Shows
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Radio #3: The reasons to visit GreenTech this yearGreenTech Radio #3: The reasons to visit GreenTech this year by GreenTech2024-05-311h 03
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Radio - Knowledge ProgrammeGreenTech Radio - Knowledge Programme
Aad van den Berg (Delphy)
Henry Gordon-Smith (Agritecture)
Jasper den Besten (Planet Farms),
Mariska Dreschler (GreenTech), and
Kim Schotborgh (GreenTech)2024-05-011h 12
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Radio - Innovatie kracht (NL)GreenTech Radio - Innovatie kracht
Puck van Holsteijn (World Horti Center),
Egon Janssen (High Tech Greenhouses TNO)
Stijn Baan (Koppert Cress)
Aad Tijsen (Holland Hortimedia)
Romy Stuik (Holland Hortimedia)
Mariska Dreschler (GreenTech)
Job Knook (GreenTech)2024-02-2855 min
Greentech InnovationS2 - E5 : La commande publique et l’innovation verteRésumé :
La commande publique impacte tous les aspects de notre quotidien (écoles, logements, santé, transports…). En 2021 le marché public représentait 8% du PIB français.
Dans cet épisode de Greentech Innovation, découvrez comment la commande publique s’adapte et opère pour accélérer l’innovation pour la transition écologique.
Partez également à la rencontre d’Ecov, une start-up qui crée des lignes de covoiturage dans les zones faiblement peuplées, répond à la commande publique et collabore avec les acheteurs des collectivités territoriales.
Ressources : ...2023-03-1615 minGreentech InnovationS2 - E3 : Tout se transformeRésumé :
De l’eau et du vent. Du mouvement.
Dans ce nouvel épisode de Greentech Innovation, plongez au cœur des éléments pour faire de l’innovation la force motrice de la transition énergétique !
Nous partons à la rencontre de ceux pour qui la transition énergétique est une question d’action. Que ce soit sur un voilier cargo traversant l’Atlantique, avec TOWT qui veut réinventer le transport maritime; ou à deux pas de chez soi, grâce aux hydroliennes de VH Quatrevingtreize, qui viennent transformer nos cours d’eau en ressourc...2023-01-1714 min
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Podcast 2022 Plant HealthGreenTech Podcast 2022 Plant Health by GreenTech2022-11-2226 minGreenTech podcastGreenTech Podcast 2022 Climate Smart CitiesGreenTech Podcast 2022 Climate Smart Cities by GreenTech2022-10-0432 minGreenTech podcastGreenTech Podcast 2022 SustainabilityGreenTech Podcast 2022 Sustainability by GreenTech2022-08-2331 minGreentech InnovationS1 - E6 : La Greentech : vue(s) de l'intérieurRésumé :
Dans cet épisode, nous vous emmenons au cœur de la "Greentech", l'innovation au service de la transition écologique. La Greentech, c'est aussi un écosystème d'entrepreneurs-ses, de décideurs, de facilitateurs, d'acteurs privés et publics… qui portent la vision d’un entreprenariat durable, où chacun agit pour la planète. Dans ce monde, on prototype, on challenge, on pitche, on commercialise. L’urgence climatique est centrale : on s’engage dans la société à travers l’innovation que l’on déploie.
Crédits :
Greentech Innovation, u...2022-03-2817 minGreentech InnovationS1 - E1 : Élever les mouches… ou la nouvelle alimentation animaleSeriez-vous prêt.e.s à remplacer votre steak de bœuf par un steak d’insectes ? Curieuse question qui trouve son origine à Nesle, petite commune de la Somme.
Embarquez avec nous pour “l’usine à mouches” d’Innovafeed, entreprise biotechnologique spécialisée dans l’élevage d’insectes à destination de l’alimentation animale et végétale.
Implantée en 2016, cette mystérieuse usine élève des larves de mouches qui deviendront des protéines alimentaires d’élevage. Pourquoi, comment, et quels bénéfices pour l’environnement ?
Pour bien comprendre ce que sera notre alimentation du futur et...2021-10-1814 minGreentech InnovationGreentech Innovation, les récits de l'innovation verte (bande annonce saison 1)Pour cette saison 1, Greentech Innovation vous propose une immersion de terrain, à la rencontre de ceux qui impulsent l’innovation dans la transition écologique, qui l’accompagnent et l'accélèrent : des entrepreneurs, des chercheurs, des élus locaux, ou des décideurs publics.
Greentech Innovation, un podcast du ministère de la Transition écologique
Production : Elson - Hack the Radio
Voix : Stéphanie Masson
Interview, montage et mixage : Carine Fillot
Musiques : “Golden Plains forever” par Benjamin Esterlis
Avec l’intervention de Thomas Cottinet de l’Ecolab (Ministère de l...2021-10-1802 min
GreenTech podcastInterview | Wolfgang Steiner from Gemüsebau Steiner on sustainable innovation in growing vegetables.Mariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Wolfgang Steiner (Gemüsebau Steiner) talk about sustainable innovations in growing vegetables.
For more information: www.greentech.nl2021-03-0425 minGreentech InnovationS0 - E4 : Léthicia Rancurel, fondatrice de TUBA LYONDans cet épisode, Léthicia Rancurel, fondatrice de Tuba Lyon nous raconte la création de ce lieu de rencontre et d’innovation qui a pour but de penser la ville de demain.
Greentech Stories retrace le parcours de celles et ceux qui ont été accompagné par Greentech Innovation dans leur aventure entrepreneuriale.
La démarche Greentech Innovation du Ministère de la Transition écologique conseille et soutient chaque année des startups innovantes qui s'inscrivent dans la démarche de d'accélération des politiques du Ministère. Ces jeunes entreprises oeuvrent dans des domaines d’activ...2020-11-2521 minGreentech InnovationS0 - E3 : Jonathan Flahaut, fondateur de SEDIPECDans cet épisode, Jonathan Flahaut, fondateur de Sedipec nous raconte la naissance de cette entreprise française qui imagine l’habitat résilient de demain.
Greentech Stories retrace le parcours de celles et ceux qui ont été accompagné par Greentech Innovation dans leur aventure entrepreneuriale.
La démarche Greentech Innovation du Ministère de la Transition écologique conseille et soutient chaque année des startups innovantes qui s'inscrivent dans la démarche de d'accélération des politiques du Ministère. Ces jeunes entreprises oeuvrent dans des domaines d’activité très variés avec un seul et même but contribuer à l...2020-11-2523 min
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Live & Online opening & Innovation AwardsDuring the official opening ceremony of GreenTech Live & Online their were two keynote speakers and the winners of the Innovation Awards will were announced. After the opening, the programme kicks off 3 days full of knowledge sharing, networking and doing business!
Keynote speakers:
- Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri | UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security
- Jaap Bond | Chairman of board of the Topsector Horticulture and Starting Material2020-11-1224 minGreentech InnovationS0 - E2 : Hubert Michaudet, co-fondateur de URBAN CANOPEEDans cet épisode, Hubert Michaudet, président de Urban Canopee retrace l'histoire de cette startup française.
