Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Tristan Doherty, Chief Product Officer at LG Energy Solution Vertech, shares his journey from IndyCar race engineering to the energy storage industry. He discusses the aftermath of the Moss Landing battery fire, emphasizing safety lessons learned and the industry's shift towards containerized storage. Doherty highlights LG’s $1.4 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing for domestic battery production and the challenges in localizing supply chains. He also explores evolving strategies in battery integration, including the role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency.

Neha Palmer, Co-founder and CEO of Terawatt Infrastructure, is on a mission to drive America's electric trucking revolution. She discusses the groundbreaking launch of Terawatt's heavy-duty charging depot in Southern California, a pivotal moment for the industry. Neha dives into the challenges of financing and building an electrified truck market, especially amidst industry skepticism. With a bold plan to create a nationwide charging network from California to Texas, she highlights innovative strategies for site selection and the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable future.

In this discussion, Chris Colbert, CEO of Elementl Power and a former executive at NuScale Power, shares his insights on the revitalization of nuclear energy. He explores how recent political support and partnerships with tech giants could signal a true nuclear renaissance. Colbert highlights key projects, including collaborations with Google and the construction of innovative reactors like TerraPower’s in Wyoming. He addresses the challenges of scaling up projects for cost reduction and the crucial role of regulatory reforms in shaping the future of nuclear energy.

Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, has transitioned from designing vintage demand response programs to pioneering a modern virtual power plant system. He discusses how AI and smart devices empower households to save energy while seamlessly supporting the grid. With projections showing a significant increase in grid demand, he emphasizes his approach as a viable, cost-effective alternative to building new power plants. Brown highlights the importance of consumer control in energy management, achieving impressive opt-in rates through personalized strategies.

It’s a Catalyst first-of-a-kind: our very first live event! We hosted it last Wednesday at San Francisco Climate week. In this episode, Shayle talks to Mike Schroepfer, co-founder and partner at Gigascale Capital and former CTO of Meta, and Nick Chaset, CEO of Octopus Energy US. Together they cover: Lessons on building products that consumers love  Over and under hyped trends, including data center load growth, carbon removal, and fusion What areas will benefit most from the current administration The most important, least appreciated category of climate tech The craziest idea that just might work Recommended resources: Catalyst: A skeptic’s take on AI electricity load growth Catalyst: The geopolitics of rare earth elements Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. This special Catalyst Live was sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and DLA Piper. Catalyst is brought to you by Anza, a platform enabling solar and storage developers and buyers to save time, reduce risk, & increase profits in their equipment selection process. Anza gives clients access to pricing, technical, and risk data and tools that they’ve never had access to before. Learn more at go.anzarenewables.com/latitude. Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.

Ahmad Ghahreman, co-founder and CEO of Cyclic Materials, dives into the critical world of rare earth elements (REEs) that are essential for tech and renewable energy. He discusses China's overwhelming grip on the global REE supply chain and explores the ramifications of recent export controls. Ahmad offers insights into how recycling can create a more sustainable alternative and predicts a future where a robust, non-China reliant supply chain could flourish. The conversation unpacks challenges, opportunities, and the importance of innovation in this vital industry.

Jeff Waters, CEO of Powin, a leader in utility-scale battery storage, shares insights on the booming U.S. market amid policy uncertainties. He highlights the need for global partnerships, especially with China, to bolster domestic battery manufacturing capabilities. The discussion uncovers the surge in electricity demand, particularly from data centers, and innovative scaling in storage technology. Waters remains optimistic about navigating challenges, emphasizing resilience in the face of tariff changes and evolving market dynamics.

Julio Friedmann, the Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct and a self-proclaimed carbon wrangler, discusses the intricate balance between tech's growing energy needs and climate goals. He advocates for carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a potential game-changer for data centers powered by natural gas. The conversation highlights the surprising economics of CCS, the challenges of building CO2 infrastructure, and the support from big companies like Meta. Julio also addresses the uncertain political landscape surrounding CCS investments and its future role in clean energy.

Judd Boomhower, an assistant professor of economics at UC-San Diego, dives into how climate disasters are reshaping insurance markets. He discusses why insurers are pulling out of high-risk areas like California and Florida, and the unique challenges of disaster insurance facing simultaneous claims. The conversation highlights the limitations of catastrophe models and the complications of private reinsurance markets. Boomhower also explores parametric insurance as a possible solution, shedding light on the world of undercapitalized insurers and their risks.

Adib Nasle, CEO of Xendee, brings his power engineering expertise from the aviation sector, while Michael Stadler, CTO, draws from his extensive research in microgrids. They discuss how data centers can tackle urgent power shortages using microgrids, emphasizing adaptability and future-proofing of technology. With striking cost reductions observed, they advocate for integrated solutions combining heat and power systems, batteries, and renewables. Their strategies highlight the importance of decentralization and innovative energy infrastructures to meet surging demands.