SunCast

Did you know that more than 90% of today’s energy storage technology is based on a 140+ year-old concept?  Care to guess what that is?  Hint - has to do with moving water, waiting, then moving water again. Humans have been harnessing the energy of river currents for centuries, using water wheels spun by rivers initially to process grains and cloth. Today, hydropower provides about 16 percent of the world's electricity, generating power in all but two U.S. states. Contrary to popular belief, however, hydroelectric power can seriously damage the climate, displacing millions of inhabitants and in some cases generating more GHGs than their fossil counterparts!With this in mind the genius idea of Energy Vault was born. If you missed our episode with their CEO, Robert Piconi, last month, then you truly missed out on a conversation worth revisiting.  If you don’t have the time, however, for a 60+min treasure trove, then today you can check out a 10 min Tactical Tuesday vignette of that convo specifically focused on how Energy Vault’s team have created a gravity-based storage solution that mimics hydro power without all the water and ecological concerns.Let’s face it, our growing reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, with inherent intermittency challenges, prevents us from achieving a 100% carbon neutral power grid. Some of the front runners in the current energy storage race are lithium ion batteries and pumped hydro, both of which pose challenges like high cost and a negative environmental impact. Energy Vault’s solution uses gravity (and software, of course) in a novel form factor that is efficient, scalable, economical, and sustainable.Listen as Robert explains how their unique system uses eco-composite bricks for long-duration energy storage(LDES).  He points out the energy storage market is not where it should be, and how their gravity batteries and strategic partnerships are enabling an increasingly renewable-powered grid. Want to know how they are able to be deployed without subsidies? Tune in.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

With carbon emissions from heavy industry and power generation at record highs, reducing industrial emissions on a large scale is imperative. Pioneering this mission are the innovative leaders at 8 Rivers, who are leading the field with their carbon capture and oxy-combustion technologies.Damian Beauchamp, President and CDO at 8 Rivers, discusses their in-house approach to technological innovation, the first outcome of which is their industry-leading carbon capture technology. Beauchamp, a multifaceted entrepreneur, innovator, executive, and chemist, not only offers strategic leadership and guidance at 8 Rivers but also infuses the organization with his enthusiasm for outpacing the rest of the industry when it comes to capturing carbon and helping to meet the global goal of net zero by 2050. In this conversation, we are exploring 8 Rivers’ process of innovation, recruitment strategies for scaling up their team, and lessons learned from generating more than $ 2 billion in economic value (and just getting started!). 8 Rivers enhances its diversity and fosters innovation by bridging skill gaps and recruiting talent from the fossil fuel industry. This was a fun conversation that Nico was able to have in-person at the 8Rivers offices. You can WATCH instead on our YouTube channel!Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

Yezin Taha, CEO of Nevados, and Peter Kelley from RenewComm discuss the innovative All Terrain Trackers that can accommodate undulating terrain, reducing land damage and being installed on up to 37% grade slopes. These trackers also provide optimal protection against wind and hail. They delve into the development process, addressing non-flat terrain, rooftop solar projects, building solar power plants on rolling terrain, and panel tilting for hail storms. Listen to the live stage event snippet for more insights and gratitude towards the audience and sponsors.

Timing is everything along with finding a gap in the market! Before 2016 not much work was going into real-time tracking and forecasting of clouds using satellite data. But a professional meteorologist from Down Under found his niche utilizing a game-changing global fleet of Japanese weather satellites to track cloud movement, weather patterns, and aerosols that affect albedo and solar irradiance impacting solar panel performance. James Luffman is the CEO of Solcast, a weather-tech data company based in Australia.  Along with DNV, which recently acquired his company, James is building never-before-seen weather data and forecasting that brings true scalability to the solar industry. Their strategies, from adopting product-led growth models to leveraging advanced satellite technology for improved resolution and frequent imagery, all aim to enhance the efficacy of real-time weather forecasting for solar.This discussion encapsulates the intersection of technology, meteorology, and renewable energy. In an industry once void of sophisticated weather forecasting models, fast and efficient access to real-time, reliable data has become critical to solar performance. What captivated my attention in all of this is how DNV, a massive global engineering giant with an R&D budget in excess of $115 Million USD/yr would purchase SolCast, and what it plans to do with the platform now that they have it in-house! You’re going to love the answer from their Global Solar Segment leader, Dana Olsen.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

High interest rates and inflation have had a major impact on market potential for residential solar customers this year.  Unfortunately, Homeowners generally view solar as a high dollar discretionary purchase rather than a valuable investment. Thus, we are seeing a bottoming out of residential solar sales compared with years’ past. In today’s discussion, we get to the bottom of what the data suggest is going on, and what you can do about it. Brian Ghiglia, Senior Director of Business Development at REC and Spencer Fields, Director of Insights at EnergySage, discuss the insights from millions of proposals generated via online clean energy marketplace (EnergySage) and data-driven strategies (adaptive selling) utilized by veterans to encourage homeowners to choose solar, even in a down market. In this conversation, Brian and Spencer discuss the importance of educating homeowners on more than just first-month savings. Solar is a long-term investment into the overall value of their home, but many sales teams struggle with how to compel the homeowner to go solar in an environment where high interest rates have stripped the silver bullet of “immediate savings”.Despite the current residential solar sales slump, EnergySage data suggests we’re nearly through the trough and the future holds promise for sustained growth and wider adoption. How soon? Listen in and find out!You'll find more resources and learn about SunCast's guest(s), recommendations, book links, and more than 850 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.You can learn more about partnering with SunCast here: https://mysuncast.com/sponsorsYou can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusSubscribe to Valence, our weekly Linkedin Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

Over a decade ago, the majority of the large scale solar projects announced, in the queue across the US and backed by major PE firms were not the flat panel PV farms we now see covering the landscape. No, the majority of solar when I entered the industry at the turn of the first decade of this century was concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) and it’s a technology that is both highly promising and has been highly fraught with challenges. As China leaned into building large manufacturing complexes around crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, the economics of CSP evaporated, seemingly overnight.  Many today would likely tell you that CSP is, well, Dead.Christie Obiaya would like to tell you a different story, one that illuminates the reality that timing is everything, and as so often is the case, CSP was a promising technology that was pushed into the limelight before software was available to provide the kinds of tight controls necessary to really make it feasible at scale.  Obiaya is the CEO of Heliogen, a company that utilizes a distinctive combination of concentrated solar thermal technology (CSP), AI, and novel hardware to precisely capture heat for long duration energy storage (10+ hours) and essentially create a thermal battery, or, as she refers to it, a “solar refinery”.This discussion provides an inside look at how Heliogen leverages advancements in GPUs, AI and more to decarbonize hard-to-abate industrial sectors, and what this means for our broader fight against climate change. Learn about Christie Obiaya's inspiring journey, her perspective on the future of renewable energy, and some of Heliogen’s current and future projects that strategically positions them in a competitive domestic clean energy market.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

As interest rates rose, residential solar companies’ sales have declined, with figures down by 5-10% compared to previous years. For many, it’s possibly the first time you have experienced an industry downturn, as we as an industry have ridden high on low interest rates and widely-available financial products for the better part of the last decade. Yet, some regional installers who are embracing diversification, innovative financing options, and a dedicated approach to customer service, are handling this economic adversity and high-interest rates with greater resilience.Today’s conversation features leaders from 3 perspectives of the residential solar industry: Scott Nguyen, CEO of Bodhi Solar, a SaaS platform for residential installers, Rachel Finn, Commercial Finance Specialist at the largest residential solar distribution company, Greentech Renewables, and Stan Pipkin, CEO of Lighthouse Solar, a leading TX-based installation company.  All three have perspectives on the impacts of the decline in sales and are finding ways to navigate the oscillations in the solar market. From Scott's adaptive sales strategies to Rachel's ventures into broader financial landscapes, and Stan's relentless pursuit of excellent customer engagement, they each share their strategies for tackling this year's challenges riding the 'solar coaster'.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

It’s a foregone conclusion at this point that to reach the necessary level of renewable energy penetration on the grid that will meaningfully address climate change, energy storage is a must. All that wind & solar energy also needs to be dispatchable. And, while batteries are seen as a crucial component of energy storage systems, the limitations with today’s battery chemistries and energy densities suggest that we still need storage alternatives. Both lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage currently dominate the energy storage market but they each represent challenges related to cost and environmental impact. What if we could re-think hydropower using gravity but avoiding the dramatic environmental cost?Listen as Robert Piconi, the Co-founder & CEO of Energy Vault, discusses their diverse technology portfolio that provides software and hardware energy storage solutions to meet clients’ needs from municipalities to major investor-owned utilities. Piconi and his team have reimagined energy storage by developing an innovative, gravity-based alternative. Their unique system uses eco-composite bricks for long-duration energy storage(LDES), but they readily admit that there has to be a (technology) bridge to LDES.Energy Vault's approach combines various storage technologies to fulfill diverse energy needs while emphasizing a novel software management solution that itself could be a world-class product for dispatching & balancing energy loads. Energy Vault offers a tailored energy storage solution for public utilities, independent power producers, and industrial energy users working with renewables to address the demand catalyst, climate change. Today we dig into just how this innovation came into existence, and why the industry is taking note.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

Innovative technologies are key to driving the clean energy transition. Prizes like the American-Made Solar Prize offered through the Dept. of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) reward innovators who are making solar power more efficient, more affordable, and more accessible. The competition's 6th round has recently concluded, with millions in prizes awarded to trailblazing entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of advancing solar technologies.Garrett Nilsen, SETO’s Deputy Director, introduces the latest winners: ReJoule and Latimer Controls. These teams distinguished themselves amidst a pool of brilliant applicants. ReJoule won not only the American-Made Solar Prize, but also the JEDI Prize for their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The winners share their experiences and strategic insights for navigating the competition stages and how their prize winnings will power their pilot projects. These technologies have the transformative potential to aid in achieving U.S. clean energy goals. Thanks to the US DOE for the opportunity, once again, to shine a light on these up-and-coming innovators, and for supporting the advancement of the clean energy sector!Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2

Few companies have contributed to the progress being made toward more scalable battery storage solutions than Fluence Energy (FLNC).  With a deep heritage in power and energy from its founding as a JV between AES and Siemens, the Fluence technology and leadership team has weathered the test of time better than most of their peers. However, there are still challenges that influence battery storage availability, such as global supply chain disruptions, rising demand for affordable and efficient energy storage, and safety concerns. Learn from a voice of experience how domestic battery storage manufacturing is shifting the paradigm and uncover how storage technology adds reliability and resilience to the grid.John Zahurancik, President, Americas at Fluence, is an energy storage expert who is on a mission to prove and scale up energy storage technologies. In this conversation with Nico Johnson, Zahurancik explains how he and the Fluence team are focused on domestic manufacturing to fortify the supply chain, rigorous safety measures to mitigate risks, and advanced project development services to ensure successful energy storage projects. This conversation provides key details on how Fluence is impacting the battery storage industry, beyond establishing domestic manufacturing we look at their use of storage as a form of transmission and grid stabilization. Of course, when considering the incentives provided by the IRA and ITC tax credits, it’s important to recognize that domestically manufactured battery storage systems will play a crucial role in bolstering the U.S. clean energy economy and meeting our renewable energy goals.Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolarIf you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeoLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalusMentioned in this episode:CPS July 2024 V2