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Get in touch - leave me a messageFor years, renewable natural gas had a basic problem in heavy-duty trucking: it lacked a 15-litre engine capable of doing the work fleets expect from diesel. That barrier is disappearing. The harder question now is whether the economics and infrastructure stack up.My guest is Scott Brinner, Executive Vice President of RNG Solutions at NoPetro Energy, who works across RNG production, fuelling and fleet deployment. We look at the real decision facing operators: can fuel savings overcome a $70,000–$90,000 truck premium without creating new operational risk?We examine why high-mileage, return-to-base fleets may be the strongest early fit, what fuelling and maintenance infrastructure can quietly derail adoption, and why the climate case depends on feedstock, methane leakage and lifecycle accounting—not the label on the pump. We also test where RNG belongs alongside battery-electric trucking rather than treating every route as the same problem.Listen now to understand where renewable natural gas can genuinely work in heavy-duty trucking—and what fleets need to prove before scaling it.Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
A crisis has been building in Europe's automotive industry over the past few years, as it has struggled to adapt to the challenges of Chinese competition and the shift to electromobility. For a sector that employs millions of workers, this is a serious issue - for people's jobs, for Europe's industrial core, and for the green transition as a whole. So let's unpack this complicated relationship between the woes of the car industry and the push for electrification in Europe. How much is the former due to the latter, and why has electrification not happened faster? More fundamentally, what role should EU policy be playing in this delicate balancing act between climate, social and industrial objectives? With me today to do this unpacking are Benjamin Denis, Head of Industrial Policy Coordination at IndustriAll Europe, which is the trade union federation of industrial workers, and Tommaso Pardi, Senior Researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, Director of GERPISA, the research network on the automotive industry, and contributor to the ETUI's recently published book 'Is ‘electromobility made in Europe' still possible?' Further reading Is ‘electromobility made in Europe' still possible? | etui Is Europe on track towards net zero mobility? | etui On the way to electromobility - a green(er) but more unequal future? | etui Heavier, faster and less affordable cars | etui Enough is Enough (IndustriAll Europe campaign on the future of industry and industrial jobs in Europe)
Four years ago, a handful of Canberra volunteers set out to prove that entire communities could move from gas and petrol to efficient electric homes and transport. Their campaign has now become Go Electric, a major ARENA-backed pilot helping up to 1,000 households electrify through a coordinated one-stop service. Following in the footsteps of Electrify 2515 in the Illawarra, but operating on a larger scale, the project will test whether finance, trades, technology and customer support can be brought together in a model that can be replicated elsewhere. It will also tackle difficult questions about grid capacity, renters and the use of 200 electric vehicles as batteries for homes and the wider energy system. Electrify Canberra co-founder Sarah Reid explains how community trust and persistent advocacy turned an ambitious volunteer campaign into a real-world demonstration.
In this episode of BDO's Private Equity PErspectives Podcast, host Todd Kinney continues his conversation with Laurence Lederer, Partner at HKW Management, and Peter Calamari, Managing Director at Platte River Equity, to discuss:How the electrification supercycle, data center build-out, and aging electrical grid are creating opportunities across industrial equipment, services, and infrastructureWhy tariff exposure, supply chain resilience, pricing power, and the ability to recruit and train skilled workers are becoming increasingly important during diligenceWhich trends could shape the industrial investment outlook through 2027, including automation, robotics, water infrastructure, AI adoption, and growing competition for high-quality assets
This week on the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with Morgan Scott, EPRI Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Faith Davis, who leads Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i), to discuss how the utility industry is adapting to a rapidly changing landscape. Together, they explore lessons learned from climate resilience efforts, emerging technologies attracting investment, and the growing role of data, AI, and innovation in planning for future risks. They also examine the intersection of resilience, infrastructure investment, and affordability, and share their vision for how climate-informed planning can help build a more reliable and adaptable energy system in the years ahead. The episode also explores the impact of EPRI's Climate READi Initiative (https://www.epri.com/research/sectors/readi), which helps establish a consistent, industry-wide approach to assessing climate risk and informing climate-ready planning. Learn more about Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i): https://www.exeloncorp.com/community/foundation For more episodes visit EPRI.com. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com
As the electrification of heat increases and technologies like heat pump adoption grows, it's tempting to assume the gas network can simply be wound down street by street, in line with falling demand. But it's not as simple as this: network topology, not customer count, decides when decommissioning is actually viable, and the UK gas network is nowhere close to that point today.Sam Wilson, Director of Energy System Operations at Cadent, joins the podcast to explain the engineering reality behind that constraint — and how things like pressure control, storage, and gas injection all factor into it.They cover:Why network topology, not customer count, decides when decommissioning is actually viableHow gas goes from completely odourless at transmission pressure to detectable on your street.What it takes to step pressure down from around 90 bar in the transmission system, through off-takes and above ground installations, to roughly 30 millibars at a domestic appliance.How line packing turns the pipe network itself into short-duration storage, with operators raising or lowering in-pipe pressure to absorb daily demand swings.What's actually limiting how much biomethane and hydrogen can go into the network today, and why hydrogen can be blended in without any changes needed to downstream appliances.Want to know how heat electrification could reshape power demand in GB? Ask Ko - Modo Energy's AI energy analyst - sign up for free hereTranscript available hereYou can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday. Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:09 What people get wrong about the gas network.3:03 From gas field to home boiler: the full journey4:33 UK's four gas distribution networks explained5:15 Transmission pressure: 90 bar and above6:25 Line packing - storing gas inside the pipes7:55 Industrial vs domestic gas pressure needs12:34 Replacing 100-year-old cast iron gas pipes13:56 Biomethane in the gas network17:15 Hydrogen blending: how much the network can take21:22 Getting hydrogen to industrial gas users23:18 Electrification vs the gas network's engineering reality24:26 What happens when homes remove their gas connection25:46 Why decommissioning the gas network isn't linear31:57 Sam Wilson's contrarian take on the energy transitionMusic licensed via Artlist.
