Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Guest Andy Lubershane discusses the limitations of electrification for heavy transport like ships, planes, and trucks. Topics include density and infrastructure constraints of batteries, advantages of biofuels, hydrogen, and e-fuels, and the challenges of upgrading grid infrastructure. The podcast explores the need for alternative fuels and the potential solutions for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation.

Ahmad Faruqui, a pioneer in time-of-use rates, discusses the momentum behind dynamic pricing for electric utilities. He explains the evolution of rates from the California energy crisis to smart meters, and the importance of transparent rate design. The podcast also previews an upcoming event on rate design.

Jigar Shah, Director, discusses reviving the U.S. rooftop solar market with VPPs and batteries. Topics cover California's NEM 3.0, lessons from S-GIP, VPPs for load growth, and incentivizing system dispatchability. The conversation also explores VPP reliability and utility infrastructure utilization.

Airlines are investing in sustainable aviation fuel despite high costs. Topics include infrastructure needs, technical pathways, and incentives like ReFuelEU. Delta Airlines' sustainability officer Amelia DeLuca shares insights on scaling up SAF procurement and the green premium, emphasizing the importance of SAF over carbon removal.

Join Shayle Kann, Cassie Bowe, Carley Anderson, and Matt Eggers in a news quiz round where investors test their knowledge on industry news. Topics include challenges in the energy sector, data center energy use, solar industry innovations, diverse professions in energy, and a lightning round quiz on recent energy sector updates.

Julio Friedmann, Chief scientist at Carbon Direct, discusses the need to capture CO2 for global warming. Topics include carbon capture facilities, uses for CO2 like concrete and fizzy water, emerging chemical uses, challenges of local opposition to carbon infrastructure, and the green premium for products made with recycled carbon.

Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO of Cyclic Metals, discusses the challenges of securing the supply of rare earth elements outside China. Topics include high-value REEs in EVs and wind turbines, the supply chain process, building magnets without REEs, increasing production in North America, and the role of recycling. Ahmad's optimism shines through in developing a North American supply chain.

Exploring how the Jones Act impacts energy prices and offshore wind deployment in the U.S. Discussing the high costs of building ships in the U.S. compared to other countries. Analyzing why it's cheaper to ship U.S. oil and gas abroad than domestically. Highlighting the shift to using trucks and trains for domestic shipping. Considering potential changes to the Jones Act and its history.

Dr. Melissa Lott, an energy scholar, leads a deep dive into battery supply chains, discussing critical minerals like lithium and China's dominance in the industry. The potential trillion-dollar worth of the supply chain by 2030 and the power it bestows are explored. The episode questions whether critical minerals will mimic oil in significance.

The podcast explores the booming lithium-ion battery and recycling businesses. Financiers are investing heavily, but the challenge lies in obtaining enough used batteries. Topics include different recycling technologies, Redwood Materials' focus on feedstock, and the complexities of battery recycling methods. The conversation also touches on the economic challenges and market inefficiencies in the battery recycling industry.