Inevitable

In today’s episode, we cover:Skelly’s background and journey as a renewable energy entrepreneur.His formative experience in canopy tourism.The reasons and motives that drove Skelly to get into wind energy.His reflection on the Industrial Revolution.What has changed in renewable energy since he first began working in it.Texas’ experience with renewable energy.Skelly’s thoughts on existing nuclear energy power plants.The prospect of putting a price on carbon.The importance of transmission line infrastructure and the current impediments.Skelly’s experience running for Congress in Texas.The Green New Deal and its viability.The role of big fossil fuel companies in renewable energy.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Clean Line Energy Partners: https://www.cleanlineenergy.com/HBS Profile (with mention of Skelly’s experience in canopy tourism): https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=5899“Factfulness”: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814ERCOT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Reliability_Council_of_TexasForm Energy: https://formenergy.com/ 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

Today's guest is Nicolas Pinkowski, Co-Founder of Nitricity.We cover a lot in this episode, including how Nitricity came to be, the impetus for its founding, progress made to date, and some of the twists and turns along the way. We also discuss the company’s longterm vision and what's coming next. We also touch upon the experience of starting a company within an academic environment and the pros and cons of doing so. Finally, we delve into what society can do to foster more of this type of innovation, that holds promise of delivering both impact and profit.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Nitricity?The background of the team and how they came to work together.How traditional fertilizers contributes to GHG emissions.How Nitricity arrived at the problem and discovered a solution.Experience with taking an entrepreneurial class and how it inspired Nitricity.The skills needed in developing their prototype.Pros and cons of prototyping on the farm versus in the lab.Nitricity’s pitch and value proposition for the farmer.Nitricity’s business model, expenditures and dependencies.The company’s financing efforts.Nitricity’s product vision moving forward.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Nitricity: https://www.nitricity.co/Stanford Energy Ventures: https://energy.stanford.edu/energy-transformation-collaborativeCalTech’s FLOW Competition: https://rocketfund.caltech.edu/Check out another interview with Nico on the MIT Energy Initiative podcast: http://energy.mit.edu/podcast/2020-mit-clean-energy-prize-winners/ 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

In today’s episode, we cover:Jason’s work at SIPA and Center of Global Energy Policy.Jason’s time in policy in the Clinton and Obama Administrations and Brookings Institute.SIPA’s mission and how it serves as a resource for decision-makers in the energy industry.How the challenge among energy and climate policymakers is making research useful and actionable for industry.How Jason found his way in working on energy at Columbia.The early-optimism in Obama’s first-term to pass bipartisan legislation to address climate change.The optimal role for the U.S. in addressing climate change.What Jason would advocate a potential Biden Administration focus on to address climate change.The importance of bilateral cooperation, in particular with China, in tackling climate change.The significance of equity and justice in solving climate change.The implications of the U.S. passing a carbon price.How global sentiment toward climate change is encouraging and leading to social mobilization.The role of the big fossil fuel companies in the clean energy transition.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Jason’s Faculty Page: https://sipa.columbia.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/jason-bordoffColumbia’s SIPA: https://sipa.columbia.edu/Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/“Earth Day at 50 Reveals What’s Missing in Climate Change Fight”: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/21/earth-day-50th-anniversary-climate-change/ 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

Today's guest is Tim Latimer, Co-Founder and CEO of Fervo Energy.This is the first episode that I've done putting geothermal front and center, and Tim does a great job in this discussion of providing an overview of geothermal technology. I learn why it matters, where it is in its evolution, where it needs to get to and the barriers holding it back. We also talk a bunch about Tim's journey from starting as a drilling engineer, working in the Permian and Eagle Four Basins, to now being laser-focused on thermal technology and the clean energy transition. I really enjoyed this one and I hope you do as well. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Fervo and what was its genesis?The origins of Tim’s interest in climate change.Tim’s early work experience in the fossil fuel industry as an oil-drilling engineer.How the vision of energy independence and coal-alternatives enticed him to enter the oil industry.The epiphany that prompted him to leave the fossil fuel industry and explore geothermal energy.Tim’s realization that the bottleneck for geothermal development is financing not research.Tim’s experience at Stanford Graduate School of Business and his decision to go all in on Fervo Energy.How geothermal systems work and what has historically hampered development outside of select countries.Fervo’s new horizontal-drilling approach and heat-flow distribution technique.Fervo Energy’s business model and its services.How geothermal offers a carbon-free renewable energy without the challenges of intermittency.Goal of developing first operational facility by 2021.How lands rights are treated.How geothermal can compensate for the night-time intermittency issue that has come with the growth of solar energy.The role of storage as it relates to geothermal energy.How Tim sees areas of risk for Fervo.What success looks like for Fervo.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Fervo Energy: https://www.fervoenergy.com/MIT: “The Future of Geothermal Energy”: http://energy.mit.edu/research/future-geothermal-energy/TomKat Center at Stanford: https://tomkat.stanford.edu/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/California’s SB100 Regulation: https://www.energy.ca.gov/sb100Geothermal Risk Mitigation Fund For East Africa: https://grmf-eastafrica.org/ 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

Today's guest is Bryce Smith, Founder & CEO at LevelTen Energy. We have a great discussion in this episode about Bryce's career and experience, what brought him into the energy world, and what led him to founding LevelTen. We talk about the vision of LevelTen, the company’s origin story, the products they've had to date, and what types of things are coming next. And we have a great discussion about the energy marketplace and how the projects LevelTen facilitates are helping to usher the transition to renewable energy.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is LevelTen Energy and its mission?The pain point of the renewable energy developers LevelTen serves.What is a PPA and why it’s sought by energy developers?The role of the utility companies in renewable energy development.Why the analogy of the “Zillow for energy contracts” is apt.LevelTen’s value proposition for energy developers and energy-seeking companies.Why it matters what type of energy is entered into the electricity grid.How Bryce thinks of carbon reduction in the electricity grid.What has motivate the corporate shift to renewable energy.The technical and political challenges to growing renewable energy adoption.The role carbon pricing might play in driving renewable energy innovationWhat Bryce sees as the future prospects of renewable energy.The NIMBY-ism that developers have had to contend with.The varied landscape of the renewable energy developer market.How the next movement in climate tech will be in carbon capture.How support from policy and government is critical to advance renewable energy.Links to topics discussed in this episode:LevelTen Energy: https://leveltenenergy.com/Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_purchase_agreementOne Energy: https://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/ 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

Today's guests are Nan Ransohoff & Ryan Orbuch, members of Stripe’s Climate team. Nan and Ryan work on the Climate team at Stripe, and I was very excited for the opportunity to interview them. While it’s not a climate company, Stripe recognizes that climate change poses a long term risk to its mission of growing the GDP of the Internet. As a result, Stripe is doing a number of things that I think are fascinating. For one, it’s treating the climate team like a product team. The company embraces a culture of experimentation and, as part of that, it’s leaning into negative emissions. The company has been transparent in its efforts, open sourcing much of its work. Second, Stripe is figuring out how to include merchants in its efforts to decarbonize. I can't wait to see what Stripe does in climate over time. It's a fascinating company, and a great discussion.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s discussion, we cover:Nan’s and Ryan’s respective backgrounds and how it lead them to climate.What is Stripe and its mission?Stripe’s negative emissions commitment.How did Stripe go about learning about climate?The Stripe Climate team and how it operates.Purchasing an offset vs. a negative emission.Stripe’s project purchases and its selection process.How Stripe thinks of the policy landscape and its role in it.How much focus is spent on helping other businesses with negative emissions and reducing its own emissions.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Stripe’s 2019 negative emissions announcement: https://stripe.com/blog/negative-emissions-commitmentRyan’s climate blog post (lists project purchases): https://stripe.com/blog/first-negative-emissions-purchases45Q Tax Credit: https://www.betterenergy.org/blog/primer-section-45q-tax-credit-for-carbon-capture-projects/Stripe Negative Emissions Source Material on Github: https://github.com/stripe/negative-emissions-source-materialsStripe is looking to add a designer and operations manager to the climate team: climate@stripe.com 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

In today’s episode, we cover:Sean’s experience as an entrepreneur.Sean’s background in science and his interest in climate change.How business revealed to him the regulatory and legislative barriers related to climate development.How his father and his work in cogeneration plants influenced his interest in biofuels and climate.The challenges faced by mission-driven energy companies.Why he feels, in general, the tech component is overstated as a barrier.Why deployment of technology is the real challenge.How Sean transitioned from business to politics.Why framing climate change, in a way that appeals to constituents’ specific interests, is key.The specific areas of the Green New Deal he takes issue with.How the needs of addressing climate change far exceed what’s politically possible currently.Why critical issues, like climate change, cannot be decided by the majority.What Sean recommends concerned citizens should do to address climate change.What Sean believes the U.S. needs to do to address climate change.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Website: https://casten.house.gov/aboutWikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_CastenRecycled Energy Development: http://www.recycled-energy.com/IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidy Report: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/Environment/energy-subsidiesGreen New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal 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

Today's guest is Andrew Salzberg, Loeb Fellow at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.I was excited for this one, because transportation is such a key lever in decarbonization and one that we haven't yet spent enough time talking about here on the pod. We cover a lot in this episode, including an overview of the transportation ecosystem, where we are today, where we need to go and what are some of the barriers that have been holding us back. We also talk about the arc of Andrew's career and his time at Uber. I enjoyed this one a lot and I hope you do as well.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:Andrew’s early passion in transit and transportation.His background in civil engineering and urban planning.His experience working in China on urban development.Andrew’s time at Uber.His perspective on where the U.S. is with respect to climate change.How transportation behavior is hampering progress on emissions.The role of ride share companies and the impact of autonomous vehicles.His impetus for leaving Uber.The importance of localizing action to improve transportation.The big transportation levers that should be pulled to address climate change.The challenges around local regulations and NIMBYism and the need to overcome it.Lyft’s recent announcement to go 100% EV by 2030.How the government needs to lead the decarbonization of transportation.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Loeb Fellow Profile: https://loebfellowship.gsd.harvard.edu/fellows-alumni/fellows-search/andrewsalzberg/Transport for London: https://tfl.gov.uk/House Democrats’ climate proposal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/06/30/pelosi-climate-plan/Lyft’s pledge to go 100% EV by 2030: https://www.lyft.com/blog/posts/leading-the-transition-to-zero-emissions 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

In today’s debate, we cover:What is hydrogen?How is it used and why is it important?Jigar’s and Gene’s respective background as it relates to hydrogenThe applications and costs associated with hydrogenWhat competes with hydrogen in the energy marketThe necessity of a price on carbon as it relates to hydrogenWhat the natural gas boom says about hydrogen’s futureInitiatives Jigar and Gene would respectively recommend the government to employPredictions of hydrogen looking a decade outLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“Power To The People”: https://www.amazon.com/Power-People-Revolution-Transform-Industry/dp/0374236755“Helping Walmart Meet Sustainability Goals with Fuel Cell Technology”: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/sustainability/20140516/helping-walmart-meet-sustainability-goals-with-fuel-cell-technology  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

Philip Behn, CEO of Imperfect Foods, discusses the company's mission to tackle food waste and its achievements in serving customers and recovering waste. He explores the landscape of the food waste problem, the artificial standards of produce 'beauty,' and the overlap between food waste and climate change. Controversies with Imperfect Foods' business and the role of government in addressing climate change are also discussed.