Currents

Jason Kaminsky, CEO of kWh Analytics, returns to discuss key findings from the 2025 Solar Risk Assessment report. The report highlights growing threats from extreme weather.  We also discuss how AI is being used to improve data analysis and the rising importance of cybersecurity and battery safety in renewable energy. The 2025 Solar Risk Assessment is available to download at kwhanalytics.com/solar-risk-assessment, and is also available as an audiobook here: https://kwhanalytics.com/2025-solar-risk-assessment-audiobook-edition/

Alfred Johnson, CEO of Crux, discusses how Crux is streamlining clean energy financing through a marketplace for transferable tax credits, insights on market growth, recent policy changes and more.

Keith Martin, Norton Rose Fulbright partner, breaks down the latest US legislative changes affecting renewable energy tax credits, including last-minute amendments and their implications for solar, wind, hydrogen and carbon capture projects.

Kristina Costa and Ted Lee, who were involved in FEOC guidance at the White House and Treasury during the Biden administration, and Kyle Sweeney with the NYU Tax Law Center, join us to discuss their concerns with the FEOC restrictions in the budget reconciliation bill that passed the US House this week.

Hilary Lefko, Norton Rose Fulbright partner, joins us to discuss the Republicans' proposed plans for the future of renewable tax credits to be folded into the budget reconciliation bill later this year.

Michael Stadler, CTO of Xendee, discusses how microgrids are designed and operated to minimize costs, enhance reliability and achieve emissions goals. He explains how microgrids can address the growing electricity demand driven by AI and the challenges of utility upgrades and discusses the benefits of technologies like combined heat and power systems and batteries.

Gary Dorris, CEO of Ascend Analytics, shares insights into how his company leverages software and data to navigate the complex energy market. He discusses the increasing role of renewables and storage in power pricing, revealing the challenges of predicting market dynamics. Dorris highlights the impact of data centers and electric vehicles on energy demand and policy. Additionally, he explores the critical role of battery storage in managing renewable energy intermittency, and the advanced forecasting techniques shaping the future of energy.

Jason Prince, CEO of Giraffe Financial, discusses tax credit monetization and the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of climate incentives, including dealing with transaction costs and regulatory compliance, as he explains Giraffe Financial’s approach to make tax credit monetization accessible and efficient.

Sabah Bayatli, president of OCI Energy, discusses the evolving policy and regulatory landscape shaping utility-scale solar and energy storage development in the US, including tariffs, the Inflation Reduction Act, interconnection challenges and contracting strategies and also explainsOCI Energy’s approach to geographic and technological diversification.

Claus Hertel, a managing director at Rabobank specializing in energy transition, joins Melih Ileri from DC BLOX, and Mike Johnson from Nomura, to delve into the booming data center financing landscape. They discuss the explosive demand driven by AI and cloud technologies, emphasizing sustainable energy solutions. The trio sheds light on financing complexities, recent multimillion-dollar investments, and the critical importance of data center locations. Trends in adapting financing strategies for both large hyperscale and smaller data centers are also explored, highlighting innovative solutions for future challenges.