As the electrification of heat increases and technologies like heat pump adoption grows, it's tempting to assume the gas network can simply be wound down street by street, in line with falling demand. But it's not as simple as this: network topology, not customer count, decides when decommissioning is actually viable, and the UK gas network is nowhere close to that point today.Sam Wilson, Director of Energy System Operations at Cadent, joins the podcast to explain the engineering reality behind that constraint — and how things like pressure control, storage, and gas injection all factor into it.They cover:Why network topology, not customer count, decides when decommissioning is actually viableHow gas goes from completely odourless at transmission pressure to detectable on your street.What it takes to step pressure down from around 90 bar in the transmission system, through off-takes and above ground installations, to roughly 30 millibars at a domestic appliance.How line packing turns the pipe network itself into short-duration storage, with operators raising or lowering in-pipe pressure to absorb daily demand swings.What's actually limiting how much biomethane and hydrogen can go into the network today, and why hydrogen can be blended in without any changes needed to downstream appliances.Want to know how heat electrification could reshape power demand in GB? Ask Ko - Modo Energy's AI energy analyst - sign up for free hereTranscript available hereYou can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday. Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:09 What people get wrong about the gas network.3:03 From gas field to home boiler: the full journey4:33 UK's four gas distribution networks explained5:15 Transmission pressure: 90 bar and above6:25 Line packing - storing gas inside the pipes7:55 Industrial vs domestic gas pressure needs12:34 Replacing 100-year-old cast iron gas pipes13:56 Biomethane in the gas network17:15 Hydrogen blending: how much the network can take21:22 Getting hydrogen to industrial gas users23:18 Electrification vs the gas network's engineering reality24:26 What happens when homes remove their gas connection25:46 Why decommissioning the gas network isn't linear31:57 Sam Wilson's contrarian take on the energy transitionMusic licensed via Artlist.
In this episode of the Energy News Beat Podcast, host Stu Turley sits down with Christo Liebenberg, President, Co-Founder, and Chief Technical Advisor of LIS Technologies, to explore one of the most promising solutions to America's nuclear fuel crisis. As global demand for nuclear power accelerates—driven by AI data centers, electrification, and climate imperatives—the U.S. faces a critical challenge: it currently produces only one-third of its own uranium enrichment needs, relying on imports from Russia and Western Europe. LIS Technologies is reviving a decades-old technology that could transform this landscape. Using advanced laser isotope separation, the company aims to enrich uranium more efficiently, recycle spent nuclear fuel, and establish U.S. energy independence. With a working prototype weeks away from operation, a 206-acre facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and a strategic partnership with Nano Nuclear, Liebenberg discusses the ambitious roadmap to commercialization, the regulatory pathway forward, and why laser enrichment has long been considered the "holy grail" of enrichment technologies. This conversation explores not just a technological breakthrough, but a pivotal moment for American nuclear energy and national security.LIS Technologies Website: https://laseristech.com/Christo Liebenberg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christo-liebenberg-838b4343/1. Laser Isotope Separation (LIS) TechnologyThe core focus is LIS Technologies' development of laser-based uranium enrichment. This technology uses lasers to selectively target uranium-235 isotopes, enriching uranium in a single stage—far more efficient than traditional centrifuge methods that require dozens of stages. The technology was originally demonstrated in the late 1980s-early 1990s and is now being revived and commercialized.2. Nuclear Fuel Independence & National SecurityA major theme is breaking U.S. dependence on Russian and Western European nuclear fuel. Currently, the U.S. only produces one-third of its enrichment needs domestically and imports two-thirds from abroad. LIS Technologies aims to make the U.S. self-sufficient in nuclear fuel production, positioning it as both an energy security and national security issue.3. Growing Demand for Nuclear PowerThe podcast emphasizes accelerating demand driven by:AI data centers (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta all gravitating toward nuclear)Electrification and climate change concernsSmall modular reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactors for diverse applicationsMaritime applications (ships, tankers powered by nuclear instead of bunker fuel)4. Spent Nuclear Fuel ReprocessingA key application: only 3% of nuclear fuel is burned in reactors, leaving 97% as spent fuel. Laser enrichment can selectively remove contaminant isotopes (uranium-232, 234, 236) and recover usable uranium-235, effectively recycling spent fuel.5. Commercialization Timeline & InfrastructureLIS Technologies' roadmap includes:Phase 1: Re-demonstrate 1993 baseline results (weeks away from loading uranium hexafluoride)Phase 2: Scale hardwarePhase 3: Build a pilot plant by 2030 (500,000 SWU/year) and full commercial facility by 2032 (5 million SWU/year)They've purchased a 206-acre island in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the commercial facility6. Scaling Nuclear CapacityTo quadruple U.S. nuclear power by 2050 (from 100 to 400 gigawatts), the U.S. would need roughly 380-600 new reactors. This requires a 12-fold increase in enrichment capacity and rebuilding the entire nuclear fuel cycle (mining, milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fuel fabrication).7. Strategic Partnerships & Vertical IntegrationLIS Technologies is partnering with Nano Nuclear to create a vertically integrated nuclear supply chain covering the entire fuel cycle—from mining and milling through enrichment, transportation, and reactor deployment.8. Regulatory & Licensing ProgressAlready has Tennessee radiological materials licensePreparing NRC license application with environmental report submission planned for end of 2024Team includes 200+ years of NRC expertise from former NRC employees9. Competitive LandscapeLIS Technologies is the only U.S.-owned, U.S.-origin laser enrichment company. Their main competitor is Global Laser Enrichment (Australian-based). The U.S. currently has only one enrichment facility (Urenco USA in New Mexico), operated by a foreign company.10. Dr. Jeff Eerkens' LegacyThe technology is based on work by 95-year-old co-founder Dr. Jeff Eerkens, known as the "father of laser enrichment." His personal story—surviving a Japanese concentration camp during WWII and being freed by atomic power—connects to developing this technology at Oak Ridge, where the uranium that saved his life was originally produced.At Energy News Beat, we Make Appendices Great Again.Check out the World's Greatest Podcast Show Notes at EnergyNewsBeat.co or EnergyNewsBeat.com, and the Energy News Beat Substack at: https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/A shout-out to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting group for sponsoring the Podcast https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/.Data2 if you have any business systems, can you trust A? Well, they have the patent on validation. . https://data2.zoholandingpage.com/energyAnd we have WellDatabase rolling, and we use their tools for the Energy News Beat weekly Rig Reports: https://welldatabase.com/Also entering Sponsor Rey Trevino, Pecos Operating https://pecos.energy/
In this episode, Gil Jenkins and Guy Van Syckle speak with John Hensley, Senior Vice President – Markets and Policy Analysis for the American Clean Power Association (ACP). We dig into how clean energy manufacturing is powering a new chapter of economic prosperity, exploring the industry's rapid growth in facilities, the economic impact on communities, workforce development challenges, supply chain progress, the role of the 45X tax credit, and where the industry is headed by 2030.Links: John Hensley LinkedIn America Builds Power: The State of Clean Energy Manufacturing 2026Episode recorded June 26, 2026. Email your feedback to Gil, Guy, Hilary, and Kenny at climatepositive@hasi.com.
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
Mentor Sessions Ep 096: Zack Shapiro explains AI existential risk, AI regulation, the Clarity Act, Samurai Wallet, and open source AI policy for Bitcoin.The Clarity Act just failed on the Senate floor, and the fight over whether writing Bitcoin code can be treated as a crime is now heading to 70-year-old federal judges. Zack Shapiro breaks down what that means for self-custody, open source software, and the Samurai Wallet developers still behind bars.In this conversation you'll learn why Zack separates AI existential risk (recursive self-improvement, the orthogonality thesis, instrumental convergence) from the ordinary risks of AI — job displacement, regulatory capture by frontier labs, and cyber attacks like the Cold Card hack. You'll see why he thinks open source AI is not the existential threat, why the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) matters more than most Bitcoiners realize, and how the 'two clocks' of AI capability vs enterprise adoption will define the next decade. You'll also get the legal reality behind white hat recovery of hacked Bitcoin, why the liquid hacker is in a bad spot, and what happened when the Clarity Act died on the vine.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Intro0:51 - Amodei, Musk and Altman urge AI slowdown1:38 - Ordinary risks versus existential AI threats2:26 - Politics warping the AI safety debate3:20 - Bostrom, AGI and intelligence explosion risks5:01 - Orthogonality thesis and instrumental convergence5:59 - Hugging Face attack shows AI covering tracks6:58 - No easy policy fixes for AI risks8:08 - Can't stop AI progress or open source China9:32 - Separating x-risk concerns from anti-AI populism12:22 - Regulatory capture and Anthropic IPO timing14:21 - Keeping open source AI legal and available16:39 - Trezor self-custody sponsor read17:43 - One shot parallel between Bitcoin and AI19:37 - Where real AI productivity gains appear20:47 - Two Clocks: capability versus enterprise adoption24:22 - Is AI coming for your job?25:28 - Electrification analogy and 30-year lag28:34 - Jevons Paradox and future of work30:42 - White hat recovery of Cold Card hacked funds34:02 - Legal precedent for white hat bounties36:56 - Why the Liquid hacker faces trouble38:55 - What's actually in the Clarity Act43:46 - Money transmitter law and the Samurai case45:20 - Tornado Cash, FinCEN and frying pan argument47:31 - Why this could ban using Bitcoin49:33 - BRCA criminal protections and court battles53:42 - Clarity Act fails to pass what happened55:24 - Senator Lummis stood on principle56:50 - Where to follow Zack ShapiroGuest: Zack Shapiro — lawyer and AI-native law firm builder covering crypto policy, AI regulation, and Bitcoin legal defense.
Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar and home batteries are booming. But electricity still only accounts for around 21 per cent of the energy we consume. So why are we still burning so much gas, petrol and diesel when renewable electricity is increasingly cheap and abundant? More than 30 organisations have joined forces to launch Electrify Australia, pushing to accelerate electrification across homes, businesses, transport, farms and industry. But even when the economics stack up, grid connection delays, outdated regulation, conflicting government policies and entrenched interests can stand in the way, while renters, apartment dwellers and lower-income households risk being left behind. Energy Efficiency Council policy head Jeremy Sung explains what's holding Australia back and what needs to change to turn our renewable energy success into an electrified economy.
Why sustainable mobility takes more than electric cars, with Debbie Hopkins, even as their share of new car sales grew nearly tenfold since ETS #96.
Get in touch - leave me a messageBuilding more renewable generation is not enough if the grid cannot carry the electricity to where it is needed. Curtailment, connection queues and delayed infrastructure are turning grid capacity into a climate and competitiveness constraint.My guest today is Niklas Persson, CEO of Grid Integration at Hitachi Energy, with nearly three decades in electrification. We look at what happens as industry, transport and data centres demand more clean power while transmission infrastructure, permitting and grid connections struggle to keep pace.We examine why the grid may need to arrive before demand is certain, how interconnectors can reduce the cost of resilience, and whether energy independence could actually require greater cross-border interdependence. We also explore HVDC, the 600 MW ELMED link between Tunisia and Italy, and a harder policy question: when grid capacity is scarce, who should get connected first?Listen now to understand why electricity generation is only half the decarbonisation challenge, and what has to change if clean power is actually going to reach the businesses, vehicles and communities that need it.Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
Transportation is changing fast. From sustainability concerns to climate resiliency to EVs, the systems we use today will look very different very soon. That's what Christy Mihyeon Jeon joins us to talk about.
This is a replay of our conversation with Dr. Blake Shaffer, an energy economist at the University of Calgary, on Canada's electrification bet. We recorded this in spring 2023, right after the federal budget's big bet on clean electricity. With AI data centres now competing for the same grid capacity electrification needs, it might be even more relevant than it was in 2023.Chapters:0:00 – Replaying Canada's electrification bet 4:52 – David's new gig: climate systems engineering at UChicago 7:16 – Why electrify: Blake's primer on capacity vs. generation 17:35 – Growth rates, NIMBYism, and selling the switch to consumers 22:11 – Capacity factor, availability, and the "clean" vs. "zero-emission" fight 26:31 – Transmission bottlenecks and interprovincial politics 36:07 – Social license, orphan wells, and Danielle Smith's pushback 44:41 – Grid instability, audience Q&A, and closing thoughtsAbout Our Guest:Blake Shaffer is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary where he teaches and researches on electricity markets, climate policy, and energy transitions. Shaffer uses empirical methods to evaluate policy effectiveness and better understand consumer and firm behaviour. Shaffer strives to bring rigorous evidence to help policy makers craft better policy.Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Follow us on:LinkedInBlueskyX/TwitterInstagramEnergy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep Energy vs Climate goingProduced by Bespoke Podcasts
At the 2026 iVT Off-Highway Expo, Fluid Power Forum guest host Ben Brown interviews Greg Shtrahman of Marzocchi Pumps about trends at iVT, including hybrid technology, electric drive systems, integration, and sensors, and how they can pair with hydraulic pumps. Shtrahman highlights Marzocchi's vertically integrated manufacturing of hydraulic gear pumps, gear motors, helical gear pumps, and micro pumps, emphasizing helical technology as a driver for electrification due to low noise (about 40 dB or less), dual compensation, low-RPM high-efficiency performance (90%+ volumetric efficiency), and new four-quadrant bidirectional capability. He explains how reversible helical pumps and motors with VFD control can reduce reliance on proportional valves and pressure-compensated piston pumps, with key off-highway applications such as battery-powered waste management trucks, mobile equipment, and material handling. Connect with our guest host, Ben Brown, at bbrown@nfpa.com. Connect with our guest, Greg Shtrahman, at gregs@marzocchipumpsusa.com. Learn more about Marzocchi Pumps at marzocchipompe.com. Find and share more interesting fluid power technologies and unique applications using #onlyfluidpowercan and follow podcast and other fluid power industry-related updates at @TheNFPA.
Get in touch - leave me a messageSolar, batteries and EVs are moving fast enough to change the risk calculus for energy investment. The bigger mistake may now be assuming today's system, and its customers, will still be there tomorrow.I speak with Professor Ray Wills, Managing Director of Future Smart Strategies, who has been modelling technology adoption curves for years. We examine what accelerating clean-energy deployment means for capital allocation, electricity prices, new gas infrastructure and industrial competitiveness.We look at how batteries can reshape power-market economics before they dominate annual generation, why conventional forecasts may struggle with nonlinear adoption, and what China's scale in solar, batteries and EVs tells Western leaders about where competitive advantage is moving. The harder question is no longer simply how fast these technologies can grow, but how costly it becomes to plan as though they won't.Listen now to understand how rapidly changing energy economics could alter the investment decisions businesses and policymakers are making today. Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
Alan Cooper is co-founder and CEO of ON.energy, a Miami-based company building battery-backed power systems for AI data centers. Its flagship product, AI UPS, sits between the grid and a data center, creating a buffer that isolates the grid from the massive volatility of AI workloads while providing uninterrupted power to the entire campus. In this episode of Inevitable, Cooper explains how a career spanning oil and gas, geothermal, battery storage, and grid services ultimately led to ON.energy's focus on AI infrastructure. He breaks down why gigawatt-scale AI data centers create a fundamentally different challenge for the grid, and how ON.energy's series-connected battery architecture can act as an electrical "firewall" between the grid, onsite generation, and the data center. The conversation explores ON.energy's evolution from a battery storage project developer into a technology company, its proprietary hardware and software stack, and the role of power controls in making massive data center projects more resilient and easier to interconnect. Cooper also discusses the company's path to market, extensive technical validation, business model, and largely bootstrapped approach to growth. Finally, Cooper argues that data centers don't have to be a liability for the grid. With the right infrastructure and regulatory framework, he believes they can become active grid participants—and potentially make the energy system more robust. Episode recorded on August 26, 2026 (Published on September 8, 2026). In this episode, we cover: (0:00) An overview of ON.energy (2:24) Alan's background in oil and gas, geothermal, and battery storage (5:57) Alan's perspective on Venezuela and enhanced oil recovery (10:35) How the 2014 oil crash led to ON.energy (12:25) ON.energy's evolution from battery storage developer to technology company (15:32) Traditional BESS vs. AI UPS (16:15) How AI UPS creates a buffer between the grid and data centers (17:20) Why AI data centers create unique challenges for the grid (20:16) Using AI UPS with onsite generation and off-grid power (21:41) How ON.energy can simplify data center interconnection (23:14) ON.command and the importance of software controls (24:15) ON.energy's proprietary hardware architecture (25:35) Building supply-chain certainty at massive scale (27:25) ON.energy's path from resiliency projects to AI infrastructure (29:03) Battery storage as the "Swiss army knife" of the electric sector (30:01) Technical validation at the Department of Energy's Flatirons Campus (31:56) ON.energy's business model (34:31) Why AI's large-load problem is here to stay (35:52) AI training vs. inference and the future of data center infrastructure (38:12) Why AI infrastructure can create American jobs (39:27) Building ON.energy through bootstrapping and disciplined capital allocation (41:48) Turning data centers into grid assets Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
Polen Capital's Drew Cupps discusses PCSG, the firm's small-to-mid-cap growth ETF, which combines fundamental, technical, and thematic disciplines. He highlights the enduring power of AI and electrification themes, noting that small and mid-cap companies are crucial enablers for larger tech names like Microsoft (MSFT) and Nvidia (NVDA).======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Get in touch - leave me a messageLong-duration energy storage is increasingly ready to deploy. The harder problem is that electricity markets still struggle to value what duration actually provides - flexibility, reliability and power when the sun sets, the wind drops and demand peaks.My guest is Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council. She works across the policy, finance and deployment questions shaping this market, and brings a useful view of what is already happening in places such as China, Australia, the UK, Ireland and the US.We look at why storage is becoming an infrastructure and investment question rather than simply a technology question; what changes when markets pay for four hours of capacity but the grid increasingly needs eight, 12 or 24; and why revenue certainty may now matter more than another technical breakthrough. We also examine what China appears to be getting right about deployment, and why long-duration storage matters for data centres, industrial heat and renewable-heavy grids.Listen now to understand what is really holding back long-duration energy storage at scale, and what could shift the economics, policy and investment case.Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
AI has dominated markets, but could some of the more interesting long-term opportunities now lie elsewhere? Michelle Martin looks at two structural themes: healthcare innovation and the infrastructure required for global electrification with four names in focus. We also examine what separates a genuine megatrend from a compelling investment story, the risks of paying too much for long-term growth, and how investors can gain thematic exposure without simply replacing one concentrated trade with another. MIchelle speaks with Shanon Tang, Investment Specialist at PhillipCapital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the fate of the Canadian Electricity Advisory Council's recommendations to the challenge of connecting data centres, Philippe Dunsky joins host Francis Bradley to discuss the difficult decisions confronting policymakers, regulators and utilities as Canada balances economic growth, affordability, reliability and electrification.Links:Dunsky Energy + ClimatePhilippe Dunsky on LinkedInCanadian Electricity Advisory Council's final report “Powering Canada: A blueprint for success”Book recommendation:Clearing the Air: A Hopeful Guide to Solving Climate Change in 50 Questions and Answers, by Hannah Ritchie
The EU wants to nearly double its electrification rate to 46% by 2040, a transformation that would slash fossil fuel imports by hundreds of billions of euros annually. In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte examines the EU's Electrification Action Plan and assesses whether Europe can realistically achieve it. Coralie Laurencin, director of European gas, power and carbon policy at S&P Global Energy CERA, and Andreas Franke, editorial lead on European power markets at S&P Global Energy Platts, unpack the formidable challenges: stubbornly high electricity costs, taxation and subsidy structures, and massive grid investments needed to support surging demand. The conversation breaks down which sectors will electrify fastest and which face steeper obstacles, from Germany's industrial power subsidies to France's nuclear-backed power contracts. As geopolitical instability threatens global supply chains, electrification has emerged as the EU's answer to energy security, climate ambition, and industrial competitiveness, but only if Brussels can make electricity both abundant and affordable.
