlines what policymakers and utilities must do now to ensure the grid can accommodate this demand without causing skyrocketing costs or reliability issues.  To learn more about Grid Strategies: https://gridstrategiesllc.com/  To learn more about Rob Gramlich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-gramlich-2a4b594/To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠     To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis 

In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis engage in a conversation with Aliya Bagewadi, the U.S. Director of Strategy Partnerships at Allume Energy. She discusses how Allume Energy is transforming solar access for apartment renters.  Aliya shares more about the company's origins in Australia and its mission to promote energy equity as it expands to markets in the U.S. and Europe. Throughout the episode, she highlights the benefits of Allume Energy for renters, who can see energy bill reductions of 40-60% with the company's technology. Meanwhile, building owners benefit from lower operating costs, new revenue streams, and increased property value.  Aliya provides insights into Allume's market focus, targeting Illinois and D.C. due to favorable incentives, as well as the company's plans to integrate energy storage for enhanced grid resilience. The episode concludes with Aliya emphasizing the importance of education and collaboration with utilities, cities, and community partners to drive adoption and scale their mission of providing clean energy access for renters.  To learn more about Allume Energy, visit: https://allumeenergy.com/us/ To learn more about Aliya Bagewadi, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliyabagewadi  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis 

In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and Elizabeth Rosentel, a senior advisor in Buchanan's state government relations group, interview Pennsylvania State House Representative Greg Vitali, who has dedicated decades to environmental and energy issues. As the first legislator in Pennsylvania to introduce climate change legislation and propose a severance tax on natural gas, Representative Vitali shares his journey from community environmental activism to chairing the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.  This episode covers the challenges and opportunities in advancing renewable energy policies, as well as the political dynamics of Pennsylvania's energy landscape. The trio explore community solar, net metering, electric vehicle infrastructure, and the changing demand for electricity.  Representative Vitali emphasizes the obstacles posed by bipartisan governance, the influence of industry and labor unions, and the urgent need for climate action in light of evolving federal and state dynamics.  To learn more about Pennsylvania State House Representative Greg Vitali:  https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=210  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠      To learn more about Elizabeth Rosentel: https://www.bipc.com/elizabeth-a.-rosentel 

In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Selter and John Povilaitis explore the future of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with John Taggart, President and Co-founder of WeaveGrid. WeaveGrid is transforming the electrification of transportation by optimizing EV charging for utilities, EV manufacturers, and owners. During the discussion, Taggart shares insights on the company's software solutions, which aim to balance the increased load on electric grids with the need for renewable energy sources. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in integrating EVs into the grid, the importance of policy and regulatory support, and how WeaveGrid is leading the way for a more sustainable and efficient transportation system. Join us as we examine how digital infrastructure can support the transition to electric mobility and the broader implications for the energy sector. To learn more about WeaveGrid, visit: https://www.weavegrid.com/ To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis sit down with Jørgen Festervoll, CEO of Heimdall Power, a company specializing in advanced monitoring technologies for electric transmission lines.  During the discussion, Jørgen gets into his background, the company's mission to optimize power grids, and the functionality of their sensors, which have the ability to enhance grid capacity by 40% on average. The conversation covers the challenges of deploying new technology in the utility sector, the importance of dynamic line ratings, and the role of Heimdall Power sensors in modernizing the power grid. Jørgen also shares his experience presenting at the White House and emphasizes the company's focus on scalability and customer support.  To learn more about Heimdall Power, visit: https://heimdallpower.com/us/ To learn more about Jørgen Festervoll, visit: https://careers.heimdallpower.com/people/1855194-jorgen-festervoll  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis 

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis chat with  Ted Bloch-Rubin, Director of Business Development Americas at Smart Wires, Inc. Ted discusses Smart Wires' grid-enhancing technologies, including their flagship product, the Smart Valve, and dynamic line rating software, Sumo.  Ted then talks about how these technologies optimize grid use, enhance reliability, and support renewable energy integration. He highlights the company's global impact, and the challenges of integrating new technologies into conservative, mission-critical utility environments. The discussion also gets into the importance of federal policies and programs in advancing smart grid technologies and what Smart Wires' future may look like.To learn more about Smart Wires, visit:  https://www.smartwires.com/ To learn more about Ted Block Rubin, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-bloch-rubin-055526100/  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis ⁠    

On this special episode of Alternative Power Plays, lead experts from the Brattle Group: John Tsoukalis, Metin Celebi, and Frank Graves, join the podcast for a panel discussion on recent energy market developments in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), focusing on the extended day-ahead markets (EDAM) and Markets+.Celebi, Graves, and Tsoukalis are Principals at Brattle with expertise in electricity markets, resource planning, environmental and climate policy analysis, regulatory and financial economics, electric and gas utilities, litigation matters, market modeling, transmission rate design, and more. During this episode they highlight the benefits, differences, and regional impacts of these regional markets, comparing them to the deregulation seen in the Eastern U.S. The group also address the approach to market development in the West, potential customer savings, and the importance of regional cooperation for efficient energy management.The Brattle Group, based in Boston, provides consulting services and expert testimony in economics, finance, and regulation to corporations, law firms, and public agencies. To learn more about the Brattle Group: https://www.brattle.com/  To learn more about Metin Celebi, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/metin-celebi/  To learn more about Frank Graves, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/frank-c-graves/  To learn more about John Tsoukalis, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/john-tsoukalis/  

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis interview Elliot Anise-Hicks, co-founder and CTO of Oberon Fuels. During their discussion, Elliot discusses Oberon's journey from its start in 2010, initially focusing on biogas, then liquid fuels, and eventually to its current production of renewable dimethyl ether (DME). DME, a clean, non-toxic gas, can significantly reduce CO2 emissions when blended with liquefied petroleum gas. Later, Elliot highlights the technical and regulatory challenges faced, the advantages of DME in reducing greenhouse gases, and its potential as a hydrogen carrier. The conversation also highlights Oberon's partnerships, particularly with Suburban Propane, and plans for scaling production and expanding internationally.For more information on Oberon Fuels, visit: https://www.oberonfuels.com/ To learn more about Elliot Anise-Hicks, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehicks/ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠  To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠    

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, John Povilaitis talks with Sarah Minczeski Delisle, VP of Government Affairs & Communications at Swell Energy. In this role, Sarah navigates the evolving policy environments at local, state, and federal levels to maintain the company's adaptive stance and strategic positioning.  During their conversation, John and Sarah talk about virtual power plants, explaining what they are, their capabilities, and their benefits to consumers across diverse markets. She highlights how Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) can address various challenges faced by utilities and customers, including providing backup power, reducing emissions, and improving resilience. The discussion also covers the financial benefits of VPPs for utilities and the importance of data standardization. Finally, Sarah explores policy and regulatory ideas that could enable Swell Energy to better serve their customers.  To learn more about Sarah Minczeski Delisle, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-minczeski-delisle/  To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠    

Electric vehicles have long been seen as one of the biggest ways society can fundamentally move towards the fulfillment of clean energy goals—as long as they can truly go mainstream. This organization thinks it knows how to make that happen by 2030.On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Alan Seltzer and John Povilatis welcome Britta Gross, Director of Transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). EPRI is an independent, non-profit energy R&D organization that works across government and multiple industries to help the energy sector identify issues and technology gaps, as well as find solutions to the challenges of maintaining the reliability, the resilience, and the sustainability of the electric grid.Britta breaks down the EVs To Scale initiative and its three pillars: building widespread confidence in EVs, redesigning electric grid systems to support EV loads, and facilitating EV innovation through cross collaboration between industries. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and smart charging in utility planning for electric vehicles. Britta also highlights the success of the EV To Scale 2030 initiative, citing increased confidence in data and utilities embedding the data into forecasting models.For more information on EPRI, visit: https://www.epri.com.To learn about EVs2Scale: https://msites.epri.com/evs2scale2030 To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠.To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠    

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis are joined by Willett Kempton, Professor at the University of Delaware. Willett is a leading expert in vehicle-to-grid (or V2G) technology, which enables vehicles to absorb excess energy from the grid when demand for power is low and returns some electricity back to the electric grid when the demand for power is high.  Willett discussed the potential of V2G technology to transform renewable energy storage. He then talks about the importance of net metering and what government support and/or subsidies may be needed to boost adoption. The podcast continues as Willett discusses electricity usage and how it relates to solar energy. Later in this episode, Willett makes a prediction about widespread adoption of electric cars with advanced features.To learn more about Willett Kempton, visit https://www.udel.edu/faculty-staff/experts/willett-kempton/.    To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠  To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we welcome a very special guest, Dr. Sunita Satyapal, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Office. She manages the DOE Hydrogen Program's activities across multiple offices and oversees $1.6 billion in hydrogen and fuel cell research, development, demonstration, and deployment inside the office. She also manages over $9.5 billion in other hydrogen efforts across the DOE. Dr. Satyapal joins hosts Alan Selter and John Povilaitis to examine the prospect of hydrogen as a renewable energy source and its significance in meeting decarbonization targets. During the episode, Dr. Satyapal explains hydrogen's versatility and capacity to handle issues in a variety of fields, including heavy-duty transportation and industrial uses. The group highlights how the current commercial availability of hydrogen, combined with developing technology, would indicate an increasing demand for clean hydrogen. The conversation later focuses on the Biden administration's efforts to increase hydrogen use while lowering costs through scaling and innovation.To learn more about the advancements of hydrogen use in the energy space, visit: www.hydrogen.energy.gov To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

Demand for electric vehicles and building electrification keeps on increasing, yet much of America's electric transmission infrastructure is from the 1960s. There is now an attempt underway to improve electric transmission infrastructure by exploiting existing public rights of way, such as highways. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Randy Satterfield, Executive Director of NextGen Highways, sits down with Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis to discuss not only the goals but the challenges NextGen faces in modernizing U.S. transmission infrastructure. Satterfield highlights how NextGen Highways is working to facilitate a new wave of electrification by developing national and state-level coalitions advocating for electric transmission infrastructure to be built in existing public rights of way. Randy tells John and Alan that, although NextGen is focused primarily in the state of Minnesota, the organization has plans to expand to as many states as possible. To learn more about NextGen Highways and Randy Satterfield, visit: https://nextgenhighways.org/our-team/ To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis ⁠ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

The movement to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, enhance air quality, address energy cost disparities, and transition to clean energy infrastructure is growing by the day. Neighborhood decarbonization has the power to not only deliver health benefits but positive climate implications as well. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Nicole Abene, Senior New York Legislative & Regulatory Manager at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, chats with Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis about the implementation and benefits of neighborhood building decarbonization in New York. Nicole discusses strategies to achieve the federal goal of zero net emissions by 2050 and working to promote union-led workforce initiatives for building decarbonization. To learn more about Nicole Abene, visit: https://buildingdecarb.org/about-us/our-team  / https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-abene To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

In a world where there is more focus than ever on energy efficiency and the need to reduce carbon emissions, one company is offering energy-efficient equipment and software upgrades for businesses looking to lower their energy usage and meet their net-zero goals. On this episode, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome Al Subbloie, Chief Executive Officer at Budderfly. Through Budderfly's energy management service model, the company invests 100% of the capital towards energy infrastructure upgrades for their customers. These changes reduce companies' energy bills, increase their sustainability, and ensure continuous improvement that leads to better outcomes for Budderfly's customers. For more information on Budderfly, visit www.budderfly.com. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠⁠. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis.

While it's not new, fusion energy generation has long seemed a little too out of reach to be commercially practical. That is, until now. On this episode, Alan Seltzer and Frank Graves welcome Andrew Holland, Chief Executive Officer of the Fusion Industry Association. The Fusion Industry Association is a non-profit organization made up of private companies working to make commercial fusion energy a reality through advocacy and education. FIA is driven by a belief that affordable, clean energy is desperately needed in the world, and that fusion power is a viable solution. The episode gets into how fusion energy works in its many forms, where it's at in the development process, how companies can join the Association, and dispels some common myths about the technology. For more information on the Fusion Industry Association, visit https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠. To read more about Frank Graves, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/frank-c-graves/.

On this episode, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome David Arfin, CEO and co-founder of NineDot Energy. NineDot is a true innovator in the urban energy space. The company is developing and implementing clean energy business models for New York City. Evolving from a fuel cell project company started in 2015, NineDot was created in 2021 to build community-scale energy systems that support a more resilient electric grid and deliver economic savings, all while reducing carbon emissions. The episode gets into how solar energy can work in a big (shadowy) city like New York, the ins and outs of battery storage in urban areas, and what the future of renewable energy in cities may need to look like in order to work in what can be a complex energy and regulatory environment. For more information on NineDot, visit https://nine.energy/. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer⁠.

Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly popular fuel in the energy sector. Discussion of the fuel source as an alternative to natural gas has continued to grow. It can be combusted to deliver energy without producing carbon emissions and can come from a variety of sources domestically. But what's the real story behind hydrogen, and how does it work? On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, our hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer welcome friends from the Brattle Group, Ragini Sreenath and Josh Figueroa, to talk about where hydrogen may be headed as an energy source and the potential it may have. Since hydrogen is such a growing topic, this episode will be a primer and the first of a handful of episodes in which we'll discuss hydrogen in more detail. To learn more about Josh Figueroa, visit: ⁠https://www.brattle.com/experts/josh-figueroa/⁠ To learn more about Ragini Sreenath, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/ragini-sreenath/ To learn more about John Povilaitis, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis⁠ To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: ⁠https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

One of our favorite guests from last season makes a return appearance to discuss the energy space as it relates to our elected officials in Washington, D.C. Ed Hild, a principal in Buchanan's Government Relations practice in D.C., stops by to discuss the fallout from the midterm elections that left Democrats in control of the Senate and the Republicans with slim control in House. With this new power structure in place, Ed gives his expert opinion on if he expects a standstill in energy policy. Ed also provides insight on the fluctuation of energy prices due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For our new listeners, Ed has spent years with Buchanan after nearly two decades on Capitol Hill serving in various positions, most recently as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and as a legislative assistant, legislative director and deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM). To read more about Ed Hild, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-hild. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Anul Thapa, a Principal with the Brattle Group, discusses New England's natural gas supply, transmission and distribution system and the challenges it faces in this winter. Anul has more than a decade of experience applying economic and finance principles in complex oil and gas-related litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. He co-authored “Understanding Natural Gas Markets,” which was prepared for the American Petroleum Institute in 2014. New England gets about 80% of its electricity from natural gas fired generation. Anul discusses how the already heavily utilized gas pipeline capacity into the region, combined with high natural gas prices, will impact the New England electric market and how the demand of LNG will impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This episode wraps up by the trio discussing how policy makers address the New England gas system supply issues and could avoid economic disruptions in the future. To read more about Anul Thapa, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/anul-thapa/ To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

On this episode, Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis welcome two Power Players who are helping revolutionize the energy space by developing technology that they say will allow existing electric power generation plants to use natural gas with absolutely zero carbon emissions. Brothers Joel and Jeff Haas say, unlike other carbon emission technology that requires significant upfront cost and a major overhaul of a power plant's existing infrastructure, their company, G2 Power promises to make this process incredibly simple and cost-effective. This episode explores how G2 Power's technology would impact decommissioned or soon-to-be decommissioned coal plants, key legislation that would create incentives for more use of their technology, how much power plants could save in operating cost by using their technology and much more. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.

Natural gas has always been a focus on Alternative Power Plays. From its use in CHP facilities and much more, it is the dominant fuel source for electric power across much of the country. On this episode, the focus has shifted to discuss another strong influence on the future of natural gas – the increasing pressure on utilities to shift away from natural gas to conservation, electrification, and cleaner fuels, out of concern for the climate. Policy initiatives could alter the availability and/or cost of natural gas for everyone, yet unfortunately, there is no way to exactly know when and how that might occur because there is a patchwork of approaches under consideration. Our guests for this episode, Jay Balasbas, president of JMB Strategies, and Josh Figueroa, senior associate at the Brattle Group, will give us an overview of the pressures facing the natural gas industry and how they might play out in the form of changes in gas service and energy end-use requirements, as well as what some of the alternatives may be and some examples from actual proposals on regulatory treatment of gas infrastructure. To learn more about Josh Figueroa, visit: https://www.brattle.com/experts/josh-figueroa/ To read more about Jay Balasbas, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-balasbas-b9abb816/ To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

Hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney are joined by a former member of PA's House of Representatives, Jaret Gibbons. Gibbons is the current executive director of the Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association, a non-profit whose mission is to turn coal waste into an energy source. Connecting back to our episode on the blockchain coalition, this podcast will also discuss how the use of coal refuse is important in mining bitcoin. In this episode, Jaret Gibbons gives a deeper insight into what his organization does and how coal waste, or refuse, is turned into electric energy in the Appalachian region, with the added benefit of cleaning up the mess coal leaves behind – click here (https://arippa.org/projects-before-after/) to see some incredible before and after photos. Gibbons paints a picture of the before and after of coal refuse clean up while explaining how the waste is then turned into electric energy. He ends off with the importance of making sure people are educated about his organization's mission and not just grouping land and coal clean-ups as environmental hazards, instead of what they actually do.

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Buchanan, Ingersoll, & Rooney attorneys and podcast hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer shift from the usual renewable energy discussions to welcome Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition president, Dominic Folino, to discuss the history of blockchain technology and the connection it has with conversations around energy. The episode begins with the introduction of the PA Blockchain Coalition, or PBC, and how it began. Folino goes on to speak about the importance of education when it comes to blockchain, its effects, how it works, and what energy is required to make it possible. He then discusses how crypto mining uses energy and the difference between blockchain and cryptocurrency. The episode ends with a discussion on technology's role in make life easier and more secure. To read more about Pa Blockchain Coalition, visit: https://pablockchain.org/ To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer

Welcome back to another episode of Alternative Power Plays, the podcast from Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney and The Brattle Group. Alan Seltzer, an Energy attorney at Buchanan, and is joined by his colleague at Buchanan and co-host John F. Povilaitis, a shareholder at Buchanan. On this podcast, the pair talk to companies across industries about the new and innovative ways in which they are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. On this episode, we are talking to a company building upon some longstanding technologies for producing and storing energy that will play a key role in a more renewable and sustainable energy future. On this episode, we welcome both Paul Jacob, CEO of Rye Development, and Michael Rooney, Vice President of Project Management at Rye Development. Rye is a developer of new, low impact hydro-powered energy generation and energy storage in the U.S. We're thrilled to have Paul and Michael with us to talk about the growth of hydro-electric power, what Rye is working on, and what the future looks like for this long-time renewable technology. To read more about Rye Development, visit: https://www.ryedevelopment.com/ To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.

Traditionally, Alternative Power Plays has been about speaking with companies across industries about the new and innovative ways in which they are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. On this episode, however, At Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, energy attorneys and podcast hosts John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer want to take that energy discussion to an even higher level – specifically, to Washington, D.C. Our guest for this episode is Edward G. Hild, a principal in Buchanan's government relations practice in Washington, D.C. Ed joined Buchanan after nearly 20 years on Capitol Hill, serving in various positions, most recently as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and as a legislative assistant, legislative director and deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM). On the podcast, the trio discusses the Build Back Better bill's impact on the energy space. The conversation then turns to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how the energy space here in the U.S has been impacted by that war. For any company in the energy space or a business thinking about their energy supply options, the attorneys at Buchanan and the economic consultant partners at the Brattle Group can help businesses across industries manage complex transactions, regulation, litigation and more. And for anyone looking for insights into what's coming down the pipeline at the federal, state, and local level, the government relations folks at Buchanan can help businesses across industries have a say in our legislative process and prepare for what's to come. Visit www.BIPC.com/CHPto learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate the complex world of energy. To read more about Ed Hild, visit: https://www.bipc.com/edward-hild. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.

On the second part of our two-part series, focusing on the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on global gas and oil markets, Frank Graves of the Brattle Group is joined by Steve Thumb, a nationally noted oil & gas expert, to explore the long-term impacts of the war on global energy markets. The conversation continues with the recent history of the energy industry and forecasts what fallout is likely to occur as a result of the war. Tess Counts and Josh Figueroa of the Brattle Group once again join in on the discussion. To follow along with the slides referenced in this discussion, please use one of the following links: https://www.brattle.com/insights-events/publications/impact-of-russia-ukraine-war-on-world-natural-gas-oil-markets/ https://www.bipc.com/assets/PDFs/Presentations/Impact-of-Russia-Ukraine-War-on-World-Natural-Gas-and-Oil-Markets.pdf

