Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Ian Rountree, founder and partner at Cantos, shares insights from his work as an early-stage investor in deep tech. He discusses the dangers of selling technology to large incumbents, exposing the pitfalls of long sales cycles and institutional inertia. Rountree argues that focusing on full-stack companies can be more viable than mere technology licensing, citing mining success stories like Earth AI and KoBold Metals. He emphasizes the value of 'weird' startups and the advantages of commodities, highlighting how they can mitigate risk in a volatile market.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Battaglia, Senior Director of Research at Google DeepMind’s sustainability program, dives into the revolutionary impact of AI on weather forecasting. He explains the challenges of predicting precipitation and wind, emphasizing the limitations of traditional models. Peter reveals how AI leverages novel data sources like social media and smartphones to enhance forecasting accuracy. Discover how these advancements could improve everything from renewable energy integration to disaster response, reshaping our economic decisions.

Anthony Brough, founder and CEO of Dora Partners, shares insights from his energy consultancy specializing in gas turbines. He discusses the dramatic rise in turbine demand amid supply chain bottlenecks, leading to lead times extending beyond four years. Brough explores the effects of past boom-bust cycles on today’s cautious market, the competing demands from aerospace and oil & gas, and the impact of renewables on turbine requirements. He also highlights the industry's readiness for hydrogen and the growing influence of data centers on turbine demand.

Shayle is joined by Ben Lee, a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a visiting researcher at Google, focusing on AI systems. They delve into the shift from centralized AI compute to edge inference, essential for latency-sensitive applications like autonomous vehicles. Ben explains the differences between hyperscale, edge, and on-device computing, emphasizing why training will stay centralized. He also highlights the challenges and potential of local data centers, exploring implications for energy consumption and the future landscape of AI applications.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Modon, co-founder and CEO of Unlimited Industries, sheds light on modernizing EPC projects through AI. He reveals how misaligned incentives and outdated contract structures contribute to cost overruns. Alex argues that treating projects like unique snowflakes stifles learning and efficiency. With his startup's innovative platform, he aims to streamline pre-construction processes and enhance design certainty. With an eye on the future, they plan to deliver their first project next year, revolutionizing the construction industry.

In this discussion, Shanu Mathew, a senior vice president at Lazard with expertise in sustainable equity and energy markets, dives into the complex narratives surrounding AI's power bottleneck. He explores how different players—hyperscalers, chip manufacturers, and utilities—each have unique incentives that shape their messaging about energy scarcity. The conversation reveals why equipment makers thrive on promoting bottlenecks and how the dynamics of power pricing impact various sectors. The insights illuminate the intricate balance of interests in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Rob Gramlich, founder and president of Grid Strategies, discusses the exciting revival of transmission projects in the U.S. with Shayle Kann. They dive into the significance of the recent $8.6 billion SPP plan and the ongoing progress of the Grain Belt Express despite DOE challenges. Rob argues that the DOE's push for faster large-load interconnection is a hopeful sign, but explains why data centers haven't significantly boosted transmission. He also shares insights on permitting reform and innovative solutions to enhance grid capacity.

Rob Black, New Mexico's Economic Development Secretary, and Jim Kenney, the Environment Secretary, discuss their innovative strategies for economic growth. They emphasize a collaborative approach that balances fast-tracked clean energy projects with environmental oversight. The duo highlights their successful initiatives, including a $65 billion sovereign wealth fund and significant investments in water infrastructure. They aim to position New Mexico as a leader in advanced energy, proving that effective government can drive sustainable growth.

Raffi Garabedian, the co-founder and CEO of Electric Hydrogen, dives into the challenges of making green hydrogen cost-effective. He discusses the bubble burst due to political pullbacks and high costs driven by AI demand. Raffi explains the real cost problem involving engineering and construction expenses. He also highlights Electric Hydrogen's choice of supersized electrolyzers and how they aim for fossil parity by the early 2030s in markets like Brazilian fertilizer. The conversation sheds light on market dynamics and the future potential of green hydrogen.

Ekin Dogus Cubuk, co-founder of Periodic Labs and former Google DeepMind researcher, dives into the exciting intersection of AI and materials discovery. He reveals how advancements like OpenAI's O1 model are helping to tackle AI's limitations in predicting beyond its training data. The conversation shifts to the importance of breakthrough discoveries versus incremental ones. Ekin also discusses the synergy between human insight and AI automation, and how Periodic focuses on automated labs to refine experimental hypotheses.