Volts

CEO Jeff Erhardt of Mattiq discusses using nanotechnology, AI, and electrolysis to create innovative materials for industries. Topics include electrolyzers for green hydrogen, nanotechnology in drug development, iridium substitutes, advancements in electrolyzer technology, and moonshot bets in sustainable energy like ammonia production.

CEO Siyu Huang of Factorial Energy discusses advancements in solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, emphasizing higher energy density and safety. Topics include lithium metal anodes, stable electrolytes, market dominance of lithium, challenges in manufacturing, and future applications beyond cars.

Co-founders Zach Dell and Justin Lopas of Base Power discuss their innovative approach in the Texas electricity market. They propose selling oversized home batteries to stabilize prices, provide backup power, and boost grid reliability. They highlight the use of latest battery tech for efficient grid storage and address challenges in integrating energy storage systems in residential areas, aiming to balance grid peaks and reduce arbitrage for grid stability.

Sara Ross and Jonathan Klein discuss how schools can benefit from IRA tax credits for climate-friendly upgrades to address infrastructure challenges. They delve into the impact of climate change on education, the importance of resilience plans, and the hurdles schools face in accessing funding for clean energy technologies like electric buses.

Jane Melia, Co-founder and CEO of Harvest, talks about pairing high-end heat pumps with thermal batteries to optimize electricity consumption, reduce costs, and lower emissions. They discuss the benefits of using CO2-based heat pumps, efficient hot water output with a unique water tank, and the financial advantages of investing in heat pump systems with thermal storage for homeowners.

NY State Sen. Liz Krueger and Justin Balik discuss Gov. Hochul's delay of NYC congestion pricing, budget implications, and future steps. They touch on challenges in implementing congestion pricing, the governor's tax increase proposal, commuting patterns, impacts of delayed implementation, and reflections on Democratic governance.

CEO Kyle Clark of BETA Technologies discusses the design and operation of electric planes for all of aviation, starting with short light-cargo flights. Topics include EVTOL aircraft design, battery advancements, range and sustainability, and the future of electric aviation.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, a climate advocate, discusses his achievements and challenges in combating emissions. The podcast covers his climate advocacy, political landscape, fundraising efforts, and reflections on past campaigns. It explores balancing conservation with green energy, burning wood pellets for carbon neutrality, renewable energy impacts, and union battles against corporations in Washington State.

Author Brett Christophers discusses how profitability, not cost, drives renewable energy deployment. Challenges of using markets for decarbonizing electricity are explored, emphasizing the importance of government support. Topics include bid selection, market volatility impacting renewables, and unique challenges in electricity generation. Corporate power purchase agreements, government subsidies, and financing strategies for accelerating the transition to renewable energy are also discussed.

Alp Kucukelbir discusses the transformative power of AI in climate change, optimizing industrial processes with AI and machine learning, concerns about AI manipulation and disinformation, AI's role in decarbonization policies, advancements in data gathering technologies, and making industries more efficient in developing nations.