Interchange Recharged

Guest Andrew Tattersall, Industrial Vertical Market Lead for batteries at Siemens, shares insights on enhancing battery safety amidst rising net zero goals. He discusses Siemens' ambitious plans for 2030, emphasizing innovations like electric paint lines and supplier support for sustainability. The conversation highlights the significance of early detection systems and data analytics in preventing thermal runaway events. Additionally, Dr. Kai-Phillip Kairies introduces advancements in battery behavior analysis, showcasing a proactive approach to safety in energy storage.

Exploring fire risk mitigation in the face of lithium-ion challenges.Battery and energy storage-related fires are still relatively rare, but when they do occur, they are challenging to manage due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries. So how is the industry working to mitigate these risks? To find out, we are joined by Kelly Sarber, CEO of Strategic Management and Vice Chair of NY-BEST, a battery industry trade group in New York. Kelly advocates for educating communities with planned energy storage projects, especially around risk management. A recent survey revealed that 42% of these communities expressed safety concerns, primarily due to fears of fires. The conversation emphasises the importance of involving local communities and first responders early in the planning process to build trust and transparency.Lithium-ion battery fires can be particularly difficult to suppress due to the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause the fire to reignite even after being extinguished. Anthony Natale, Director of Risk at the Fire & Risk Alliance, works on identifying and managing risks in utility and battery storage. Anthony and Kelly discuss the complexities of controlling these fires and stress the need for better containment and isolation strategies during incidents. They also explore necessary design changes in battery energy storage systems (BESS), such as direct injection of suppression agents, to improve fire response.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode. 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.

Investing in clean energy for developing countries is crucial yet currently underfunded, with less than 1% of global investments directed there. Innovative financing mechanisms are essential, including public-private partnerships and local currency investments. The podcast also emphasizes Nigeria's challenging transition from oil dependence to net-zero emissions by 2060. By exploring successful projects in countries like Kenya and Barbados, it highlights the need for localized approaches and collaboration to improve energy access and overall quality of life.

The discussion centers on the challenges of Scope 3 emissions reporting, revealing how excessive documentation hampers genuine decarbonization efforts, particularly for smaller businesses. Strategies from the We Mean Business Coalition are highlighted, aiming to simplify this complex reporting process. Innovative initiatives like the Supplier Cascade seek to boost supplier engagement for meaningful climate action. Emphasizing the need for collaboration and standardized practices, the talk also explores how companies can redefine success in their climate leadership journeys.

A recent study raises questions about the true climate benefits of hydrogen. The Environmental Defense Fund highlights overlooked factors like methane emissions and hydrogen loss that can skew perceptions. Discussions reveal the complexity of analyzing hydrogen's impact compared to fossil fuels. Emphasis is placed on the necessity for accurate data and transparency in the energy sector to drive effective change. The episode also explores the need for collaboration and better infrastructure to navigate hydrogen's role in the clean energy transition.

Mike Stivala, President and CEO of Suburban Propane Partners, discusses the potential of renewable propane in revolutionizing energy use. He reveals that 100-300 million gallons could soon be available for homes, significantly reducing carbon intensity. Stivala addresses supply chain challenges and the $200 million investment driving renewable energy initiatives. He also explores leveraging existing propane networks for hydrogen distribution and the critical role of renewable natural gas in meeting future energy demands, emphasizing the industry's sustainable future.

The podcast discusses the efforts of DOE's ARPA-E in advancing energy technologies, with a focus on advanced nuclear. They explore reducing costs, improving efficiency, and government initiatives in sponsoring new uranium supply sources. The impact of Biden's support for small modular reactors and the challenges and opportunities in the nuclear energy sector are also analyzed.

Explore innovative energy storage solutions beyond lithium and nickel, such as using salt, bricks, and heat to provide sustainable heating for industrial sites. Learn about companies like Rondo in California utilizing heat bricks for cost-effective energy storage, as well as Kyoto's Heatcube for long-duration thermal storage solutions. Discover the challenges and partnerships involved in scaling these technologies for market expansion and reducing CO2 emissions in the energy transition sector.

Peter Cavan, Senior VP at Convergent, discusses the growth of energy storage and its role in managing intermittent energy supply. Convergent operates over 800 MW of storage and 1 GWh of solar-plus-storage capacity. The podcast explores the evolution of distributed energy storage, utility integration, and future innovations in the sector.

Vanessa Witte and Kelly Sarber discuss key takeaways from the 2024 Solar and Energy Storage Summit, including the impact of supportive government policies and new tariffs. They explore supply chain issues, bottlenecks in projects, and the high cost of capital environment causing delays. The podcast also delves into geopolitical risks, tariffs on domestic solar manufacturing, and the importance of resiliency in the energy sector.