Volts

Colin Campbell, CTO of Redwood Materials and ex-Tesla engineer, discusses the innovative deployment of second-life EV batteries for large-scale energy storage. He explains how Redwood Energy plans to maximize the utility of used batteries before recycling, highlighting the potential to create significant grid resources. Colin shares insights on the technology enabling compatibility among different battery types, the rapid deployment of projects like the Nevada pilot, and the economic viability that positions second-life batteries as a cost-effective solution compared to new systems.

Join Sarah Goodyear, a journalist known for her advocacy in urbanism, and Doug Gordon, co-host of The War on Cars, as they tackle the fallacy of car culture. They explore how cars breed isolation and diminish children’s autonomy, while championing the concept of reclaiming urban spaces for human connection. With insights on the dangers of 'motonormativity' and the societal impacts of traffic, they envision a vibrant future with less reliance on cars, advocating for alternatives like biking and public transit to foster community.

Doreen Harris, the President of NYSERDA, joins to discuss New York's ambitious climate goals and the challenges of meeting them. She highlights successes in community solar and offshore wind projects, while addressing slow renewable scaling and transportation decarbonization. Doreen explains the hurdles with permitting and funding within the energy transition. She also emphasizes the need for public education on climate costs and explores innovative solutions like partnering with data centers to enhance grid benefits.

Join Katie Wilson, a seasoned transit and housing organizer and Seattle mayoral candidate, as she shares insights from her surprising primary win. She discusses the importance of community organizing in effective governance and highlights Seattle's urban issues, like single-family zoning. Katie emphasizes the need for mixed-use neighborhood centers and affordable housing solutions, while also advocating for improved transit options. She maps out her vision for a safer, community-focused Seattle, blending progressive values with practical solutions.

Carlos Araque, CEO of Quaise and a former oil-and-gas engineer, dives into revolutionary geothermal energy solutions. He shares how his company uses millimeter-wave technology to power up drilling deep into the Earth's crust, vaporizing rock with microwaves. By tapping into supercritical geothermal heat, Araque argues for the oil industry's shift from fuels to heat. He discusses the vast, sustainable potential of Earth's internal heat and the economic benefits of geothermal energy, all while addressing environmental impacts and scalability.

Peter Hubbard, an energy analyst and Georgia Public Service Commission candidate, teams up with Brionté McCorkle, executive director at Georgia Conservation Voters. They dive into the importance of the PSC race as a national indicator, addressing the impact of rising utility bills on families. Hubbard critiques utility forecasts and discusses lessons from cost overruns at Vogtle, while both guests advocate for utility reforms. They highlight strategies for lowering rates, the need for better representation, and the importance of grassroots engagement to drive change.

In this discussion, Clay Dumas, managing partner at Lowercarbon Capital, dives into advance market commitments (AMCs), a strategy to boost hard-to-decarbonize sectors like carbon removal and green steel. He emphasizes how AMCs mitigate investment risks and foster innovation by ensuring buyers commit to purchasing products under development. Clay shares insights on designing effective AMCs and their potential to reshape production and supply chains. He also highlights the importance of careful specifications to avoid pitfalls in AMC implementation.

Ari Matusiak, Head of Rewiring America, and Carla Peterman, sustainability leader at PG&E, team up to discuss a groundbreaking proposal: can hyperscalers fund household electrification to alleviate grid pressure? They explore the potential of reframing households as essential energy infrastructure. The duo delves into how utilities view this capacity, the promise and challenges of virtual power plants, and the need for a customer-centric approach to facilitate widespread adoption. This innovative strategy could enhance tech companies' social licenses while empowering everyday families.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Richard Hart, from the ACEEE, and Teresa Cheng of Industrious Labs tackle the vital yet overlooked topic of decarbonizing low-temperature industrial heat used in industries like beer and dairy. They explore how electrification, through heat pumps and thermal storage, can transform these sectors. The guests delve into the financial incentives needed for adoption, the impact on grid reliability, and the crucial steps needed to engage stakeholders and shift toward cleaner technologies, making it clear that coordination is key for real progress.

In this discussion, Patrick Kipalu, a representative of the Rights and Resources Initiative, shares his insights on the potential for Africa to benefit from the critical minerals rush. He emphasizes the importance of indigenous land rights and community consent to prevent the historical resource curse. Kipalu highlights how these approaches can foster stable and equitable development. The conversation dives into geopolitical dynamics, the necessity of local governance reforms, and innovative models for benefit-sharing, aiming for a future where Africa's resources truly uplift its people.