Between the war between Russia and Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, our global energy consumption habits have become a major point of concern. In a special episode from the Brattle Group, principal Frank Graves talks with Steve Thumb, a nationally noted oil & gas expert, who was in charge of oil and gas forecasting for three decades at the widely used source, Energy Ventures Analysis. Steve shares how the current war in Ukraine and Russia has and will impact the long-term landscape of global energy. Tess Counts and Josh Figueroa of the Brattle Group also join in on the discussion. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. To follow along with the slides referenced in this discussion, please use one of the following links: https://www.brattle.com/insights-events/publications/impact-of-russia-ukraine-war-on-world-natural-gas-oil-markets/ https://www.bipc.com/assets/PDFs/Presentations/Impact-of-Russia-Ukraine-War-on-World-Natural-Gas-and-Oil-Markets.pdf

In Alternative Power Plays, we talk all about the new and innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. John Povilaitis a shareholder at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney and is joined by Alan Seltzer, an Energy attorney at Buchanan. The pair focus our legal practice in the energy and public utility space, with specific work helping clients navigate the world of combined heat and power, also known as CHP or cogeneration. For this episode, we would like to welcome Lynn Kirshbaum – Deputy Director of the Combined Heat and Power Alliance to Alternative Power Plays. Lynn leads the Alliance's policy work at the state level and engages with regional and state partners. The Combined Heat and Power Alliance is the leading national voice for the deployment of Combined Heat and Power and Waste Heat to Power. The Combined Heat and Power Alliance is a coalition of business, labor, contractor, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions with the common purpose of educating all Americans about Combined Heat and Power and Waste Heat and Power, and how CHP and WHP can make America's manufacturers and other businesses more competitive, reduce energy costs, enhance grid reliability, and reduce emissions.

Welcome to Alternative Power Plays, a podcast from Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney and the Brattle Group. In Alternative Power Plays, we talk all about the new and innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites. John Povilaitis, a shareholder at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney in the firm's energy practice, and is joined by Alan Seltzer, a fellow shareholder and energy attorney at Buchanan. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we are switching gears and discussing innovations in the exciting world of carbon-reducing, energy recycling technology. And to do this, we are happy to welcome Jim McVaney of Carbon Sink, a company that hopes to develop projects to convert captured CO2 waste into sustainable fuels, energies and building-block chemicals. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, Metin Celebi interviews Ted Borer and Tom Nyquist both from Princeton University! As the Executive director of Facilities Engineering and Campus Energy, Tom Nyquist is responsible for HVAC, electrical distribution, utility plant capacity additions, energy budget, underground utilities and energy conservation. As for Ted Borer, he has three decades in the power industry starting in nuclear industry in the early 1980's. Currently, Borer is the energy plant manager for Princeton University and is actively involved in campus energy and carbon emissions reduction efforts. On this episode the trio discusses solar and thermal storage through optimization to reduce costs and carbon footprint, with plans to further reduce carbon footprint of the campus energy use. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved.

At Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, energy attorneys John Povilaitis and Alan Seltzer focus their work on helping clients go through the process of installing combined heat and power units, also known as CHPs, to their facilities. At the Brattle Group, Metin Celebi and Frank Graves help clients figure out the financial aspects of this process, evaluating whether these projects make sense for facilities of all types. Over the course of their careers, the four have helped countless clients understand the ins and outs of the CHP consideration, financing, and installation process. And during that time, they've witnessed companies run into their fair share of pitfalls during this process that they've needed to help them navigate. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, John, Alan, Metin and Frank have gathered a list of the most common pitfalls companies across industries have come across with tips on how to avoid them. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we talk to Al Wanosky, the Global Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at Solvay Specialty Polymers. Al has been with Solvay for more than 16 years and, in working for a plastics manufacturing company, has dealt with some unique challenges when it comes to getting electricity and steam to Solvay facilities, specifically at the plant in Marietta, Ohio. Hosted by Metin Celebi, principal at The Brattle Group, a global economic consulting firm and partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, this discussion centers around Al's experience deploying a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about Al Wanosky and this specific facility, visit https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/CM20190108-44231-07674.

As part of their legal practice at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, attorneys Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis focus on the energy and public utility space. They have specific work helping clients go through the process of installing combined heat and power units, also known as CHPs, to their facilities. Making your own electricity and using the waste heat to avoid energy purchases can be a complex process, but with the right team in place it can bring enormous financial, environmental, and operational benefits to host sites. During their careers, Alan and John have been fortunate to help many clients across various industries develop these projects and realize their long-term benefits. On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, John and Alan talk about the basic steps involved in bringing a CHP system to life, including what those considering CHP should think about at each step of the way. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP to learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.

This episode of Alternative Power Plays is Part 2 of a discussion with Al Neuner, Vice President of Facilities Operations at Geisinger Health Systems. To listen to Part 1, click here: https://anchor.fm/alternative-power-plays/episodes/Power-Player---Al-Neuner-of-Geisinger-Health-Systems-etpeug. Part 2 of the interview with Neuner focuses on some of the different types of cogeneration systems that businesses can consider and how Geisinger was, once again, ahead of the curve in this area. Specifically, Geisinger's CHP system was able to significantly lower emissions at its facility, which led to the facility receiving a handful of awards along the way. Additionally, Neuner talks about Geisinger's cold water storage system that's part of his facility's CHP and why that technology is so important for a health system. This episode is hosted by Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis, Energy attorneys at Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about Al Neuner and Geisinger, visit https://www.geisinger.org/.

This episode of Alternative Power Plays is Part 1 of a discussion with Al Neuner, Vice President of Facilities Operations at Geisinger Health Systems. Neuner is responsible for introducing a Combined Heat and Power system at Geisinger's flagship hospital and healthcare site in Central Pennsylvania in the late 1990s -- making him a true pioneer in the world of CHP. Since then, the system has delivered Geisinger consistently reliable energy in addition to millions in energy savings. This episode is hosted by Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis, Energy attorneys at Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney. The two of them focus their legal practice in the energy and public utility space, with specific work helping clients navigate the world of Combined Heat and Power. Part 1 of the interview with Neuner centers around his decision to bring a CHP system to Geisinger when few other healthcare facilities were even considering it. They talk about the biggest challenges with deploying CHP, the estimated cost to install and maintain, the estimated savings over the past 20-plus years, and more. Make sure to tune in next episode to hear Part 2 of this enlightening energy conversation. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about Al Neuner and Geisinger, visit https://www.geisinger.org/.

On this episode of Alternative Power Plays, we talk to a true Power Player in the world of combined heat and power (CHP) – Mike Larson, Business Development Director at DTE Energy Services, a diversified energy company based in Detroit. Hosted by Metin Celebi, principal at The Brattle Group, a global economic consulting firm and partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, this discussion centers around Mike's experience with CHP. The two talk about how he helps facilities of all types install the technology and what DTE Energy's role is in all this. As an outsourcer, DTE Energy can help companies who see value in combined heat and power but may not have the resources to plan, develop, and install themselves. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP and www.Brattle.com to learn more about how Buchanan and the Brattle Group can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about Mike Larson and DTE Energy, visit www.dtepowerandindustrial.com/.

Last week, unprecedented snowfall and frigid temperatures wreaked havoc on Texas' energy infrastructure, leaving millions across the state without power and heat for hours, or in many cases, days at a time. Many of the state's nuclear, gas, coal, wind and solar generating facilities were unable to handle the surge in power demand, and because Texas' energy grid is largely separate from neighboring states, Texas could not address this energy crisis by taking from the surrounding region. While the Texas works its way back from the energy crisis, there are lessons that individual businesses can take away from this catastrophic event and increase the reliability and resiliency of their electric supply despite severe weather emergencies. In the first episode of Alternative Power Plays – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's newest podcast all about the innovative ways in which businesses are getting electricity to their facilities, buildings and other sites – Buchanan energy attorneys Alan Seltzer and John Povilaitis discussed a specialized form of electric supply known as combined heat and power (CHP). CHP systems allow facilities to generate their own safe, reliable and cost-effective electric power without needing to depend exclusively on the electric grid and costly backup generators. They can allow facilities of all types – including hospitals, industrial and manufacturing facilities, universities and colleges, retirement communities, and more – to stay operational, even if the nearby electric grid is down for hours or days. In the episode, John and Alan discuss the situation in Texas, what went wrong, and how CHP offers facilities a way to protect a facility from some of the uncertainties of relying on the electric grid. For any facility or business considering CHP or more closely examining their energy needs, visit www.BIPC.com/CHP to learn more about how Buchanan can help you navigate all the steps involved. To read more about John Povilaitis, visit: https://www.bipc.com/john-povilaitis. To read more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer.