Interchange Recharged

Debates over the accurate cost of decarbonizing and the potential trillions of dollars gap in funding. Insights on the investment shortfall in stabilizing global temperatures and challenges facing early-stage climate tech startups. Exploring the financial hurdles, policy changes, and technology adoption strategies in the energy transition.

Ted Nordhaus, Executive Director at the Breakthrough Institute, discusses the feasibility of achieving a net-zero emission grid by 2050 with significant nuclear energy. They explore the challenges hindering nuclear adoption, including regulatory hurdles and financial barriers. The conversation also touches on the Build Nuclear Now campaign, aiming to rally public support for nuclear energy.

The podcast discusses new battery technology driving EV adoption, challenges in the current EV market, cost reduction in batteries over the years, scaling EV infrastructure, advancements in battery technology like solid-state batteries, and the importance of efficient battery recycling in sustaining green momentum.

A groundbreaking method of sustainable aviation fuel production is discussed, focusing on the innovation of converting CO2 and hydrogen into hydrocarbons. Challenges in financing, regulatory support, and talent acquisition persist. The industry aims to increase SAF production significantly by 2030. Despite technological advancements, cost parity with Jet A fuel is expected as technology and scale improve. The podcast explores the potential for using hydrocarbons in chemicals and plastics beyond aviation fuel production.

Half of the energy workforce is employed in clean energy technologies. By 2030, over 10 million new jobs will need to be filled as the energy transition continues. China, for example, employs 3 million workers in clean energy manufacturing – accounting for 80% of solar PV and EV battery manufacturing jobs globally. Skill shortages are as significant a bottleneck as lack of investment or supply chain constraints, so how can the industry ensure there’s enough people to build, maintain and design clean energy infrastructure?On the show today, we are joined by Caleigh Andrews, Energy Analyst and Modeller at the International Energy Agency. The IEA emphasises the need for clear policies that drive demand for clean technologies, in order to attract and retain skilled labor. Reskilling and attracting new people to the energy workforce require a combination of market incentives and political will, so what are these incentives? And what can governments do to incentivise reskilling?AI can play a role in easing the skilling burden and establishing standardised credentials, but with manufacturing and maintenance a large part of it, are the use cases for AI limited?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent legislation in the US aims to boost geothermal energy production by cutting red tape. Experts discuss the potential of geothermal energy, new drilling technology, and the need for innovation to compete. They also highlight environmental concerns, advancements in AI and drilling technology, and the importance of collaboration with the oil and gas sector.

Alán Aspuru-Guzik and Jason Koeller discuss how AI revolutionizes EV battery development, speeding up predictions, exploring design options, and innovating compositions. They highlight Chemix's use of AI for faster and more efficient battery development. The podcast also explores AI applications beyond batteries, like grid optimization and materials design, emphasizing the need for adaptable battery solutions in the EV industry.

Discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen industry, including transportation, financing, costs, and supply chain. A comparison of the US and UK markets and their approaches to hydrogen adoption. Exploration of hydrogen applications, future impact, and potential for decarbonization.

The podcast explores the impact of AI in energy management, discussing its use in strategic forecasting, risk management, and optimization. It highlights AI's ability to improve efficiency, strengthen the grid, and adapt to real-time changes. The chapters cover topics such as code writing for AI development, battery storage optimization, data transparency for grid optimization, and regulatory challenges for AI adoption.

Bridging the gap and overcoming barriers in CCS expansionIt's no secret that achieving net-zero emissions requires a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels. As the world looks to alternative energy sources to combat climate change, carbon capture and storage (CCS) emerges as a key technology enabling industries to decarbonize. By capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at their source and storing them underground, CCS can significantly mitigate the environmental impact of industries that are otherwise hard to green, such as cement production and power generation.The International Energy Agency (IEA) has set an ambitious goal for CCS, expecting it to capture around 6 billion tons of CO2 by 2051 with notable advancements within the coming years. Innovations in CCS technology aim to address concerns of scalability and cost, making it more accessible and financially feasible for industries to adopt. Aker Carbon Capture is a provider with some major projects underway, and they’ve signed an MoU with Microsoft to pursue joint innovation in the space. David Banmiller sits down with Microsoft’s Ole Henrik Ree, and Aker Carbon Capture’s Hanne Rolen, and David Phillips, to discuss the crucial role played by CCS in achieving a more sustainable future.We conclude with a discussion about the 'Carbon Capture as a Service' (CCaaS) model, a shift aimed at enhancing accessibility and practicality, and the journey towards achieving net-zero emissions.Subscribe to the Interchange Recharged so you don’t miss an episode. Find us on X – we’re @interchangeshowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.