Greentech Stories retrace le parcours de celles et ceux qui ont été accompagné par Greentech Innovation dans leur aventure entrepreneuriale.
La démarche Greentech Innovation du Ministère de la Transition écologique conseille et soutient chaque année des startups innovantes qui s'inscrivent dans la démarche de d'accélération des politiques du Ministère. Ces jeunes entreprises oeuvrent dans des domaines d’activité très variés avec un seul et même but contribuer à la croissance verte et bleue de la Franc...2020-10-0719 minGreentech InnovationS0 - E1 : Antoine Brichot, co-fondateur de WIND my ROOFDans cet épisode, Antoine Brichot retrace l'histoire de Wind my Rood, startup française innovante.
Greentech Stories retrace le parcours de celles et ceux qui ont été accompagné par Greentech Innovation dans leur aventure entrepreneuriale.
La démarche Greentech Innovation du Ministère de la Transition écologique conseille et soutient chaque année des startups innovantes qui s'inscrivent dans la démarche de d'accélération des politiques du Ministère. Ces jeunes entreprises oeuvrent dans des domaines d’activité très variés avec un seul et même but contribuer à la croissance verte et bleue de la France. 2020-10-0629 min
GreenTech podcastInterview | How to unlock geothermal energy for application in the greenhouseMariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Marit Brommer (Executive Director International Geothermal Association), discuss the usage of geothermal energy in greenhouses:
- Why is geothermal energy a logical source for greenhouses
- The sustainability factors of sustainable energies such as geothermal usage
- What are the goals and missions of the IGA
- The misconceptions about geothermal energy
- The consequences of energy transition from gas and oil to sustainable energies
- What are the basic necessities to implement and apply geothermal energy
- Examples of best practices of geothermal energy in greenhouses
For more information: www.greentech.nl
Photo: Credit: Alexander...2020-09-2322 min
GreenTech podcastInterview: Indepth insights into vertical farmingLisanne Meulendijks, Researcher at Delphy Improvement Centre, Mike Zelkind. Cofounder and CEO 80 Acres Farms and Mariska Dreschler discuss the latest insights in Vertical Farming.
With experts from research and the grower, you're bound to learn new things!
More information: www.greentech.nl2020-09-0845 min
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Webinar | Insights into growing optimising medicinal cannabisOn Wednesday 10 June 2020, GreenTech, Ofinext and Cultivators presented a 90 minute in-depth webinar on how indoor growers have and are experiencing the effects of COVID-19 in the medicinal cannabis industry.
We were joined by:
Jurien Koster, Ofinext
Sonny Moerenhout, Cultivators
Jenn Ayotte, Maricann
Bob Hoban, Hoban Law Group
Ying Shao, Plantik
Rob Kwinten, Grodan
Laust Dam, Medisun inc.
Emily Rigby, Cannatrek medical
Tjalling Erkelens, Bedocran
Will Lammers, Ridder
Mariska Dreschler, GreenTech
For more information on next GreenTech webinars, please subscribe to stay up to date: greentech.nl/newsletter2020-06-221h 29
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Webinar | Food Safety, Waste, and Security in the wake of COVID-19On Tuesday 9 June 2020, GreenTech, Farmtech Society and Agritecture presented a 90 minute in-depth webinar on how indoor growers have and are experiencing the effects of COVID-19 in the indoor and vertical farming business.
We were joined by:
Gus van der Feltz, Farmtech Society
Henry Gordon-Smith, Agritecture
Lauren Baker, Global alliance for the future of food
Nana Adjoa, Guzakuza
Marni Karlin, CEA Food Safety Coalition
Mariska Dreschler, GreenTech
More information at www.greentech.nl2020-06-181h 31
GreenTech podcastGreenTech Webinar | Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge 2020You are listening to the audio recording of GreenTech Webinar Talks. It was recorded on June 8th 2020. GreenTech teamed up with Wageningen University & Research to take a deep dive into autonomous greenhouses.
Global Food Challenges and the Role of Technology
International teams conducted an experiment to remotely grow a cherry tomato crop during a 6-months-period, in a greenhouse of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. The winner of the challenge was announced during the webinar. Silke Hemming analysed the results and the key note was done by David Wallerstein (CXO Tencent).
For more information: www.greentech.nl or www...2020-06-111h 29
GreenTech podcastInterview | Leonardo Capitanio on the impact of Coronavirus on the flower sector in ItalyMariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Leonardo Capitanio (President of the Association of Ornamental Nursery), discuss how the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the flower sector in Italy.
- How does timing in production cause issues
- What actions can growers take now
- The e-commerce of indoor and outdoor plants for consumers
- How can growers help eachother2020-06-0216 min
GreenTech podcastInterview | Lex van der Ende discusses how business continues during a pandemicMariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Lex van der Ende (Van der Ende group), discuss how the company continues to support their clients during the Coronavirus pandemic.
More information: www.greentech.nl2020-05-2610 min
GreenTech podcastInterview (Dutch) | Jelte van Kammen (Harvest House) talks Coronavirus in the greenhouse industryVideo with English subtitles is available here: https://www.greentech.nl/news/harvest-house-talks-coronavirus-impact-in-vegetable-industry/
Mariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Jelte van Kammen (CEO Harvest House, growers’ association for salads), discuss how the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting the vegetable sector.
How are food prices affected with current travel restrictions and restaurants closed
- Which vegetable sectors are doing better than this time last year
- How will the vegetable industries change becasue of COVID-19
- What actions are Harvest House taking to help growers
- Will Europe (EU) help the food sector2020-05-2615 min
GreenTech podcastInterview | Annie van de Riet from AVAG talks about COVID-19 & the greenhouse sectorMariska Dreschler (GreenTech) and Annie van de Riet (AVAG, Association of the Dutch greenhouse construction and technology industry), discuss how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the greenhouse sector, and what is the outlook for the industry.
* The current status of the several horticulture industries and EU projects
* How long will we feel the consequences in the greenhouse industries
* What measure should be taken now and in the future
* Where do the opportunities lie for the horticulture industries
* How are the chains affected and how will they need to change
More information: www.greentech.nl2020-05-2208 min
GreenTech podcastInterview: Mariska Dreschler talks to Mads Pedersen (Aurora Nordik A/S)GreenTech's Mariska Dreschler talks to Mads Pederson, from Aurora Nordik A/S. They talk about how COVID-19 is affecting business in Scandanavia.
- How are they dealing with labour challenges?
- What lessons are learned to help prepare for a possible new crisis
- Which equipment will be looked at to help prevent challenges in the future?
More information: www.greentech.nl2020-05-1810 min
GreenTech podcastGreentech Webinar Talks | How COVID19 accelerates change in food systemsFour experts within the horticulture industries share their visions on the near and distant future of the horticulture technologies in our sectors. How has Coronavirus and the illness COVID-19 impacted the road ahead?
Recorded on 7 May 2020
With:
Rob Baan - Koppert Cress
Meiny Prins - Priva
Mike Zelkind - 80 Acres Farms
Mariska Dreschler - GreenTech
and host Tom Freyberg from Atlantean Media
For more information please go to: www.greentech.nl2020-05-1444 min
GreenTech podcastInterview: Mariska Dreschler & Tim Briercliffe talk about the flower industryGreenTech's Mariska Dreschler talks to AIPH's Tim Briercliffe about the current Coronavirus crisis, and how it affects the flower industry. What is happening, and what is being done to help?
More information: www.greentech.nl2020-04-2117 min
GreenTech podcastArticle: Great opportunity for "London's Salad Bowl" to expand its productionKnown as “London’s Salad Bowl”, the Lea Valley Growers Association (LVGA) is a group of family businesses located north of the UK’s capital city. Set up more than 100 years ago (in 1911), the association has seen several generations of salad growers proudly produce glasshouse-grown crops.
For more information: www.greentech.nl2020-03-1705 min
GreenTech podcastArticle: Medicinal cannabis growers can learn from fresh produce and flower growersThe professional cultivation of medicinal cannabis is growing worldwide but has plenty of technical challenges. Many growers and investors have little or no background in horticulture and therefore still have to learn a lot of skills. The use of existing and new techniques can help with the optimization of cultivation. But in the end, it all starts with a good basis, say various horticultural specialists.
For more information: www.greentech.nl2020-03-1711 min
GreenTech podcastArticle: Family-run soft fruit business meet demands of a new decadeListen to the audio version of an article about challenges in the family business of soft fruit growers.
More information: www.greentech.nl/news2020-01-2905 min
GreenTech podcastPodcast: Challenges in Vertical & Urban FarmingThree experts in Controlled Environment Agriculture, talk about the current and future challenges in Vertical and Urban Farming.
This episodes moderator: Maren Schoormans, talks to Henry Gordon-Smith (Agritecture) and Thomas Zoellner (FarmTech Society). GreenTech's Mariska Dreschler makes a guest appearance as well.
For more information check: www.greentech.nl2019-12-1044 min
GreenTech podcastPodcast: Medicinal Cannabis | A GreenTech podcastWelcome to the first GreenTech podcast! Make sure you follow us to listen to all upcoming podcasts on horticultural themes.
In our first podcast we talk about the upcoming market of Medicinal Cannabis.
Moderator Jeannette den Boer talks to guests:
Mariska Dreschler - director horticulture at GreenTech, RAI Amsterdam
Laura Rastovac- Meteor Systems
Juriën Koster - Phytonext
We also talk to experts on the GreenTech Amsterdam show floor.2019-06-2731 min
The Energy GangWatt It Takes: Dick Swanson, Founder of SunPowerThis week, we’re unveiling a new podcast collaboration between Greentech Media and Powerhouse, called "Watt it Takes."
Watt It Takes is produced and recorded live at Powerhouse, a cleantech incubator and seed fund in Oakland, CA. Each month, a founder of a top clean energy company shares the personal story behind the company they’ve built.
Our first episode features Dick Swanson, founder, and former CEO and CTO of SunPower, who talks about the wild ups and downs of building one of the largest solar companies in the world.
The show begins with Shayle Kann, SVP at GTM, providing some...2017-10-091h 06
The Energy GangTesla's Model 3: The iPhone or Blackberry of the Auto Sector?Many are billing Tesla's Model 3 launch as an iPhone moment. If the hype and pre-orders are any indication, the boutique electric vehicle manufacturer has indeed taken another step toward transforming the auto industry.
But could the Model 3 also be a Blackberry moment? If sales don't live up to expectations and Tesla faces any sort of quality control issue, it could take a big hit. And there are plenty of incumbents looking to fill Tesla's role.
In this week's show, we'll talk about the meaning of the Model 3 with Dana Hull, a Bloomberg business reporter covering Tesla and SpaceX.
In the...2016-04-0750 min
The Energy GangThe Utility Industry Is Rebranding ItselfUtilities are often criticized for not connecting deeply enough with their customers. In a world where choice is becoming more important -- turning ratepayers into dynamic consumers -- power companies need to offer a wider range of services and communications outlets.
One way to better connect: use more consumer-friendly language.
According to a report in the Huffington Post this week, the Edison Electric Institute recently hired a marketing expert to help member companies better message themselves.
“They view us a monopoly, no incentives to serve the customers. They view us as stuck in the past in terms of technology," said PR...2016-03-3140 min
The Energy GangThe Latest Technology Trends at the Grid EdgeARPA-E, the government agency founded in 2007 to support R&D in cutting-edge energy technologies, has invested $1.3 billion into power electronics, new solar materials and novel battery chemistries over the years.
According to the agency, the private sector has already responded with $1.25 billion in follow-on funding. Much of that money is going toward technologies that will help enable a distributed, responsive, renewable grid.
In this week's show, we're joined by Jeff St. John, GTM's senior grid reporter, for a discussion on ARPA-E's grid edge strategy. How's it working?
Later in the show, we'll have an update on the drama surrounding Exelon’s...2016-03-0341 min
The Energy GangSilicon Valley's Conflicted Relationship With CleantechIn 2012, Wired magazine ran a prominent feature on why "the cleantech boom went bust." A couple years later, after a slew of venture investment failures in the industry, 60 Minutes ran a major story on "the cleantech crash."
The stories were widely criticized by cleantech experts as incomplete or inaccurate (the Energy Gang even ran its own critique of the 60 Minutes story). But they did reveal some hard truths: venture investors lost a lot of money on clean energy investments. There was indeed an investment bubble -- and it popped.
Over the last couple of years, investors have taken on a...2016-02-1852 min
The Energy GangHawaii's Unique Approach to Funding Cleantech StartupsMany states prioritize tech incubators for a variety of economic reasons. The Energy Excelerator in Hawaii has a much more specific mission: tie support for startups to a 100% renewable energy target set by the state last year.
That mission guides the way Energy Excelerator funds projects, chooses awards, and works with incumbents.
This week, we'll talk with Dawn Lippert, the organization's co-founder and director, about how Hawaii plans to support innovation in distributed energy.
Later in the show, we'll look at where Generate Capital (where co-host Jigar Shah acts as president) is deploying $150 million for "infrastructure-as-a-service" projects in underserved markets...2016-01-2242 min
The Energy GangExxon's Hidden PastIn the mid 1970s, Exxon invested millions of dollars into sophisticated climate research and determined that greenhouse gas emissions would warm the planet to dangerous levels if left unchecked.
But then something changed. In the mid 1980s and into the 90s, Exxon curtailed much of that research and started sowing doubt about the reality of the problem. By one tally, Exxon has spent $30 million supporting front groups and climate denying politicians in order to prevent action on reducing carbon emissions.
Why such a dramatic reversal?
In this episode, we talk with Neela Banerjee, a reporter with Inside Climate News, about...2015-09-2253 min
The Energy GangShell's Arctic Drilling GambleIn 2012, Shell ventured up to the Arctic to drill exploratory offshore oil wells. A lot went wrong.
Its containment dome failed, a ship ran aground, another vessel was threatened by ice, one of its contractors was fined for safety violations -- and after all that, Shell never completed its exploratory drilling operation.
The company has spent $7 billion to explore for oil in Arctic waters. And with a new plan of attack and fresh approval from the Obama Administration, Shell plans to spend $1 billion every year to get access to the region's rich reserves.
In this episode, we look at the...2015-09-1139 min
The Energy GangDistributed Batteries Are Following Solar's SuccessBehind-the meter battery storage is experiencing strong growth in the U.S. But with only 6.4 megawatts of capacity installed in 2014, companies have barely touched the market’s potential.
Stem is one of a handful of companies leading the deployment of distributed batteries in commercial and industrial buildings. The company has since raised $75 million from a range of high-profile investors, and it is set to install about 10 megawatts of behind-the-meter battery systems this year.
In this week’s show, Stem CEO John Carrington joins us to talk about why behind-the-meter storage is taking off, and where the economics and applications are head...2015-09-0351 min
The Energy GangHow Activists Killed a $6.9 Billion Utility AcquisitionUntil this week, most people thought Exelon's planned $6.9 billion acquisition of Pepco was a sure bet. But in a blow to both companies, regulators in the District of Columbia rejected the deal.What happened?
The story is not just about a business deal gone awry. It’s a story about local empowerment, how utilities are dealing with the dramatic swing in America’s electricity market, and the tough decisions regulators are grappling with as they consider how to promote a cleaner grid.
We will talk to Anya Schoolman, an organizer in DC who opposed the deal, about how a group of c...2015-08-2851 min
The Energy GangThe Most Important Energy Bill You've Never Heard OfIf there’s any concept that can cut through politics of distributed energy, it’s “personal energy independence.” Some utilities may not like the idea, but many supporters believe it’s a helpful way to frame policies supporting solar, storage and microgrids, both nationally and locally.
That is what encouraged Senator Angus King (I-ME) to introduce a bill in Congress that would establish a nationwide integration plan for distributed energy. Called “The Free Market Energy Act,” the legislation wouldn’t mandate any specific technology; rather, it would direct states to establish rate structures and interconnection laws supporting on-site energy systems in a way that’s...2015-08-2059 min
The Energy GangIs Obama's Big Climate Plan Really That Ambitious?The Obama Administration finally completed its landmark climate rule that will require states to cut power plant carbon emissions. It's been hailed by supporters as historic, and demonized by opponents as an economic threat.
But is it really all that big of a deal? That depends on how you look at it.
In this week's show, we'll talk with Michael Grunwald, a senior reporter at Politico, who argues that the climate law is not very ambitious when it comes to carbon reductions. However, it will still be good for clean energy businesses, which will see new state markets open up...2015-08-0553 min
The Energy GangWhy Coal Companies Are Collapsing in Spectacular FashionPretty much everything bad that could happen to the coal industry is happening.
Global coal demand is slumping; low natural gas prices and competitive renewables are shifting the energy mix in America; and a slew of regulations are causing plants to close at an unprecedented rate.
Since 2012, more than 40 U.S. coal companies have filed for bankruptcy. And just this week, Peabody Energy, one of the largest coal firms in the world, reported $1 billion in quarterly losses.
In this week’s show, we’ll talk with Taylor Kuykendall, a coal reporter with SNL, about all the factors contributing to coal’s demi...2015-07-3048 min
The Energy GangInside SunEdison's Acquisition BonanzaSunEdison is on a mission to become one of the biggest energy companies in the world – built entirely on renewables.
It still has a ways to go. SunEdison has a $9 billion market capitalization. The two biggest oil companies, PetroChina and ExxonMobil, are worth $376 billion and $342 billion respectively. And Duke Energy, America’s largest utility, has a market cap of $50 billion.
But with a slew of billion-dollar acquisitions of wind and solar companies – most recently Vivint Solar -- SunEdison believes it is on the path to rivaling the world’s supermajors.
"We are building the next generation of the biggest energy companie...2015-07-2348 min
The Energy GangPolitical Turmoil for Renewables in Australia and SpainTwo countries with some of the richest renewable energy resources in the world – Australia and Spain – are also two of the most hostile to the industry’s growth.
Last week, Australia abruptly changed its national policies for renewables, upsetting project development plans. And in June, Spain proposed yet another tax on storage systems to discourage self-consumption.
In this episode, we’ll talk about the turmoil and Australia and Spain, and look at the consequences for politicians and the renewable energy industry.
We’ll finish up by debunking a new report from the Taxpayer’s Protection Alliance claiming that the solar industry is...2015-07-1551 min
The Energy GangWhy Global Solar Demand Will Be Off The ChartsBy the end of the decade, the solar industry could be installing 135 gigawatts yearly – more capacity in 12 months than all cumulative installations over the last four decades.
The 2020 solar market will look much different today. It will be defined by fewer subsidies, greater geographic diversity and more sophisticated business models.
This week, we’ll talk with Adam James, a senior solar analyst at GTM Research, about some of the most interesting findings from his new global demand report.
Later in the show, we’ll discuss the Supreme Court ruling against the EPA’s mercury and air toxics rule for power plants...2015-07-0143 min
The Energy GangA Top Utility Engineer Talks Distributed Energy IntegrationThis week, we have a taping of the Energy Gang from GTM’s Grid Edge Live conference in San Diego.
We’ll talk with Tom Bialek, the chief engineer at San Diego Gas & Electric, about the utility’s landmark microgrid project, its new distributed resource management system, and how to improve the utility-customer relationship.
And we’ll wrap up with a look at how California’s pro-distributed energy policies are shaping utility procurements.
This podcast is sponsored by ReneSola, a Tier 1 solar cell and module manufacturer with a decade of experience in the cleantech industry.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greente...2015-06-2950 min
The Energy GangIs the Republican Party Incapable of Addressing Climate Change?After Pope Francis issued his strongly worded encyclical on climate change and the environment, many wondered how it would influence skeptical conservatives.
It didn’t take long to get an answer. “I don’t think we should politicize our faith,” said Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, who brushed off climate change as an inherently political issue.
So what would it take to get Republicans more engaged on climate and cleantech?
This week’s guest, Vox staff writer David Roberts, believes change won’t come from some kind of utopian post-partisan framework.
“The other strategy is to beat the other side. If you can’t w...2015-06-1944 min
The Energy GangNew York's Energy Czar on Transforming the Electricity SystemRichard Kauffman has a lot of responsibilities as New York's "energy czar."
He oversees multiple agencies and utilities, advises the governor on energy issues, and works closely with regulators in their attempt to build a new electricity market based on distributed resources.
"Often the entities are diffuse and everyone is in their own silo. The benefit we have [in New York] is to develop and implement an integrated energy policy," explained Kauffman on the Energy Gang.
This week, we'll talk with Kauffman about the state's unique approach to energy policy. We'll also talk about how he's trying to use markets...2015-06-1240 min
The Energy GangAre We Measuring Energy Use All Wrong?We measure energy use with a commodity-based approach -- monitoring electrons, therms and gallons. But is there a better way to gauge the efficiency of the economy?
Energy Economist Skip Laitner has been exploring a new method based on measuring "exergy," which shows that America's economy is only 14 percent efficient. And he says it's getting less efficient every year.
In this week's show, we'll talk with Laitner about why measuring usable energy is better for understanding economic productivity. And we'll ask: how do we apply it to the real world?
Later in the program, we'll discuss the state of the...2015-06-0548 min
The Energy GangThe 21st-Century Power System May Be Closer Than You ThinkDiscussion about changing utility business models has always been abstract. But with large utilities now getting hit financially by distributed energy, “Utility 2.0” is starting to seem much more real.
This week, we’ll look at the progress that’s been made in New York, California and Massachusetts, where reformation of the power sector is currently underway in different stages.
Lisa Frantzis, senior VP of strategy at Advanced Energy Economy, joins us to talk about how leading states are attempting to create a fair, open market for distributed energy.
Later in the show, we’ll look at what’s behind the financial tr...2015-05-2150 min
The Energy GangPeak Oil in an Era of Fossil Fuel AbundanceOver the last few years, analysts and academics worried about peak oil have been on the defensive.
The fracking revolution has brought an abundance of oil and gas that no one thought possible a decade ago. So we can declare peak oil dead, right?
Chris Nelder, an energy analyst who’s written extensively on the subject has a simple answer: no.
In this week’s show, we’ll talk with Nelder about predicting the messy oil market, and get his thoughts on the long-term viability of unconventional fossil fuels.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about Bank of America’s decision...2015-05-1450 min
The Energy GangTesla’s New Battery: Is the Market Ready?Tesla’s new storage unit has everyone talking about distributed batteries. But is the U.S. market ready for them?
This week, we’ll talk about what needs to happen on a regulatory level to take distributed storage beyond limited applications.
Sky Stanfield, an attorney representing the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, joins us to chat about proactive approaches to storage integration. We’ll also look at a new bill proposed in Congress that would implement best practices on battery and solar interconnection nationwide.
Then, we’ll look more specifically at the cost, applications and reaction to Tesla’s new battery.
We’ll end...2015-05-0747 min
The Energy GangSunEdison's CEO Talks Clean Energy MegatrendsAhmad Chatila worked in the chip industry for 18 years before taking over as CEO of the semiconductor manufacturer MEMC in 2009.
As a veteran of the industry, Chatila well understood the difficulties of the silicon wafer business. Semiconductors are a commodity, and the company was facing intense pricing pressure from Chinese competitors. So he decided to make MEMC an energy company -- zeroing in on SunEdison as an acquisition target.
Nearly seven years after the acquisition, SunEdison is branching out beyond solar and into wind, battery storage, microgrids, and is eyeing hydro and even natural gas. The development arm became so...2015-05-0433 min
The Energy GangCan the US Wind Industry Get Beyond Its Boom-Bust Cycle?Wind has become a favorite target for politicians and conservative action groups looking end energy subsidies. But industry leaders are hitting back, saying they’ll only consider dropping the production tax credit when oil and gas lose their tax benefits.
But does it need the subsidy? The average price for U.S. wind contracts is now 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Some argue that the industry would remain competitive even without the PTC, and could avoid boom-bust cycles if it were eliminated.
In this episode, Tom Kiernan, the CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, joins us to defend the industry’s stan...2015-04-3041 min
The Energy GangWhy Renewables Can't Be StoppedIn 2014, after a two-year dip in global clean energy spending, investors poured $310 billion into solar, wind, storage and energy efficiency.
Although yearly investment levels are below what IEA estimates are needed to address climate change, the increase shows that appetite for funding companies and projects is increasing. Some believe the investment figures prove that fossil fuels have already lost the long-term race to renewables.
This week, we’ll talk with Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, about what the global numbers tell us.
Then, we’ll look at how renewables are factoring into the upcoming parliamentary elections in the...2015-04-2352 min
The Energy GangDebate: Can America Get to 100% Renewable Energy?In 2008, when Al Gore called for America to get 100 percent from its electricity from renewables in 10 years, he was widely mocked by opponents. Even supporters who understood it was a rhetorical point quietly knew how difficult it would be to achieve.
But suppose the timeframe were stretched out to 2050. Would it really be that crazy? Some models show it’s possible; skeptics say the models are widely unrealistic.
This week, in place of the Energy Gang, we feature a debate between two experts on the issue.
Mark Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University faces off ag...2015-04-1444 min
The Energy GangCan NRG Become the Apple or Google of Electricity Delivery?Last March, NRG CEO David Crane wrote a passionate letter to investors.
“There is no Amazon, Apple, Facebook or Google in the American energy industry today,” lamented Crane.
His plan, he said, was to make NRG the company “that enables the consumer to make their own energy choices.”
Months later, Crane broke the electricity supplier up into three parts: NRG Business, NRG Home and NRG Renew. The Home arm of the business now includes retail sales, residential solar, residential EV charging and home energy management.
In this week’s show, we’ll talk with the new CEO of NRG Home, Steve McBee...2015-04-0949 min
The Energy GangIs Nuclear 2.0 Possible?Small modular nuclear reactors are hailed as the savior of the struggling nuclear industry.
They’re cheaper, safer and more flexible than traditional light-water reactors. But many small modular reactor designs are also not fully proven on a commercial scale – and they’ll likely not achieve scale for another decade.
In this week’s show, we’ll talk with Leslie Dewan, the co-founder and CEO of Transatomic Power, about what it will take to make nuclear 2.0 a reality. She’ll discuss regulatory challenges, cost barriers and interest from venture capitalists willing to take on the risk.
Later in the show, we’ll examin...2015-04-0457 min
The Energy GangDoes the US Solar Industry Need the Federal Tax Credit?The federal investment tax credit has enabled dramatic growth in the U.S. solar industry. But its looming expiration in 2017 is causing some within the solar business to ask: will it still be needed to continue that growth?
The industry’s national lobbying group unequivocally supports an extension. President Obama supports a permanent credit. But some believe installers will still be able to compete in many markets, even when the credit goes to 10% for commercial and third-party owned systems and zero for everything else.
In this week’s episode, Barry Cinnamon of Cinnamon Solar joins the Energy Gang to debate the...2015-03-2649 min
The Energy GangInsight From One of Cleantech's Most Successful Venture CapitalistsNancy Pfund, the founder of DBL Investors, has supported some of the most successful modern clean energy companies, including Tesla, SolarCity, Powerlight and BrightSource.
