Hardware to Save a Planet

Decarbonizing maritime shipping is critical for a sustainable future, but conventional engines and fuel systems have long been a bottleneck. Anders Korsgaard and his team at Blue World Technologies are on track to change that. Join Dylan Garrett on this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, as he welcomes Anders Korsgaard, Founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies, to discuss how methanol fuel cells are transforming the industry. Drawing on decades of expertise in fuel cell systems, Anders explains how high-temperature PEM fuel cells convert liquid methanol into clean electricity with 20–25% improved efficiency over conventional engines. He shares why methanol is emerging as the preferred green fuel for shipping, how waste heat recycling boosts system performance, and the practical challenges of retrofitting versus new-build vessels. From forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Maersk to scaling hardware solutions for hard-to-abate sectors, Anders reveals what it takes to make sustainable maritime shipping both economically viable and technologically feasible.What you will learn:How methanol fuel cells achieve higher efficiency than conventional maritime engines Why methanol is emerging as the preferred green fuel for maritime shipping The technical breakthrough of using waste heat to improve overall system efficiencyHow fuel cells can reduce green fuel consumption by 20-25%Why retrofitting existing ships presents different challenges than new builds The critical role of industrial partnerships in scaling hardware climate solutions Why liquid fuels will likely remain crucial for long-distance maritime shipping How the intersection of renewable energy infrastructure and fuel cell technology enables reliable power generation in remote locationsAnders Korsgaard is the Founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies, a leading innovator in methanol fuel cell technology for maritime and stationary power applications. With a PhD in fuel cell systems and over two decades of experience in sustainable energy, Anders has dedicated his career to advancing clean, efficient alternatives to combustion engines. Under his leadership, Blue World is partnering with global industry leaders like Maersk to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and enable the transition to sustainable shipping.Episode Resources:Anders Korsgaard on LinkedInBlue World Technologies WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet Spotify  Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Updating home electrification is key to a sustainable future, but outdated electrical infrastructure has long been a bottleneck. Arch Rao and Span are out to change that.Join Dylan Garrett on this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, as he welcomes Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of SPAN, to discuss how his company is reinventing the humble electrical panel for a modern, electrified home. Drawing on his experience at Tesla Energy, Arch explains how SPAN’s smart panel enables homeowners to monitor, control, and optimize their energy use, without costly service upgrades. He shares how SPAN is helping accelerate the adoption of solar, EVs, and batteries through intelligent load management and design aesthetics. From forging utility partnerships to scaling hardware manufacturing, Arch reveals what it takes to build climate-impactful hardware and unlock the next era of smart home energy systems.What you will learn:How SPAN's smart panel eliminates the need for expensive electrical service upgrades Why the electrical panel is the key integration point for managing home energy loadsHow SPAN achieved product-market fit through both utility partnerships and direct consumer adoptionThe "Systems Architecture" approach to avoiding over-engineering Why design aesthetics in industrial design matter for infrastructure products How digital power control systems can unlock 1.4x more backup power from existing home batteriesWhy infrastructure solutions should deliver economic value independent of policy incentivesThe importance of deep domain expertise and conviction when building hardware How utilities are embracing smart panels as cost-effective alternatives Why focusing on designing interoperable products vs. closed ecosystems leads to broader market impactArch Rao is the Founder and CEO of SPAN, a pioneering company revolutionizing home electrical infrastructure through smart panel technology. With a background in mechanical and automotive engineering, Arch previously served as a leading product executive at Tesla Energy, where he played a crucial role in developing the Powerwall and other energy storage solutions. His expertise spans energy conversion technologies, product development, and sustainable infrastructure design. Under his leadership, SPAN has transformed the traditional electrical panel into an intelligent energy management system that enables widespread adoption of solar, batteries, and electric vehicles in homes.Episode Resources:Arch Rao on LinkedInSPAN WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet Spotify  Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Inna Braverman is the founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, where she pioneers onshore wave energy solutions. In this discussion, she reveals how surviving the Chernobyl disaster inspired her clean energy mission. Inna shares the advantages of onshore wave systems over costly offshore projects, emphasizing their compatibility with existing infrastructure. With a remarkable 90% availability, wave energy stands to meet 66% of U.S. electricity needs. She also highlights strategic partnerships and regulatory pathways that can accelerate the adoption of this innovative technology.

Pavel Molchanov, an Investment Strategy Analyst at Raymond James with two decades in energy markets, shares compelling insights on climate tech economics. He discusses the staggering 90% drop in solar panel costs, highlighting its role in making clean energy viable. Pavel emphasizes that economic viability matters more than mere technical advancements. He explores the dual impact of AI on energy demand and grid management, the importance of geography in solution selection, and consumer actions like adopting EVs and solar power. His cautious optimism about net zero underscores the urgency for adaptation.

Zahlen Titcomb and Kristen Albrecht, co-founders of Ravel, are transforming the fashion industry with their innovative recycling technology. They discuss how Ravel’s method reduces environmental impact by 93% while achieving price parity with traditional materials. The duo explains the challenges of textile waste, industry adoption, and the importance of maintaining material value in recycling processes. They highlight the significance of collaboration within the supply chain to drive sustainable practices and share their cautious optimism for the future of sustainable fashion.

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes Ted McKlveen, co-founder and CEO of Verne, to discuss hydrogen’s rising role in clean power generation. They dive into Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen storage technology and its potential to replace diesel generators, especially in data centers and remote areas. Ted explains why hydrogen may be a practical and scalable solution for supporting the electrical grid and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, like trucking, by offering both economic and environmental benefits in the race toward a cleaner energy future.What you will learn:Why hydrogen is essential for complementing the electrical grid rather than replacing itHow cryo-compressed hydrogen storage achieves higher density at lower costs Why data centers represent a massive opportunity for clean backup powerThe economics of hydrogen power generation and why it's becoming cost-competitive How novel hydrogen production methods can achieve costs between $1-3 per kilogramWhy power generation applications offer better economics for hydrogen adoption How advances in materials science enable safe storage of hydrogen Why replacing diesel generators with clean alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent Ted McKlveen is the Co-founder and CEO of Verne, a company innovating in hydrogen storage and transportation technology. With a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford, Ted brings deep expertise in renewable energy and climate solutions. His background includes roles at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and Bain & Company, along with recognition as a Breakthrough Energy Business Fellow.Episode Resource:Ted McKlveen on LinkedInVerne WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes William Foiles, CEO of Project Canary, to discuss how advanced sensors and AI software are transforming methane emissions detection. They explore the evolution from custom hardware to integrated data platforms, the urgency of addressing methane's climate impact, and pragmatic strategies for change. William shares how precise, real-time monitoring empowers industrial operators to reduce emissions, proving that actionable data is a powerful tool in the climate tech arsenal.What you will learn:Why does methane represent 25-33% of human-induced climate change How Project Canary evolved from a hardware-focused startup to a software platform The crucial role of high-precision sensors in detecting methane leaksWhy combining operational data with emissions monitoring creates actionable intelligence How utilities are using advanced mobile sensing technology to detect local gas leaks The "pragmatic approach" principle for driving climate solutionsWhy regulatory changes, business incentives, and technological advances are converging to make methane emissions management increasingly important William Foiles is the Co-Founder and CEO of Project Canary, where he leads day-to-day operations across product development, field systems, supply chain, growth strategy, and data initiatives. With a background in energy finance and data acquisition technologies, he plays a key role in aligning resources to drive innovation and customer success. Will holds an MBA and MS from Stanford, an MS in Finance from Villanova, and a BBA from the University of Georgia. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).Episode Resource:William Foiles on LinkedInCanary Project WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Sandeep Nijhawan, CEO and Co-founder of Electra, to explore how his team is reinventing steel production. Their low-temperature electrowinning process converts iron ore into steel at just low temperatures, utilizing renewable electricity to reduce emissions in one of the planet’s most polluting industries. From garage startup to industry disruptor, Sandeep shares Electra’s journey, its potential to reshape global manufacturing, and why industrial decarbonization is crucial for climate solutions.Sandeep Nijhawan is the CEO and Co-founder of Electra, a pioneering company focused on decarbonizing steel production through innovative electrowinning technology. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, Sandeep brings extensive experience from his roles as President of Aqua Hydrex, where he developed electrolyzers for green hydrogen production, and as an Operating Partner at True North Ventures.Since founding Electra in 2020, he has led the company from a garage startup to an organization with over 150 employees and two pilot plants in Colorado, having recently secured $186 million in Series B funding. His work in revolutionizing steel production through a low-temperature, renewable energy-powered process that reduces emissions by 99% represents a significant breakthrough in addressing one of the hardest-to-abate industrial sectors, which currently accounts for 8-10% of global emissions.Episode ResourceSandeep Nijhawan on LinkedInElectra WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

As we move through 2025, climate hardware is no longer a promise for the future; it’s happening now. In this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett revisits 11 trailblazing guests who are turning bold ideas into real-world impact. From ocean carbon measurement to truck electrification, next-gen cement, and even cooling the planet with balloons, these founders share a pragmatic drive to solve today’s toughest climate challenges, proving the future of sustainability is being built right now.Here’s a list of guests featured in this episode:Allan Adams, founder and CEO of Aquatic LabsScott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Focused EnergyLuke Iseman, founder of Make SunsetsCurtis VanWalleghem, Co-Founder and CEO of HydrostorCole Ashman, CEO and founder of Pela EnergyGreg Williams, VP of Product at Sublime SystemsJason Chua, Chief Product Officer at Range EnergyNehali Jain, Chief of Staff at AntoraRandol Aikin, founder of Remedy ScientificRoss Bonner, CTO and co-founder of TransaeraJohanna Wolfson, Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla VenturesAllan is working directly with ocean carbon removal companies to understand their measurement needs. Curtis spent years in pilot projects before scaling to commercial projects. Cole designed Pela to work with existing home electrical systems. Greg partnered with cement majors instead of trying to compete with them. Jason embedded his team with trucking fleets to understand how they actually operate. Luke is deploying his solution today while the rest of us are still debating it. Nehali is already shipping thermal batteries to industrial customers. Randol has systems for cleaning up contaminated sites. Ross has designed a simple drop-in replacement. And Scott is having commercial conversations with utilities about gigawatt-scale fusion plants.Episode ResourceAllan Adams, founder and CEO of Aquatic LabsScott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Focused EnergyLuke Iseman, founder of Make SunsetsCurtis VanWalleghem, Co-Founder and CEO of HydrostorCole Ashman, CEO and founder of Pila EnergyGreg Williams, VP of Product at Sublime SystemsJason Chua, Chief Product Officer at Range EnergyNehali Jain, Chief of Staff at AntoraRandol Aikin, founder of Remedy ScientificRoss Bonner, CTO and co-founder of TransaeraJohanna Wolfson, Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla VenturesDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Johanna Wolfson, Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures, about the critical role of catalytic capital in scaling hardware climate solutions. Johanna explains why traditional VC models often fail to support breakthrough technologies and how Azolla's mission-driven approach helps tackle high-risk projects aimed at cutting super pollutants. Whether you're a founder or climate enthusiast, this episode sheds light on financing innovation that can deliver an outsized climate impact.What you will learn:How catalytic capital differs from traditional venture funding Why 20-30% of the technologies needed to hit emission targets by 2040 will come from technologies not yet commercially availableThe investment strategy behind supporting "non-obvious" opportunities How climate tech companies should adapt to current market and political uncertaintiesWhy adaptation and resilience technologies are becoming increasingly important How philanthropic capital can be leveraged to support high-risk, high-impact solutions Why focusing on super pollutants represents a critical opportunity for near-term impact Johanna Wolfson is a Co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures, a venture fund focused on investing in early-stage hardware companies with gigaton-scale emissions reduction potential by 2050. With a PhD in Physical Chemistry from MIT and experience at the Department of Energy, she specializes in eliminating barriers to commercialization for capital-intensive climate technologies. Her innovative approach to "catalytic capital" deployment enables support for high-impact climate solutions that may be too risky or long-term for traditional venture funding. As a leader in climate tech investment, Johanna sits on the boards of several companies in carbon removal, agriculture, and mining, where she helps bridge the gap between breakthrough technologies and market implementation. Her work at Azolla Ventures demonstrates how strategic investment can accelerate the development of crucial climate solutions while maintaining both environmental impact and financial viability.Episode ResourceJohanna Wolfson on LinkedInAzolla Ventures WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse Podcast WebsiteSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn