Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Join Akshat Rathi, a senior climate reporter at Bloomberg News and host of the Zero podcast, as he dissects the climate hype spectrum. He shares insights on the potential of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the complexities of co-locating generation with data centers. They explore infrastructure bottlenecks like transformer shortages and the role of venture capital in climate tech scaling. Rathi also discusses how the Paris Agreement influences business decisions while evaluating the commercialization challenges of sodium-ion batteries and advanced geothermal technologies.

In this discussion with Jamie Daggett, energy storage and fuel cell lead advisor at Ariel Green, he shares his journey from mechanical engineer to the insurance sector. Jamie explores how insurance is pivotal in helping clean energy technologies progress from lab to market, addressing risks that hinder commercial growth. He highlights the impact of the Powin Energy bankruptcy, lessons learned from the Moss Landing fire, and how performance insurance builds confidence for investors. Additionally, he discusses emerging technologies like sodium-ion batteries and the evolving landscape of risk management in the industry.

Zach Dell, Co-founder and CEO of Base Power, shares insights on his company’s innovative approach to residential battery solutions and recent $1 billion funding boost. He discusses the advantages of their vertical integration strategy for lowering costs compared to utility-scale options. Zach also explains how Base Power provides reliable backup energy while generating revenue through unique business models in ERCOT. The conversation highlights the growing acceptance of distributed batteries by utilities, underscoring a shift towards more sustainable energy solutions.

Heather O'Neill, CEO of Advanced Energy United, dives into the state-focused clean energy revolution. She talks about the shift from federal efforts to state-level initiatives post-2010, emphasizing states' role in driving affordability and innovative policies. O'Neill introduces a three-principle playbook: build it, make it flexible, and ensure it's affordable. She highlights flexibility solutions like virtual power plants and regulatory reforms as keys to unlocking clean energy potential, urging companies to engage meaningfully at the state level.

In this discussion, Dana Guernsey, co-founder and CEO of Voltus and former Director of Energy Markets at EnerNOC, dives into the evolution of demand response and distributed energy resources (DERs). She highlights how DERs, once reliant on manual calls, now include automated systems like EVs and smart thermostats. Dana introduces Voltus’s innovative 'Bring Your Own Capacity' model, discusses the barriers to DER growth, and emphasizes the advantages of virtual power plants over traditional power sources in addressing escalating demand.

In this discussion, Peter Reinhardt, the co-founder and CEO of Charm Industrial, shares insights on the innovative conversion of agricultural residues into bio-oil. He explains how these underutilized byproducts can be processed to improve soil health and support carbon removal. Peter delves into the economic challenges of collecting biomass and contrasts centralized processing with mobile pyrolysis. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in building buyer trust for carbon removal, highlighting the potential of this approach for high-value climate solutions.

In this engaging discussion, Andy Lubershane, a partner and head of research at Energy Impact Partners, dives into the evolving landscape of distributed energy resources (DERs). He explains why they failed to thrive a decade ago, primarily due to high costs and low market demand. Now, with increasing grid bottlenecks and decreasing costs, he makes a compelling case for a DER comeback. The conversation also unpacks the differences between demand response and virtual power plants, and the potential challenges that still lie ahead for scaling these innovative technologies.

Brian Janous, co-founder and CCO of Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former head of energy at Microsoft, discusses the burgeoning trend of colocating data centers with power generation. He delves into the advantages of on-site power but warns of challenges such as gas constraints, complexity, and permitting issues. Janous argues for alternatives like batteries and grid-enhancing technologies. The conversation also questions the true necessity of 24/7 energy and the potential pitfalls of integrating on-site nuclear power.

Lara Pierpoint, Managing Director of Trellis Climate and host of The Green Blueprint podcast, dives into compelling questions about climate tech. She discusses the contentious status of solar radiation management and the complexities of transitioning to electric systems amid rising energy prices. Lara shares insights on the potential nuclear renaissance and the promising vehicle-to-home technology. They also tackle misconceptions regarding plastics in climate change, emphasizing the need for effective decarbonization strategies.

Varun Sivaram, Founder and CEO of Emerald AI, discusses the fascinating world of flexible data centers. He explains how adjusting data center loads can significantly alleviate pressure on power grids, potentially unlocking up to 98 gigawatts of unused capacity. Varun highlights the challenges of maintaining high reliability while enabling flexibility in power usage. He shares insights on innovative strategies like demand response and discusses case studies, including Google's latest agreements, to illustrate how adaptability can transform data centers into valuable grid assets.