Energy Gang

They called the film Avengers: Infinity War the most ambitious crossover event in history. We can’t quite make the same claim, but at Wood Mackenzie’s 2025 Solar and Energy Storage Summit, we did record a crossover episode. Ed Crooks, host of Energy Gang, is joined by Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Wood Mackenz’s principal analyst for solar power and host of Interchange Recharged, to discuss the future of energy, and of the electricity grid in particular.They are joined by Rob Chapman, Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions at the non-profit research group EPRI, the Electric Power Research Institute, which aims to help power society toward a reliable, affordable, and resilient energy future. Rob talks about a key theme in his work: the importance of flexibility on the electricity grid. Increased reliance on solar and wind power has created challenges in keeping the grid balanced and the lights on. Surging demand for electricity for new data centres to train and run AI models is giving rise to a whole new set of issues. More flexible demand and supply on the grid is increasingly valuable. But where can it come from?Data centres don’t usually offer a lot of flexibility in their operations. People want to use ChatGPT and watch Netflix even at night and when the wind is low. So what can the hyperscalers do to create flexibility? Are virtual power plants an effective option? And how can the energy industry improve collaboration to find solutions that promote the clean energy transition while keeping prices down?You can find Energy Gang wherever you get your podcasts, and follow Interchange Recharged with Sylvia Leyva Martinez for deep dives into the innovations that are accelerating the energy transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“With great uncertainty comes great opportunity”, says Abby Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in this special episode of the Energy Gang, recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit.Is she right? And what are those opportunities? To find out, host Ed Crooks welcomed Abby and Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, for a special discussion on the state of the solar and storage industries today.Uncertainty is the buzzword of the moment: uncertainty over tariffs, over tax credits, over the evolution of AI, and over the economic outlook. The Trump administration’s new tariffs are disrupting supply chains and prompting companies to delay investment decisions. At such a volatile time, it’s easy to be caught out by a sudden change in policy.Companies have different strategies for coping with all this uncertainty. Some have been stockpiling solar panels; a few have been stockpiling batteries. And all the while, there are some powerful global trends still driving the industry: overproduction in China that is still driving down costs, and the need for new electricity generation of all types to power data centers for AI.Abby, Ed and Shyam debate the uncertain policies and forecasts that are making companies hesitant to invest, and find some pointers to help navigate through the storm. And they lift their eyes from the day-to-day chaos to consider what are the real opportunities for the longer term once the immediate crisis is over.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amy Duffuor, co-founder of Azolla Ventures, talks about the crucial role of catalytic capital in boosting clean energy innovations during tough times for investment. She emphasizes that successful climate tech must communicate its broader significance. Melissa Lott from Microsoft discusses the geopolitical factors shaping investor confidence and US policies affecting innovation support. Together, they explore cleantech challenges, the need for strategic planning, and the importance of framing investments to address societal issues in climate action.

Chris Shelton, Chief Product Officer at AES, discusses the crucial role of batteries in addressing the electricity demands of hyperscalers. Travis Kavulla from NRG Energy sheds light on regulatory policies and the challenges with grid interconnection for data centers. MJ Shiao of the American Clean Power Association highlights the growing electricity needs driven by AI and manufacturing. Together, they explore how renewable energy and efficient gas plants can meet future demands, alongside navigating the evolving political landscape impacting energy infrastructure.

Amy Myers Jaffe, an expert in energy policy from NYU, and Robbie Orvis, director at Energy Innovation, dive into the electric vehicle revolution sparked by BYD's rapid-charging technology. They discuss how the U.S. might be lagging behind in clean energy advancements and the implications for American automakers. Jaffe advocates for a revamped U.S. policy to encourage innovation, while Orvis highlights the necessity for robust support in domestic battery manufacturing. The conversation also touches on the challenges facing Tesla and evolving perceptions of electric vehicles in surprising places like Texas.

Shanu Mathew, Senior VP at Lazard Asset Management, discusses the shift in institutional investment strategies towards energy amid market turmoil. Amy Myers Jaffe, Director at NYU's Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, shares insights on cleantech and low-carbon investment hurdles. They explore the departure of major oil companies from renewables, the connection between oil prices and cleantech funding, and the growing impact of data centers on energy demand. Their analysis questions whether the clean energy transition is slowing down or simply recalibrating.

Swetha Sundaram, VP of Solar and BESS at RWE, and Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, delve into the explosive growth of energy storage technologies. They discuss the transformative role of battery systems in transitioning to low-carbon energy, spotlighting opportunities for long-duration storage that could yield a $4 trillion market by 2040. The conversation also touches on the evolution of storage solutions, regulatory impacts, and how energy storage can address both immediate and seasonal energy demands, especially in high renewables regions.

Samantha Gross, an energy policy expert at the Brookings Institution, and Joseph Majkut, director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, dive into the implications of President Trump's tariffs on the energy landscape. They discuss how tariffs could reshape U.S.-Canada energy relations and impact energy security and climate goals. The conversation also touches on the complexities of U.S. dependence on Canadian oil and the potential for American innovation in renewable energy technologies to lead the charge against global competition.

Amy Myers Jaffe, Director at NYU’s Energy Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, and Melissa Lott, Partner GM at Microsoft, dive into the transformative impact of DeepSeek AI on the energy sector. They discuss how this innovative model disrupts market dynamics and raises questions about the future of 'baseload' power amidst shifting energy demands. The pair also tackle the implications of recent executive orders under the Trump administration, highlighting a notable shift in prioritizing energy supplies over climate change.

In this discussion, Melissa Lott from Microsoft, an expert in energy transition, and Austin Knight, Vice President at Chevron New Energies, dive into the future of hydrogen in our energy system. They explore hydrogen's potential as a versatile tool for decarbonization and its application in heavy transport. While acknowledging the current challenges, including infrastructure and cost, they advocate for a balanced approach that combines hydrogen with other technologies to achieve net-zero emissions. The conversation is both optimistic and realistic, highlighting the path forward for clean hydrogen.