And unlike many other venture capital firms, DBL isn’t backing down from some of the riskier, capital-intensive investments. Other portfolio investments include CIGS manufacturer Siva Power, and storage companies Primus Power and PowerGenix. The firm is now in the process of raising a third fund worth $300 million.
In this podcast, we’ll talk with Pfund about what she looks for in company strategies, why Tesla and SolarCity have been so successful, and how she’s trying...2015-03-1959 min
The Energy GangA Journalist's Guide to Congressional Energy PoliticsWhen the 114th Congress assembled for the first time in January, a bill approving Keystone XL was first on the agenda.
By passing that bill with numerous amendments stuff in, Americans got a hint of what energy issues the Republican-controlled House and Senate would address in 2015. Those include efficiency standards, tax reform, natural gas exports and EPA regulations.
This week, the Energy Gang is on break. In place of our normal show, we present a roundtable discussion between GTM Senior Editor Stephen Lacey, Huffington Post Energy Editor Kate Sheppard and E&E TV Managing Editor Monica Trauzzi on what we...2015-03-0644 min
The Energy GangTribal Warfare and Energy Liberty: A Republican Take on the Energy TransitionFormer Congressman Bob Inglis has a tough job. As one of the only prominent Republicans talking about climate change, he’s been trying to give the rest of his party the courage to offer conservative solutions to the challenge.
Three years after founding the Energy and Enterprise Initiative, there’s still a deep freeze in Congress on climate issues. But Inglis is gathering more allies in his fight for a carbon tax, and believes that the 2016 elections will force national candidates to recognize the challenge.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk to Inglis about changing dynamics in the Republic...2015-02-2643 min
The Energy GangThe Moral Case for Fossil FuelsThe case against fossil fuels is simple. Oil, coal and gas have been an extraordinary gift of nature that allowed modern society to flourish. But now, because of extreme climate risk and the competitiveness of renewable energy, we can (and must) leave those resources in the ground.
But Alex Epstein believes that argument is too simplistic.
In his new book, “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels,” Epstein argues that fossil fuels are unfairly demonized. Pointing to positive trends in economic growth, pollution control and climate deaths – helped by energy abundance – Epstein says that fossil fuels should be celebrated, not disparaged.
This wee...2015-02-1246 min
The Energy GangWhy the Tea Party Is Getting Behind SolarFor some conservatives, solar is a big green boondoggle promoted by a liberal president to benefit rich environmentalists.
But for a growing number of libertarians and conservatives, solar is also seen as a tool for promoting competition in electricity markets and empowering consumers.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Debbie Dooley, founder of the Green Tea Coalition and Conservatives for Energy Choice, about why Tea Partyers are rallying behind solar PV as a way to expand personal freedoms.
Then, we’ll discuss a new report concluding that Europe overpaid $100 billion for its renewable energy capacity. And we’ll wrap...2015-02-0536 min
The Energy GangThe Solar-Utility Battle Is Getting UglyIf the war of words between SolarCity and Arizona Public Service is any indication, this year will likely see an escalation in tension between the solar industry and utilities throughout the U.S.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that APS was behind a letter from members of Congress to the Federal Trade Commission asking the government to investigate the sales practices of solar services companies.
SolarCity hit back immediately and published a scathing blog post calling out APS for using so-called “monopoly money” to influence politics at the highest level in order to limit consumer choice.
In this show, we’l...2015-01-2848 min
The Energy GangSolar Loans: Should PV Be More Like Car Sales or Cable Television?Last year, 200,000 residential solar systems were installed in the U.S. More than two-thirds of those systems were third-party financed through leases or power purchase agreements.
But third-party financing is peaking. As solar costs come down, more consumers demand direct ownership of their own systems and installers look for simpler options, a growing number of lenders are coming into the U.S. market with loan products.
Will they rival leases and power purchase agreements? Not in the short term. But they are becoming much more popular – sparking debate around their value for customers.
This week, we’ll talk with Sungage Fina...2015-01-2249 min
The Energy GangIs it Time to End Subsidies for Wave and Tidal Energy?Progress in wave and tidal energy hasn’t been slow – it’s been nonexistent.
Despite media attention, strategic investments from large energy companies and strong support from national governments, the marine renewables industry has seen mostly technical failure over the last decade.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, fewer than 150 megawatts of wave and tidal projects will be installed globally by the end of the decade -- a 72 percent reduction in earlier projections.
Aside from creating dams, no companies have yet been able to competitively and reliably tap the waves or tides for electricity.
So is it time to end suppor...2015-01-1436 min
The Energy GangWill Low Oil Prices Hurt Clean Energy?With oil prices dropping to five-year lows, pundits are pushing conspiracy theories about OPEC, public investors are acting irrationally, oil companies are going deeper into debt and political leaders are considering previously untouchable ideas like a gas tax.
Meanwhile, many people are asking if an extended period of $50-per-barrel oil will compromise the economics of renewables.
In this week’s episode, we’ll address the spectrum of economic and political consequences from oil’s strong price slide.
Michael Levi, a senior fellow for energy and environment at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins us at the top of the show to cha...2015-01-0743 min
The Energy GangThe Most Important and Overblown Energy Stories of 2014This week, we stray from the week’s top news and instead focus on the top news of the entire year.
We’ll give our picks for most important news item of the year, the most overblown story of the year and our story to watch in 2015.
The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey.2014-12-2443 min
The Energy GangSolyndra? Solyndra! The Legacy of Government Loan Guarantees Beyond PoliticsThree years after the political posturing around the Department of Energy’s clean energy loan guarantee program, some lawmakers still haven’t moved on.
“What we have seen is incredible mismanagement, and it’s become the poster child for crony capitalism,” said Tennessee Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn in an interview with Bloomberg last month.
Performance tells a different story. Even after a handful of early bankruptcies, the program has so far seen a 98 percent success rate. And losses from those bankruptcies are only one-fifth the cost of what Congress appropriated when establishing the program.
“The facts are clear, the results are in. You...2014-12-1848 min
The Energy GangTesla's Battery Storage Strategy Beyond Electric CarsAs Tesla builds out its Giga factory in Nevada, the company expects that roughly one-quarter of batteries will be used for stationary storage applications beyond automobiles.
Tesla is just beginning to expand beyond EVs and move deeper into grid-scale storage, behind-the-meter storage and solar-battery combination systems, potentially making it more than just a boutique automobile producer.
“Everywhere we look there's an opportunity for storage,” said Mateo Jaramillo, Tesla’s director of powertrain business development, speaking on this week’s Energy Gang podcast.
In this week’s podcast, we’re live at Greentech Media’s Solar Market Insight conference. Tesla’s Jaramillo and Ca...2014-12-1147 min
The Energy GangGermany’s Largest Utility Is Divesting From Centralized Power PlantsEarlier this week, Germany’s biggest power company, E.ON, announced that it would spin off its centralized power assets in order to make itself a distributed utility and embrace the “new world” of energy.
E.ON and other European utilities have been shedding billions of dollars as electricity consumption declines and solar erodes the value of their power plants. Many of them are considering radical changes to their business models as a result.
Johannes Teyssen, E.ON's CEO and board chairman described the move this way: "We’ve now come to the conclusion that it will become increasingly difficult for a co...2014-12-0445 min
The Energy GangHow Big Data (and Little Data) Is Transforming Energy EfficiencyAfter years of very little change, the energy efficiency industry is getting a makeover.
The growth in connected, learning devices -- and the data access enabled by them -- is creating a new paradigm that many call "intelligent efficiency."
In this podcast, we're live from ACEEE's Intelligent Efficiency conference. We'll talk with Ben Bixby, the director of energy products at Nest, and Kathrin Winkler, the chief sustainability officer of EMC Corporation, about what the shift means for consumers, energy efficiency companies and utilities.
This podcast is brought to you by SMA, the world's leading solar inverter manufacturer. With more than 850...2014-11-1943 min
The Energy GangThe Biggest Financing Traps for Cleantech StartupsEvery decision for a startup is a financial decision.
From hiring decisions to supply agreements, investors evaluate an entire company through a financial lens. But some entrepreneurs muddling along through challenges often fail to think about the growth of their company in this holistic way.
That’s what our guest, Kathrin Ohle, says in her new book, The Decision Maker’s Guide to Long-Term Financing.
This week, we’ll have Kathrin on the show to discuss the mechanics of financing for entrepreneurs – including how to ensure you don’t lose control of your company to investors.
We’ll also discuss the landmark...2014-11-1446 min
The Energy GangElection Special: What the Republican Takeover Means for EnergyThis week, the U.S. turned a deep shade of red after Republicans pulled off commanding wins in national, state and local races.
The results will influence a broad range of issues, including renewable energy tax policy, oil & gas exports, state renewable energy targets, net metering and utility rate design.
It will also pit Congress and states against the Obama Administration as it tries to use executive authority to curb carbon emissions.
In this podcast, we’ll dissect what America’s election-year political flip means for local and national energy issues.
You can check out our live podcast on November 18 in S...2014-11-0647 min
The Energy GangMillennials: The Core of the Clean Economy? Or Overhyped as the Green Generation?Depending on your perspective, Millenials are either the most globally aware, technologically savvy generation or the most distracted, dependent, self-obsessed generation.
For many, those feelings about Millenials extend to the environment. Some criticize their surface-level engagement and say young people mistake Facebook “likes” and virtual signatures for actual action. Others believe Millenials are much more sophisticated about the environment, pointing to the surge in green MBAs and cleantech startups working to solve big problems.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll be joined by guest co-host Andrew Winston, author of “The Big Pivot,” to debate the role of Millenials in the clean ec...2014-10-3144 min
The Energy GangCan America Ever Become a Solar Manufacturing Superpower?Five years ago, a new wave of startups promised a manufacturing renaissance driven by American solar. Today, after the collapse of dozens of those companies, many are skeptical that the U.S. can ever lead in solar production.
But can America rise once again? Our guest this week, Siva Power CEO Brad Mattson, believes it can.
Mattson is out with a new book, “The Solar Phoenix: How America Can Rise From the Ashes of Solyndra to World Leadership in Solar 2.0.” We’ll talk with him about the VC bubble, the struggles of solar manufacturers and Siva’s plans to expand in the U...2014-10-2752 min
The Energy GangWhat Happens to Solar Power Plants After They’re Installed?By 2017, there will be more than 150 gigawatts of solar plants that need to be maintained globally. In order for solar to keep growing as an asset class, those plants need to be in top shape. Who’s going to take care of them all?
As operations and maintenance becomes a more important piece of the solar market, big project developers, independent contractors, software firms and inverter manufacturers are all trying to get in on the action.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Chuck Smith, executive vice president of services at SMA America, about the company’s approach to monit...2014-10-1740 min
The Energy GangSolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive Defends His Company’s Long-Term Business StrategySolarCity is a much different company than it was before it went public. It has made numerous acquisitions in an attempt to control nearly every part of the value chain – from hardware to customer acquisition – making it a fully vertically integrated solar provider.
Most recently, SolarCity acquired the high-efficiency solar manufacturer Silevo and broke ground on a gigawatt-scale production facility in Buffalo, New York. The company now has over 7,000 employees, a market cap of $5.3 billion and a 30 percent share of the U.S. residential solar market.
The company is undoubtedly a success story. But can it continue growing sustainably in the...2014-10-1051 min
The Energy GangShould You Believe Claims About the Coming End of Fracking?In mid-September, the U.S. government revised its estimates for U.S. oil production upward once again. Boosted by increases in tight oil from shale formations in North Dakota and Texas, America could soon surpass its previous domestic production peak hit in 1970.
At the same time, U.S. natural gas production, also driven by fracking, hit an all-time high this summer.
But skeptics warn that fracked oil and gas could soon hit a peak, pointing to the steep decline rates for wells – which both the oil and gas industry and the government admit. One prominent Canadian geologist and drilling consultant, Da...2014-10-0249 min
The Energy GangWhy New York Is Trying to Create the Most Innovative Grid in the WorldNew York is taking a hard look at how to reform the distribution grid and encourage more distributed energy resources. But it’s not doing it through mandates.
Instead, New York regulators are developing flexible market structures to encourage utilities to adopt a variety of new distributed technologies, while also empowering customers, creating new business competition and hardening the grid.
So how exactly will the model work? In this special live podcast, recorded at WNYC’s performance space in New York City, we spoke with two architects of the plan.
Audrey Zibelman, chair of the New York Public Service Commission and...2014-09-2455 min
The Energy GangYour Building Is Dumb. Here's a Way to Make it SmarterLarge commercial buildings are the fastest growing energy consumers in the U.S. Why? Because most of them are not very energy aware.
Utilities and city planners understand this problem and have targeted the commercial building sector by providing rebates for retrofits, deploying smart meters and establishing stricter building codes. But the ability to gather actionable insights into how buildings are performing are only now emerging.
In this podcast, we’ll talk with FirstFuel CEO Swapnil Shah about how data analytics can change the building efficiency paradigm. We’ll also talk about the company’s partnership with Opower, which will help t...2014-09-0951 min
The Energy GangHow America's Biggest Energy Consumer, the Government, Is Greening ItselfIn December of last year, President Obama issued an order requiring the government to get 20 percent of electricity from renewables by 2020 – up from about 7 percent today.
That’s not an easy goal to achieve. The General Services Administration owns or leases more than 354 million square footage of buildings, which is enough space to fill half of Manhattan. It also manages a massive transportation fleet and must adhere to very strict cost requirements.
But the shift is happening. On this week’s show, we’ll talk with Ruth Cox, GSA’s senior sustainability officer, about how renewables and efficiency are greening government...2014-09-0549 min
The Energy GangWhy Bill Gates Is Wrong About Renewable EnergyBill Gates is a very influential guy -- not just because he founded Microsoft, but because of his powerful foundation. With $40 billion in trust assets, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one the biggest charitable organizations in the world focusing on global health, clean water, energy access and financing for entrepreneurs.
So when Gates writes on his blog that developing countries can’t afford renewable energy, that carries weight.
That’s exactly what Gates did last week when he promoted the work of Danish political scientist Bjorn Lomborg, writing that more fossil fuels are the moral choice in the fight agai...2014-08-2846 min
The Energy GangAmory Lovins: As Economists Argue, Renewables Keep Getting CheaperIn the academic world, there’s lots of debate about how expensive or cheap renewables are compared to fossil fuels. But do they actually match what’s happening on the ground?
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Amory Lovins, the founder and chief scientist at the Rocky Mountain Institute, about the difference between the market reality of renewables and the economic debate about their cost.
In the second part of the show, we will discuss a very important legal decision upholding FERC’s grid planning rule. We’ll also chat about a booming application in the non-residential solar market...2014-08-2153 min
The Energy GangNest Thermostats Just Got 'Hacked.' Should You Be Worried?Last week, hackers at the Black Hat conference showed how to jailbreak a Nest learning thermostat and override the firmware, taking it under their control.
The hack itself cannot be done without physical access to the device, and Nest said no devices have been hacked maliciously. But it’s one of many recent hacks of connected devices in the home.
So are we safe?
In this podcast, we’ll talk about the widespread security implications for consumers, businesses and utilities.
Later in the show, we’ll ask if the Environmental Protection Agency is being transparent enough as it crafts carbon regula...2014-08-1446 min
The Energy GangThis Data on Consumer Energy Use May Surprise YouAre your solar panels facing the wrong way? Is your utility focusing on the wrong types of energy efficiency?
These are the questions that Pecan Street Inc. has attempted to answer through its data collection from smart grid projects. The findings may surprise you.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll talk with Brewster McCracken, the CEO of Pecan Street Inc, about the organization’s most compelling analysis of consumer energy use, utility efficiency programs and electric vehicle charging.
Later in the show, we’ll discuss Arizona Public Service’s new plan to own rooftop solar, and look at the resurgence...2014-08-0752 min
The Energy GangWe Argue About the True Cost of Wind and Solar: How Cheap Are They Really?How do we calculate the true cost of intermittent renewables?
The levelized cost of wind and solar are falling by the day. But how cheap are they really? A recent study from the Brookings Institution concludes that they are higher than presumed when using a cost-benefit calculation.
In this podcast, we'll debate the merits of the Brookings study and ask what assumptions one should make when evaluating the cost of different technologies.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about the debate over the Export-Import Bank Washington, and assess the impact of new tariffs imposed on Chinese solar products coming in...2014-07-3142 min
The Energy GangWe Are at the Start of a Revolution in Clean Energy FinanceThe biggest investors in the world are pouring their money into renewable energy projects. Want to join them? Now you can.
Up until recently, it was nearly impossible for most investors to directly support solar, wind and other projects that offer stable returns. But YieldCos are changing that.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll tell you about how publicly traded YieldCos work, why so many companies are forming them, and what they’ll do to support a surge in clean energy development.
Later in the show, we’ll talk about innovative new structures in energy efficiency finance and explore the ener...2014-07-2444 min
The Energy GangAs More Nuclear Plants Shut Down, Can Distributed Energy Fill the Gap?In the last couple of years, five nuclear power plants in the U.S. have been put on the list for closure. These plants are getting challenged from two sides: competitive natural gas and renewables are eroding the economics of merchant projects, while technical challenges associated with age are making the plants more expensive to operate.
Some are cheering the slow, creaky demise of nuclear in the U.S. But others warn that if more plants come off line, U.S. emissions are headed for a steady increase – potentially 4 to 5 percent.
In this week's show, we'll look at whether renewables an...2014-07-1747 min
The Energy GangWhat Was He Smoking? How a Solar Pioneer’s Big Dreams Came TrueToday, solar’s dominance feels inevitable. But in 1979, when Neville Williams started promoting the industry at the Department of Energy, it felt like a far-off dream.
That didn’t stop the early pioneers from thinking big and pushing the government to invest in the early technology – helping solar module costs fall from $55 per watt in the 1970s to 50 cents per watt today.
In this podcast, we’ll talk with Neville Williams about his new book, “Sun Power,” that features stories from the last four decades in the solar industry. Williams was the founder of off-grid solar companies SELF and SELCO, and also fou...2014-07-1042 min
The Energy GangThe Climate Bubble: Why Famous Capitalists Are So Focused on Climate RisksFormer Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson recently made a bold comparison between the financial risks that led to the 2008 economic collapse and emerging climate risks: "We’re staring down a climate bubble that poses enormous risks to both our environment and economy. The warning signs are clear and growing more urgent as the risks go unchecked."
New data suggests that Paulson is correct. In this week's podcast, we'll discuss a landmark report, called "Risky Business," that assesses the vast economic risks of climate change. Kate Gordon of the Center for the Next Generation joins us to talk about why Republican capitalists li...2014-07-0345 min
The Energy GangIs SolarCity's Move Into Manufacturing Smart or Unrealistic?This week, SolarCity shocked the solar industry by announcing its intentions to acquire Silevo, and move quickly into cell and module manufacturing. America's largest solar installer now wants to be one of the most powerful producers of solar products.
But does the move make sense?
In this week's show, we'll debate the technology risks and cost upsides of SolarCity's manufacturing play.
Then, we'll talk about Elon Musk's decision to open up all Tesla's patents. Finally, we'll ask why oil companies are divesting from renewable energy.
This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar...2014-06-1839 min
The Energy GangHow Much Have Utilities Changed Since Superstorm Sandy?It’s been a year and a half since Sandy destroyed the East Coast electric grid and left more than 8 million people without power. So has anything materially changed in the utility sector since October of 2012?
In this week’s podcast, we feature a discussion on Greentech Media’s new eBook about the legacy of the storm: “Resiliency: How Superstorm Sandy Changed America’s Grid.” We’ll talk with Gary Rackliffe, VP of ABB’s North American smart grid business, about how power companies are thinking differently about grid modernization and smart technologies.
Then, we’ll look at whether EPA’s new carbon rules a...2014-06-1149 min
The Energy GangAre Solar Companies Just as Sexist and Exclusive as Everyone Else?In theory, solar PV is the ultimate democratized energy technology. But is it living up to its potential?
Historically, solar has been accessible to wealthy environmentalists, utilities and large corporations. But it has been less available to low-income people who most need relief from their rising utility bills. And while the industry fares better than others in diversity, it is still lagging in employment of women. So how can this be changed?
In this week's podcast, we'll talk with Erica Mackie, the CEO of GRID Alternatives, about the need to develop new models for making solar accessible to everyone.
Then...2014-05-3045 min