The Keep Cool Podcast

Description: Nick is joined by Rob Hanson, the CEO of Monolith, a company building methane pyrolysis plants to turn methane into hydrogen and carbon black, both of which are critical products for global industries and which are predominantly produced with significant emissions footprints today. Monolith’s process aims to decarbonize hydrogen and carbon black production while commercializing to scales of clean production not seen almost anywhere else in the world. Nick and Rob also discuss the duality of methane’s inherent economic value and its staggering cost to the environment, especially as a major global warming driver, as well as:Technical ins and outs: Among other things, one of the pieces of technologies Monolith has built is one of the world’s largest plasma torches. Not sure what that means? Listen for more.What it’s like working with the DOE’s Loan Programs Office: While the Loan Programs Office's risk appetite doesn’t suit itself to every type of project, Rob breaks down under what circumstances working with the LPO can be a powerful partnership to scale critical clean technologies.Sustained will for the energy transition: Why ‘sustainability’ is about a lot more than just greenhouse gas emissions and other ‘green’ metrics.Timestamps:00:03:08 - Methane's role across environmental and economic impact00:04:11 - Rob's background and journey to Monolith00:06:10 - The Role of DOE's Loan Programs Office 00:09:03 - Deep dive into Monolith's technology and development00:19:08 - Carbon Black production and usage00:26:33 - Challenges and rigor required to work with the LPO00:30:08 - Monolith's future production capacity and impact00:33:32 - The importance of economic viability without green premiums00:36:07 - Sustained will and what the energy transition holistically requires00:38:33 - Perception of the energy transition in the Midwest00:41:47 - Calls to action Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing industry. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.Learn more about Monolith on their website and LinkedIn: https://monolith-corp.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/monolith-corp/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Jigar Shah, Director of the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, and Ian Dickinson, CEO of LongPath Technologies, dive into the innovative world of methane monitoring. They discuss how cutting-edge technologies are changing the oil and gas landscape, emphasizing economic incentives and safety improvements. The conversation highlights the critical role of financing in creating momentum for climate solutions. Shah and Dickinson also explore the impact of new regulations and the need for collaboration in tackling methane emissions effectively.

Allison Wolff, CEO of Vibrant Planet, discusses using AI and ML for climate action with rapid outcomes in natural resource management. They talk about nature-based solutions like proactive land management and reintroducing beavers. The episode covers global expansion, business models, challenges, and calls to action for the future.

In this podcast, Glassdome's co-founder, CTO, and Product Manager discuss their platform for industrial decarbonization. They cover topics like regulatory compliance, data acquisition from old equipment, carbon emissions analysis, and the impact of new regulations on sustainability outcomes. The conversation also explores the battery industry's sustainability challenges and the importance of global teamwork in driving sustainable practices in manufacturing.

Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, explores revolutionary cloud-seeding technologies. He discusses the unpredictable history of cloud seeding and the recent breakthroughs that validate its effectiveness. Augustus highlights innovative approaches, including drone delivery and novel nucleation agents, minimizing costs while enhancing yield for agricultural needs and water management. The conversation also delves into the importance of tackling complex problems and the value of inspiring technical creativity, all while addressing public perception and environmental safety.

John Skrinar, a Partner at Cresta Fund Management, shares his insights on the vital role of infrastructure investment in the U.S. energy transition. He discusses groundbreaking technologies like carbon capture and thermal energy storage, emphasizing their importance for renewable energy. The conversation highlights the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on sustainable investing and the need for stable policies. John also sheds light on the growing trend of large private equity firms entering the clean energy market, marking a shift in the investment landscape.

Nick and Aaron Feigelman, the CEO of Kawa Project, dive deep on the world of waste-to-value alternatives to commodities like cocoa and palm oil. Specifically Nick and Aaron discuss why cocoa prices are soaring, how there’s a ton of ‘climate’ stories inherent to this dynamic, and the work Aaron’s company is doing to make cocoa alternatives that are sustainable and future-proof. In addition, Nick and Aaron walk through:All the climactic impacts inherent to supply chains for things like cocoa The benefit of waste-to-value approaches in climate tech and energyThe nuts and bolts (or beans?) of the cocoa industry and Kawa Project’s businessDon't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, food and agriculture, waste-to-value approaches, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.00:01:34 - Food Waste Statistics and Environmental Impact00:04:51 - Challenges and Pivots in Business Model00:08:05 - Kawa Project's Current Focus and Progress00:13:43 - Impact Layers and Keeping Waste Out of Landfills00:15:00 - The Iterative Process of Product Development00:16:03 - The Economics of Waste Management00:18:45 - Centralization of Cocoa Supply Chain00:20:07 - Scale and Sales Cycle in B2B Ingredient Sales00:23:59 - The Biggest Challenges for Kawa Project in 202400:27:38 - Aaron's Broader Thoughts on Climate and Industry00:33:44 - The Free Market and Climate SolutionsLearn more about Kawa Project on their website: https://www.thekawaproject.com/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Description: Nick and Josh Silverman, the CEO of Windfall Bio, discuss his companies novel methane utilization technologies while casting a wide net across the climate tech ecosystem to discuss dynamics inherent to the methane ‘story’ as a whole and why methane mitigation deserves more attention from stakeholders across climate and energy (as well as listeners like you)Why methane in general deserves a lot more attention in climate circlesWhy methane hasn’t gotten more attention until now A novel way to use methane on Earth, keeping it out of the atmosphereDon't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, methane mitigation, energy, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.00:01:57 - Needed Nuance in Climate Discussions and Methane's Role00:04:04 - Reversing Climate Change with Methane Reduction00:09:06 - Using Methane as a Feedstock00:14:37 - Windfall Bio's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy00:19:31 - Customizing Solutions for Different Methane Sources00:25:17 - The Self-Sustaining Business Model of Windfall Bio00:26:34 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business00:31:11 - The Persistence of Methane Emissions Despite Its Value00:34:12 - Case Study: Methane Mitigation on a Dairy Farm00:44:13 - The Need for a Broader Focus Beyond CO2 in Climate Action00:49:24 - The Positive Movement in Methane Regulation and AwarenessLearn more about Windfall Bio on their website: https://www.windfall.bio/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Quincy Lee, CEO of Electric Era, and Ramez Naam, Managing Partner at planetary.vc, engage in a riveting discussion on electrification and climate technology. They explore the rapid growth of electric vehicles and the urgent need for grid upgrades. The duo emphasizes decarbonization led by superior products and touches on innovative energy solutions like nuclear fusion. They advocate for addressing methane emissions and the importance of individual action against climate challenges, all while encouraging optimism in the climate tech landscape.

Description: Nick and the MacroCycle team discuss a paradigmatic shift from mechanical to chemical recycling in plastics recycling, why it matters, and how MacroCycle is gearing up for their first-of-a-kind recycling facility in 2024. In addition, they discuss:Differences between ‘traditional’ mechanical recycling and chemical recyclingHow MacroCycle plans to finance and build their first commercial plantWhat it takes to scale an early-stage climate tech startup (beyond the tech)Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, recycling, energy, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.Timestamps:00:05:06 - The Limitations of Mechanical Recycling00:06:09 - Macrocycle's Unique Chemical Process00:07:08 - Technological Trends in Recycling00:09:51 - Macrocycle's Business Model and Goals00:12:31 - Regulatory Tailwinds and Challenges00:16:10 - The Circular Nature of Macrocycle's Process00:19:20 - Business Model and Scaling Strategy00:23:58 - Potential Customers and Market Entry00:27:14 - Technical and Business Challenges Ahead00:28:11 - Team Building and Diversity00:29:33 - Global Challenges in Plastic RecyclingLearn more on MacroCycle’s website: https://www.macrocycle.tech/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/