Watt It Takes

Dana Guernsey, the Co-founder and CEO of Voltus, shares her inspiring journey from a self-reliant upbringing in Queens to leading an innovative energy company. She discusses how vital flexible demand is for modernizing the grid and the impact of a Supreme Court ruling on Voltus's founding. Dana candidly addresses balancing motherhood and leadership while shaping company culture. She envisions a future where demand-side flexibility becomes essential infrastructure. Her insights reveal the challenges and triumphs of transforming the energy landscape.

Michael Baker, Co-founder and CEO of Tyba, shares his journey from a globally influenced childhood to leading a startup at the forefront of energy storage. He discusses the complexities of operating battery storage systems in a volatile market and the innovative AI solutions Tyba is developing. Baker reflects on his early influences in energy, the challenges of building a startup, and his vision for a future with integrated battery solutions. He emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership while balancing personal and professional commitments.

Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and governor of Michigan, shares her journey from a childhood shaped by immigrant parents to leading clean energy initiatives. She discusses her pivotal role in passing major climate laws and reorganizing the Department of Energy for increased deployment. Granholm also highlights the importance of empathy in energy transitions and advises on engaging communities. Her vision for the future emphasizes affordability and momentum in the energy sector, blending optimism with a realistic understanding of challenges ahead.

Brian Janous, Co-founder and CCO of Cloverleaf Infrastructure, shares insights on the 'watt bit spread'—the gap between electricity costs and computing value. He discusses how Cloverleaf develops 'powered land' to meet the growing demands of data centers by aligning land, utilities, and community support. Janous highlights the importance of stable power agreements and his experiences at Microsoft that shaped his vision. He also critiques recent energy policies and emphasizes the need for renewable resources as economic drivers in local communities.

Sheldon Kimber, Co-Founder and CEO of Intersect Power, is on a mission to revolutionize the clean energy landscape. He dives into the pressing challenges of electrification and decarbonization, emphasizing how outdated infrastructure struggles to meet modern demands. Sheldon shares his journey from South Africa to creating gigawatt-scale clean energy projects, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative business models. He also reflects on the significance of persistence and self-acceptance in both personal life and entrepreneurship.

If cement were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, behind only China and the United States. That’s because cement production alone accounts for about five and a half percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. And while that might seem really high, it actually makes sense. Just look around you: from roads to bridges, sidewalks to buildings, cement is everywhere. It’s a critical building block of modern infrastructure.What’s striking about cement production is that most of the emissions actually come from the chemical reaction itself—not just from burning fuel to heat the kiln. Cement producers use limestone, a well-known carbon-storing rock we’ve highlighted in other episodes for its direct air capture potential. But when limestone is heated to make cement, the opposite happens: it releases carbon dioxide, accounting for about 60% of the sector’s total emissions. So even if you used 100% clean electricity to power the kilns, most of the emissions would still result from this chemical process.Limestone was originally selected as a main ingredient for cement largely because it was the cheapest option. But what if it wasn’t? What if there were other rocks we could use that didn’t emit greenhouse gases at all? Better yet, what if they could produce the ingredients for cement cleanly—and generate other products critical to industry?That’s exactly what Cody Finke, CEO and Co-Founder of Brimstone, is aiming to deliver: a way to make cement without the emissions—and create other essential industrial materials along the way.SponsorsWatt It Takes is brought to you by HSBC Innovation Banking who is proud to bank some of the most exciting companies pioneering the technologies of tomorrow.With specialist financing support, deep understanding of the challenges, and a global network across more than 50 markets, they help clients scale breakthrough innovations and take them to the world. Infinium are a leader in ultra-low carbon synthetic eFuels and offer comprehensive energy system solutions to support the rapidly evolving energy industry. HSBC Innovation Banking have supported Infinium with project financing to scale their latest commercial-scale project, which on completion will be the largest eFuels project in the world.So, if you’re looking for early-stage funding, or well on your way to FOAK, click the link in the call notes to learn how HSBC Innovation Banking can help on the next stage of your journey.HSBC Innovation Banking is a business division with services provided in the United States by HSBC Bank USA, N.A.https://www.business.us.hsbc.com/en/innovation-banking-powerhouse-innovationAbout Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse Ventures Powerhouse Innovation is a leading consulting firm connecting top-tier corporations and investors, including corporate innovation teams, CVCs, and pensions with cutting-edge technologies and startups that meet their specific criteria for engagement. Powerhouse Ventures backs entrepreneurs building the digital infrastructure for rapid decarbonization. To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.

Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems and a former Shell veteran with 36 years of experience, delves into the transformative power of geothermal energy. She discusses innovative applications for energy storage and her company's efforts to harness hot, dry rock, making geothermal a viable solution for widespread energy demands. Taff shares insights on navigating the startup landscape, the importance of collaboration, and the unique challenges women face in the industry. She passionately emphasizes how geothermal can support local economies while contributing to a cleaner future.

Jigar Shah, a leading force in clean energy, is the former Director of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office and a venture partner at Powerhouse Ventures. He shares insights from his tenure at LPO, highlighting the leap in lending authority and the importance of public-private partnerships. Jigar delves into the commercialization challenges of energy technologies and stresses the need for trust and collaboration in fostering innovation. He also reflects on the role of humility in startup success and his commitment to supporting tech entrepreneurs.

Shayle Kann, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners and host of the Catalyst podcast, shares his inspiring journey from Madison, Wisconsin, to becoming a key voice in clean energy. He discusses his transition from Green Tech Media to venture capital, shedding light on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of storytelling in investments. With humor, he touches on whimsical animal aspirations and life lessons, all while emphasizing the urgent need for climactic action and innovative approaches to the energy transition.

David Bromberg, co-founder and CEO of Pearl Street Technologies, discusses the critical bottleneck in the U.S. grid interconnection process that has left 2.5 terawatts of renewable energy projects stalled. He shares how his company revolutionized interconnections through innovative software, drastically reducing evaluation times. Bromberg reflects on his transition from academia to entrepreneurship, securing partnerships, and the lessons learned about fundraising amidst the pandemic. He also discusses the cultural alignment following their recent acquisition by Inveris, shaping a sustainable energy future.