Catalyst with Shayle Kann

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.

The podcast discusses the problems with the voluntary carbon market, including issues of fraud and worthless credits. It explores the potential for reform and the growing market for carbon removal credits. The episode covers topics such as bad incentives, credit-rating agencies, and designing a better market. It also delves into challenges like financing and uncertainty in credit delivery.

This podcast explores the challenges of financing first-of-a-kind climate projects and discusses solutions such as off-balance sheet financing, structured finance, catalytic capital, and government programs. It also highlights examples of companies that have successfully solved the financing problem. The episode discusses the need for code switching between venture capitalists and infrastructure financiers, as well as David's checklist for first-of-a-kind entrepreneurs. The chapter descriptions include insights on clean energy tax credits, the role of catalytic capital and strategics, project finance expertise, creative financing models, and the journey towards building a mature asset class.

Mateo Jaramillo from Form Energy discusses the importance of multi-day energy storage on the grid, highlighting the limitations of lithium-ion batteries. They explore real-world examples from Form's experience with utilities like Xcel and Georgia Power, and the competitive landscape for multi-day storage. The podcast also touches on the implications of multi-day storage on land use, the role of multi-day storage for utilities beyond balancing renewables, and the future of a decarbonized grid.

The podcast discusses the new Treasury rules that restrict battery parts and materials for EV tax credits. They highlight the dominance of Chinese companies in the battery industry, loopholes in the law, and the challenges in avoiding Chinese-controlled entities. The complexity of the tax credits, recent announcements of cathode production plants, and the controversy surrounding the Treasury rules are also explored.

Exploring the EV charging practices in Europe and North America, focusing on adoption rates, grid interaction, managed charging, and vehicle-to-grid technology. The challenges of unmanaged charging and the potential of managed charging in both markets. Comparing managed charging programs in vertically integrated utility territories and unbundled markets. Understanding the differences between customer-managed charging and grid-controlled charging. Exploring the potential capacity of power generation from EVs and their impact on power capacity.

Why nuclear construction costs vary from country to country, with the US having high costs of over $6,000 per kilowatt and South Korea having low costs of around $2,200 per kilowatt. The podcast discusses the factors that contribute to these costs including modularity, small reactors, and passive safety features. It also delves into the need for regulatory changes and the challenges faced by the nuclear industry. Despite the challenges, there is optimism for the future of nuclear energy.

Topics covered include load growth, impact of interest rates on climatetech, challenges of siting carbon dioxide pipelines, lack of clear winning technology for carbon dioxide removal, European energy companies acquiring US companies, bullishness on macro grid, and personal anecdotes about childhood fascination with rocks.