The Green Blueprint

Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor, is revolutionizing the clean energy sector with large-scale battery storage projects. He shares insights into how his team navigated the complexities of the Inflation Reduction Act to transfer tax credits without a playbook. Chris discusses his unconventional partnership with JP Morgan, showcasing how to break barriers in project financing. They also explore the crucial role of tax credits in making renewable energy projects financially viable and the need for adaptive strategies in an evolving climate policy landscape.

Doug Chan, Chief Operating Officer at Climeworks, discusses the monumental launch of the Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture facility in Iceland. He dives into the challenges faced during its construction and the innovative solutions developed amidst harsh winter conditions. Chan shares insights on scaling technology, managing risks, and the crucial role of teamwork. The conversation highlights the rapid advancements in direct air capture and the strategic planning needed for future projects, including plans for an even larger facility in Louisiana.

John O’Donnell, co-founder and chief innovation officer at Rondo Energy, shares his journey in developing groundbreaking heat batteries for industrial use. He discusses the complexities of collaborating with Calgren Renewable Fuels and the unforeseen manufacturing challenges faced during construction. The conversation highlights innovative solutions in heat battery technology, strategic decision-making in engineering, and the thrilling moment of activating their first commercial unit. O’Donnell emphasizes learning from both failures and successes in their ambitious quest to revolutionize energy storage.

Join Tom Burton, chair of Mintz's energy & sustainability practice, Tanya Das from the Bipartisan Policy Center, Frank O’Sullivan of S2G Ventures, and Sayles Braga at Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners as they delve into clean energy's transformative phases. They discuss how we’re in the 'third inning' of the energy transition, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, and how to de-risk green technologies for investors. Innovations in managing energy demand in data centers during the AI era are also highlighted, offering optimism and insights for the future.

Shreya Dave, co-founder and CEO of Via Separations, leads a company focused on innovative energy-efficient filtration systems. She discusses the challenges of rapidly scaling her groundbreaking graphene dioxide membrane technology at a Canadian paper mill. Shreya shares insights on overcoming self-doubt, finding the right customers, and navigating financial hurdles. She reflects on lessons learned from the journey and the urgency of making impactful climate technology viable for broader commercial use. Her bold decision to scale 100x could redefine industrial operations!

John Woolard, former CEO of BrightSource Energy and now at Meridian Clean Energy, shares insights from his journey in concentrated solar power. He recounts the challenges faced while developing the Ivanpah project, including the impact of the 2009 financial crisis on funding. Woolard highlights the fierce competition with photovoltaic technologies, discussing key lessons learned about flexibility and the importance of adapting to industry changes. His experiences illuminate the complexities of navigating environmental regulations and financing in the solar energy landscape.

We’ve already invented many of the solutions needed to decarbonize the global economy. But a big chunk of emission reductions will come from technologies that are not yet commercial.We don’t have decades to get these commercialized – we have years.So what can we learn from the people who are bringing new technologies from the lab to the market, constructing first-of-a-kind projects, building companies, challenging and transforming incumbents, and finding the right kind of investment to support their scaling?The Green Blueprint is a new show from Latitude Media and Trellis Climate about the architects of the clean energy economy. Hosted by Lara Pierpoint, managing director at Trellis, the show profiles the people who are doing the hero’s work of scaling clean technologies: founders, investors, engineers, policymakers, and organizational leaders who are solving a complex set of challenges in the quest to scale quickly.Every other week, we’ll hear stories about the complexity of building gigafactories, the mind-boggling logistics of mega-clean energy projects, and the risky choices on how fast to scale – plus boardroom disagreements, financial hardships, and moments of failure and redemption.The Green Blueprint is dropping this fall. You can find it on Latitude Media, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Since we stopped The Carbon Copy, some listeners had questions about what’s next. Here's a preview of our new podcast, the Transition-AI event in December, and a new newsletter called the AI-Energy Nexus. Stay tuned to the feed for our new show, dropping later this fall!

Scott Engstrom from GridX and economist Ahmad Faruqui delve into the critical role of dynamic pricing in the energy transition. They discuss how adaptive rate designs can effectively engage consumers and promote energy efficiency. The conversation highlights the need for transparent communication about pricing strategies to enhance customer participation. They also critique current pricing models and advocate for innovative approaches, exploring the transformative impact of technologies like virtual power plants and emphasizing the importance of a consumer-centric focus.

Jigar Shah, director of the DOE’s loan programs office, and Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North, explore pressing issues in clean energy policy. They analyze the impacts of AI on energy demand and debate the future of geothermal and nuclear energy. The duo highlights the challenges California faces in rooftop solar and the potential of America's Green Bank, which could mobilize billions for clean initiatives. Their insights on overrated and underrated trends provide a clear roadmap for the future of the energy sector.