Catalyst with Shayle Kann

The podcast discusses the potential of AI in revolutionizing the grid infrastructure with applications like wildfire management, customer modeling, automated communication, and predictive maintenance. It explores the increasing adoption of AI in the power sector for optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency, while highlighting challenges and incremental changes in AI use cases. The conversation delves into the intersection of AI, startups, and venture funding in the energy sector, pointing towards innovative solutions and significant funding for startups.

Exploring the wild and unexplored carbon removal market, Stacy Kauk from Shopify shares insights on building a diversified removal portfolio. From forward purchases to challenges faced by startups, the podcast covers hot technologies like biomass burial and ocean alkalinity enhancement.

The podcast discusses the shortage of electric transformers, with lead times exceeding two years and prices soaring over 60%. They explore the reasons behind the shortage, such as rising demand from renewables, storms, federal investment, and EV chargers. The housing market crash of the 2000s made manufacturers cautious, while labor shortages and new DOE rules add to the challenges.

Exploring the booming transferable tax credit market post Inflation Reduction Act, driving $110 billion in investments for clean energy. New shift in US tax code allows selling of wind, solar, storage, and manufacturing credits. Crux secures $18 million funding to scale sustainable finance platform. Market growth, pricing challenges, emerging trends, and future predictions in clean energy tax credit trading discussed.

In this second part of the conversation, Shayle and Nat cover topics like: ESG as the new third rail of finance, curtailed power and the need for design, carbon certification standards, biodiesel's impact on Europe's biofuel supply, First Solar's success, and declining hydropower, slowing coal growth, and rising hype around AI.

The podcast discusses interesting topics such as the state of batteries, transferable tax credits for renewables, and the rising cost of capital in climate tech. It also explores the dominance of Asia in the battery market and the challenges of battery recycling and material recovery.

The podcast explores the conflicting narratives surrounding the US electric vehicle market, highlighting the robust growth in EV sales. It discusses the challenges faced by legacy automakers and the importance of affordable price points for wider EV adoption. The episode also delves into Tesla's falling market share and the Hertz sell-off, as well as the emergence of Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia in the EV market. The potential entry of Chinese EV giant BYD into the US market is also discussed, along with the impact of limited charging availability on EV demand growth.

In this podcast, Shayle Kann discusses the issue of enteric methane emissions, mainly from small-holder pasture-raised animals. They explore potential solutions like better livestock management, feed additives, vaccines, and breeding. Challenges with feed additives and the barriers to adoption are also discussed. A coordinated approach involving governments, actors, and corporations is emphasized to effectively address emissions in agriculture.

They discuss the potential of biomass for carbon storage and the need for sustainable biomass sourcing. The use of ag waste for carbon removal is explored, along with the impact of corn ethanol. The importance of oversight and transparency in biomass sourcing is emphasized. Challenges in finding biomass for carbon removal are discussed.

The podcast explores the 2023 climate tech venture investment trends, highlighting the decline in funding but arguing that it signifies the maturing of the early-stage climate tech space. They discuss the shift in sectors receiving investment, major funding rounds and bankruptcies in 2023, the role of generalist investors in climate tech, and predictions for investment trends in 2024.