Energypreneurs

Australia's aggregated EV fleet capacity is expected to exceed Snowy Hydro 2.0 by the early 2030s. The government spent $12 billion on Snowy Hydro. The EV battery potential is sitting in driveways across the country — for free. But only if we can enable bidirectional charging. Portia Rooney spent three years working on exactly that — and took a Churchill Fellowship to Europe and China to study how the world's most advanced V2G programs actually work. Her verdict: the technology is ready. The OEM approval, interoperability and harmonisation of standards and regulations are the missing pieces. In this conversation: AC vs DC bidirectional charging, why a Nissan LEAF got bricked trying to do V2G, why power companies are going to have to adapt their business model and why the distributed Lego-block model has no single point of failure. "It doesn't have a central point. If you've got a transmission line transporting energy, there's a single point of failure. This doesn't." Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Ben Hutt runs Janus Electric — converting big diesel prime movers to electric for the same price as a diesel engine rebuild. In North America alone there are four million of these trucks. It would take the OEMs 50 years to manufacture that many new electric replacements. Conversion is the only realistic path. Battery swapping in four minutes. 450km range. 25 trucks sold with zero subsidy. And a business model that works like a Netflix subscription. "Australia needs to get better at exporting technology — not just digging stuff up out of the ground and putting it on a boat." Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Stella Whittaker spent four years doing a PhD on one question: why is it so hard to raise money for climate adaptation — the part of the climate crisis that's already happening? Her answer is in this episode. And it starts in Copenhagen, where three extreme flooding events in a row caused billions in damage and forced a city to redesign itself from the ground up — 300 projects, new street layouts, underground car parks built to double as flood infrastructure, all funded through a tariff on water. Stella is Lead of Climate Transition at Haskoning and was part of a €10 million European research project with 50 partners and 20 pilot municipalities. She now works to bring those models to Australia and the Asia-Pacific. We cover: why adaptation finance is the Cinderella of climate finance, what a real adaptation project actually looks like and how it gets funded, why Danish banks missed a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the world in adaptation bonds, and how developing countries can use the UNDP guide and Cities Climate Finance Laboratory to actually mobilize money — not just write reports. "It is possible. We just need to take a little bit of extra time and effort." Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Skip Bowman is an organisational psychologist who started interviewing energy leaders for a book on green leadership — and kept running into one question he couldn't answer: why does energy get more expensive when renewables are the cheapest ever created? Three years later, the answer became a book called "In the Dark." His conclusion: you will never get cheap power unless you take it. In this conversation: sky farming as the only job in a jobless economy, why there is no electricity generator trying to reduce your costs, the $21 billion in citizen capital Australia deployed without noticing, and why solar opens the account, the battery leverages the potential, and the EV sends the check.  15 to 20% return on investment. If you don't take it, somebody else will. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Two weeks after a dropped call cut our first conversation short, Tim Ryan is back — fresh from Race for 2030's Consumer Grid Summit with 40 of Australia's top energy minds. In this conversation: why VPPs are "a shell game" for businesses trying to control your battery, the NMI number sitting in your switchboard that could work exactly like a phone number once did, and why Tim believes energy will eventually work the way WhatsApp does — invisible, automatic, and nobody thinks about it. We also get into Project Edith, why retailers want to "hasten slowly," and why Tim is convinced this future is coming whether the incumbents like it or not. "It's there and it's possible. The question is how long it takes to get cheaper — and how businesses modify their approach on the way." Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Tim Ryan has spent decades thinking about energy markets — and he talks about them the way most people talk about sport. In this conversation we get into the Cheaper Home Battery Program's 450,000+ installations, why "self-consumption" isn't selfish, and why the old rule that electricity can't be stored is quietly becoming obsolete. We cover vehicle-to-grid ownership battles, why retailers are hiking daily fees right as consumers start saving, and why Tim believes the energy industry is about to have its own WhatsApp moment — the kind of shift that makes the old way of doing things look as outdated as a 1980s long-distance phone call. This conversation got cut short by a dropped connection. Stay tuned for Part 2. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Bambang Susantono has had three careers that would each be a full life's work — Vice Minister of Transportation for Indonesia, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank, and then the founding head of Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital city. In this conversation he explains why Nusantara studied three other purpose-built capitals — Astana, Brasília, and Canberra — to learn what not to do. His verdict on Myanmar's Naypyidaw, a city with five-star hotels and 20-lane roads: "the community doesn't have the soul." We also get into facial recognition and surveillance technology in modern cities, why AI should remain a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity, and a near-death experience surviving a cyclone in Samoa that reshaped how Bambang thinks about climate resilience. "Building forward better" — not "build back better." That's Bambang's principle, and it's the thread running through everything he's built. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Patrick Strom has spent 25 years in the wind industry, from prospecting sites to predictive maintenance on turbines the size of skyscrapers. His message is simple: renewables don't need subsidies anymore. They're winning on cost, full stop. In this conversation: why offshore wind's real bottleneck isn't catching the wind but absorbing it onto the grid, why concentrated solar power was "the wrong answer to the right question," and why 60% of decommissioned wind turbines in Denmark get a second life rather than the scrap heap. We also get into the lithium recycling myths fossil fuel defenders love to repeat, why insurance companies sometimes refuse to cover problems you can predict, and why offshore wind farms are quietly bringing fish habitats back to life. "It's pumped out of the ground, it's refined, it's burned, and it's gone." That's the fossil fuel business model. Here's what replaces it. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Bruce Nordman spent nearly 40 years at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory asking one question: what if we ran electricity the way we run the internet? His answer reframes everything. A notebook computer is already a nanogrid — it can run on battery or grid power, and it distributes electricity to every USB device plugged into it. Scale that idea up, add a price signal that machines (not people) respond to, and you have a model for the entire electricity grid — one that works the same way whether you're in California or an off-grid village in Sub-Saharan Africa. We cover the three things every grid actually needs to coordinate — energy, power, and capacity — why Bell Labs dismissed the internet before it existed, and why Bruce believes electricity technology is still trapped in the 19th century. This conversation ends on a teaser: direct current power distribution, and why your house might one day run almost entirely on it. Part 2, coming soon. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs  

John Lin grew up Dutch-Chinese, worked strategy at the Netherlands' biggest e-commerce company, and spent years telling his McKinsey colleagues that everything they called "the future of commerce" had already happened in China. Nobody listened. He was right. He now does 50 keynotes a year telling European boardrooms the same thing about EVs, AI, and energy. In this conversation, Xiaomi built a car factory in 180 days and took 200,000 pre-orders in 3 minutes for a car nobody had seen. AI agents ordered 10 million bubble teas in nine hours. Driverless cars with blue light indicators are on the streets right now. And a $70,000 phone-brand EV just demolished a $1 million Ferrari at the drag strip. The quartz crisis is coming for every industry. The question is which side of it you're on. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Originally published as Episode 230 — this conversation has only become more relevant since. Michael Barnard is a climate futurist who builds decade-by-decade projections of the energy transition through 2100. He doesn't claim to be right. He claims to be less wrong than most. In this episode: why hydrogen demand will fall, not rise — and why the narrative that sustained it for a decade is now collapsing. We also cover Pakistan's 22 gigawatt rooftop solar surprise, battery swapping for two and three-wheelers, containerized batteries sailing fully charged from China to Rotterdam, and why V2G is a rounding error for 90% of the world. The 2035 hydrogen study from Sweden's RISE Institute says it all: hydrogen won't pencil out for road transport — anywhere. Denial is also a river in Egypt. Watch the original: https://youtu.be/m0pXZsTjGqg?si=2h2fbLv8VRo_wH63 Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Hamish McKenzie is Deputy Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Grattan Institute. His team just published a landmark report on Australia's gas transition — and the findings are stark. Gas use has peaked across every sector. In the National Electricity Market, gas generation is down 61% since 2014 and now just 4% of the grid. More households are leaving the gas network than joining it for the first time ever. The bigger problem isn't that gas is declining. It's that nobody is managing the decline — no legal definition of decommissioning, no coordinated phase-out plan, and networks shutting down with six months notice. We also cover V2G, the home battery boom, hydrogen's real use case, and why Australia is the most advanced country in the world on household energy transition. Cooking with gas used to mean everything was fine. Times have changed. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Jess Hunt has spent 25 years redesigning electricity markets. She was involved in the Hornsdale Big Battery — the world's first grid-scale battery — and now consults for governments and regulators across Australia. In this conversation: the duck curve is dying, eight-hour battery storage is making gas redundant, and South Australia's latest firming tender went entirely to batteries. Gas companies weren't successful. We also get into free electricity, $23 per kilowatt-hour price spikes, and why your EV could pay for dinner on a peak demand night. South Australia is the world's renewable energy laboratory. Here's what they've learned. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Why is the energy transition inevitable? Not just desirable, but inevitable. In this first module of the Energypreneurs Masterclass, I curated five conversations from 300+ episodes to answer that question. You'll hear from a trucking entrepreneur, a clean energy analyst, a physicist, and an InsurTech founder, each telling the same story from a completely different angle. This masterclass is free for 3 months. 8 modules total. Hosted by Sohail Hasnie, 40 years in the power sector, former Asian Development Bank energy specialist. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