This summer, Britain recorded its first ever four consecutive months of 35°C+ heat and according to the Climate Change Committee, the UK isn't ready for it, physically or emotionally. As political pressure mounts in the net zero debate over whether Britain should slow its climate transition, the CCC's chief executive makes the case that affordability and climate action are the same fight, not competing priorities. Ed sits down with Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), to find out what preparing for a hotter Britain actually looks like, and why extreme heat has quietly overtaken flooding as the institution's top adaptation concern.They cover:Why extreme heat is now one of the CCC's top adaptation recommendations, with up to 92% of UK homes at risk of overheating by 2050.How solar and battery storage naturally track cooling demand, and why that strengthens the case for air conditioning becoming standard in UK homes.Emma's case for accelerating rather than easing off decarbonisation, including data showing EV- and solar-equipped homes can save up to £1,900 a year on energy costs.Why UK electricity is priced roughly 4x higher than gas, well above the 2:1 ratio in countries that have successfully rolled out heat pumps.Why Emma argues cost-of-living and climate policy are "the same question," not competing priorities.Want to know why UK electricity prices are 4x higher than gas, and how that compares to countries where heat pumps have taken off? Ask Ko, Modo Energy's AI Analyst, for the market-by-market breakdown. Try Ko for freeTranscript available here: Chapters: 0:00 Britain's Record-Breaking Heat1:16 The CCC's Real Role vs. Government Policy2:55 The Net Zero Speed Debate: Science and Political Pressure4:38 Electrification and Household Energy Savings9:55 Why UK Electricity Costs Four Times More Than Gas12:57 Extreme Heat and the Case for Home Cooling15:47 Solar, Batteries, and the Summer Cooling Demand Curve17:34 Gas as a Strategic Reserve for Grid Security22:43 The True Cost of Net Zero: £6.9 Trillion in Investment25:20 Financing the Transition: Levies and Smoothing Costs29:05 Why Demand Matters More Than Supply31:03 Industrial Policy: Grangemouth, Port Talbot, and Manufacturing35:27 Emma's Contrarian View: Cost and Climate as One Question38:28 Closing Thoughts and Sign-OffMusic licensed via Artlist.
This summer, Britain recorded its first ever four consecutive months of 35°C+ heat and according to the Climate Change Committee, the UK isn't ready for it, physically or emotionally. As political pressure mounts in the net zero debate over whether Britain should slow its climate transition, the CCC's chief executive makes the case that affordability and climate action are the same fight, not competing priorities. Ed sits down with Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), to find out what preparing for a hotter Britain actually looks like, and why extreme heat has quietly overtaken flooding as the institution's top adaptation concern.They cover:Why extreme heat is now one of the CCC's top adaptation recommendations, with up to 92% of UK homes at risk of overheating by 2050.How solar and battery storage naturally track cooling demand, and why that strengthens the case for air conditioning becoming standard in UK homes.Emma's case for accelerating rather than easing off decarbonisation, including data showing EV- and solar-equipped homes can save up to £1,900 a year on energy costs.Why UK electricity is priced roughly 4x higher than gas, well above the 2:1 ratio in countries that have successfully rolled out heat pumps.Why Emma argues cost-of-living and climate policy are "the same question," not competing priorities.Want to know why UK electricity prices are 4x higher than gas, and how that compares to countries where heat pumps have taken off? Ask Ko, Modo Energy's AI Analyst, for the market-by-market breakdown. Try Ko for freeTranscript available here: Chapters: 0:00 Britain's Record-Breaking Heat1:16 The CCC's Real Role vs. Government Policy2:55 The Net Zero Speed Debate: Science and Political Pressure4:38 Electrification and Household Energy Savings9:55 Why UK Electricity Costs Four Times More Than Gas12:57 Extreme Heat and the Case for Home Cooling15:47 Solar, Batteries, and the Summer Cooling Demand Curve17:34 Gas as a Strategic Reserve for Grid Security22:43 The True Cost of Net Zero: £6.9 Trillion in Investment25:20 Financing the Transition: Levies and Smoothing Costs29:05 Why Demand Matters More Than Supply31:03 Industrial Policy: Grangemouth, Port Talbot, and Manufacturing35:27 Emma's Contrarian View: Cost and Climate as One Question38:28 Closing Thoughts and Sign-OffMusic licensed via Artlist.
The EU wants to nearly double its electrification rate to 46% by 2040, a transformation that would slash fossil fuel imports by hundreds of billions of euros annually. In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte examines the EU's Electrification Action Plan and assesses whether Europe can realistically achieve it. Coralie Laurencin, director of European gas, power and carbon policy at S&P Global Energy CERA, and Andreas Franke, editorial lead on European power markets at S&P Global Energy Platts, unpack the formidable challenges: stubbornly high electricity costs, taxation and subsidy structures, and massive grid investments needed to support surging demand. The conversation breaks down which sectors will electrify fastest and which face steeper obstacles, from Germany's industrial power subsidies to France's nuclear-backed power contracts. As geopolitical instability threatens global supply chains, electrification has emerged as the EU's answer to energy security, climate ambition, and industrial competitiveness, but only if Brussels can make electricity both abundant and affordable.
Robert Llewellyn is joined by a special guest who brings some much-needed positivity. Yes, the world's changing fast, but it's not all bad, and clean energy legend Professor Ray Wills reminds us why. One thing is for certain, the axis of influence is tilting towards the Asia Pacific... Why not come and join us at our next Everything Electric expo: https://everythingelectric.show EE GREATER LONDON (Twickenham) - 11th & 12th Sept 2026 EE SYDNEY - Sydney Olympic Park - 18th - 20th Sept 2026 To partner, exhibit or sponsor at our award-winning expos email: commercial@fullycharged.show Check out our sister channel Everything Electric CARS: https://www.youtube.com/@fullychargedshow Support our StopBurningStuff campaign: https://www.patreon.com/STOPBurningStuff Become an Everything Electric Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fullychargedshow Become a YouTube member: use JOIN button above Buy the Fully Charged Guide to Electric Vehicles & Clean Energy : https://buff.ly/2GybGt0 Subscribe for episode alerts and the Everything Electric newsletter: https://fullycharged.show/zap-sign-up/ Visit: https://FullyCharged.Show Find us on X: https://x.com/Everyth1ngElec Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialeverythingelectric #fullychargedshow #everythingelectricshow #homeenergy #cleanenergy #battery #electriccars #electric-vehicles-uk
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Sandeep Vaheesan recounts the rather overlooked story of how electricity spread across the U.S. economy during the 20th century. This book sheds careful light on the varied institutions and interests mediating the process, including investor-owned utilities and the rural electric cooperative. Vaheesan does not hesitate to critique the successes and failures cropping up along the way; rather, he lays them all bare in service of paving an actionable path toward the decarbonization and democratization of power. Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute. He leads their legal research and advocacy, including the amicus program. He has written and spoken widely on antimonopoly law and policy and building a fair economy. Previously, he worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and American Antitrust Institute. Anna Olteanu is a senior in the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University, where she focuses on intellectual history. Her interests include political ecology, the history of economic thought, and literary criticism.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ij2vm2IhqMU Forklifts play a vital yet often underappreciated role in diverse industries, and in this episode of Equipment Finance Matters, hosts Kelli Nienaber, Equipment Leasing & Finance Association Senior Vice President of Industry Advancement & Executive Director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, and Will Teftt, Senior Vice President, Asset Manager at EverBank, sit down with Joe Joyce, Executive Vice President at Russell Equipment Inc., to explore the evolving forklift market and what equipment finance professionals need to know about this $10 billion North American sector. Joe explains how customization, such as mast height, fuel type, or battery configuration, impacts both primary and secondary market value. They also discuss the importance of understanding brand reliability, leasing terms, and market trends when setting residuals and managing portfolio risk. The discussion explored post-pandemic supply chain effects, tariff implications, and the complexities of recycling batteries and embracing new technologies such as autonomous forklifts. This episode delivers practical insights for lessors, lenders, and anyone navigating the future of forklift financing. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association offers members a monthly U.S. Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor, tracking seven equipment and software verticals and identifying potential turning points in their investment cycles three to six months in advance. Explore the latest outlook and what it could signal for investment in the months ahead: https://www.elfaonline.org/research/investment-momentum-monitor https://elfaonline.org
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ij2vm2IhqMU Forklifts play a vital yet often underappreciated role in diverse industries, and in this episode of Equipment Finance Matters, hosts Kelli Nienaber, Equipment Leasing & Finance Association Senior Vice President of Industry Advancement & Executive Director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, and Will Teftt, Senior Vice President, Asset Manager at EverBank, sit down with Joe Joyce, Executive Vice President at Russell Equipment Inc., to explore the evolving forklift market and what equipment finance professionals need to know about this $10 billion North American sector. Joe explains how customization, such as mast height, fuel type, or battery configuration, impacts both primary and secondary market value. They also discuss the importance of understanding brand reliability, leasing terms, and market trends when setting residuals and managing portfolio risk. The discussion explored post-pandemic supply chain effects, tariff implications, and the complexities of recycling batteries and embracing new technologies such as autonomous forklifts. This episode delivers practical insights for lessors, lenders, and anyone navigating the future of forklift financing. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association offers members a monthly U.S. Equipment & Software Investment Momentum Monitor, tracking seven equipment and software verticals and identifying potential turning points in their investment cycles three to six months in advance. Explore the latest outlook and what it could signal for investment in the months ahead: https://www.elfaonline.org/research/investment-momentum-monitor https://elfaonline.org
Around the world, factories making food, drink, pharmaceuticals and other everyday products rely on steam, often produced by fossil-fuel boilers. James Macnaghten, founder and CEO of Caldera, is betting that thermal batteries can provide a cheaper and more flexible alternative that stores electricity as heat, and delivers steam on demand. This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington visits Caldera's factory to see how it makes its heat batteries: combining recycled aluminium and iron ore pellets to create a long-lasting, efficient heat store. The technology is designed for industrial processes up to 200°C, which James sees as a major opportunity for electrification. They discuss how thermal storage can help factories manage peaks in demand, use electricity when it is cheap or abundant, and reduce pressure on congested grids. They also explore Caldera's plans to scale, its journey from domestic heating to industry, and why James believes a more pragmatic approach to electrification is needed. Topics discussed in this episode: The hidden opportunity in industrial heat How Caldera's heat batteries work Why steam still matters Heat pumps and thermal storage Managing industrial demand spikes Turning surplus power into heat Scaling a UK climate-tech company The case for pragmatic electrification Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: James Macnaghten's bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-macnaghten Caldera: https://www.caldera.co.uk/ Professor Ning Li on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCUASv01bVY Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cleaninguppod.substack.com/ JVs - Joint Ventures IP - Intellectual Property Chapters: 00:00: Intro 01:53: About Caldera Batteries 03:42: Heat Storage 09:47: Caldera Factory Tour 14:40: Funding Caldera 17:44: Scaling Up 25:37: Thermal Storage 29:02: Energy Price Shocks 30:27: Flexible Demand 35:22: UK Success Story 37:32: Outro
Get in touch - leave me a messageAt John Sisk & Son, up to 98% of company emissions sit in the supply chain. That changes the decarbonisation problem completely: the biggest levers are often not on the construction site, but in what gets bought.I speak with Keith O'Flynn, Group Supply Chain Sustainability Manager at Sisk, about what that means in practice for one of Ireland's largest contractors. When concrete and steel dominate purchased-goods emissions, procurement decisions become climate decisions — but thin margins, imperfect carbon data and established standards can slow change.We examine why low-carbon concrete can deliver major embodied-carbon reductions yet still struggle to scale, what makes cleaner steel harder to source, and why spend-based Scope 3 accounting can give companies a dangerously fuzzy picture of their footprint. We also look at the tension between commercial reality and the growing demand from clients for demonstrably lower-carbon projects.Listen now to understand where construction's Scope 3 emissions really sit — and what has to change if companies are serious about cutting them.Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
Send me a messageHeavy equipment electrification has a hidden problem: the machinery itself can waste most of the energy you put into it. That means bigger batteries, higher capital costs and a weaker business case before the machine has even started work.My guest is Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, who is working on replacing conventional hydraulics with belt-driven actuation. We get into why hydraulic systems can be roughly 25% efficient, how that inefficiency drives battery and charging requirements, and why downtime and maintenance failures may matter even more than the emissions case.We examine why better batteries are not always the answer, what changes when heavy machinery becomes drive-by-wire, and why industrial AI and autonomy depend on something far less glamorous: machines that can actually generate useful operational data. We also look at prognostics, digital twins, teleoperation and the prospect of one operator supervising several machines rather than controlling just one.Listen now to understand what is really constraining heavy-equipment electrification — and where better engineering can cut cost, downtime and operational friction.Could your supply chain take the hit? Download my free 15-minute resilience scorecard to uncover hidden vulnerabilities, calculate your score and turn the results into a practical 30-day action plan: tomraftery.com/scorecard If disruption hit tomorrow, would you know where your supply chain was most exposed? In 15 minutes my free scorecard helps you assess 27 resilience statements, calculate your score, and turn the result into three priorities and a 30 day action plan. You can download the scorecard free at tomraftery.com/scorecard.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevGary LynchAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.
From shifting commodity markets and explosive data center growth to drone delivery and AI-enabled workplaces, supply chain leaders are navigating change from every direction. In this episode of The Buzz, powered by Toyota Automated Logistics, Scott Luton and Dr. Rod Thomas are joined by Hans Kremer, partner and co-founder of Inchange, to unpack the latest supply chain headlines and explore what professionals and organizations need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment. The discussion shifts to professional development, where Hans shares why companies need to stop training in silos and create more cross-functional learning experiences. The group also explores lifelong learning, the value of hands-on operational experience, and why AI should be viewed as a capability multiplier, not simply a tool for cutting costs or increasing efficiency. They close with powerful insights on leadership, trust, empathy, and creating environments where people can succeed. Key Takeaways: Successful change starts with the people doing the work. Find true advocates early, listen carefully to resistance, communicate the “why” repeatedly, and give teams the time and resources needed to implement change. Supply chain has become a strategic differentiator. Competition increasingly happens between entire supply chain ecosystems, not simply individual companies. Tomorrow's supply chain professionals need more than technical expertise. Strategic inquiry, discernment, judgment, adaptability, communication, and influence will become increasingly important as AI expands access to technical capabilities. Copper and other critical resources could become major constraints on AI and electrification growth. Data centers, infrastructure investment, geopolitics, tariffs, and limited natural resources are creating complex global supply challenges. Professional development needs to become cross-functional. Giving employees opportunities to experience sales, operations, supply chain, finance, and other perspectives can help break down silos and improve organizational performance. AI should make people more capable, not simply more efficient. Organizations that use AI only to automate existing tasks may miss its greater potential to enable employees to solve problems and perform work they could not previously do. Leadership is about enabling the success of others. Strong leaders remove obstacles, protect their teams, model the right behaviors, build mutual trust, and create an environment people want to follow. This episode brings together timely supply chain news with practical lessons on leadership, learning, technology, and organizational performance. Whether you're preparing your workforce for AI, navigating major market shifts, developing the next generation of supply chain talent, or simply trying to become a stronger leader, Hans, Rod, and Scott offer actionable perspectives you can put to work right away. Additional Links and Resources: Toyota Automated Logistics: https://toyota-automated-logistics.com/ With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-8-August-2026 Leading Beyond The Next Disruption: https://bit.ly/Mourad-Tamoud-SE Rod's LinkedIn Post: https://bit.ly/The-Perfect-SC-Manager Han's LinkedIn Post: https://bit.ly/Hans-Music-Stories Copper jumps to its highest level ever. What the metal is telling us: https://cnb.cx/4cvTGv8 Congo Issues Immediate Copper and Cobalt Ban as Smelters Pay Miners for Feedstock: https://bit.ly/DRC-Bans-Some-Exports Caterpillar sales surpass $20B as data center generators take off: https://bit.ly/CAT-has-big-2Q2026 DoorDash Takes to the Sky With Its Own Drones: https://on.wsj.com/4ccxIx7 Inchainge: https://inchainge.com/ The Readiness Rules: https://now.supplychainnow.com/the-readiness-rules Connect with Hans on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanskremer/ Connect with Rod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-thomas-a409a41/ Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk WEBINAR- From Disruption to Stability: Building Resilient Logistics Solutions in a Rapidly Changing Global Market: https://bit.ly/3TguZMt WEBINAR- SAP AI Inside the Supply Chain: From Silo to Orchestration: https://bit.ly/4bvpz6K This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Rod Thomas, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-copper-drone-delivery-future-supply-chain-leadership-1622 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Get in touch - leave me a messageCheap solar, batteries and EVs are no longer merely cleaner alternatives. Their falling costs are undermining fossil-fuel economics, and leaders may be misjudging the speed of that shift.My guest is Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and a long-time IPCC contributor whose work has focused on cities, transport and automobile dependence. We examine how China's manufacturing scale is turning clean technology from a policy ambition into mass-market competition, while tariffs and legacy planning risk slowing adoption elsewhere.We look at why cities are the decisive arena: where renewable power, transit, density and affordable housing either reinforce one another or remain disconnected. We also challenge the assumption that EV charging will remain the infrastructure problem, and ask when petrol and diesel networks themselves become the constraint.Listen now to understand how clean-technology economics is changing fossil-fuel risk, and what cities, businesses and policymakers need to get right before the shift accelerates. Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
Full autonomy, big delivery numbers, and a push towards electrification that's moving global markets? We must be talking about electric forklifts! On today's uplifting episode of Quick Charge, we've got Big Joe CMO Martin Boyd here to walk us through some of the ways these battery powered equipment assets are making all our lives better.
In the 1920s, the newly established Irish Free State embarked on one of the most ambitious engineering projects in its history: the Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha.This was a state-of-the-art hydroelectric plant that paved the way for the electrification of Irish society. The scheme developed an almost mythic reputation, becoming a powerful symbol of independence, progress and modernisation.But behind the concrete and turbines was a darker story. Thousands of poorly paid labourers worked in brutal conditions, dozens were killed and hundreds suffered life-changing injuries. Many were left in poverty while Irish society celebrated their achievements. In this episode, I explore both sides of the Shannon Scheme: the remarkable project that helped transform Ireland, but also the terrible human cost that was largely written out of our history.Sound by Kate Dunlea.Support my work patreon.com/irishpodcast if you want to read more check out High Tension: Life on the Shannon Scheme https://www.abebooks.com/9781843510611/High-Tension-Life-Shannon-Scheme-1843510618/plpAndy Bielenberg's The Shannon Scheme and the Electrification of the Irish Free State is a good overview of the project. A Digital copy is also available on the E.S.B. Archives website for free https://esbarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/the-shannon-scheme.pdfMaurice Manning & More McDowell's History of the Electricity Supply Board is also a useful read and a digital copy is also available on the ESB Archive for free. https://esbarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/the-history-of-the-esb.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get in touch - leave me a messageBattery storage is getting cheaper, but the data used to trade and operate it may be badly wrong. When forecasts miss, penalties stack, warranties get messy, and returns can quietly unravel.My guest is Ash Vats of 3E, who works on battery intelligence for utility-scale assets. We look at the gap between what a battery management system reports and what the hardware can actually deliver - a gap with direct consequences for grid reliability, revenue and asset life.We examine why some battery sites show faults before day one, how state-of-charge estimates can be materially wrong, and why operators - not traders alone - need to shape commercial decisions. We also unpack what changes when owners, asset managers and traders stop working from three different versions of the same asset.Listen now to understand what is really limiting battery storage returns, and how better operational intelligence can recover capacity, reduce commercial risk and improve long-term performance.Sign up to Climate Confident+ for deep dive analysis of the major climate and energy stories of the day.Support the showPodcast subscribersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers:Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribeMost of the energy decisions that touch daily life in America get made in state legislatures, and the people making them are increasingly new to the job. In smaller states, a freshly elected lawmaker gets a pad of paper, no staff, and about 150 lobbyists at the door, then votes on billion-dollar energy budgets in a landscape where the technology changes faster than anyone can track. On this episode of Volts, David Roberts talks with Hawaii state Senator Chris Lee, co-founder of the Electric Innovation Initiative, a bipartisan network betting that education moves electrification faster than mandates: put lawmakers in front of working technology, connect them across state lines, and let affordability carry the argument where climate framing will not. As Lee puts it, "nine times out of ten, people just don't know what they don't know."Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:39 How electrification clicked: the 2008 iPhone moment06:10 The education gap: why the initiative exists11:35 Proxy staff and cross-state validation15:44 What lands on the tours: eVTOL to the data-center win-win20:51 Plain 'electrification': the bipartisan framing bet26:28 Climate hushing and Hawaii's two-track proof30:17 Policy that spreads: e-buses, heat pumps, RFPs37:37 Utility business-model reform: Hawaii's PBR law42:03 Affordability after the federal subsidies45:22 Hawaii under pressure: LNG and the Lahaina grid51:53 State power against federal hostility55:19 The ten-year vision and the closing advice
Get in touch - leave me a messageHeavy machinery can waste three quarters of the energy fed into it. The battery may not be the real electrification bottleneck.In this episode, I speak with Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, about a neglected part of the energy transition: the hydraulic systems inside construction, mining, and port machinery.You'll hear why conventional hydraulics are only around 25% efficient, how that forces manufacturers to install larger batteries, and why electric heavy equipment can become commercially unviable before it reaches the market.We dig into how Rise Robotics' beltdraulic systems replace oil and pressure with belts and pulleys - cutting battery size, charging demand, downtime, maintenance, and hydraulic leaks. Hiten also explains how drive-by-wire creates the data needed for teleoperation, digital twins, and autonomous machinery.You might be shocked to learn that better efficiency can matter more than better batteries. That shift could reduce costs across the machine, charging network, and grid, while accelerating decarbonisation, emissions reduction, and progress towards net zero.We also examine where adoption may happen first, from mining and ports to marine and food production, and why policy alone cannot solve this industrial transition.
When we sat down with Paul Andre Huet, CEO of America's Gold and Silver, for our latest Payne Points of Wealth episode, one theme became clear: The demand story for silver is evolving and expanding. Let's break it down in simple terms. 1. Electrification of the Economy Silver is one of the best electrical conductors in the world. That makes it critical for: electric vehicles charging infrastructure transmission systems As more of the global economy moves from fossil fuels to electricity, the need for efficient conductive materials rises, and silver plays a central role. 2. Electronics & Connectivity Virtually every modern electronic device contains silver: smartphones laptops semiconductors circuit boards As the world becomes more connected, the baseline demand here isn't shrinking, it's steadily expanding. 3. Solar Energy Solar panels use silver in their photovoltaic cells. Every installation: from residential rooftops to utility-scale solar farms requires it. As countries continue: reducing carbon emissions investing in renewable energy building out grid capacity Silver demand increases alongside that transition. 4. Automotive (Beyond EVs) Even traditional vehicles rely on silver in: electronics safety systems sensors Modern cars, especially higher-end models are increasingly electronic systems on wheels. The Supply Reality While use cases are expanding, supply isn't as flexible. Many silver mines don't produce silver as their primary output Production is often tied to other metals like copper or lead Opening new mines takes years, often a decade or more This creates a dynamic where: demand can rise quickly supply responds slowly That imbalance tends to matter over time. Where Investors Often Get It Wrong Investors tend to focus on what's obvious. Today, that means: The Magnificent Seven: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Tesla Widely discussed semiconductor stocks Big IPOs like SpaceX, OpenAI & Anthropic But in markets, leadership rotates. Yesterday's winners aren't usually tomorrow's leaders. Most of the best opportunities don't come from chasing what's already worked, but where the underlying drivers are changing. Silver may be one of those areas. Not because of a single headline. But because of a broad, overlapping set of use cases that continue to grow. A Financial Planning Perspective Now, this is where discipline becomes important. A compelling story does not automatically mean it should be in a portfolio. When we think about building a portfolio, we're NOT asking: “Is this interesting?” We're asking: Do I have all my bases covered when building a diversified allocation? If commodities like silver rise, does my portfolio benefit? How can owning different asset classes in my portfolio reduce volatility? Does my portfolio align with my long-term financial goals? Because a stand-alone commodity like silver can: be cyclical experience sharp price swings move on sentiment as much as fundamentals Instead, owing a diversified basket of commodities that includes silver, can potentially lower overall portfolio risk, not increase it The Bigger Takeaway One of the most valuable insights from our conversation wasn't about predicting silver prices. It was about something more fundamental: where demand is quietly growing in the real economy. We're seeing: more electrification more energy transformation more connectivity more industrial complexity And silver sits at the intersection of all of it. Final Thought Over the long term, markets rarely reward investors for buying what's hot today, they reward allocating capital to sectors and asset classes before they become widely popular among investors. Right now, silver is becoming more embedded in how the world operates: how we produce energy how we move how we communicate how we build That doesn't mean it's definitely going higher. And it doesn't replace the need for a diversified, disciplined plan. But it does mean it's worth paying attention to. If you haven't yet, we encourage you to listen to Episode 245 of Payne Points of Wealth, it's a great discussion on how evolving real-world demand, operational execution, and long-term investing intersect.