Interchange Recharged

Bridget Van Dorsten, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie specializing in hydrogen market trends, and Carl Cho, director of Clean Energy Finance at Citibank with over a decade of clean energy experience, dive into the identity crisis facing hydrogen energy. They discuss the U.S. transition toward blue hydrogen and the lag in green hydrogen project advancements. Roadblocks like financing, offtake uncertainty, and scaling challenges are explored. The duo also debates localized projects versus large-scale infrastructure, pondering hydrogen's future role in energy.

Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, shares her expertise on the evolving landscape of nuclear energy in the U.S. She discusses the ambitious goals for nuclear capacity by 2050 and how large tech companies drive demand for reliable clean energy. Korsnick highlights the challenges and potential of small modular reactors and the vital role of tax credits in accelerating deployment. Furthermore, she explores the need for regulatory reform to foster growth and the importance of collaboration between the nuclear and tech sectors.

Nuin-Tara Key, Executive Director of Programs at California Forward, shares her insights on building climate resilience in the face of severe weather events. She emphasizes the urgent need for a balanced approach between mitigation and adaptation strategies amidst rising temperatures. Key discusses how California can enhance collaboration across sectors, navigate political challenges, and transform disaster funding from reactive relief to proactive resilience. The conversation highlights innovative solutions and community involvement as essential components for tackling climate impacts.

In this engaging discussion, Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America, shares her expertise on the future of renewable energy amidst shifting U.S. policies. She examines the anticipated surge in clean energy installations, the critical role of power purchase agreements, and the complexities of grid integration. Sandhya also highlights the significance of diverse energy sources, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the pressing need for sustainable supply chains and community engagement in energy projects.

Join Chris Seiple, Vice Chairman at Wood Mackenzie’s Power & Renewables group, and Jonny Sultoon, Head of Markets & Transitions, as they dive into the future of clean energy in 2025. They discuss the challenges of rising electricity demand and inflation, while highlighting the silver lining of solar power growth amidst global slowdowns. The duo explores innovations in energy storage, tariff changes, and the evolving role of hydrogen in clean energy transitions, showcasing a dynamic landscape essential for navigating the upcoming energy revolution.

Abigail Hopper, the dynamic President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), dives into the electric landscape of the U.S. solar industry amidst political changes. She discusses the influence of the Inflation Reduction Act, the uncertainty surrounding tax credits, and the importance of strategic planning for developers. Hopper emphasizes community engagement in solar adoption and highlights the pressing need for business certainty and energy security, all while navigating the challenges of the energy transition.

Join Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, a US solar manufacturer paving the way for domestic production, as he discusses the potential impact of a second Trump term on solar energy. He and Sylvia Martinez delve into how the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act could threaten solar growth. They explore workforce challenges, the skills gap in the industry, and the need for specialized training. Plus, advancements in solar technology promise improved efficiency amid trade policy complexities. Can US solar remain competitive globally? Tune in to find out!

Mhairidh Evans, VP and head of CCUS research at Wood Mackenzie, and Peter Findlay, director of CCUS economics, share their insights on carbon capture technologies. They discuss the viability of CCUS in achieving net zero, emphasizing its critical role in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like cement and steel. The guests explore regional policy differences, the impact of government incentives like the U.S. 45Q tax credit, and the necessity for community support. They also consider the future of carbon pricing and its potential to drive investment in this essential technology.

Gregg Felton, CEO of Altus Power, shares insights on commercial and community solar's critical role in America's clean energy future. He discusses how strategic solar deployments near consumption hubs can alleviate grid stress. Gregg reflects on his transition from investment banking to renewable energy leadership and highlights the impact of state support and local partnerships. The conversation also touches on the necessity of educating stakeholders to boost solar adoption and the implications of increased energy demand driven by electrification and AI.

Global investment in renewables is projected to surpass US$2 trillion by 2030, with wind, solar and storage projects leading the way. Syliva Martinez, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie is joined by Ray Long, President and CEO at ACORE (American Council On Renewable Energy), to look at how the energy transition is creating jobs, lowering costs and making the U.S. more competitive in the global market. American families are expected to save between US$27 and US$38 billion over the next eight years thanks to clean energy initiatives. However, there are still bottlenecks holding back progress, like transmission gridlock and permitting delays. With bipartisan efforts underway, such as the Manchin-Barrasso permitting bill, Ray explores the impact they’re having, and how the industry is moving toward overcoming the challenges.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshow.The Interchange Recharged is brought to you by Anza Renewables. Are you wasting valuable time tracking down solar module information that quickly goes stale? Anza’s revolutionary platform can help with up-to-date pricing, technical, risk, and domestic content data from 110 solar modules. Compare products in minutes and redirect your time to higher value work. Find out more at go.anzarenewables.com/woodmacSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.