Shift Key with Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins
Heatmap News
Every week, Heatmap News Executive Editor Robinson Meyer and Princeton University Professor and energy systems expert Jesse Jenkins make sense of the biggest shift of our time -- navigating the energy transition away from fossil fuels. Drawing on their years of experience reporting on and researching climate change and decarbonization, Meyer and Jenkins unpack the most important issues of the week and how the impacts of climate change and efforts to address it are transforming our economy, politics, and society at large. Music by Adam Kromelow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
How China’s Power Grid Really Works
Michael Davidson, a UC San Diego professor specializing in Chinese electricity and climate policy, delves into China’s recent climate commitment to reduce emissions by 7-10% by 2035. He discusses the complexities of China’s energy grid, revealing the tension between central and provincial governments. Davidson explains why China may under-promise yet over-deliver on renewable energy targets and addresses the challenges of integrating renewables and coal into the power system. The conversation also touches on the rapid growth of electricity demand and what that means for future planning.
25 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 1min
Heatmap’s Reporters Talk About Electricity, Inflation, and the New Era in Climate Politics
In this discussion, Matthew Zeitlin, a staff writer focused on energy politics, Emily Pontecorvo, an expert on climate policy, and Jillian Goodman, deputy editor and producer, dive into key takeaways from New York Climate Week. They address the shifting focus towards electricity affordability, the political ramifications for Democrats, and the complexities of messaging around the affordability of clean energy. They also explore recent changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and emerging concerns about climate science, while reflecting on the broader implications for future energy policy.
50 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
Live From New York Climate Week: The AI and Electricity Moment
Sean Casten, a Democratic U.S. Representative and clean-energy advocate, discusses the Cheap Energy Act and how it aims to align utility interests with consumers. Arushi Sharma Frank, a former Tesla energy executive, highlights her work with Emerald AI, focusing on how data centers can adapt to support grid flexibility. Amanda von Allman from Salesforce dives into leveraging AI for corporate sustainability. Together, they explore the urgent need for regulatory changes, tech-utility collaboration, and innovative solutions to manage rising electricity demand.
60 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 12min
Nobody in the West Knows How to Respond to the ‘Electrotech Revolution’
Kingsmill Bond, an energy strategist at Ember and co-author of 'The Electrotech Revolution', shares insights on the transformative shift to electricity technologies like solar and EVs. He argues that a global electrotech revolution is underway, led by China's scale and policy. Bond discusses how efficiency and falling costs are driving this change, the importance of proactive policy responses, and the risks of Western inaction. He also highlights how emerging markets are leapfrogging to clean energy, positioning the world for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.
47 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 46min
What J.P. Morgan’s Chief Climate Advisor Is Telling Energy Startups
Dr. Sarah Kapnick, Global Head of Climate Advisory at J.P. Morgan and former chief scientist at NOAA, shares her insights on the evolving energy landscape. She discusses how global politics, driven by renewable resources, affect decarbonization efforts. The conversation dives into the importance of blending adaptation and mitigation strategies in climate policy. They explore North America's shift from fossil fuels to renewables and compare U.S. and China's paths in clean technology, highlighting the need for stable investments to foster innovation.
53 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
Utility Regulation Really Sucks
Electricity prices are soaring, mainly due to aging infrastructure and regulation issues. The U.S. can learn from international approaches to better control costs and improve utility management. The podcast unpacks the unique challenges of monopolistic utilities, the moral hazards in regulation, and the need for greater efficiency. It also touches on the importance of energy storage innovations and discusses global solar trends, particularly China’s massive installations and their impact on the market.
53 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 59min
What Carbon Dioxide Has to Do With the Meaning of Life
In this captivating discussion, Peter Brannen, a contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of 'The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything', dives into the crucial role of carbon dioxide in our planet's history. He explores how CO2 has shaped life on Earth, intertwined with energy dynamics and mass extinctions. Brannen highlights the transformation of coal in the industrial age and examines humanity's relationship with energy consumption and its impact on climate change, stressing the urgent need for innovative solutions in our decarbonization efforts.
19 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 6min
Shift Key Classic: How to Hook Up More Power Plants
Tyler Norris, a doctoral student at Duke's Nicholas Institute, and Claire Wayner, a senior associate at RMI, dive into the pressing issue of integrating renewable energy into the U.S. power grid. They address the daunting interconnection queue that delays new projects and explore innovative solutions like automation in processing. The duo also discusses the transition from coal to gas, lessons learned from Texas's energy strategies, and the urgent need for reform to streamline interconnection processes and accelerate clean energy deployment.
47 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 7min
This Is What It’s Like to Run a Power Grid
Mark Rothleder, senior vice president and COO of the California Independent System Operator, oversees 80% of California's electricity flow. In this engaging conversation, he explains how the grid is managed akin to air traffic control, balancing supply and demand. Rothleder shares insights on blackouts, market dynamics, and the integration of renewable resources. He highlights the complexities of forecasting energy needs and the critical strategies necessary for maintaining reliability, especially during peak demand. Plus, he tackles the mystery of pronouncing CAISO!
150 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 7min
How Electricity Markets Work
Dive into the intriguing world of electricity markets where power is sold at lightning speed! Discover how electricity pricing is influenced by unique market dynamics and renewable energy's impact. Learn about the historical evolution of these markets and the strategies behind power generation and transmission. Explore the delicate interplay between demand, supply, and market behavior, with surprising insights that even mix in sports betting. This discussion is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of energy!
