Is SECURITY the Key to the ENERGY Transition? Austin Wood (SET Ventures)

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From underwater data cables to aging transformers, the infrastructure powering our world is under pressure, and increasingly, under threat. But could national security, not just decarbonization, be the force that finally accelerates the energy transition?

In this episode, I’m joined by Austin Wood, Investment Manager at SET Ventures, to unpack why security is becoming a central force behind the energy transition and how their latest investment in OPTICS11 plays at the intersection of deeptech, defense, and critical infrastructure.

We explore:

* Why energy systems are now national security issues

* The mechanics and strategy behind their investments in OPTICS11

* How fiber optic sensing can detect failures before they happen

* The overlap between climate, security, and infrastructure

* The economics of partial discharge monitoring (and why you should care)

* … and more!

Watch this episode on YouTube. 👇

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 Introduction to the episode

* 02:00 Austin's Story

* 03:10 SET Ventures Investment Strategy

* 08:05 Optics 11: Security as a Driver of the Energy Transition

* 17:20 Explaining Partial Discharge

* 19:50 What Convinced SET to Invest?

* 28:09 Investment Mechanics

* 30:01 Security as a New Driver for Energy Transition

* 36:50 LP Appetite for Climate-Tech

* 38:51 Rapid Fire Questions

📚 REFERENCES

* Optics 11 – Fiber optic sensing for infrastructure and subsea monitoring

* Wallbox Chargers – EV chargers and energy management software

* Partial Discharge Monitoring – Detecting early failure signs in transformers

* Royal Smitt – Transformer OEM + servicing partner

* Dutch Navy – Early adopter and signal of defense relevance

* SET Ventures – Digital energy VC based in Amsterdam

* Join Capital – Dual-use and defense-focused VC syndicate partner

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