Energy Gang

Quinn Nakayama, Senior Director of Grid Research and Innovation at PG&E, dives into the complexities of the 'crazy grid'. He explains how California's electricity system is adapting to new demands like variable renewable energy and electric vehicles. The discussion touches on the role of AI in increasing power demand and grid management. Nakayama debates the effectiveness of Virtual Power Plants and highlights the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades to meet rising consumption patterns, especially with the growing influence of data centers.

Robbie Orvis, Senior Director at Energy Innovation, and Jeremy Horan, VP at ACORE, join to unpack the implications of the recent budget reconciliation legislation. They discuss the potential decline in wind and solar investments, increased reliance on natural gas, and a promising outlook for battery storage. The duo also tackles the complexities introduced by new regulations on foreign entities, which could hinder progress in renewable projects. The conversation dips into how global geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran, are reshaping U.S. energy markets.

Stephen LaFleur, Senior Director of Sales for Utility-Scale Solar at Shoals Technologies Group, and Grant Reasor, Associate Electrical Engineer at Burns & McDonnell, dive deep into the world of Electrical Balance of Systems (EBOS). They highlight how flawless EBOS integration is essential for solar project success, discussing alarming statistics about connector-related failures. The conversation also touches on the shift to 2KV systems and the cost-effectiveness of repowering solar plants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the clean energy sector.

Join climate experts Sarah Kapnick and Amy Myers-Jaffe as they unpack the realities of adapting to a warming world. Kapnick, with her background at JP Morgan and NOAA, highlights the rising uninsurability of certain regions due to climate risks. They discuss the urgent need for innovative adaptation strategies, particularly for vulnerable communities. The conversation also touches on how climate change is reshaping energy markets and influencing housing decisions. Together, they call for urgent action to address disparities in climate-related impacts.

In a lively discussion, David Ulrey, CFO of Fervo Energy, talks about groundbreaking geothermal projects, including a promising pilot in Nevada, and financing challenges in the sector. Mona Dajani from Baker Botts offers insights on energy dealmaking amidst changing political winds, emphasizing the need for adaptability. Tonya Hicks, founder of Power Solutions Inc, shares her inspiring journey as a woman entrepreneur in the renewable energy space. Lastly, Ray Long discusses the urgency of navigating energy tax credit uncertainties and exploring innovative financing mechanisms.

In an engaging discussion, Joseph Webster, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council focusing on energy and geopolitics, shares insights on the U.S.-China energy dynamics and the race to develop AI capabilities. Seth Hanlon from NYU Tax Law Center provides critical perspectives on the energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, while Lesley Hunter, Senior VP at ACORE, talks about lobbying for clean energy support in Congress. The conversation reveals the crucial interplay between energy policies, legislative challenges, and national security.

Ray Long, President of ACORE, shares insights on the mounting uncertainties in the clean energy sector due to Congressional debates over tax credits. Meghan Schultz, CFO of Invenergy, stresses how these uncertainties affect their operations as the largest US independent power producer. Ted Brandt, CEO of Marathon Capital, discusses potential fallout if subsidies are eliminated. They also highlight rising demand from data centers, the implications for electricity prices, and the competitive energy landscape between the US and China.

Amy Myers-Jaffe, a policy expert at NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, joins Robbie Orvis from Energy Innovation and Ray Long from the American Council on Renewable Energy. They tackle the chilling impact Congressional tax credit proposals could have on the clean energy sector. Discussion revolves around the urgency of protecting crucial tax incentives for renewables, the geopolitical ramifications of energy policies, and the future of U.S. energy supply chains amidst rising costs and international tensions.

Tyler Norris, a PhD student and James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University, dives into his groundbreaking research on integrating new data centers into the U.S. electricity grid. He reveals that the grid could handle an astonishing 98 gigawatts of additional load with proper flexibility, challenging the perception of power system rigidity. The conversation covers practical applications of load flexibility, real-world adoption strategies for data centers, and the critical role of advanced technologies like virtual power plants in optimizing energy management.

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.