The Philippines imports $15 billion worth of oil every year. 4 million tricycles burn a significant share of it. Paul Johnston is the CEO of Pure EV, 350 electric tricycles operating across the Philippines, 92% utilisation, drivers taking home 30% more income. The technology works. The numbers work. We go into the unit economics, the financing barriers, the charging infrastructure, and why converting Jeepneys is a maths problem and not a technology problem. The question is want. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

The Philippines has one of the best renewable energy laws in the world, one of the highest electricity tariffs relative to income, and 278 island communities still running on diesel. Something doesn't add up. Ruth Yu Owen — CEO of UpGrade Energy Philippines, chair of two national energy committees, and one of the most connected people in Philippine clean energy — joins Sohail to explain why political will is the only variable that matters, and why this crisis might finally supply it. Solar. Batteries. EVs. The technology is ready. The question is whether the Philippines moves in months or decades. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guests are Sayeed and Zahir, two experienced engineers and infrastructure specialists who discuss Bangladesh's development journey across water, transport, urban planning, and renewable energy. The conversation explores lessons from large infrastructure projects, the importance of bottom-up development, the future of solar energy in Bangladesh, and how small entrepreneurs and informal businesses continue to drive economic growth and social impact. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs  

South Australia is producing 150% of its electricity demand from solar. Australia installed 10% of global battery capacity in a single month — for a country that represents 1% of the world's population. Something extraordinary is happening down under, and Daniel Perotti is in the middle of it. Daniel leads future mobility and electrification projects at RAA, South Australia's automobile club. In this conversation we explore why energy is heading toward free and abundant, how electric vehicles and rooftop solar are becoming one system, and what it means when your car becomes your power plant. We also get into autonomous driving, the death of range anxiety, and why the petrol car may be unsellable within a decade. If you think the energy transition is still decades away, this episode will change your mind. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs  

In this episode of the Energypreneurs Podcast, Raju Mandhyan discusses authentic influence, leadership, and staying true to your values in a rapidly changing world. Raju shares powerful personal stories and practical insights on what it means to influence others ethically, make difficult decisions, and draw clear boundaries in life and work. The conversation also explores the role of storytelling, the impact of artificial intelligence, and why authenticity matters more than ever. If you're interested in leadership, personal growth, and meaningful influence, this episode offers timeless lessons you can apply immediately. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

Jeff Wolfe, a pioneer of rooftop solar in the U.S., joins Energypreneurs to discuss the rapid evolution of solar, EVs, and battery storage, and what it means for the future of the grid. From $20 per watt solar to near-zero marginal cost electricity, this episode explores how energy is becoming decentralized — and why even a small shift could disrupt the entire utility model. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Jyoti Bisbey, a climate finance expert and former World Bank professional, discussing climate finance, adaptation vs mitigation, sustainable infrastructure, clean mobility, and the future of global development. She also shares career insights, leadership lessons, and perspectives on AI and sustainability. Please join to find more.  Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs  

In this episode, I reflect on the growing energy security crisis in net energy-importing developing countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines. Drawing from a recent visit to Dhaka, I share the powerful image of a mile-long fuel queue and paints the contrasting Picture of using electric vehicles powered by rooftop solar as a practical solution for many. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Penny Estrada, Chief Growth Officer in a global freight forwarding business. She shares how constant disruptions, rising fuel costs, and supply chain bottlenecks are reshaping logistics. Penny highlights the hidden operational strain behind these challenges, the shift toward sustainability and electrification, and the growing need for risk-aware decision-making. She also explores nearshoring, the Philippines' reliance on imports, and opportunities for building more resilient, locally driven economies. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Jasteanne "Jazzy" Benito, a survivor of Typhoon Haiyan who shares her firsthand experience of one of the most devastating storms in history. She reflects on how living through the disaster at just 16 shaped her views on climate change, resilience, and personal responsibility. From losing her home and rebuilding her life to becoming a successful entrepreneur in real estate, Jazzy's journey is a powerful story of transformation. She also shares her message to young people—to create, not just consume—and to take an active role in shaping a better future. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Pratish Halady, Regional Head for Private Sector Development (Southeast Asia) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He shares how ADB is bringing together green finance and private sector investment to accelerate the region's energy transition. We dive into real-world examples—from EV charging infrastructure and geothermal development to blended finance and policy reform—showing how markets are created and scaled. The conversation also explores energy security, electrification, and the role of regional initiatives like the ASEAN Power Grid in building a more resilient, low-carbon future. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Monalisa Dimalanta, former Chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission, who shares insights into the Philippines' evolving energy sector. We discuss the gap between strong renewable energy policies and execution, high power costs driven by fossil fuel dependence, and the challenges in off-grid island systems. Monalisa highlights opportunities to scale solar, storage, and hybrid solutions, alongside the need for regulatory reform. Looking ahead, she explores a future where electricity shifts from per-kilowatt-hour pricing to a service-based model. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Read More  

In this episode, our guest is David Beeton, CEO of Urban Foresight and a pioneer in electric mobility. He shares insights on the evolution of electric vehicles, the shift toward autonomous transport, and how cities can build smarter, more sustainable mobility systems. We explore key drivers of EV adoption—cost, convenience, and culture—alongside emerging trends like mobility-as-a-service, AI integration, and new financing models for infrastructure. David also highlights the critical role of policy, business models, and urban design in shaping the future of transportation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in EVs, smart cities, and the future of mobility. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

David Osmond breaks down how wind energy works, why turbines are getting bigger, and how wind complements solar power. He also explains how batteries, EVs, and smart grids can enable up to 98% renewable energy while debunking common myths about wind power. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Guillaume Rémy, who explains how carbon credits can accelerate electric mobility adoption and unlock new revenue streams. We explore Article 6 carbon markets, EV monetization strategies, and how climate finance can support scalable, low-carbon transport solutions in emerging markets. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Jay Gordon, discussing Australia's shift from gas to electricity, driven by rising costs, energy security, and net zero goals. He explores electrification, rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs, and how households are becoming key players in the clean energy transition. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our host Sohail Hasnie delivers a powerful monologue on how today's energy crisis can be turned into a policy opportunity. Drawing on his experience across Asia, he outlines ten urgent actions—from smart fuel rationing and efficient mobility to rapid solar deployment and transport electrification. Sohail highlights the risks of heavy dependence on imported oil and makes the case for bold, immediate policy decisions to accelerate electrification, renewable energy adoption, and long-term energy security. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

What does it really take to deliver a cross-border energy project? In this episode of Energypreneurs, I share the untold story behind the Asian Development Bank–financed West Kalimantan–Sarawak transmission line — a project that took seven years, dozens of stakeholders, and relentless persistence to bring to life. This is not a technical discussion. It's a human story. From early skepticism and missing documentation to pricing negotiations, stakeholder alignment, and on-the-ground challenges in Borneo, this episode reveals what actually happens behind large infrastructure projects — far beyond what you see in headlines. In the second part, I distill key lessons from the journey: Why you must start before you're ready Why people — not technology — determine success How pricing unlocks progress The importance of champions and alignment Why public sector financing is critical for cross-border projects Finally, I connect these lessons to today's energy transition — where regional grids, renewable energy, and cross-border collaboration are more important than ever. If you are working on infrastructure, energy, or large-scale projects — this episode is for you. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Nicole Mao, Co-Founder and CEO of a fast-growing EV battery swapping company. She shares how battery-as-a-service is transforming electric mobility in Bangladesh and beyond—reducing costs, eliminating charging downtime, and enabling scalable EV adoption in emerging markets. Nicole also discusses global expansion into the Middle East and Pakistan, the shift from climate-driven EV adoption to energy security, and how EV batteries can power the future through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and distributed energy networks. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Syed Haseeb Hassan, an EV charging expert and automotive industry analyst based in Germany. We explore how electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is evolving—from home EV chargers and AC wall boxes to ultra-fast DC charging stations and megawatt charging technology. Haseeb explains the different EV charging levels, public charging networks in Europe, charging costs compared to gasoline vehicles, and the role of battery storage in fast-charging stations. The discussion also covers emerging innovations such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), battery swapping, and inductive charging, along with global EV market trends and the growing influence of Chinese EV manufacturers. If you're interested in electric vehicles, EV charging technology, energy transition, and the future of mobility, this episode provides practical insights into how the EV ecosystem is rapidly transforming. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

"The era of the power station is ending." In this episode, John Noonan explains how rooftop solar, batteries, and distributed energy are reshaping the grid, and why South Australia is already proving it can work. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Manav (CEO), Alpna and Adwitya—the co-founding team—of Driven, who are tackling one of the biggest barriers to electrifying heavy transport: financing. They explain how Driven enables fleet operators to adopt electric buses and trucks through a leasing model, bundling vehicles, charging infrastructure, and service guarantees. The conversation explores why heavy vehicles are difficult to finance, how data from EV fleets helps manage risk and improve operations, and why large commercial fleets represent a major opportunity for decarbonizing transport. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Neal Moore, a communication coach, writer, and actor who helps professionals and organisations tell better stories for business impact. Neal shares insights on personal branding, explaining why job titles are less important than clearly communicating the value you bring to others. We discuss how storytelling, thoughtful use of LinkedIn, and consistent value-sharing can help build a strong professional presence. Neal also reflects on the importance of real-world connections and introduces his "Pro Human" philosophy—encouraging more human creativity, collaboration, and meaningful relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Frank Haugwitz, a long-time China energy expert who has witnessed firsthand the country's transformation into the world's clean energy powerhouse. Frank explains how early rural solar programs, strong industrial policy, global demand, and relentless competition helped China dominate solar manufacturing and deployment. He shares insights into China's risk-taking culture, rapid innovation cycles, grid challenges, and what the rest of the world can learn from its clean tech journey. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Robert Stewart, founder of Collective Power Boroondara, Melbourne, Australia, who explores how the energy transition must go beyond technology to focus on people and relationships. As solar, batteries, and EVs transform households into both producers and consumers, Robert argues the grid is becoming a shared community asset. He explains why many households are on the wrong tariffs, why VPP uptake remains low, and how a non-distributing cooperative model can help build trust, improve equity, and unlock better outcomes for everyone. This conversation highlights why the future of energy depends not just on smarter technology — but on stronger communities. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Mountain, Director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre at Victoria University in Melbourne. With over three decades in energy economics and policy, Bruce shares sharp insights into how distributed solar, batteries, and EVs are reshaping the electricity market. We discuss the rapid fall in battery costs, the growing possibility of grid defection, and whether traditional distribution monopolies face stranded assets. Bruce also gives a candid critique of Australia's proposed "free electricity" policy, questioning whether it promotes fairness — or distorts the market. From vehicle-to-grid to regulatory reform, this conversation challenges the role of government in the energy transition. Bruce argues that the economics of clean energy now stand on their own — and that policymakers should focus less on subsidies and more on removing barriers. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this 300th episode of Energypreneurs, I do a solo monologue reflecting on why I started the podcast during COVID and what I have learned over five years and 300 conversations. I share how podcasting has helped me clarify my thinking on climate, electric vehicles, batteries, and clean energy policy, while building a strong global network of founders, engineers, and investors. I also explain why podcasting is even more relevant in the age of AI — as a tool for authenticity, credibility, and long-term intellectual asset creation. Finally, I walk through the practical side of starting a podcast today — from format choices and simple recording setups to using AI tools for editing and content creation — and why you should consider starting one yourself. Please join to find more: Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Karl Nolles, an energy economist and former system control operator with experience spanning academia, banking, and government.   Karl shares lessons from early carbon markets, integrating solar and batteries into isolated grids, and the technical realities of synthetic inertia and system stability. We discuss policy intervention, regulatory risk, behind-the-meter optimisation, and the growing energy demands of AI and data centers.   The conversation concludes with a deep dive into biodiversity credit markets and the land-use impacts of large-scale solar, including why renewable expansion is creating significant demand for conservation offsets.   Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Megan Fisher, CEO and Director of Energy Lab, a startup support organisation helping climate tech founders build and scale solutions for decarbonisation. Megan explains how Energy Lab backs entrepreneurs from idea stage to international growth through accelerator programs, mentors and investors, with examples ranging from grid software and virtual power plants to solar and storage innovations. She also reflects on mid-career founders, the importance of diversity—especially more women in climate tech—and why climate entrepreneurship can become a major economic engine in the energy transition. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Omar Riahi, an EV influencer, author, and customer experience lead at Percepta. Omar shares his personal journey from skeptic to passionate advocate, revealing how EVs are transforming not just transportation, but the entire energy landscape. We discuss the evolution of customer adoption, the economics of vehicle-to-grid systems, and the global momentum toward electric mobility. From charging myths to the rise of EVs in Asia and Europe, Omar brings frontline insight into how seamless customer experience is the key to mass adoption. This episode is a deep dive into how EVs are becoming energy assets and what the frictionless, electrified future looks like. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Bill Shevlin, CEO of Clearbook Energy Solutions and a returning voice to the show. Bill shares remarkable insights from the frontlines of the energy transition, highlighting how microgrids, battery manufacturing, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, and virtual power plants (VPPs) are redefining the way we generate, store, and distribute electricity. He reflects on Australia's pioneering approach to free midday electricity, discusses the future role of AI in energy systems, and explores how electrification—combined with intelligent grid solutions—can revolutionize industries, communities, and daily life. A must-listen conversation on how abundance, resilience, and decentralization are shaping our energy future. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

This is an end-of-year monologue from me, Sohail Hasnie, your host at Energypreneurs. In this solo episode, I reflect on the most powerful trends, insights, and conversations from the past year. From the rooftop solar revolution and vehicle-to-grid breakthroughs to the electrification of mining, hydrogen's reality check, and AI's growing impact—I cover it all. I also share why I believe the next big leap isn't more invention, but smarter integration. It's a personal wrap-up of 2025's clean energy journey and where we're heading next. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, Sohail Hasnie shares a powerful monologue unpacking why internal combustion engine vehicles are on the brink of obsolescence — and why electric vehicles (EVs) are the smarter choice today and into the future. Drawing comparisons to outdated technologies like film cameras and Blackberries, Sohail explores the economic, technological, and policy shifts that are transforming the transport and energy sectors. He discusses how falling battery costs, bidirectional charging, and rising fuel prices are making EVs cheaper to operate — and soon, cheaper to own. He also warns of the risk of stranded assets for those buying new petrol vehicles today, and outlines how EVs could become income-generating and home energy assets. This solo episode is a compelling call to action for consumers, policymakers, and industry leaders navigating the energy transition. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

Description: In this episode, our guest is Stanley Choi, a dynamic leader at SANY Group Australia, a global OEM driving electrification in heavy industry and infrastructure. Stanley shares insights into how SANY is delivering complete energy and transport solutions—from electric mining trucks to autonomous factories producing EVs in under 10 minutes. He discusses how SANY's off-grid power systems are helping decarbonize mining operations in Australia and South Africa, leveraging in-house solar, battery, and wind technologies. Stanley also highlights the challenges and opportunities for commercial EV adoption, including Australia's infrastructure gaps and the promise of autonomous and AI-driven logistics. A compelling look at innovation in energy, transport, and industrial automation. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Stephanie Bashir, Founder and CEO of Nexa Advisory. With over two decades of experience in Australia's energy sector, Stephanie shares a compelling vision for a consumer-driven clean energy future. From rooftop solar and home batteries to commercial-scale renewables and regulatory reform, she unpacks the big shifts reshaping Australia's energy market. Stephanie discusses the phasing out of coal, barriers to transmission upgrades, the equity implications of fixed network charges, and how electric vehicles and household storage are redefining the role of utilities. She also calls for open, honest conversations on modernizing the grid and ensuring energy affordability for all. This is a dynamic conversation on policy, innovation, and people-powered change. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our returning guest is Tim Buckley, Director of Climate Energy Finance, and a leading voice in Australia's clean energy transition. Tim shares a passionate and data-driven overview of how rooftop solar, home batteries, and EVs are transforming Australia's energy landscape. He discusses record-breaking renewable penetration, the game-changing impact of battery subsidies, and the economics of solar that now defy fossil-fuel logic. Tim also emphasizes energy equity—highlighting policies aimed at helping renters and low-income households access clean energy, including a novel proposal offering 3 hours of free midday electricity. With insights spanning from China's global clean tech exports to Pakistan's rooftop solar surge, this episode is a masterclass in how distributed energy, electrification, and smart regulation can deliver a more affordable, secure, and sustainable future. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Curtis S. Chin, former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and current Asia Fellow at the Milken Institute. With deep experience spanning diplomacy, finance, and sustainable development, Curtis shares insights on Asia's energy future, the balance of access and innovation, and why responsible development must focus on "People, Planet, and Partnership." He reflects on his days at the ADB, the need for localized energy solutions like micro-hydro and solar, and why maintenance—not just installation—is critical for long-term success. The conversation also dives into AI's growing role, the risks of misinformation, the widening digital divide, and how social and AI literacy are becoming vital skills. Curtis also touches on entrepreneurship, sharing case studies from clean tech to creative economies, while encouraging a broader, more inclusive definition of prosperity—one that includes investing in children, health, education, and community-level impact. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs