Podcasts about Energy transition

  • 1,386PODCASTS
  • 4,919EPISODES
  • 33mAVG DURATION
  • 2DAILY NEW EPISODES
  • Oct 1, 2026LATEST
Energy transition

POPULARITY

20192020202120222023202420252026

Categories



Best podcasts about Energy transition

Show all podcasts related to energy transition

Latest podcast episodes about Energy transition

Tech Won't Save Us
The AI Buildout is a Boon for the Fossil Fuel Industry w/ Ketan Joshi

Tech Won't Save Us

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2026 67:11 Transcription Available


Tech companies are working with the fossil fuel industry to push unnecessary data center projects while misrepresenting the climate impact — and governments are letting it all happen. Ketan Joshi joins Paris Marx to discuss how the data center buildout is driving a surge in fossil fuel investment, and how it's all playing out in Australia.Ketan Joshi is a climate writer and data analyst based in Oslo working with climate and environmental groups.The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson. Support the show on Patreon.Also mentioned in this episode:Click here to get your first month of Proton Mail for just $1.Preorder Hyperscale to support Paris at hyperscalebook.com.Ketan wrote a report on how Big Tech is greenwashing their destructive climate impacts.Ketan worked with Greenpeace to put out a report on how NVIDIA is greenwashing to hide their climate impacts.Ketan worked with Greenpeace on a report that explores how Australia's data center buildout is completely derailing their renewable energy transition.Support the show

Climate Rising
Powering AI and the Energy Transition: Why Permitting Reform Matters

Climate Rising

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 69:01


Permitting reform has become one of the most consequential—and controversial—topics in U.S. climate and energy policy. As electricity demand rises due to AI, data centers, electrification, and economic growth, many argue that the country's permitting, transmission, and interconnection processes are too slow to support the clean energy transition. In this special crossover episode jointly produced by the Climate Rising and CleanLaw podcasts, Mike Toffel and Harvard Law School Professor Jody Freeman speak with Nat Keohane, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). They discuss why permitting reform has emerged as a rare area of bipartisan interest, the challenges of modernizing America's electric grid, and the tradeoffs between accelerating infrastructure development and maintaining environmental safeguards. The conversation examines how permitting, transmission planning, utility incentives, AI-driven electricity demand, and federal-state governance intersect—and why solving these challenges may be essential to both climate progress and American competitiveness.

Sustainable connections
Episode 45: Climate Week NYC 2026 - Building trust to advance the energy transition

Sustainable connections

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 24:12


In this episode, Michael Regan, former administrator of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, and Sabine Hoefnagel, Interim CEO at ERM, join Linden Edgell, ERM's Global Sustainability Director, to reflect on Climate Week NYC 2026. Listen to learn why trust Is critical to advancing the energy transition, and how early community engagement, authentic communication, cross-sector collaboration can help turn capital, technology, and expertise into action. The conversation also explores why climate adaptation, energy security, and resilience are becoming central to business strategy. Related content:Climate Week NYC 2026: restoring trust to ensure progress | ERMComplexity is no excuse: Our Climate Week NYC 2026 summary | ERMTurning Bottlenecks into Advantage: Future-Proofing the AI Infrastructure Value Chain | ERMCommunity Permission: The New Critical Path for U.S. Data Center Delivery | ERMWatch the full podcast video on Youtube 

The Joint Venture: an infrastructure and renewables podcast
The untapped opportunity in UK's energy transition & strategic role for listed funds with FGEN's Ed Mountney

The Joint Venture: an infrastructure and renewables podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 31:07


In the latest episode of Energy Transition Today, we sit down with Ed Mountney, the investment manager of FGEN and director at Foresight Group.FGEN – formerly JLEN – is among the few UK-listed “energy transition” funds that appears to have navigated the market turbulence over the past couple of years with relative grace to execute a mandate that is largely supported by its shareholders.Mountney offers a perspective that looks beyond the hype cycle for traditional renewables and argues the case for the less publicised elements of the country's energy transition.FGEN wasn't immune to market trends – in the pasts its diversification strategy included a licensed marijuana farm (story in podcast) – but it appears to differ in its approach to changing market conditions.Mountney also dispels preconceptions about some established renewables technologies and lays out why popular doesn't always equate to profitable.Reach out to us at: podcasts@inspiratia.comFind all of our latest news and analysis by subscribing to inspiratiaFor tickets to our events email conferences@inspiratia.com or buy them directly on our website. Listen to all our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other providers.  Music credit: NDA/Show You instrumental/Tribe of Noise©2025 inspiratia. All rights reserved.This content is protected by copyright. Please respect the author's rights and do not copy or reproduce it without permission.

The Asia Climate Finance Podcast
Ep93 Making Asia's Climate Transition Bankable with Yvonne Huang, Earth & Life Symbio

The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2026 41:15 Transcription Available


Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comAsia has no shortage of climate ambition. What it still struggles with is turning that ambition into capital. Over the past eight years, Yvonne Huang of Earth & Life Symbio has watched this gap play out, and she's less interested in the ESG deck presented in the boardroom than in what actually changes on the factory floor on Monday morning. In this conversation she explains why green steel is no longer a technology question but a question of who will buy it and at what price, and why reaching net zero means little if we lose clean oceans and healthy soil along the way. For anyone working to make Asia's transition bankable, it's a refreshingly practical listen.Ref.: Earth & Life Symbio (E&L); Green electricity direct connection in China's steel industry—Policies, economics, and stakeholder incentives; Powering Taiwan's Future: Financing Energy Sovereignty in the AI Economy ABOUT YVONNE: Yvonne Huang is the Strategy Director & Co-Founder of Earth & Life Symbio (E&L). A seasoned board director, Yvonne sits on multiple charity boards from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Formerly with CapitaLand, she later became the Lead Representative of GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) in Asia, where she champions the integration of ESG principles across infrastructure and real estate portfolios. Yvonne brings a wealth of multi-sectors, strategic insights and governance expertise to the sustainable investment landscape.RECOMENDATIONS:Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB): An investor-led organisation providing standardized sustainability performance scorecards for real estate and infrastructure portfolios worldwide. The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist: A Netflix documentary exploring artificial general intelligence (AGI), its societal risks, and the urgent need for responsible technology governance. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: A historic landmark agreement signed by global governments establishing actionable targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli  |  MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi's La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

NewsData’s Energy West
Travis Kavulla of the Bonneville Power Administration on Market Choice, Transmission Expansion and the Future of BPA

NewsData’s Energy West

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2026 60:00


Travis Kavulla, the new CEO and administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration, talks with Steve Ernst and Abigail Sawyer about regional market-choice considerations as he recently laid out in a letter to the Regional Organization for Western Energy; his plans for accelerating the expansion of BPA transmission; load and resource pairing; his preparation and philosophy for leading the federal power-marketing agency; and, of course, salmon and tribal relations.

Raj Shamani - Figuring Out
The Next $1 Trillion Energy Boom: Solar, Wind, & Green Hydrogen | Sumant Sinha | FO568 Raj Shamani

Raj Shamani - Figuring Out

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2026 110:21


Checkout Mobius: https://mobiusf.org/Get your hand-picked playbook here: https://www.figuringout.co/pdf/fo-568⁠Guest Suggestion Form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.Order 'Build, Don't Talk' (in English) here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/eCfijRu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order 'Build Don't Talk' (in Hindi) here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/4wZISO0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Our Whatsapp Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaokF5x0bIdi3Qn9ef2J⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe To Our Other YouTube Channels:-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@rajshamaniclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RajShamani.Shorts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Proximo Transmission
Foresight: Investing in Europe's energy transition

Proximo Transmission

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2026 29:08


Proximo discusses upcoming investments for Foresight Group's latest private markets energy transition fund, with electricity interconnectors, grid stability assets, long-duration energy storage and biomethane in focus.

FS Brew
Inside Markel's Decade in the Middle East — Max Robbie on Risk, Regulation and the Road to 2030

FS Brew

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2026 31:03


FS Brew is the region's first podcast dedicated to insurance and insurtech across the UAE and the broader Middle East.In this episode, hosts Renjit Philip, Managing Partner at Futureu Strategy Group, and Vidya, Founder of FWD, sit down with Max Robbie, CEO of Markel International Dubai, to mark ten years of Markel's presence in the region and unpack where specialty insurance is headed next.Topics covered:Markel's ten years in the Middle East and how the market has evolvedDIFC's premium growth to 4.2 billion dollars in 2025, and how much reflects genuinely new risk versus relocated businessSaudi Arabia's RHQ mandates and local retention rules, and their effect on Dubai-brokered businessLessons from the April 2024 UAE and Oman floods and whether underwriting terms have structurally changedMarine and political risk across the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, and how Ports & Terminals and War & Terrorism are assessed togetherCyber insurance demand across MENA and whether it is broadening beyond financial institutions and data centresUnderwriting exposure at GCC data centre megaprojects, spanning construction, cyber and business interruption riskWhether current conflict-driven demand is a genuine tailwind for specialty insurers or an understated riskMarkel's Q2 combined ratio and the effect of Middle East conflict events on loss ratiosWhat makes a risk unacceptable, even with a strong broker relationshipEarly-stage collaboration between underwriters, brokers and engineering teams on MENA energy transition megaprojectsCompetition from Liberty, Zurich, Chubb and AIG in energy and construction, and what sets Markel apartMarkel's outlook for the GCC by 2030The episode closes with rapid fire questions on career lessons, leadership style and the innovations shaping the future of insurance in the region.00:00 – Introduction & Welcome01:10 – Max Robbie's Journey: Moving from London to Dubai04:11 – DIFC's Premium Surge: New Risk vs. Market Relocation05:35 – Expanding Beyond Monoline: Cyber, Trade Credit & Growth06:15 – NatCAT & Flood Exposures: Rethinking Regional Risk & BI09:54 – Marine War Risk, Geopolitics & Supply Chain Disruption13:06 – How Markel Integrates AI & Data in Underwriting16:28 – The Data Center Boom: Multi-Line Risks & Sovereign AI18:19 – Energy Transition & Mega Projects in MENA20:10 – Financial Discipline: Balancing Growth, Reserves & Pricing23:34 – Specialty Capacity Influx: Acumen vs. Price Wars24:55 – Vision 2030: Why Talent is the Key Differentiator26:40 – Rapid Fire Round: Lessons, Leadership & Personal RisksSubscribe to FS Brew for more conversations with CEOs and experts shaping insurance and insurtech in the Middle East.Renjit Philip:work: https://www.futureu.coNewsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.onemorethinginai.com⁠⁠⁠Socials:Twitter / X: @renjitphilipLinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/renjit-philip⁠⁠⁠Vidya Veerapandian:⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-veerapandian/⁠ #FSBrew #Insurtech #Insurance #Markel #DIFC #Dubai #MENA #Reinsurance #CyberInsurance #RiskManagement

The POWER Business Show
Climate Index: Climate agenda in New York, and whether Africa's energy transition is getting sufficient financing

The POWER Business Show

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2026 9:46


Nosipho Radebe speaks to Amos Wemanya, Senior Advisor, on Renewable Energy & Just Transition at Power Shift AfricaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cleaning Up. Leadership in an age of climate change.
The Scandal at The Heart of The Energy Transition | Ep275: Jan Rosenow

Cleaning Up. Leadership in an age of climate change.

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026 65:23


Around two-thirds of the energy we put into today's energy system ends up as rejected heat. So are we measuring the energy transition all wrong?Professor Jan Rosenow joins Michael Liebreich to unpack the “primary energy fallacy”: why focusing on the energy going into the system can obscure the useful energy we actually get out.They explore why electrification can dramatically reduce energy demand, and what genuine systems thinking means for efficiency, waste heat and infrastructure. They also examine hydrogen versus electrification, including Jan's review of more than 60 independent studies on hydrogen for heating, why hydrogen continues to attract support despite its disadvantages in many end uses, and how incumbent industries resist technological change.Key topics discussed:The primary energy fallacy Why useful energy mattersThe hidden inefficiency of fossil fuelsElectrification and shrinking energy demandRethinking energy efficiency through systems thinkingMaking better use of waste heatWhy energy statistics can misrepresent the transitionHydrogen vs electrification for heatingWhy incumbent technologies resist changeLeadership CircleCleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Climate Imperative Foundation, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit cleaningup.live.Links:Jan Rosenow's bio: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/find-an-expert/professor-jan-rosenow Jan Rosenow's Substack: https://janrosenow.substack.com/ Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Sankey Diagram: https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/sites/flowcharts/files/2026-08/2024-us-energy-flowchart-homepage.jpg Michael Liebreich's “The Five Superheroes Of The Transition” article: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-ii-easier/ Our World In Data Energy Consumption Chart: https://ourworldindata.org/energy-production-consumption Innovation and Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innovation-Its-Enemies-People-Technologies/dp/019046703 Jonathan Maxwell on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcN3Bqq8ehA Rob Dunn on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juAyLAUmU3wJorgo Chatzimarkakis on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NCiEhprSOc Subscribe to Cleaning Up's newsletter: https://cleaninguppod.substack.com/ Acronyms:LNG: Liquefied Natural GasIEA: International Energy Agency, EIA: Energy Information Administration.IIASA: International Institute for Applied Systems AnalysisOECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentChapters:00:00 Introduction07:34 Primary Energy Fallacy15:14 Fossil Fuel Inefficiency24:44 Rethinking Energy Efficiency27:05 Using Waste Heat35:00 Misleading Energy Statistics43:12 Hydrogen vs Electrification49:48 Resisting Technological Change58:00 Hydrogen Europe 01:03:14 Outro

Podcast – Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
OIES Podcast – Subsidising hydrogen and creating bankable demand

Podcast – Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2026


In this latest OIES podcast, from the Energy Transition programme, James Henderson talks to Martin Lambert and Alex Barnes about their articles in the latest Oxford Energy Forum on the topic of the development of a hydrogen market. We start with an assessment of the key policy instruments being used by governments to encourage hydrogen […] The post OIES Podcast – Subsidising hydrogen and creating bankable demand appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Resources Radio
Can Oil-Dependent Countries Prepare for an Energy Transition, with Andrea Furnaro and Patrick Heller

Resources Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 33:10


In this episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Andrea Furnaro and Patrick Heller from the Natural Resource Governance Institute. Drawing from a recent report, Furnaro and Heller lay out a five-step framework for how national oil companies (NOCs) can navigate an impending energy transition. Together, they contend that a business-as-usual approach is not a neutral option for these companies and their respective countries. Instead, NOCs must define national policy goals, assess transition risks and opportunities, establish a strategic direction beyond oil and gas, strengthen institutional governance, and ensure a just transition and responsible exit for workers and communities. Examples from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Denmark illustrate how different NOCs can weigh diversification opportunities and adapt strategies to their unique national circumstances and organizational, technical, and economic capacities. References and recommendations: “National Oil Company Transformation: Strategic Choices for an Uncertain Energy Future” by Andrea Furnaro, Giovanni Tagliani, Patrick Heller, Ana Carolina González Espinosa, Tengi George-Ikoli, Fernanda Ballesteros, Nicola Woodroffe; https://resourcegovernance.org/publications/national-oil-company-transformation “Facing the Future” by Andrea Furnaro and David Manley; https://resourcegovernance.org/publications/facing-future-what-national-oil-companies-say-about-energy-transition “Jane” documentary film; https://films.nationalgeographic.com/jane-the-movie “The Secret Agent” film; https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27847051/ Subscribe to stay up to date on podcast episodes, news, and research from Resources for the Future: https://www.rff.org/subscribe/

Cities 1.5
Be Hope: Cities 1.5 presents a special preview of Oh, Canada - Solutions for the Climate Crisis

Cities 1.5

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 16:31 Transcription Available


What if there are reasons to hope for a more resilient climate future in your own backyard - right here in Canada? Well, that's exactly the question we're asking in our new miniseries, Oh, Canada: Solutions for the Climate Crisis. At Cities 1.5, we're proud to join forces with voices around the world for the 2026 #BeHope Podcast Takeover. We're coming together to prove that even in challenging times, hope remains a real force for progress - and we can all be part of it. This special preview features guests from our upcoming series speaking on what keeps them going in the mission to end climate breakdown.Oh, Canada: Solutions for the Climate Crisis is supported by Elbows Up for Climate, The C40 Centre, and the University of Toronto Press. This 6-part deep dive into the climate crisis through the lens of Canadians fighting to write a different story debuts on October 6, 2026, so make sure you tune in - you won't want to miss it.Featured guests:Avi Lewis, Leader of Canada's NDPAmber Bennet, Executive Director of Re.ClimateSteven Guilbeault, former Minister of the EnvironmentIan Mauro, Executive Director of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)Dr Jen Baron,  Assistant Professor of Fire Ecology at University of British Columbia Okanagan in the Center for Wildfire CoexistenceGabrielle Blatz, Otipemisiwak Métis Government's Provincial Secretary of Women, Gender Equity & InclusionRichard Ireland, Mayor of Jasper, ABBen Hendrickson, Mayor of Yellowknife, NWTDorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo, ONMerlin Blackwell, Mayor of Clearwater, BCSeth Klein,  Author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency and “Seth Klein / Emergency Measures” on SubstackLinks:How Pakistan's people-led solar boom is easing impact of Middle East energy crisis - The GuardianKey energy data for Pakistan - EmberElectrons In, Hydrocarbons Out: Pakistan's Quest for Economic and Resource Efficiency - Renewables FirstAustralia's renewables transition is well under way – but meeting its 2030 target will be ‘extremely challenging' - The GuardianClean Energy Australia 2026 report - Clean Energy CouncilChina's renewable energy boom has its own challenges. Here's what we can learn - World Economic ForumYes, China has embraced renewables – but don't call it a transition, expert says - The Harvard GazetteThe European Green Deal - official EU websiteEuropean Climate Law - official EU website2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy - Government of Canada websiteCanada's 2030 climate target far out of reach, according to federal data - CBC News‘No way' Canada can meet its 2030 climate target, researchers say - The Toronto StarVingroup proposes scrapping LNG-powered plant plan for renewables amid Iran war, document shows - ReutersQuezon community, RE backers claim ‘victory' against LNG - Business Mirror‘Science under attack': Top climate scientist Kate Marvel explains why she resigned from NASA - Scientific AmericanKate Marvel websiteIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeriesCities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield.Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo.Our Associate Producer is Rachel Schneider.Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

Explore Podcast | Startups Founders and Investors
#107 - Julia Padberg - SET Ventures - "The energy transition is not a technology challenge"

Explore Podcast | Startups Founders and Investors

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2026 51:15


Subscribe to the newsletter:New Wave | Hugo Rauch | Substack****New Wave is supported by:Evertrace: the leading founder detection engine for VCs. It traces signals across the digital landscape to uncover emerging founders earlier than anyone else, so you meet tomorrow's founders today.I use it myself to source more deals at Climate Club, and I LOVE it. See what Evertrace can do for you here, or ask me for an intro and get a little something from the team ;)***

Climate Positive
The state of clean energy manufacturing | John Hensley, American Clean Power

Climate Positive

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2026 47:36


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.

Mexico Business Now
“The 'Soup or Meat' Dilemma in Energy Transition” by Karla Cedano, Head of Innovation and Futures Lab, UNAM – Renewable Energies Institute (AA2634)

Mexico Business Now

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2026 7:20


The following article of the Energy industry is: “The 'Soup or Meat' Dilemma in Energy Transition” by Karla Cedano, Head of Innovation and Futures Lab, UNAM – Renewable Energies Institute.

SunCast
968: How to Make Better Building Technology Investable | Dermot & Aiden Sweeny

SunCast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2026 68:58


Buildings consume an enormous amount of energy. We have plenty of technologies that could make them perform better. So why is the real estate industry often so slow to adopt them?Dermot Sweeny has spent decades confronting that problem from the architect's side. When he couldn't convince clients to try a radically different approach to office design, he bought an older building and proved it himself. More than 7 million square feet later, that willingness to test ideas in real buildings has become central to how Dermot and his son Aiden evaluate new technology.In this episode, Nico explores how they turn promising ideas into technologies that developers are actually willing to use, including:

The Water Tower Hour
WTR Analyst Perspectives | Renewable Fuels Decoded: Geopolitics, Mandates, and the Carbon Payday

The Water Tower Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2026 21:10 Transcription Available


Send us Fan MailIn this inaugural episode of WTR Analyst Perspectives, Peter Gastreich, Managing Director for Energy Transition and Sustainable Investing, joins Tim Gerdeman to share his read on the renewable fuels sector coming off its strongest earnings season in years. Peter unpacks the five themes most relevant to investors: record mandates and August policy noise, the geopolitical supply squeeze driving margins, carbon intensity emerging as a durable revenue line, a demand-rich but supply-short SAF market that favors first movers, and a renewed focus on capital discipline. The episode closes with the key catalysts to watch, including EPA volume reallocation and the 45Z final rule. For additional content, visit www.watertowerresearch.com. 

My Climate Journey
Michael Thomas: Inside America's Off-Grid Data Center Boom

My Climate Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2026 58:06


Michael Thomas is the founder and CEO of Cleanview, a data and research platform tracking more than 10,000 clean energy projects and thousands of data center projects across the country. Back for his third appearance on Inevitable, Thomas has spent the past year investigating the explosive growth of AI infrastructure and the increasingly extreme measures companies are taking to get power online.In this episode of Inevitable, Thomas explains how the AI boom has transformed the data center market and why companies are increasingly building their own power generation rather than waiting years for grid interconnection. He breaks down the rise of off-grid and “behind-the-meter” data centers, including xAI's Colossus, Meta's rapid-deployment data centers, and Amazon's massive natural gas project in Texas.The conversation also explores the economics driving the race to power, the environmental and political backlash against data centers, and whether building gas generation today will accelerate or undermine the transition to cleaner energy. Thomas shares what his research reveals about electricity prices, water use, local pollution, and the growing public distrust of Big Tech.Finally, Thomas discusses the tension between AI growth, U.S. competitiveness, and climate goals—and why he sees providing objective information about these projects as one of the most important roles he can play.Episode recorded on September 2, 2026 (Published on September 16, 2026) 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

The Water Tower Hour
LanzaTech (LNZA): Waste Carbon to Ethanol, SAF and Marine Fuel Demand, and Embedded Value

The Water Tower Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2026 17:45 Transcription Available


Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the WTR Small Cap Spotlight, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaTech Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNZA), joins WTR's Peter Gastreich (Managing Director, Energy Transition and Sustainable Investing) and Tim Gerdeman (Vice Chair, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer).Jennifer discusses how LanzaTech's continuous fermentation technology converts industrial carbon emissions into ethanol, the mandate-driven demand for sustainable aviation fuel and marine fuel, and the company's shift from licensing toward developing its own projects with Brookfield funding. She also covers the expected ISCC EU certification for LanzaTech's China plant, LNZA's embedded value in LanzaJet and the Shougang LanzaTech joint venture, and key milestones expected over the next 18 months.For additional content, visit www.watertowerresearch.com.

Taiwan Talk
Taiwan's Net-Zero Race: Can Renewables Catch Up?

Taiwan Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2026 11:59


Taiwan aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but how close is it to meeting its renewable-energy goals? Taiwan Talk host Tim Berge speaks with** Bin Fu, Taiwan Country Manager at Lightsource bp**, and *Weiwei Tseng, Chairperson of wpd Taiwan*, about the state of solar and wind power, the permitting and land-use challenges facing developers, the role of energy storage, and what Taiwan must do now to keep its energy transition moving. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Mexico Business Now
'Renewable Energy Transition: The Best Is Yet to Be Built' by Karla Cedano, Head of Innovation and Futures Lab, UNAM – Renewable Energies Institute

Mexico Business Now

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2026 8:48


The following article of the Sustainability industry is: 'Renewable Energy Transition: The Best Is Yet to Be Built' by Karla Cedano, Head of Innovation and Futures Lab, UNAM – Renewable Energies Institute. 

WTAQ Ag on Demand
Report: Global Energy Transition

WTAQ Ag on Demand

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2026 2:02


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Books Network
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 84:45


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more. Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing. Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.  This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

New Books in Environmental Studies
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books in Environmental Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 83:00


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more. Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing. Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Books in Sociology
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books in Sociology

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 83:00


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more. Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing. Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Books in Geography
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books in Geography

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 83:00


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more. Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing. Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/geography Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Books in Public Policy
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books in Public Policy

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 83:00


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more. Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing. Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute.Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New Books in Urban Studies
Billy Fleming, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026)

New Books in Urban Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2026 83:00


What would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build and maintain a more just, regenerative world? How would it feel to live—and to thrive—in that world? In Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026), Billy Fleming and a wide set of contributors critically engage with the above questions and more.Around the globe, people are transforming their social, ecological, and economic systems in response to the climate crisis. This book guides readers through 29 of these exemplary works, which span 43 nations and 6 continents. From Cuba to Kiribati, Iceland to the Andes, the prairies of North America to the expanding Gobi Desert, these case studies foreground the tactics and modes of practice being employed, often by marginalized peoples, to create more humane, hospitable places. With dispatches from more than a dozen leading scholars working on the front lines of the climate justice movement, Building Postcarbon Futures is both a celebration of action underway and a clarion call to the planners, designers, policymakers, and activists who are pushing this planet toward a future of collective flourishing.Billy Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. He is founding codirector of the Climate and Community Institute, a progressive think tank focused on climate and political economy, and assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. This interview was conducted by Timi Koyejo. He is an urbanist and housing policy researcher at the Climate and Community Institute. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Energy vs Climate
(Replay) Is Canada's Electrification Bet Still Current? | With Blake Shaffer

Energy vs Climate

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2026 58:47 Transcription Available


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

Product Talk
Loa Carbon CEO & Co-Founder on Producing Sustainable Natural Gas in Energy Transition

Product Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2026 42:54


What if the waste product of one industry could become the clean fuel source for another? The scale and urgency of the transformation required to fight climate change has never been more clear. Building hardware and software products, acquiring the funding and creating a diverse community to enhance talent capacity and to drive innovation, is essential to tackling this global environmental crisis. In this podcast, host Silicon Valley Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank) Climate Tech & Sustainability SVP Maggie Wong will be interviewing Loa Carbon CEO & Co-Founder Ryan Shearman to discuss producing cost-effective and sustainable natural gas from CO2 waste, the use of artificial intelligence in product development, and the importance of market demand and commercialization strategies when building a product.

Strategic Alternatives
Government policies 'won't turn the tide' of the energy transition

Strategic Alternatives

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2026 23:04


In a 40-year career, Francesco Starace has become one of the leading figures in the energy transition – first as CEO at Enel Group, and now as a Partner at specialist investment EQT Group. In a keynote session at RBC Capital Markets' Energy Transition Conference, Starace shared his views on the progress of the transition, the global challenge posed by soaring electricity demand, and the potential contribution of his first specialism, nuclear.

The Competitive Edge
1.21GW: Jamie Guthrie and Geoff Petersen with the good news on the energy transition

The Competitive Edge

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2026 40:41


Energy partner Jamie Guthrie and Competition partner Geoff Petersen give us some good news on the energy transition, along with the challenges that lie ahead -- what the governments and energy networks are doing, the impact of data centres, how to finance it all, and a quasi-carbon tax. Plus merger reform reform gets closer, serial acquisitions in pets and vets, carmakers pull a fast one and the ACCC is furious, and FIFA finds out … All this and Marty McFly with co-hosts Moya Dodd and Matt Rubinstein. Links: Dr Emmett Lathrop Brown PhD on 1.21GW The long-awaited Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026 More French leave in the Phase 2 Adelaide Hills vet merger, and the Microstar/Konvoy beer keg merger is 86ed The Furious 7 skydriving scene and the ACCC's case against Subaru The Hood's many defeats on The Thunderbirds The Nelson Review, aka the National Electricity Market wholesale market settings review RES Group's 1.21GW Meet the Gilbert + Tobin Competition, Consumer + Market Regulation team Email us at edge@gtlaw.com.au Shai-Hulud Support the show: https://www.gtlaw.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy News Beat Podcast
Energy Addition, Not Transition: Why Politics Is Failing the World

Energy News Beat Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2026 40:27


In a wide-ranging discussion that cuts through the noise of energy policy debates, three industry experts—Joe Leather (HSE Professional and Offshore Wind & Oil Podcast Host), Mark LaCour (Oil and Gas Expert and OGGN Editor-in-Chief), and Stu Turley (Energy News Beat Podcast Host)—tackle the contradictions, crises, and misconceptions shaping global energy markets. From record-breaking diesel prices in Scotland to California's paradoxical reliance on Russian crude despite abundant local reserves, this conversation exposes how political ideology disconnected from scientific reality is creating energy poverty, environmental hypocrisy, and geopolitical vulnerability. Rather than debating whether the world needs an energy transition, these experts argue for an "energy addition"—acknowledging that global demand will only grow while infrastructure, grid capacity, and rational policy lag dangerously behind. Their discussion reveals uncomfortable truths about net-zero politics, the aging infrastructure crisis, and why the solutions being implemented often make problems worse, not better. Yet amid the frustration, there's cautious optimism: technology is advancing rapidly, younger generations view energy differently, and the world may finally be waking up to what pragmatism demands.Check out Mark LaCour on The Great Oil Network OGGN https://oggn.com/Check out Joe Leather on his Great podcast https://windwavesandwells.com/1. Global Diesel Shortage CrisisThe hosts discuss the worldwide diesel shortage affecting prices dramatically—Joe paid £1.84 per liter (approximately $12.77/gallon) in Scotland. They explain this is caused by:Refinery turnaround season in the USIncreased global demand for dieselLimited crude oil supply due to Strait of Hormuz tensionsRefineries prioritizing jet fuel production over diesel due to higher profit margins2. UK Refinery Capacity CollapseThe UK is losing refinery capacity due to political and net-zero policies. The hosts explain the paradox: the UK fleet switched from petrol to diesel vehicles, but environmental politics prevented refineries from retrofitting to produce more diesel, creating an oversupply of petrol and shortage of diesel.3. Energy Politics vs. RealityA central theme is how political decisions disconnected from scientific understanding are harming energy security:California importing Russian crude while refusing to use its own local oil reservesNew York importing LNG from the Caribbean (sourced from Russia) instead of using abundant Pennsylvania natural gasGermany's failed renewable transition and subsequent energy poverty4. Energy Transition vs. Energy AdditionThe hosts argue the world needs an "energy addition" (more total energy), not a transition away from hydrocarbons. They emphasize:Growing global energy demandThe need for a diversified energy mixRenewable infrastructure inadequacy (grid capacity, decommissioning liability)5. Infrastructure & Grid ChallengesUK and US electrical grids are aging and insufficient for renewable integrationData centers (Microsoft, Amazon, Meta) are driving private infrastructure investmentInterconnection projects like Canada's $6 billion line to New York are underperforming6. Geopolitical Energy SecurityRussia using energy as a weapon (Germany's dependency on Russian gas)Strait of Hormuz disruptions and alternative shipping routesGhost fleets (unseaworthy tankers) moving sanctioned Russian oilThe Jones Act limiting US domestic shipping efficiency7. Environmental HypocrisyExamples of contradictory policies:Burning wood pellets shipped from the US as "net-zero" fuel in the UKScottish wind farms requiring diesel generators to operateImporting refined Russian oil while claiming environmental leadership8. Technology & InnovationAI discovering missed oil reserves in mature North Sea fieldsAutomation reducing rig crew sizes and improving safetyNew small, efficient "teapot refineries" being built at crude sources9. Political Polarization & HopeThe hosts discuss how extreme politics on both sides harm energy policy, but express cautious optimism that moderates are finding common ground and that "the world is healing."10. Generational Shift in PerceptionGeneration Alpha views the oil and gas industry positively—seeing it as innovative, well-paying, and cool—contrasting with their parents' anti-oil sentiment.The overarching message: Energy security requires pragmatic, science-based policy disconnected from political ideology.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/

Redefining Energy
244. AI Transforming Distribution Grids - Aug26

Redefining Energy

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2026 30:43 Transcription Available


There is no shortage of discussion about the role of AI in the energy transition. Yet while many talk about the future of intelligent grids, only a handful of industry leaders are delivering solutions at scale.  One of them is Alberto Méndez Rebollo—an executive, investor, and entrepreneur dedicated to accelerating the energy transition. Throughout his career, Alberto has held senior leadership positions at Siemens Gamesa, Vattenfall, XCharge, and other organizations, overseeing multi-million-euro initiatives across renewable energy, power grids, and electric mobility.  Today, as Co-Founder and CEO of Plexigrid, he is leading the development of next-generation technology designed to prepare electricity networks for a rapidly changing energy landscape. Plexigrid, a deep-tech company headquartered in Sweden and Spain, develops intelligent software that helps utilities optimize and digitize electricity distribution networks. At the core of its platform is a real-time digital twin of the distribution grid, enabling operators to monitor capacity, detect anomalies, and make better operational decisions.  The company's AI-powered technology automatically coordinates energy consumption and manages flexible assets such as EV chargers, shifting demand away from peak periods. This allows utilities to alleviate congestion, increase grid resilience, and unlock additional network capacity—without the need for costly and time-consuming infrastructure upgrades.  The market response has been remarkable. Operating on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, Plexigrid has expanded its commercial pipeline from €8 million to more than €150 million in just four years, consistently winning competitive tenders against some of the industry's most established players.   Its growing client base includes leading utilities and energy innovators, with notable partnerships such as EDP and Piclo focused on advancing real-time grid orchestration. The company has also raised approximately €15 million across multiple funding rounds, providing a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation.  Beyond the technology, however, this is a story about transformation at warp speed. It is about how critical infrastructure can evolve—not only technically, but culturally—to embrace new technologies and operating models. As electricity networks become increasingly decentralized, digital, and dynamic, organizations like Plexigrid are demonstrating how AI can move from a promising concept to a practical tool that helps utilities adapt, modernize, and thrive in the energy transition.  “Today's show is supported by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt. The BMW Foundation unites leaders across sectors to develop solutions that foster an innovative economy and a future-proof society. A key focus is "Energy Transition & Climate Change," where the Foundation drives "International collaboration to accelerate the energy transition." With rising energy demands from AI and data centres, new partnerships, effective collaboration, and the exchange of science-based solutions and strategies are essential.”

Energy vs Climate
Replay: Battery Storage and How to Make It Better | With Shirley Meng

Energy vs Climate

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 48:55 Transcription Available


This is a replay of our conversation with Dr. Shirley Meng from the University of Chicago on battery storage. It's one of our favourite deep dives because batteries touch everything from EV range anxiety to grid scale storage, and even the whole critical minerals conversation.When we recorded this in May 2024, Shirley was predicting real solid state battery platforms by 2027 or 2028, and here we are getting close to that window, so it's worth listening again with that timeline in mind. The fights over re-shoring battery manufacturing, the US-China race, the economics of lithium versus sodium, all of it is just as live today as it was then, or maybe even more so.Episode page and show notes.About Our Guest:Dr. Y. Shirley Meng is a Professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. She serves as the Chief Scientist of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science (ACCESS) Argonne National Laboratory. Dr. Meng is the principal investigator of the research group - Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion (LESC), that was established at University of California San Diego since 2009. She held the Zable Chair Professor in Energy Technologies at University of California San Diego (UCSD) from 2017-2022.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

Disruption / Interruption
Disrupting the AI Power Bottleneck: Turning Data Centers into Energy Transition Heroes with Joe Helfrich

Disruption / Interruption

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 32:06


AI's explosive growth is running into a hard physical limit: power. In this episode, Joe Helfrich, managing partner and co-founder of NosTerra Venture Capital, explains why data centers are outpacing the energy grid's capacity and why that crisis is actually a rare opening for innovation. He walks through the shift from massive centralized training centers to smaller edge data centers built for real-time inference, and shares a standout portfolio story of a company turning data center cooling waste into a profitable CO2 business. The conversation covers where entrepreneurs should focus, how NosTerra evaluates real infrastructure solutions versus AI hype, and why this moment could reshape energy for everyone, not just the tech industry. Key Takeaways: 2:17 — What is the hidden physical problem behind the AI boom? 7:19 — How can data centers become accelerators instead of energy villains? 10:58 – When will AI compute move closer to the people using it? 21:15 — Who is turning a data center's waste into a business model? Quote of the Show (20:21):"Data centers are the catalyzing force that pulled forward all kinds of technology that reduces the cost of energy for everyone and increases energy supply and resiliency." — Joe Helfrich Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Joe Helfrich:Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joehelfrich/ Company Website: https://nosterracapital.com How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disruption+%2F+interuuptionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NewsData’s Energy West
Ziad Alaywan on the Creation of the California Independent System Operator

NewsData’s Energy West

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 42:57


In this episode of People in Power, California Energy Markets Managing Editor Jason Fordney interviews Ziad Alaywan, founder and CEO of ZGlobal Inc. Ziad details what his firm does and also provides a fascinating history of his experiences helping stand up the California Independent System Operator and witnessing the California energy crisis of the early 2000s. Ziad, who had a front-row seat to the market manipulation of Enron and others, describes the incredible stress and complexities of managing a brand-new wholesale market and all the fallout of this interesting yet dark period in California energy history. 

NüVoices
Podcast Crossover: Manufacturing Chimerica, How US-China Rivalry Drives Energy Transition, with The Polycrisis

NüVoices

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 33:05


This week the Nüvoices podcasting team is thrilled to share a special crossover podcast episode from The Polycrisis. Our Nüvoices podcast interview with Kate McKenzie, co-founder of The Polycrisis, an independent publication, newsletter, and podcast, aired on June 2, 2026, and can be found here. Stay tuned for new Nüvoices episodes next month as we start our fall season.—Learn more about this episode of The Polycrisis, originally aired on April 15, 2026, here. A key theme of our first podcast series is that China's world-changing production of clean energy and electrification tech had little to do with solving climate change or even being seen as a leader in climate diplomacy. Instead, it's mostly a byproduct of the country's economic strategy and quest for energy independence.But the US has also played a big role in China's strategy. The two countries were in a pro-globalisation, free-trade partnership back in 2001 when China joined the WTO; but the global financial crisis, the US shale boom, and increasing hawkishness from US administrations of both sides were all factors in the central Chinese government's decisions to become a high end electrotech manufacturer, and to ramp up its energy security with clean and local power.Subscribe to the podcast: Apple; Spotify; all platform links.Featured this episode: Jessica Chen Weiss  - Professor of China Studies and the faculty director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.Jake Werner - Director of the East Asia Program, Quincy Institute for Responsible StatecraftHosted by Tim Sahay and Kate MackenzieProduced by Sarah AllelyOriginal music by Russell StapletonMixed by Bethany StewartContact us at: polycrisispodcast (at) gmail.com OR the.polycrisis (at) gmail.com

Cleaning Up. Leadership in an age of climate change.
The Good, Bad and Downright Ugly of Australia's Energy Transition | Deep Dive Australia 09: Anna Freeman & Michael Liebreich

Cleaning Up. Leadership in an age of climate change.

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 63:34


Australia has become a laboratory for the energy transition, what can the rest of the world learn? After two weeks travelling across Australia and meeting the leaders shaping its energy transition, Michael Liebreich got a close up view of the country's transformation.  For the final episode of Cleaning Up's Deep Dive Australia series, the host becomes the guest as Anna Freeman of the Energy Efficiency Council turns the tables and puts Michael in the hot seat to ask him what he has learned. Michael divides his takeaways into the good, the less good and the “downright ugly”, from Australia's extraordinary rooftop solar and battery uptake to its struggles with wind, transmission and diesel. He also asks whether the country really can become a clean energy superpower, and what its successes and failures can teach the rest of the world. Topics covered in this episode: Australia's rooftop solar advantage Why batteries are beating gas The missing middle of electrification Can transmission keep up? Australia's expensive wind problem The China challenge Breaking the diesel addiction Why EVs may be finally taking off 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 Australia Deep Dive Episodes:  Darren Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBhkBTZ9lSI&t=2s Chris Bowen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYtapcSdZOo&t=132s Marc England https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKVSJcS_SI&t=2s Lily D'Ambrosio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVGL9vVTdeY Ross Garnaut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmcm2M5eRxk&t=35s David Pocock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgbq5r3XTJY Paul Simshauser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZKxb2TnD04 Martin Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgqXnnvlMFg Links: Anna Freeman's bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annafreeman1/ The Energy Efficiency Council: https://eec.org.au  Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cleaninguppod.substack.com/ John Pettigrew on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Lg1A958aA&t=5s Tim Meyerjürgens on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQgUuJ-dx78&t=16s Leo Birnbaum on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-DHuPNEDg Andrew Forrest on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYQmEipY5Wc Acronyms: IRENA: International Renewable Energy Agency EMA: Energy Market Operator DNSP: Distribution Network Service Provider REZ: Renewable Energy Zones AEMO: Australian Energy Market Operator Chapters: 00:00: Intro 05:45: Solar Adoption 10:25: Big Batteries 13:41: The Missing Middle 19:26: Transmission Grids 21:35: Australia's Wind Problem 32:43: China's Superpower 40:53: The Diesel Addiction 45:24: EV Adoption 52:58 Lack Of Transparency 56:19 Michael's Highlights 01:14:00: Outro

Path to Zero
7.11 – Why Houston Wants to Lead the Next Era of Energy with Sophia Cunningham of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative

Path to Zero

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 29:38


The post 7.11 – Why Houston Wants to Lead the Next Era of Energy with Sophia Cunningham of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative appeared first on Propane.

My Climate Journey
Willie Phillips, Former FERC Chairman: The Grid Is America's Economic Nervous System

My Climate Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 48:14


Willie Phillips is the former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and now a partner at Holland & Knight. During his time at FERC, Phillips helped lead major reforms to transmission planning and the electric grid's interconnection process. He now advises the companies and utilities he once regulated, giving him a unique perspective on how developers can navigate the regulatory system. In this episode of Inevitable, Phillips explains how FERC works, what companies routinely get wrong when engaging with regulators, and why early participation and pre-filing conversations can dramatically improve the odds of success. He also breaks down the Supreme Court's overturning of the Chevron doctrine and how his team designed Order 1920 around reliability and existing legal precedent. The conversation then turns to the bigger challenge facing the U.S. grid: rapidly growing electricity demand from AI, data centers, electrification, and industrial activity. Phillips argues that the grid was not built for this moment and that the country needs faster, more coordinated planning while preserving the role of states and regional authorities. Finally, Phillips discusses large loads, behind-the-meter generation, vertically integrated utilities, and the possibility that hyperscalers could become major power generators. He argues that regulators, utilities, and technology companies have an opportunity to work together to build the infrastructure needed for the next era of the American economy. Episode recorded on July 29, 2026 (Published on August 25, 2026). In this episode, we cover:  (0:00) An overview of FERC and Willie Phillips's career (6:31) How companies can successfully navigate the FERC process (9:07) What overturning Chevron means for federal regulators (12:00) Order 1920 and the need for long-term transmission planning (13:35) Reforming the interconnection queue (15:39) How FERC navigated legal uncertainty around grid reform (17:29) Why America needs to “do big things” with the electric grid (20:42) FERC, states, and the future of grid planning (23:33) America's energy infrastructure race with China (25:02) Why large loads are transforming the grid (27:07) A 21st-century economy running on 20th-century rules (28:18) FERC's approach to accelerating large-load interconnections (30:15) Why reliability, affordability, sustainability, and speed matter (31:30) The jurisdictional questions around large loads (33:06) Organized markets vs. vertically integrated utilities (37:40) Reliability, affordability, and the value of invisible infrastructure (40:35) Behind-the-meter generation and co-location (43:17) Could hyperscalers become major power generators? (44:09) Turning hyperscalers into partners in building the grid (46:09) Why the energy transition needs the voice of investors and innovators 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

Watt It Takes
Crux Co-Founder & CEO Alfred Johnson

Watt It Takes

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 72:30


For more than a decade, the federal government's biggest tool for accelerating clean energy hasn't been a grant or a loan. It's been the tax code. Tax credits have driven the buildout of wind, solar, and now a much wider range of technologies, like storage, nuclear, and advanced manufacturing. But there's a catch: most of the companies earning those credits don't have enough tax liability to actually use them themselves. A clean energy developer can be sitting on tens of millions of dollars in value that's slowly losing worth simply because they can't cash it in. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act tried to fix that by making these credits transferable for the first time ever — sellable directly, for cash, to a company that can use them. It created a brand-new, multi-billion-dollar market overnight, with no playbook and no established way for buyers and sellers to even find each other. Our guest today set out to build the infrastructure this new market needed. Alfred Johnson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Crux, an AI-native capital platform for clean energy and manufacturing infrastructure. Crux got its start in transferable tax credits, and has since expanded into tax equity investment and debt origination, leveraging software, data, and AI to cover the full capital stack for energy and manufacturing infrastructure. Alfred grew up around politics in Washington, DC, and spent nearly two decades moving between government, finance, and technology before his wife, Emily, pushed him to build something in clean energy. In our conversation, Alfred walks me through his journey, and what it takes to build the capital markets infrastructure this country needs to power its clean energy future. Today, Crux has raised more than $77 million, grown to more than 120 employees, and facilitated nearly $10 billion in transactions across the clean energy economy. About Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse Ventures  Powerhouse Ventures backs seed stage founders building the future power system across energy, infrastructure, and AI. If you are thinking about building something in this space, get in touch with our team. Powerhouse Innovation is a best in class consulting firm, powered by the strongest energy innovation network, data and team in our industry. We partner with world's leading corporations, investors, and utilities to source and evaluate disruptive startups shaping the future of energy and industry. To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.

Afternoon Drive with John Maytham
Namibian building a green hydrogen economy

Afternoon Drive with John Maytham

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 5:30 Transcription Available


Namibia has commissioned what is being described as Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility at Walvis Bay, combining solar power, hydrogen production and battery storage. Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa CEO Sabine Dall’Omo discusses the significance of the project, the challenges facing the emerging hydrogen economy, and Namibia’s potential to become a major clean-energy hub. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The India Energy Hour
Aligning India's Power Systems with Energy Transition | ft. Ruchita Shah

The India Energy Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 55:54


India's energy transition is entering a new phase. The challenge is no longer simply about adding more renewable energy capacity, but about making the power system flexible enough to absorb and use that energy effectively. This also means rethinking the role of conventional sources, investing in storage, and understanding how states are shaping their transition through policies and distributed renewable energy. In this episode of The India Energy Hour, we speak with Ruchita Shah, Energy Analyst with Ember's Asia team, where she focuses on accelerating the global electricity transition, particularly in Asia, with a focus on India. She delves into why flexibility is becoming central to India's power system, and how rooftop solar and other distributed renewables are changing the way we plan for electricity.Full transcript of the episode is available in English. Presented by 101ReportersRuchita Shah is on LinkedIn Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTube.Our hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

My Climate Journey
Aalo Atomics on Beating the Odds to Reach Criticality

My Climate Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 45:28


Yasir Arafat is the co-founder and CTO of Aalo Atomics, a company developing factory-manufactured modular nuclear power plants designed for AI data centers. Before founding Aalo, Yasir led the MARVEL microreactor program at Idaho National Laboratory. In this episode of Inevitable, Yasir explains how Aalo became one of four U.S. nuclear startups to achieve criticality by the July 4, 2026 deadline. He breaks down what criticality means, why the milestone matters, and how the team went from a small startup to sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction in less than a year. The conversation explores why Yasir believes nuclear's biggest challenges are speed and economics rather than safety or reliability, and how Aalo is trying to address both through factory-based manufacturing. Yasir also shares how the company built its own reactor building in 36 days, tested its full-scale reactor systems, developed scalable fuel assembly manufacturing, and partnered with Idaho National Laboratory to learn how to operate a real reactor. Finally, Yasir outlines Aalo's path from its zero-power Critical Test Reactor to Aalo-X, a full-powered reactor designed to generate electricity and power a co-located AI data center, and ultimately to the company's commercial Aalo Pod. The discussion also covers DOE demonstration pathways, future NRC licensing, the resurgence of nuclear innovation, and why Yasir believes multiple reactor technologies and companies will be needed to scale nuclear energy. Note: Aalo Atomics is an MCJ portfolio company. Episode recorded on August 6, 2026 (Published on August 18, 2026). In this episode, we cover:  (0:00) An overview of Aalo Atomics (2:00) What criticality means in a nuclear reactor (3:38) Why the July 4 deadline was set and why it mattered (7:07) The final 24 hours before Aalo reached criticality (9:24) How accurately Aalo's reactor matched its physics models (11:43) From the MARVEL microreactor to founding Aalo Atomics (13:56) Why Aalo is focused on nuclear speed and economics (17:05) Why Aalo built a zero-power critical test reactor first (19:01) Building a nuclear reactor building in 36 days (19:21) What Aalo tested beyond the reactor itself (20:53) Building fuel assemblies for the next 100 reactors (23:43) Why organizational readiness matters as much as reactor technology (24:05) Running the CTR and Aalo-X projects in parallel (24:56) Excavating through unexpectedly difficult basalt rock (26:03) The progression from CTR to Aalo-X to the Aalo Pod (29:29) Partnering with turbine suppliers and Crusoe (31:27) The timeline for powering a co-located AI data center (32:09) How DOE authorization supports first-of-a-kind reactor demonstrations (34:01) Moving from DOE demonstrations toward NRC commercial licensing (42:03) Why Aalo is betting on the next generation of sodium-cooled reactors 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

With Great Power
Affordability is the gatekeeper of the energy transition

With Great Power

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 24:28


Matt Ross feels at home in the ocean, on his surfboard. Strong currents, choppy conditions, and the occasional thrashing are all part of the experience — and the joy of a good, long wave makes it all worth it. So when a job pulled him too far from his favorite surf spots in San Francisco, he wasn't happy. He knew he needed to find his next work challenge closer to home. He found that at GridX, where for the past seven years he's brought his interest in data analytics and design to product roles, working toward his current role as vice president of delivery.  This week on With Great Power, Matt dives into the economics behind rising rates – and why he thinks that without affordable energy, the clean energy transition will stall. He shares some of his recent projects, designing and implementing time-varying rates with utilities. And he describes the ways that data centers could actually turn load growth into an opportunity to drive rates down.  Credits: Hosted by Brad Langley. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. The GridX production team includes Jenni Barber, Samantha McCabe, and Brad Langley.

Energy vs Climate
Stuck in the Middle: The Mid-Transition Crisis & the Energy System's Awkward Middle Age | With Emily Grubert

Energy vs Climate

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 47:46 Transcription Available


Decarbonization usually means addition: more wind, solar, EVs. But a real transition also means taking something away.We talk about decarbonization like it's a shopping list: more wind, more solar, more EVs, stacked on top of whatever's already running. But a real transition means something also has to come off the list. Fossil systems have to shrink at the same time clean systems grow, and for a good stretch in the middle, both have to serve the same demand at once. Neither one can do the job alone, and each ends up constraining the other.Civil engineer and environmental sociologist Emily Grubert (University of Notre Dame) calls this overlap the mid-transition, and it's the subject of a paper she co-wrote with Sara. Ed sits down with both of them to work through what the concept actually means once you get past the label.Some of what's in this one:Why refineries and coal plants can't just wind down smoothly to zero, and where the "minimum viable scale" wall actually sitsWhat Alberta's coal phase-out got right, what it missed, and why the coal companies got compensated a lot faster than the communities didWhether the oil sands could shrink one asset at a time, or whether losing one piece, a pipeline, an upgrader, takes more of the system down with itThe uncomfortable question at the centre of it all: is a slow, managed phase-out actually the safer path, or just a longer runway for incumbents to extract concessions on the way out.0:00 Intro0:35 Cold Open2:00 What Is the Mid-Transition?4:36 The 80/20 Rule: Are We Already In It?5:55 Decarbonization Means Subtraction Too8:50 What Each System Forces on the Other12:38 Refineries and the Limits of Ramping Down15:46 Alberta's Coal Phase-Out, Explained20:52 Managing Coal Decline in the US24:11 Fast Payouts for Companies, Slow Support for Communities27:58 Can the Oil Sands Shrink Smoothly?35:13 Long Mid-Transition or Short? The Band-Aid QuestionSend 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

My Climate Journey
Turning Unused Home Power into a Controllable Resource with SPAN

My Climate Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2026 37:33


Arch Rao is Founder and CEO of SPAN, the company behind the smart electrical panel that has expanded into utility grid management with SPAN Edge and distributed AI infrastructure with XFRA. What began as a smarter way to manage home electricity has evolved into a platform designed to digitize the electric grid, enable mass electrification, and unlock new AI compute capacity using existing residential infrastructure. In this episode of Inevitable, Rao explains why SPAN's vision has grown beyond the home electrical panel, how utilities are using software-defined power management to avoid expensive infrastructure upgrades, and why distributed AI inference could become a new class of digital utility. He also discusses the intersection of electrification, grid modernization, and AI demand, arguing that the next major energy transition is the digitization of the electric grid itself. Note: SPAN is an MCJ portfolio company  Episode recorded on July 8, 2026 (Published on August 4, 2026). In this episode, we cover:  (0:00) An overview of SPAN (1:53) How SPAN evolved from smart panels to grid infrastructure (3:41) The inspiration behind XFRA and distributed AI compute (5:21) What an XFRA node looks like and how it works (6:04) Why homeowners would host AI compute infrastructure (8:06) The homeowner business model: free panels, batteries, and lower utility bills (10:48) Why SPAN is focused on new home developments (11:56) How SPAN Edge helps utilities avoid costly service upgrades (16:35) SPAN's go-to-market evolution (17:16) Lessons from customer behavior and software adoption (20:53) How SPAN Edge creates value for utilities (26:16) Securing distributed AI infrastructure in residential neighborhoods (27:48) Who is buying XFRA compute today (29:45) Why distributed infrastructure offers flexibility over traditional data centers (31:04) XFRA as a new form of digital infrastructure (32:50) How SPAN differs from virtual power plants (VPPs) (34:56) Why the real energy transition is analog-to-digital (36:43) Why talent is SPAN's biggest hiring priority 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