Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Landon Mossburg, Founder and CEO of Peak Energy, discusses the potential of sodium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage. He highlights how current advancements in China could reshape energy storage solutions. Mossburg explains the thermal advantages of sodium iron pyrophosphate and its lower capital expenditures. The conversation dives into supply chain benefits and how these innovations could offset costs while ensuring safety and long cycle life. Overall, there’s an optimistic outlook on sodium-ion technology’s competitiveness against traditional lithium-ion systems.

Brian Janous, co-founder and chief commercial officer at Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former VP of energy at Microsoft, dives into the critical concept of the ‘Watt-Bit Spread.’ He discusses how data centers have evolved from being passive energy users to pivotal players in the electricity market. Janous highlights the rising demand for power as AI technology advances and the strategic importance of energy procurement. He also explores the complexities of securing reliable power supplies and the implications of pricing strategies for sustainable growth in this rapidly changing landscape.

Steve Piper, Research Director for North American Power and Renewables at S&P Global, joins to discuss the recent record-breaking PJM capacity auction prices. He explains how inflated prices are designed to incentivize new generation amidst tight supply, driven largely by the surge in data centers. The conversation reveals concerns over low prices previously discouraging market participation, as well as the challenges of developing new resources and enhancing demand response strategies. Steve emphasizes the need for regulatory adaptations to navigate these complexities.

Colin Campbell, Chief Technology Officer of Redwood Materials and expert in battery recycling, discusses the intriguing world of repurposing electric vehicle batteries for grid storage. He highlights how advancements in software management and cost-efficiency have made this process profitable. Colin emphasizes that even short lifespans for repurposed batteries can be valuable, especially for long-duration storage. The conversation also dives into the competitive landscape against new battery systems and the exciting potential of transforming end-of-life batteries into vital energy resources.

Shayle speaks with Andy Lubershane, a partner at Energy Impact Partners and their head of research, about the complexities following the One Big Beautiful Bill. They delve into the biggest unresolved issue surrounding foreign entity concerns and explore the implications for tax credits across renewable sectors like nuclear and geothermal. The duo also discusses the extended timeline for hydrogen tax credits, how EV tax credits will affect both personal and commercial vehicles, and the broader impact on project planning in climate tech.

In this discussion, Julien Dumoulin-Smith, who leads clean energy equity research at Jeffries, sheds light on the challenges facing residential solar. He examines the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill, particularly how phasing out tax credits will influence the market. Julien highlights the struggles posed by high interest rates and debt burdens that have led several companies to bankruptcy. He also predicts that leasing will favor larger companies over smaller installers, while energy price hikes might reshape demand in the coming years.

Nat Bullard, cofounder of Halcyon, dives into the intricacies of utility regulatory filings, uncovering insights that reveal how utilities are grappling with unprecedented interconnection requests and the emergence of new tariff structures for large-load customers like data centers. He discusses historical parallels, sharing concerns about rising electricity rates, especially for smaller utilities. Nat also highlights the battle between factories and data centers for prime locations, and the growing costs tied to new gas generation, emphasizing the need for transparency in these projects.

Kurt Kelty, VP of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability at GM, previously led Tesla’s battery development. In their discussion, Kurt unveils GM's plans to mass produce lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries by 2028, highlighting their advantages over nickel and lower costs. The pair dive into the vital supply chain shifts required for this innovation, comparing LMR's potential against LFP and high-nickel options. Kurt also shares insights on the future competitive landscape of EV batteries and why LFP might still dominate stationary applications.

Addison Stark, CEO of AtmosZero and self-proclaimed chief boilermaker, dives into the critical need for decarbonizing industrial steam, which makes up about 30% of industrial heat in the U.S. He argues that waste heat is overrated and emphasizes the potential of air-source heat pumps as viable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel boilers. The discussion reveals insights about the economics of steam production, the importance of thermal storage, and the role of electrification in reducing carbon footprints. Get ready to rethink steam!

In this engaging discussion, Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer of Digital Realty, shares insights on the evolving landscape of data centers. He delves into how AI's demands create 'data gravity' and influence infrastructure development. The conversation covers the balancing act between large builds and incremental improvements, the reality behind power needs versus hype, and the role of 'bridge power' in today's energy landscape. Sharp emphasizes the critical interplay between data center innovation and the future grid, addressing emerging challenges in a rapidly changing tech environment.