Manager vs Advisor

Barbara Burger is the former president of Chevron Technology Ventures and describes herself as a "corporate graduate." She now spends her time advising and helping startups and venture funds working on the energy transition, including Greentown Labs, Energy Impact Partners, Emerald Technology Ventures, Syzygy Plasmonics, Heliogen, and many more.

In this episode, we discuss her multifaceted career journey and her current role in guiding startups and venture funds in the energy sector. The conversation covers the technological advancements driving the energy transition, the dynamics between large energy companies and startups, and the specific roles of natural gas and hydrogen. Barbara also sheds light on generational shifts in the energy industry, global energy geopolitics, and offers valuable advice for women in the sector. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• [03:45]: Barbara's book recommendation, "The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World"
• [06:47]: Barbara's career journey, starting at Chevron after graduate school
• [07:41]: Learning and growing in the energy sector, from industrial chemistry to energy economics
• [09:26]: Shift to Chevron Technology Ventures, focusing on biofuels, renewable fuels, and digitalization
• [11:14]: Evolution of Chevron Technology Ventures' investment focus
• [14:46]: The potential of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel
• [17:07]: Barbara's insights on the emerging hydrogen value chain
• [20:21]: Innovations in shale exploration and their impact on the energy industry
• [22:23]: The integration of oil and gas companies in the clean tech venture space
• [27:21]: Post-Chevron activities: advising startups and venture funds in the energy transition
• [31:54]: Advice for large companies working with startups and vice versa
• [35:00]: The critical role of speed in energy transition
• [40:11]: Geopolitical aspects of energy in different regions: China, India, Africa
• [42:11]: Future of natural gas, role of CCUS, and economic factors
• [47:10]: Generational shifts impacting the energy industry
• [50:35]: Barbara's career advice for women in energy and tech
• [53:04]: The necessity of affordable, reliable, and low-impact energy solutions

Episode recorded on Dec 18, 2023 (Published on Jan 15, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant