Podcasts about Valence

Every year, there is a new “crisis” in solar.And yet… the industry keeps growing.With leadership transition underway at the Solar Energy Industries Association, Darren Van't Hof steps in as Interim President and CEO at a pivotal moment. Policy uncertainty. Permitting bottlenecks. Election year noise. And a projected $25 billion flowing into storage in 2026 alone.So where do we really stand?In this candid conversation recorded live at Intersolar & Energy Storage N.A., Darren shares why solar has already won the cost battle, why storage may be the most durable growth sector in energy, and what must happen politically for the industry to keep accelerating. There are some additional fun bits about the future of SEIA and his role in there as well. ;-)Expect to learn:

Most energy projects look solid on paper. Fewer stay on track in the field.Brandon Moss sees the difference every day.Energy demand is rising. Load growth is real. Timelines are tightening.So what actually keeps large energy projects on track?In this conversation, Brandon Moss, CEO of Shoals, shares what he sees from the center of utility-scale deployment. Shoals touches a significant portion of U.S. solar projects, giving Brandon a rare vantage point into how projects are planned, where they slip, and what separates strong operators from the rest.We discuss:What the biggest EPCs are prioritizing right nowWhere early decisions create downstream riskWhy partnership is replacing transactional procurementHow labor constraints are shaping engineering and designWhat “bankable” and “buildable” really mean in today's marketHow AI and load growth are changing the urgency around deliveryBrandon also reflects on the shift from private to public leadership, the responsibility that comes with scaling a business, and why simplicity and execution still win.If you're building projects, financing them, or planning infrastructure in a volatile policy and trade environment, this episode offers practical insight from someone who sits at the center of it.Hit play and learn from a leader who sees where projects succeed and where they break.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Listen to the full 2.5 hour episode here: https://suncast.media/episodes/900Most companies don't fail because of strategy.They fail because standards slip.In this 13-minute vignette, T.J. Rodgers breaks down the management system he's used across more than 25 acquisitions to build and scale billion-dollar companies — and why discipline, not charisma, determines whether a business survives.Inside:• Why 19 out of 20 decisions in your company are made without you• Why quality must be enforced, not admired• Why speed of correction matters more than avoiding mistakes• What “owner means 100% responsible” actually looks like• How written principles — enforced daily — shape cultureThis isn't theory. It's operational structure from someone who has spent decades building machines that work.If you lead people, run a company, or care about performance, this is worth 13 minutes.Press play; Listen in.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

durée : 00:25:58 - Les TOC, Troubles obsessionnels compulsifs (TOC) - Vérifier, compter, laver, ranger...trente fois par jour…et si c'était un TOC ? Les TOC ne sont pas des manies : ils peuvent voler une vie. Marine Distante de l'AFTOC, témoigne et annonce l'ouverture d'un groupe de parole à Valence pour briser l'isolement, lever le tabou et déstigmatiser les TOC. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

durée : 00:20:03 - Le 28 février 2026, à la Fontaine Monumentale boulevard Bancel à Valence, la Soupe des Chefs réunit 13 restaurants au profit de la Protection Civile de la Drôme et des Blouses Roses. Organisé par le Lions Club Valence Doyen, l'événement réunit dégustations et animations dès 9h. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

Merci à ⁠DISTANCE⁠ de soutenir ON YOUR MARKS. Recorded For All Runners. 10% de Réuduction avec le code ONYOURMARKS10Pour ce deuxième épisode du format On Your Marks Running Vibes, on se retrouve chez Flavien Coindard avec Eva Merceron, Baptiste Jard et Clément Paillon autour d'une table pour parler running, actualité du sport et culture course à pied. Un épisode pensé, une fois encore, comme une vraie discussion entre passionnés : authentique, spontanée et ouverte, avec des profils différents qui partagent leur vision du running à leur manière.Dans ce format, on décrypte les sujets qui font réagir la planète course à pied en ce moment. On discute notamment :– du Pass Prévention Santé mis en place par la Fédération Française d'Athlétisme, qui devient payant dès 2026, et des débats que cela soulève chez les coureurs,– du marathon de Valence et de son évolution vers un des rendez-vous les plus rapides et les plus attractifs du calendrier mondial,– de la suspension de Ruth Chepngetich et de la question sensible du maintien d'un record du monde dans un contexte de dopage.Chaque thème est l'occasion d'entendre des avis variés, des analyses personnelles et des points de vue parfois opposés, à l'image de la diversité de la communauté running.On prend aussi le temps d'un échange plus approfondi avec Baptiste pour revenir sur son parcours, sa vision actuelle du haut niveau et son rapport à la performance.Cet épisode continue de poser les bases d'un format où l'on parle de course à pied de façon simple, vivante et passionnée. Un contenu pensé pour tous ceux qui suivent l'actualité du running et qui aiment comprendre ce qui fait bouger notre sport aujourd'hui.

Battery storage is scaling fast.But scaling portfolios exposes weaknesses most owners never see coming.As projects move from single sites to gigawatt-hour fleets, many IPPs discover something uncomfortable: they have dashboards - but not decision-grade visibility.In this Episode, Lennart Hinrichs, EVP and General Manager of the Americas at TWAICE, explains what actually changes once batteries begin operating at scale.We discuss:Why state of charge (SOC) is foundational — but insufficientHow LFP chemistry complicates measurement more than most assumeWhat derating really does to revenue and dispatch confidenceWhy overbuild can mask deeper performance issuesWhat actually causes most battery fires (and what doesn't)How data transparency reshapes warranty disputes and financial riskThis isn't a founder story.It's a practical conversation for asset owners, operators, and performance engineers who want fewer surprises over the life of their storage assets.If you operate or finance battery projects, this episode will sharpen how you think about KPIs, safety, and operational confidence.Listen in.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn -...

Frère castor, raconte-nous une histoire Baptiste Morizot a pisté des bisons ou des grizzlys, des élans ou des corbeaux, couché dans des buissons du Wyoming ou du Vercors, au fil d'une première décennie d'enquêtes « diplomatiques » réalisées les genoux dans la boue, hors des sentiers battus, pour créer de nouveaux concepts bientôt débattus. Plus calmement, il a aussi étudié la sociologie des lombrics dans sa cuisine. « Aujourd'hui, dit-il, nos relations aux autres êtres vivants sont toxiques, pour eux et pour nous. La question est donc de réapprendre à faire attention, à brancher sa sensibilité sur les pollinisateurs, la faune des sols, les forêts… » Attention, attention. En 2020, le succès de Manières d'être vivant le rendit connu comme le loup blanc auprès dans les sphères militantes de gauche. Dans son « recueil de novellas philosophiques », ce talentueux passeur multipistes veut « contourner en sifflotant les dualismes entre science et fiction, poésie et exactitude, pour forger une sorte d'alliage incandescent : les sens les plus aiguisés, le corps le plus mobilisé, l'imagination la plus sauvage, les raisonnements les plus serrés. » En postface, son ami romancier Alain Damasio encense son goût du terrain. « C'est un philosophe embarqué et situé. Hautement concret. L'inverse d'un parleur perché. » Toujours « sur le qui-vive », Baptiste Morizot retrace dans ce deuxième épisode quelques scènes fondatrices de son désir animé de « cosmopolitesse » inter-espèces, dans laquelle nous, primates humains, pourrions peut-être, à force d'exercices empathiques, « en changeant de pratique, changer de métaphysique ». L'auteur du mois : Baptiste Morizot Né en 1983 à Draguignan (Var), Baptiste Morizot est philosophe et maître de conférences à l'université d'Aix-Marseille. De pelage brun, de taille moyenne, cet homo sapiens a choisi de quitter son biotope de bibliothèques vernies pour partir à la rencontre des « créatures fabuleuses » et des lieux merveilleux qui peuplent notre Terre, afin de mieux comprendre et réagir à la crise écologique. De ses aventures au grand air, en Pologne, au Kirghizstan ou en Californie, il ressort déjà dix livres depuis Les diplomates (Wild Project, 2016) jusqu'au Regard perdu (Actes Sud, 2025), en passant par Manières d'être vivant (2020, vendu à près de 90 000 exemplaires). Il vit et travaille dans son « dojo » près de Valence, dans la Drôme. Remerciements : Adèle Tocquet, Studio Gong, Rodolphe Alexis. Enregistrements décembre 2025 Entretien, découpage Richard Gaitet Prise de son, montage Mathilde Guermonprez Réalisation, mixage Charlie Marcelet Lectures Chloé Assous-Plunian Musiques originales Samuel Hirsch Chant, synthétiseur, ukulélé, flûte, marimbas, percussions Émilie Rambaud Illustration Sylvain Cabot

Pister les animaux, pour twister sa réflexion Pendant plus de deux ans, Baptiste Morizot a observé des castors. En compagnie de la paysagiste franco-américaine Suzanne Husky et d'une escouade de camarades, ils-elles ont appris les techniques de ce petit ingénieur rongeur pour échafauder à leur tour des barrages, susceptibles de régénérer des rivières « abîmées » et trop « contrôlées », dans la Drôme ou aux États-Unis. C'est l'un des axes essentiels du passionnant et très accessible Rendre l'eau à la terre, son essai sur des « alliances possibles » face au chaos climatique, parcouru de sublimes aquarelles, sorti en 2024 et vendu à 21 000 exemplaires. « Chacun, chacune doit prendre en charge la défense de son milieu, explique le philosophe. Ne perdons pas trop de temps à nous demander si c'est déjà cuit, si on ferait mieux d'aller siroter des mojitos (…) Nous sommes à un moment pivot, analogue à la Renaissance ou les Lumières, à l'orée d'inventer (…) une nouvelle pensée de l'action technique qui permettrait de vivre de manière soutenable. » Dans son dernier ouvrage, Le regard perdu (2025), il écrit qu'être une personne « décente » consiste peut-être « à vouloir être honnête, respecter les mots, dire ce qu'on pense calmement, être ferme et accepter avec souplesse de s'être trompé, ne pas vouloir occuper l'esprit des autres avec des choses viles faites seulement pour capter l'attention (…) Penser comme si c'était la chose la plus importante au monde et, simultanément, ne pas se prendre trop au sérieux (…) Penser, juste pour la joie de vivre l'aventure d'une idée. Penser comme un chien court sur la plage. » C'est l'attitude à suivre lors de ce troisième et dernier épisode, qui ne manque pas de flair. L'auteur du mois : Baptiste Morizot Né en 1983 à Draguignan (Var), Baptiste Morizot est philosophe et maître de conférences à l'université d'Aix-Marseille. De pelage brun, de taille moyenne, cet homo sapiens a choisi de quitter son biotope de bibliothèques vernies pour partir à la rencontre des « créatures fabuleuses » et des lieux merveilleux qui peuplent notre Terre, afin de mieux comprendre et réagir à la crise écologique. De ses aventures au grand air, en Pologne, au Kirghizstan ou en Californie, il ressort déjà dix livres depuis Les diplomates (Wild Project, 2016) jusqu'au Regard perdu (Actes Sud, 2025), en passant par Manières d'être vivant (2020, vendu à près de 90 000 exemplaires). Il vit et travaille dans son « dojo » près de Valence, dans la Drôme. Remerciements : Adèle Tocquet, Studio Gong, Rodolphe Alexis. Enregistrements décembre 2025 Entretien, découpage Richard Gaitet Prise de son, montage Mathilde Guermonprez Enregistrements de terrain Rodolphe Alexis Réalisation, mixage Charlie Marcelet Lectures Chloé Assous-Plunian Musiques originales Samuel Hirsch Chant, synthétiseur, ukulélé, flûte, marimbas, percussions Émilie Rambaud Illustration Sylvain Cabot

Comment devient-on philosophe ? « Un philosophe est un artisan qui fabrique des concepts et, dans mon cas, des cartes pour s'orienter », dit Baptiste Morizot, 42 ans. Porté par sa bougeotte, cet intellectuel de terrain entend produire des « textes-boussoles » susceptibles de « faire bouger les lignes du souci » vis-à-vis du vivant et de nos relations avec lui. Comment interagir au sein de cette infinie canopée de « cohabitants dont nous dépendons dans toutes les dimensions de notre existence » ? « Ce n'est pas là-bas dehors, mais sous nos pieds. Ce n'est pas l'arrière-plan d'un selfie, mais un lieu de géopolitique complexe, multi-espèces. Que signifie écrire face à la crise écologique  ? Je ne cesse de chercher la réponse. Chaque texte est un tâtonnement », se demande l'auteur de Raviver les braises du vivant (2020) ou de S'enforester (avec les photographies d'Andrea Olga Mantovani, 2022). Mais comment s'est formée sa pensée, son éthique, à la confluence primordiale de Spinoza, Nietzsche et Deleuze ? A-t-il été ce jeune écrivain contrarié, borgésien, doublé d'un survivaliste amateur de baies sauvages ? C'est le sujet de ce premier épisode, bâti autour des rhizomes pas tristes de Baptiste Morizot. L'auteur du mois : Baptiste Morizot Né en 1983 à Draguignan (Var), Baptiste Morizot est philosophe et maître de conférences à l'université d'Aix-Marseille. De pelage brun, de taille moyenne, cet homo sapiens a choisi de quitter son biotope de bibliothèques vernies pour partir à la rencontre des « créatures fabuleuses » et des lieux merveilleux qui peuplent notre Terre, afin de mieux comprendre et réagir à la crise écologique. De ses aventures au grand air, en Pologne, au Kirghizstan ou en Californie, il ressort déjà dix livres depuis Les diplomates (Wild Project, 2016) jusqu'au Regard perdu (Actes Sud, 2025), en passant par Manières d'être vivant (2020, vendu à près de 90 000 exemplaires). Il vit et travaille dans son « dojo » près de Valence, dans la Drôme. Remerciements : Adèle Tocquet, Studio Gong, Rodolphe Alexis. Enregistrements décembre 2025 Entretien, découpage Richard Gaitet Prise de son, montage Mathilde Guermonprez Réalisation, mixage Charlie Marcelet Lectures Chloé Assous-Plunian Musiques originales Samuel Hirsch Chant, synthétiseur, ukulélé, flûte, marimbas, percussions Émilie Rambaud Illustration Sylvain Cabot

Dans cet épisode, enregistré lors du congrès Xplor 2025 de l'AEMQ, on plonge au cœur de la stratégie, du développement durable et de la performance ESG (environnement, social et gouvernance) avec Cindy Valence et Francesca Rios, cofondatrices d'ethos stratégie. Comment transformer une démarche ESG en moteur stratégique concret? Qu'est-ce que la double matérialité? Comment éviter le greenwashing et intégrer l'ESG au cœur du modèle d'affaires, que l'on soit société d'exploration minière ou fournisseur? Elles partagent leur expérience terrain, leur vision d'une industrie plus consciente et les clés pour transformer les attentes des parties prenantes en avantage stratégique durable. Un échange concret, accessible et inspirant pour toutes les entreprises qui veulent laisser un héritage positif et performant. Le Podcast Minier est présenté par Agnico Eagle.

“This is not an offensive play. It's a defensive play. It's a must win.”That's how Sheldon Kimber describes AI for companies like Google.If your business depends on organizing and serving information, AI isn't optional. It's existential.And if AI is existential, power becomes strategic.In this conversation — recorded before Google's acquisition of Intersect Power — Sheldon lays out the durable thesis that led here:The U.S. grid isn't collapsing.It just can't scale.Transmission is stalled.Business models are misaligned.Permitting reform won't arrive in time.So instead of waiting for the grid to be fixed, Intersect built around it.Gigawatt-scale co-location.Wind, solar, batteries.Flexible gas.Control systems designed to act as one asset.The result? A hybrid solution that can deliver four-nines reliability - potentially more reliable than the grid itself.This isn't about chasing incentives.It's about building a better product.In this episode:

Aujourd'hui, Bruno Poncet, cheminot, Charles Consigny, avocat, et Barbara Lefebvre, professeure d'histoire-géographie, débattent de l'actualité autour d'Alain Marschall et Olivier Truchot.

T.J. Rodgers has built — and rebuilt — billion-dollar companies across semiconductors, energy, storage, and manufacturing.In this 2.5-hour Episode 900 deep dive, he walks through the operating principles behind that track record — in detail.This isn't a surface-level conversation. It's a masterclass in how durable companies are actually constructed.We unpack:

durée : 00:02:27 - La SNCF a engagé des travaux en début de semaine à Poliénas (Isère) pour remettre en état une portion de ligne entre Grenoble et Valence endommagée par un glissement de terrain, le 29 janvier dernier. Au moins 70 agents vont poser 200 mètres de rails et sécuriser le mur au bord des voies. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

Conference season is back, and if you are heading to Intersolar and Energy Storage North America 2026, this episode is your unfair advantage.Nico Johnson sits down with the people who know the show better than anyone. Event Director Beckie Kier, Solar Games mastermind Shannon Twombly, and Conference Chair Gene Hunt. Together, they break down how to get the most value from your time in San Diego, whether this is your first Intersolar or your tenth.This is more than a show preview, it's a snapshot of where the clean energy industry stands right now. From the rapid rise of energy storage and domestic manufacturing to the growing importance of grid flexibility, DERs, and ultra long duration batteries, Intersolar 2026 reflects an industry that is evolving fast and learning in real time.You will also hear how the show floor itself reflects the strategy. Solar Games installer competitions, virtual reality activations, mini golf networking, and the always buzzing Hub Stage are all designed to spark real conversations, not just badge scans.Expect to learn:

Comme chaque semaine, trois débats sont au programme de notre podcast consacré au cyclisme. Remco Evenepoel est-il en forme trop tôt ou a-t-il simplement franchi un cap ? Le bien-être mental des coureurs doit-il être mieux protégé par les instances ? Les points UCI sont-ils en train de ruiner le cyclisme ?David Lehaire, tout juste rentré de Valence où il a assisté aux trois dernières victoires de Remco Evenepoel, Jonathan Lange et Nicolas Christiaens répondent à ces questions et bien d'autres.

durée : 00:05:35 - L'invité d'ICI Matin, ICI Drôme Ardèche - Les trains ne circuleront finalement pas avant début mars entre Valence et Grenoble indique la SNCF, une semaine après l'éboulement sur les voies à Poliénas. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

Vous pouvez joindre Joueurs info service au 09 74 75 13 13, de 8h à 2h, 7 jours sur 7. Votre appel est anonyme et non surtaxé (coût d'une communication locale depuis un poste fixe ou inclus dans les forfaits des box et des mobiles).Que vous soyez concerné directement ou indirectement par un problème de jeu excessif, n'hésitez pas à appeler Joueurs info service, vous y trouverez :Des professionnels formés aux difficultés rencontrées avec la pratique de jeu excessifUne écoute sans jugement et confidentielleDes informations précises, une aide personnaliséeDes orientations adaptées à votre situationHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Modern founders spend years building toward a hopeful exit or liquidity event. Almost no one talks about what comes after the acquisition.In this episode, Nico Johnson sits down with Andy Klump, founder of Clean Energy Associates (CEA), for a thoughtful conversation about leadership after transition. After fifteen years growing CEA and completing a multi-year earn-out, Andy is in a rare season of pause — stepping back from the CEO seat and reflecting on what actually mattered.Rather than revisiting the early days, Andy shares lessons from leading through change, protecting culture during uncertainty, and recalibrating his identity once the nonstop pace slowed. They discuss why communication cadence matters more than vision statements, how internal Net Promoter Score became a tool for listening, and what founders often underestimate about earn-outs and transitions.This episode is for founders and operators who are scaling fast — or quietly wondering what comes next.Press play. You don't hear conversations like this very often.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Vous pouvez joindre Joueurs info service au 09 74 75 13 13, de 8h à 2h, 7 jours sur 7. Votre appel est anonyme et non surtaxé (coût d'une communication locale depuis un poste fixe ou inclus dans les forfaits des box et des mobiles).Que vous soyez concerné directement ou indirectement par un problème de jeu excessif, n'hésitez pas à appeler Joueurs info service, vous y trouverez :Des professionnels formés aux difficultés rencontrées avec la pratique de jeu excessifUne écoute sans jugement et confidentielleDes informations précises, une aide personnaliséeDes orientations adaptées à votre situationHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

durée : 00:20:18 - L'Auberge de Montalivet, entre Beaumont-les-Valence et Montméran est dirigée par Coraline et Valentin Grimaud. Depuis deux ans, ils y mettent à l'honneur les produits locaux. Une expérience culinaire généreuse et chaleureuse, idéale pour les repas en famille ou entre amis. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

Want to grow a billion-dollar business? You need better systems, not just better ideas.Adam James has had a front-row view as Energy Impact Partners has scaled from a $500M fund into a multi-billion-dollar force as a clean energy VC. But, as he shares, the secret to success isn't capital or flashy pitch decks. It's an obsession with infrastructure, team building, and doing the messy work of aligning people and process.In this candid conversation, Adam breaks down his methodology for scaling fast-growing organizations. From audits and goal-setting to the surprisingly overlooked art of hiring with intentionality. He also shares why most business books are garbage (except one), and why being “like bamboo” might be your best leadership model.Expect to learn:

The solar industry scaled faster than almost anyone expected. But in the rush to deploy, one part of the system never fully got built.In this episode, Nico Johnson sits down with Suvi Sharma, founder of Solaria and now co-founder and CEO of SolarCycle, to talk about what happens after solar works. Suvi explains why end-of-life planning, repowering, and material recovery are no longer edge cases - they're becoming core infrastructure challenges for the industry.This conversation goes beyond recycling. It's about maturity. About what it means for solar to grow up as an industry, and how decisions made twenty years ago are shaping today's constraints - from glass durability to supply chains to capital planning.Suvi shares why he came out of “retirement” to start another company, how he's building a system designed for scale, and what developers, operators, and policymakers are still underestimating.If you work anywhere near solar deployment, ownership, or manufacturing, this episode may change how you think about the full lifecycle.You made it this far — hit play.Are there other technologies you've scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast? Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What goes through Alex Honnold's mind when he's thousands of feet off the ground without a rope?After his first-ever Taipei 101 Live Broadcast ascent of one of the world's tallest buildings, we thought it'd be useful to revisit what we learned from Alex about mental fortitude and his singular admonition to “do the thing”. Curious how Alex channels discomfort into growth? This episode explores the surprisingly grounded mental habits that drive one of the world's most extreme athletes and how those same frameworks apply to business, energy, and impact.You'll hear why Alex values silence over self-talk, how he trains for precision, and the personal philosophy that powers both record climbs and energy access projects. In addition, Nico reflects on the nature of preparation for such a mind-bending feat and how it extends to the world of business and clean energy.Expect to learn:

This week, the lads sit down with Canadian hooker, and 3x Major League Rugby champion, Andrew Quattrin!Andrew discusses his time at Wilfred Laurier, going straight into professional rugby with the Toronto Arrows, making the move to New England via Utah, a brief stint in Manawatu, and his recent move to Valence, all the while wearing the Canadian jersey, as he talks about the success and sacrifices of his rugby journey.

Moitié hollandaise, moitié française, ambitieuse et innovante la formation Unibet Rose Rockets, sorte d'ovni du cyclisme mondial a entamé de la meilleures des manières sa saison 2026 en s'offrant un premier succès ce week-end sur la première épreuve européenne du circuit la classique de Valence remportée par le sprinter néerlandais Dylan Groenewegen, l'une des recrues phares de la formation dirigée par Bas Tietima. Une équipe qui a changé de dimension à l'intersaison passant d'un projet média iconoclaste à une véritable puissance du circuit ProTeam dont l'ambition déclarée est d'obtenir la fameuse wild card accordée avec parcimonie par ASO pour participer au prochain Tour de France. Pour cela Tietima le sait il faut séduire Christian Prudhomme et quoi de mieux que de beaux coureurs français pour s'attirer la sympathie du patron du Tour. Parmi lesquels Victor Lafay, fraîchement arrivé dans cette formation, invité de Grand Plateau, avec Christophe Cessieux, Pierre Koetschet et Jérôme Pineau. Production : Roxanne LacuskaRéalisation : Loïc Peltier

Clean energy should be easy to finance.The money exists.The technology works.The demand is real.And yet, projects stall. Deals drag. Capital gets stuck.And with the IRA crumbling under our feet, everyone is right to ask “how will these projects actually get funded?!”So what's actually broken?In this episode of SunCast, I sit down with Alfred Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Crux, to unpack how clean-energy finance actually works once a project leaves the slide deck — how pricing gets discovered, how risk is evaluated, how trust is established between parties who've never worked together, and why so much of the process still depends on manual workflows and bespoke negotiation.Alfred left a senior role at the U.S. Treasury after reading the Inflation Reduction Act and realizing it didn't just expand incentives - it forced the creation of a brand-new market. One where buyers and sellers had to find each other without reference prices, standardized terms, or a shared operating system to move capital at scale. Crux exists to solve that coordination problem.We talk about:

Data centers aren't the problem.They're the stress test.As AI-driven demand surges, the grid is being pushed in ways it was never designed for. But instead of asking how to slow data centers down, today's conversation asks a better question: Is the grid fit enough to handle what's coming next?In this Tactical Tuesday episode, recorded live with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, we explore grid fitness — a new way of thinking about flexibility, planning, and speed to power.SEPA's Ann Collier is joined by Tyler Norris and Nelson Abramson to break down what the data actually shows, what's already working in the field, and what has to change upstream in planning and policy.Expect to learn:

What does a modern energy company actually look like?In this episode, Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US, joins Nico Johnson to explore a question that sits at the center of Octopus's strategy:Is it a utility with great technology—or a technology company operating inside energy?Nick's career spans California energy policy, years running East Bay Community Energy, and now scaling Octopus in the U.S. He brings an operator's perspective on what it really takes to build and run energy businesses inside complex regulatory systems.The conversation also digs into Kraken—the software platform Octopus built internally and later spun out into a standalone, highly successful energy tech company. Nick explains why Kraken's separation clarified Octopus's identity, unlocked new utility partnerships, and changed how the company thinks about scale.AI enters the conversation not as hype, but as one of several forces reshaping demand, operations, and expectations across the grid.Expect to learn:

Big things come in small packages. Could something smaller than a deck of cards be instrumental in our ability to meet the needs of the energy transition?In the ever-evolving landscape of power electronics, one material has been steadily gaining prominence due to its exceptional properties and transformative potential: Silicon Carbide (SiC). This remarkable semiconductor has revolutionized various industries, from automotive to aerospace, with its ability to operate at high temperatures, voltages and frequencies.As data centers and energy infrastructure increasingly need higher-voltage, higher-current devices to meet the demands for AI, this technology will enable the transition to a higher voltage platform while maintaining the high-efficiency requirements for continuously running, power-intensive systems.In today's conversation, Josh Beck chats with Infineon Technologies' Daniel Dalpiaz and Navid Riaz to explore the breakthrough hardware enabling the next generation of renewables, energy storage, EV charging, and high-power data centers. Infineon's silicon carbide devices pack serious voltage into incredibly compact, rugged designs, and have become the “intel-inside” of the clean energy revolution.In this episode, you'll hear how Infineon's latest innovation could shrink your cooling system, boost reliability, and push clean energy forward at scale.Expect to learn:

The power grid isn't just growing (at unprecedented rates!)It's becoming more complex, more distributed, and harder to manage.In this episode, Marc Spieler, who leads NVIDIA's global Energy business, explains how AI and accelerated computing already support grid operations, solar and storage forecasting, and infrastructure planning across the energy sector.Nico and Marc explore why electrification and data center growth are reshaping demand patterns, how software-defined infrastructure helps utilities avoid costly missteps, and where AI delivers practical value today. This conversation focuses on real workflows, real constraints, and what energy leaders need to understand as the grid evolves.If you work in solar, storage, utilities, or grid infrastructure, this episode will sharpen how you think about the role of software in clean energy.

The energy grid is facing a challenge unlike anything we've seen before.Think about this: one Virginia co-op has over 20 GW of demand in its queue. That's more than the energy demand of New York City. As electrification and data center expansion accelerate, public power and electric co-ops are on the front lines of solving this surge.Electric cooperatives and public utilities are facing a wave of electrification, data center load, and manufacturing demand that rivals the size of major cities. That's what major power providers are up against — but they're not backing down.This Tactical Tuesday episode is your front-row seat to a high-stakes, high-impact conversation hosted by Sheri Givens, CEO of SEPA. She's joined by two utility leaders tackling today's fastest-growing energy challenges while maintaining reliability, affordability, and equity.They deliver on active solutions - from smart customer programs to creative tariff structures and innovative infrastructure partnerships.Expect to learn:

2025 was a year of hardship for many, yet it was also a crucible for entrepreneurs, developing grit, resilience and perspective. We were able to capture some phenomenal conversations on the SunCast Podcast, and wanted to highlight a few that stand out for their vision and which also got among the most downloads of the year. In 2025, the clean energy industry was finally thinking like Amazon, building like Ford, and investing like it's personal. Today's episode highlights some of the key moments in the SunCast Podcast that illustrated these points through conversations with a powerhouse lineup of leaders who have been influential in bringing attention to the sector in a year where “good news” was hard to come by.In a classic tell-all live interview, Dean Solon breaks down his revolutionary solar logistics model—equal parts fast food and supply chain genius. Jigar Shah returns with an urgent message: the energy transition will stall unless we, as an industry, stop underestimating the role of political power. And Alex Honnold (Oscar-winning extreme rock climber) offers a rare perspective on how personal ambition can align with global progress, and why he believes solar power is a great social justice tool.Expect to learn:

What do a struggling mom in Georgia and a solar installer named Jim have in common? Their stories can change elections and shape public perception of clean energy.In this final episode of 2025, Aaron Nichols returns to SunCast with a mission: rescue storytelling from corporate cliché and remind us why one emotional story is worth a thousand graphs. His viral LinkedIn article Four Rules for Storytelling Corporate America Desperately Needs takes aim at how we confuse content creation with actual narrative power.Aaron and Nico dissect why storytelling in our industry so often falls flat and how to fix it.You'll walk away with a practical, human-centered playbook for narrative that converts.Expect to learn:

Can the city known for oil & gas become the center of clean energy?In this powerhouse episode, we meet Jane Stricker, SVP of Energy Transition at the Greater Houston Partnership and Executive Director of HETI (Houston Energy Transition Initiative). Jane shares a front-row view of Houston's bold strategy to stay the energy capital of the world – not just in oil, but in all forms of energy.Jane breaks down how Houston is scaling clean tech faster than ever before, attracting startups and corporate giants alike, and why over $95 billion has already been invested by local companies into low-carbon technologies.You'll hear how the city's industrial infrastructure, diverse workforce, and “speed-to-market” culture are giving it an edge in a global race for clean energy dominance.Expect to learn:

Solar is finally getting smarter. And faster - thanks to…robots?Recorded live at RE+ 2025, this episode takes you behind the scenes of solar's most advanced innovations — from automation in engineering to AI-driven O&M and digital twins. Hosts Amy Norstedt and Josh Beck sit down with some of the Industry's most forward-thinking executives to talk real-time transformation across the project lifecycle.Featured in this episode:Tyler Nelson, CEO at Revamp's outlines how their new software suite (proven on >15% of all new solar built in the US last year!) is facilitating faster project executionMatt Campbell, CEO of Terabase, shares that on-site solar robotics is real, and finally, it's here,Derek Chase, CEO of OnSight Technologies (Now part of Nextpower) revelas how robotic/ai site inspection is a gamechanger for asset management, and finallyHugh Scott, CTO at Flexgen covers how battery dispatch control is smoothing the grid and making assets more reliableExpect to learn:

Most people in solar avoid the uncomfortable conversation: what happens when systems age, warranties expire, components fail, and the original installer is long gone.Cesar Barbosa — founder of NuLife Power Services — has built a business around the part of the industry nobody wants to talk about: decommissioning, system remediation, and repowering. In this episode, Cesar breaks down why aging commercial solar is becoming a massive opportunity, the common failure points he's seeing in the field, and why he believes repowering is the next frontier for EPCs, developers, and asset owners.We also get into the “New Life Method,” the real economics behind end-of-life planning, the ethics of second-life solar in developing markets, and the leadership disciplines required to build a trades business that lasts — including how Cesar's faith shapes the way he leads.In this episode, you'll learn:Why repowering may outpace new installs as the next big services waveWhat most asset owners and EPCs get wrong about end-of-life planningThe real-world failure points showing up in aging systemsHow contractors can pivot into repowering and remediation workThe “3 Rs” of end-of-life PV: repurpose, refurbish, recycleIf you're in solar and not thinking about end-of-life... its time to start.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you'll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today's guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

The rules of the game have changed. Have you figured out the OB3 playbook?From massive tax credit shifts to permitting bottlenecks and foreign entity restrictions, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” has reshaped the future of clean energy in America. At this year's RE+ 2025, top minds from GoodLeap, Infineon, SEIA, and Wood Mackenzie broke down what OB3 really implicates across solar, storage, and grid infrastructure.Recorded live from the PowerUp Podcast Stage, this episode captures the pulse of an industry in motion. You'll hear how residential solar is pivoting fast, why semiconductor companies are critical to the grid's future, and what's really driving policy conversations in DC.Expect to learn:

Can AI fuel a people-first transformation at global scale? At UPS, the answer is a resounding yes. While many companies view AI through the lens of automation and efficiency, UPS is taking a radically different approach: treating AI as an enabler of human growth, not a replacement for it. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Danelle McCusker, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Talent, Learning and Culture at UPS, to explore how the company is redefining what workforce transformation looks like in the age of AI. With over half a million employees and a deeply rooted culture of promotion from within, UPS faces a unique challenge: how to prepare its people for a future defined by emerging technologies - while preserving trust, purpose, and opportunity. Join them as Danelle and David explore: Why UPS is designing AI implementations to relieve frontline burdens and elevate the value of human work - not eliminate it. How a pilot with Valence's AI coach Nadia is creating access to consistent, personalised development for employees well beyond the executive tier. The role of psychological safety and experimentation in successful AI adoption How HR and technology teams are partnering to drive cultural and capability transformation What other HR leaders can learn from UPS's intentional, business-first approach to AI Whether you're in the early stages of your AI journey or looking for practical ways to align tech with talent strategy, this conversation offers both inspiration and actionable insights from the front lines of change. This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That's exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI is pushing the grid to its limits — and transformers are now the critical path for both data centers and renewable projects.Today's guest, Doug Banty, EVP at Forgent (and former CEO of MGM Transformers), sits at the intersection of these two worlds. Half of his week at RE+ was spent across the strip at the Yotta data center conference, where the only topic on everyone's mind was power. In this episode, Doug explains how AI-driven rack density is rewriting the entire powertrain, why hyperscalers are treating speed like an existential priority, and what this means for developers trying to keep pace.He also breaks down the industrial logic behind Forgent — a merger of MGM, VanTran, States, and PowerCube — and how integrated solutions are becoming essential for execution in an era where timelines matter more than price.Expect to learn: ⚡ Why data centers are moving at crisis-level urgency ⚡ The difference between power and distribution transformers ⚡ What MGM's 500,000 sq ft Waco factory means for lead times ⚡ How Forgent reduces execution risk through integrated packages ⚡ The single most effective way developers can avoid delaysHit play — and see what the future of the grid really looks like.

What's your plan when the power goes out?If you think a generator is your only option, think again.Today's conversation, live from our RE+ PowerUp Live stage, Rachel Stotts of Jackery breaks down a new category of home energy backup: flexible, modular systems that you can easily scale and take with you. Whether you're facing tornadoes or planning a weekend tailgate, portable energy solutions cover everything from your fridge to your CPAP machine, and they're becoming increasingly popular with prosumers who don't want the hassles of traditional energy storage.No permits. No permanent installs. Just plug-and-play resilience. And up to 30% federal tax credit if you act before year's end.Rachel and Josh Beck explore why this product category is resonating with both outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners fed up with power outages.You'll hear:

Performance expectations are rising - but the systems designed to support people haven't kept up. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, host David Green is joined by Parker Mitchell, CEO and Founder of Valence, to explore how AI is transforming the way organisations think about performance. Tune is as they explore: Why traditional performance management still feels broken How AI coaching can support real-time performance improvement at scale How trust, context, and timing make the difference in effective AI tools What changes when every employee has access to a personal coach The signals that show AI coaching is driving real performance impact How HR leaders can start small - but smart - when exploring AI coaching This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That's exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Speed to Power” is the new race — but can the grid keep up?Hyperscalers, AI, and industrial demand are pushing load growth from flat to vertical. Yet most projects still take five to seven years just to interconnect.That's the bottleneck Hugo Mena is tackling as Chief Growth Officer at Electric Power Engineers (EPE).This live conversation addresses the forces shaping the grid of the future — and what it'll actually take to deliver power at the speed innovation demands. Hugo shares how developers, utilities, and data centers can collaborate to unlock speed to power without sacrificing reliability or long-term vision.Expect to learn:

In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, Katarina Berg - CHRO at On, former CHRO at Spotify, and author of Bold: A New Era of Strategic HR - joins David Green to explore what modern, strategic HR leadership truly requires. Together, they dive into the evolving partnership between the CHRO and CEO - a relationship that has never been more critical as organisations navigate AI, workforce transformation, culture, and business growth. Katarina shares how HR leaders can bring both insight and humanity to the executive table, shape decisions that drive business outcomes, and intentionally design a culture that empowers people to perform. The conversation covers:What a genuinely strategic CHRO-CEO relationship looks like - and how to build itHow Katarina approached her first 100 days as CHRO at On, and the lessons she's bringing into the next phase of growthWhy “putting the H back in HR” is essential in the AI eraHow people analytics teams can evolve into true insight and decision-driving partnersWhy intentional leadership - not just tools or trends - will define the next era of HR This is a must-listen for HR leaders who want to elevate their strategic influence and lead with courage, clarity, and humanity. This episode is sponsored by Valence.Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That's exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Links referenced in the conversation:Bold: A New Era of Strategic HR2025 HR Predictions: Looking Into the Crystal Ball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can getting a solar permit be as fast as ordering takeout?Permitting may be the most boring part of solar, but it's also the biggest bottleneck.That's what Matthew McAllister is working to fix. As CEO of SolarAPP, he's leading a quiet revolution that helps installers skip the paperwork and get to work faster with instant, automated approvals.In this episode, we dive into Matthew's journey from the West Wing to the frontlines of the clean energy transition. With a background in government technology and big public wins like launching Colorado's universal preschool platform, he knows what it takes to move bureaucracy at startup speed. Now he's using that know-how to help solar installers and local governments solve one of the industry's oldest problems.We explore how SolarAPP grew from a small NREL pilot into a platform adopted by more than 525 jurisdictions across the country. But the real innovation isn't just instant permits — it's about creating consistency, clarity, and confidence on both sides of the table.Expect to learn:

America's about to make a big bet on critical minerals and rare earths. In case you missed it, the DOE just reorganized and announced a major initiative around the refining of this critical element in our energy and defense future. Why? Because the energy and defense sectors are dangerously dependent on China's refining power; but, what if we could change that without opening a single new mine? We recently covered a company that's rethinking rare earth and critical mineral supply chains from the ground up. Mark LaVerghetta, VP at ReElement Technologies, explained that their secret weapon is a closed-loop chromatography-based refining system that can extract and purify vital materials from recycled batteries, magnets, and even coal waste, all on U.S. soil. Mark shares how the leadership team pivoted from distressed coal assets to inventing a modular, small-footprint solution that could rewrite the rules of critical mineral processing and eliminate America's reliance on toxic, capital-intensive Chinese methods and imports. It can also liberate us from the supply constraints imposed by the ever-growing trade war between the two countries for materials that are critical path to our clean energy future.Expect to learn:

Why do some teams click while others struggle, despite having top talent? That's exactly what our host David Green explores in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, with guest Dr. Colin Fisher - PhD Programme Director at UCL School of Management and author of The Collective Edge. With a background in organisational behaviour, Colin brings a fresh lens to one of the most critical - and misunderstood - aspects of modern work: how teams are structured, and how that structure shapes everything from communication to creativity to performance. Join them and learn more about: Why the seeds of team success - or failure - are planted before Day One The 60-30-10 rule for high-performing teams (and why most leaders focus on the wrong 10%) How to design work that kills free-riding and boosts engagement Why psychological safety is a non-negotiable - and how to build it fast How AI and team design intersect, and what leaders need to do right now This episode is sponsored by Valence. Imagine if every employee had a world-class coach in their pocket. That's exactly what Valence has created with Nadia - the AI-powered coach helping Fortune 500 companies scale development, boost performance, and support leaders at every level. Learn more at valence.co/insight222 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.