Open Circuit

Arushi Sharma Frank, founder of Luminary Strategies and former Tesla policy lead, dives into why the grid is smarter but we're lagging behind. She highlights the vast potential of underutilized smart devices and advanced meters. Discussing the need for cohesive collaboration among utilities, regulators, and tech companies, Sharma Frank argues for unlocking the resources we've already invested in. With insights on virtual power plants and the challenges of integrating flexible load management, she emphasizes the urgency of smarter utility practices for enhanced grid efficiency.

In this discussion, Caroline Golin, former global head of market development and innovation at Google, shares her insights on how AI is reshaping energy strategies for tech companies. She highlights the transition from a buyer's market to a seller's market in clean energy procurement and the urgent need for a new infrastructure model to meet the demands of AI. Golin also emphasizes the $5 trillion capex challenge for data centers by 2030 and the necessity for innovative financing solutions and regulatory adaptations in the evolving energy landscape.

Drew Baglino, former Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy at Tesla, shares insights from his time building Tesla's energy storage division. He details the innovative journey of creating the Powerwall, highlighting the resourceful strategies his team employed to overcome cell shortages and production bottlenecks. Drew emphasizes the collaborative spirit that helped launch groundbreaking products like the Megapack, and discusses how leadership and adaptability were key to thriving in the fast-evolving energy market.

Costa Samaras, Director of the Carnegie Mellon Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and former White House energy advisor, dives into America's struggle with building and clean energy amidst political turmoil. He critiques a recent House bill dismantling the Inflation Reduction Act, arguing it jeopardizes affordable energy and local manufacturing. Samaras discusses the potential of the 'abundance agenda' to foster infrastructure development and counteract escalating electricity demands, urging a shift towards proactive policy and investment in clean energy.

Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Energy Consulting and host of the Energy Capital Podcast, dives into Texas's dynamic electricity market. He reveals how the state is seeing a surge in clean energy sources like wind and solar, significantly lowering costs. Despite this progress, some lawmakers aim to impose restrictions on renewables, invoking a heated ideological battle. Lewin emphasizes that the shift towards clean energy is driven by economics, not ideology, and highlights the legislative challenges that could threaten Texas's energy future.

Dana Hull, a veteran auto and tech reporter at Bloomberg, dives into Tesla's controversial decision to cancel the affordable Model 2 in favor of robotaxis. She discusses how this pivot might have cost Tesla its competitive edge as BYD rises with better pricing and tech. The conversation also highlights Musk's shifting priorities affecting Tesla's sales and brand image. Hull elaborates on the lack of clear leadership in Tesla's energy initiatives and the murky product lineup, raising questions about the company's future in the evolving EV market.

Maeve Allsup, a founding reporter at Latitude Media, dives into the tumult gripping the Department of Energy. She discusses the alarming talent drain, likening it to a 'hostile takeover' that's left critical positions unfilled. With seasoned experts replaced by inexperienced appointees, important infrastructure projects hang in limbo. Allsup and her guests explore how this disruption jeopardizes America's energy strategy and the long-term consequences for innovation in the sector, including potential delays in crucial manufacturing investments.

Michael Cembalest, Chairman of Market and Investment Strategy for J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management, brings his sharp insights on the energy transition. He discusses the staggering $2 trillion investment in clean energy and the gap between deployment and real impact. Key issues like rising costs, equipment shortages, and the challenges faced by Europe and China in their energy policies are explored. Cembalest also highlights areas of progress and potential solutions for the future, making for a compelling discussion on navigating the complex landscape of energy transformation.

When tech giants build massive data centers to power AI, they're often negotiating confidential deals with utilities that few people will ever see — but that everyone might pay for. Harvard legal expert Ari Peskoe has uncovered a pattern across 40 state regulatory proceedings: special contracts between utilities and data centers being approved with minimal public scrutiny, potentially shifting billions in infrastructure costs to regular ratepayers.With tech companies planning up to $1 trillion in spending on AI infrastructure, some utilities project their energy sales could nearly double by 2030. Are state regulators allowing utilities and tech companies to ink billion-dollar contracts, and pass the costs on to ratepayers without transparently proving the system-wide benefits?This week, Ari Peskoe, Director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard Law School, joins us to talk about the new report he co-authored, “How Utility Customers Are Paying for Big Tech’s Power.”This hidden cost transfer is just one front in a broader battle over energy regulation. At the federal level, the White House is making an unprecedented grab for control over FERC, the independent commission governing interstate energy markets.Meanwhile, another executive order gives the Department of Energy extraordinary authority to force struggling coal plants to stay open regardless of economics — creating what critics describe as a consumer-funded bailout for uneconomic generation. We talk with Ari about how these regulatory battles are shaping up, and why they could be so damaging.Open Circuit is supported by Kraken, the only proven, AI-powered operating system for utilities. Learn how Kraken helps unlock excellent customer experiences, increased innovation and reduced operational costs at kraken.tech.Open Circuit is brought to you by On.Energy. As one of the fastest-growing battery storage IPPs, On.Energy delivers turnkey resiliency solutions for utilities and enterprise customers. Whether you’re managing data centers or local grids, we help bring storage to your fleet. Learn more at on.energy.Credits: Co-hosted by Stephen Lacey, Jigar Shah, and Katherine Hamilton. Produced and edited by Stephen Lacey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand.

The business world is facing a tsunami of uncertainty. Across nearly every industry, investment is seizing up amid unpredictable tariffs and contradictory domestic policies. In this week’s episode of Open Circuit, we examine how this compounding uncertainty is impacting clean energy during a critical moment of spiking demand and rising costs.We dissect the signals from the market, revealing that despite the chaos, certain sectors are finding unexpected advantages. While utility-scale projects face delays, distributed generation is experiencing renewed interest as companies seek certainty through on-site solutions. Virtual power plants and grid-enhancing technologies may emerge as clear winners in an environment where traditional infrastructure planning has become extremely difficult.Plus, we play a round of "Transmission Lines," testing our hosts' knowledge of the news through provocative energy quotes, and take live audience questions about the volatile landscape.Open Circuit is supported by Kraken, the only proven, AI-powered operating system for utilities. Learn how Kraken helps unlock excellent customer experiences, increased innovation and reduced operational costs at kraken.tech.Open Circuit is brought to you by On.Energy. As one of the fastest-growing battery storage IPPs, On.Energy delivers turnkey resiliency solutions for utilities and enterprise customers. Whether you’re managing data centers or local grids, we help bring storage to your fleet. Learn more at on.energy.Credits: Co-hosted by Stephen Lacey, Jigar Shah, and Katherine Hamilton. Produced and edited by Stephen Lacey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand.