Renewable Energy SmartPod

This episode is sponsored by EDF Renewables. Leaders from across the renewable energy industry are gathered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this week for the CLEANPOWER conference. This annual gathering, hosted by the American Clean Power Association, is always a great chance to check in on the key issues and trends that are driving the energy transition. Adam Bernardi, director of renewables sales and strategy at Burns & McDonnell, joins the show to talk about what he's hearing at CLEANPOWER and out in the marketplace. Key topics from our conversation include: More resources from EDF Renewables Who we serve More resources from Burns & McDonnell How to Drive Predictable Results With an Integrated EPC Team Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

This episode is sponsored by KPMG More resources from KPMG: Transferable Tax Credits Energy & Chemicals It's tax season, so it's time to once again hear from Lauren Collins, a partner at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins. Lauren has become a regular guest on this podcast as she stops by about once a year to share her insights on all the tax issues related to the Inflation Reduction Act. During our conversation, Lauren touches on an array of specific topics, including: If you want to learn more about which tax aspects of the IRA are off to a great ... and which aspects might be stumbling out of the starting block, give this episode a listen. Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

We can produce all the renewable energy we want, but the march to net zero will take an unnecessarily long time if all that power is being used in inefficient buildings. Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy related carbon emissions around the world. That means any conversation about reducing emissions and achieving net-zero goals will have to feature insights about the efficient construction and – perhaps more importantly – operation of buildings. Mark Reinbold, vice president of Global Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls, joins the show to discuss what he gleaned from attending COP28 in Dubai about how business executives and other experts are factoring infrastructure into their sustainability strategies. Mark shares some of the key findings from research Johnson Controls conducted with Forrester Consulting about smart building trends and outlines the role technologies like artificial intelligence are playing amid the expansion of the concept of net zero buildings-as-a-service. Highlights from Mark Reinbold Conversations about sustainability with global leaders - (2:08) Common roadblocks to more sustainable infrastructure - (6:39) Have global gatherings like COP and Davos 'jumped the shark'? - (8:19) Any deal follow-up from COP28 - (10:26) Expanding Net Zero-as-a-Service - (13:10) Key takeaways from Forrester Research on smart building trends - (16:20) Examples of artificial intelligence delivering for smart buildings - (19:16) Showcase project: University of North Dakota - (23:41) How renewable energy is factoring into projects - (26:16) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

The battery energy storage sector was already in a strong position before the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, the industry is charging up for a boom. Mike Wietecki, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Powin, joins the show to share his insights on the technology and trends that are driving energy storage growth. Mike does a deep dive on how the Inflation Reduction Act is providing additional momentum for the sector, including how investment tax credits related to labor, location and domestic content are having a big impact on manufacturing. Mike also delves into the jobs-related politics of renewables and the IRA; and how Powin is working with companies like IKEA to create a blueprint for the expansion of the battery energy storage market. Highlights from Mike Wietecki Basics about battery energy storage - (2:41) Powin's current customer base - (7:15) Common questions from customers about energy storage - (8:34) How Powin keeps the lights on in Sydney, Australia - (11:10) How the Inflation Reduction Act has supercharged the battery sector - (13:20) The importance of IRA guidance related to domestic content - (15:41) Powin's current manufacturing footprint - (19:43) The crucial role the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office - (21:05) Untangling supply chain issues - (22:14) Political headwinds - (25:00) Why speed is key for IRA projects - (27:22) Creating a battery blueprint with coporate partners like IKEA - (29:25) Batteries boosting grid resiliency in places like Texas and Califronia - (32:20) Mike's bold predicitons - (33:54) Biden administration's risky IRA politics - (34:30) Will we see a government pricing scheme for carbon? - (36:35) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by: KPMG The Statistical Review of World Energy, which is compiled by the Energy Institute, offers a comprehensive look at global energy production, consumption, trade and emissions. Energy Institute Chief Executive Nick Wayth joins the show to discuss some of the key takeaways from the most recent edition of the review, including region- and country-specific growth of renewables and how the industry is navigating a 'Triple Crises' spawned by the pandemic and geopolitics. Wayth also outlines the progress on the energy transition that he hopes will materialize at COP28. More resources from KPMG Energy Institute 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy The Hydrogen Horizon Energy & Chemicals Highlights from Nick Wayth Background info about the Energy Institute - (2:47) The history of the Statistical Review of World Energy - (3:47) Key takeaways from this year's review - (4:59) Specifics about the growth of renewables - (6:34) Data related to key minerals - (10:05) Headwinds for offshore wind - (12:34) Geopolitics and the 'Triple Crises' - (15:34) Under-the-radar nuggets of info from the review - (19:07) The regional outlook for Africa - (22:43) What to expect from COP28 - (28:33) Nick's bold predictions about changes to the energy landscape - (30:03) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by: KPMG It's time to talk about sustainable fuels; specifically sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Dr. Patrick Gruber is the Chief Executive Officer of Gevo, where he and the team are at forefront of sustainable fuel development. Patrick is here to outline the basics of those fuels, how they fit into a wider energy ecosystem, what it will take for those fuels to see wider adoption, and the hurdles that might be standing in the way. He also explains how some fuels can be carbon negative. Patrick is a no-nonsense executive who is passionate about growing the sustainable fuel sector in an effort to fight climate change, so enjoy the energy he brings to this episode. More resources from KPMG The Hydrogen Horizon Energy & Chemicals Energy Institute 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy Highlights from Patrick Gruber The basics of what Gevo does - (2:14) Gevo's supply chain and feedstocks - (3:23) Overview of various markets for sustainable fuels - (8:53) Guidelines for SAF and CORSIA eligible fuels - (11:32) How SAF fits into existing aviation fuel infrastructure - (15:32) A2J: Alcohol to Jet fuel - (17:16) Current SAF production capacity - (18:00) Uncertainty surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act - (20:52) Growing bi-partisan support for sustainable fuels - (21:43) Paying farmers more for using better agriculture practices - (24:29) The impact of climate change on feedstocks - (29:01) The concept of carbon negative fuels - (30:11) The share of the global aviation fuel market SAFs can capture - (33:35) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by Deloitte Environmental liability (E-liability) introduces a simple, accurate, and verifiable calculation for the total cradle-to-gate emissions of any product or service. Karthik Ramanna is the Co-founder and Principal Investigator at the E-liability Institute . He's also the Professor of Business & Public Policy and Director of the Master of Public Policy Program at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. (3:17) Karthik explains the basics of E-liability and makes the case for why companies, standards setters and regulators all around the world should be familiarizing themselves with the concept of E-liability. Few companies produce as many household products as Colgate-Palmolive. Vance Merolla is the Senior Vice President of Global Sustainability at Colgate-Palmolive and he joins the show (28:28) to discuss how the company tackles sustainability across all its products and brands. The initiatives Vance outlines include advancements in recyclable toothpaste tubes, what the company learned from getting certain aspects of its Sustainability and Social Impact Strategy approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative and how Colgate-Palmolive recently went about signing a virtual power purchase agreement to help Colgate-Palmolive power its operations. From Deloitte Power, Utilities & Renewables services Start charting your decarbonization path today Sustainability SmartPod episode featuring Deloitte's John Mennel More resources about E-liability Harvard Business Review: Getting a Clearer View of Your Company’s Carbon Footprint Harvard Business Review: Accounting for Climate Change Harvard Business Review: Accounting for Carbon Offsets Highlights from Karthik What is E-liability? - (3:26) Mobile phones as an example of how E-liability would work - (5:27) The impact E-liability could have on supply chains - (9:33) Pilot program with Giti Tire - (11:34) How E-liability is better than standard carbon measurement approaches - (14:24) Bringing more supply chain companies into the process - (15:51) Eliminating "inspirational disclosure" for Scope 1-3 reporting - (20:34) What's preventing wider adoption of E-liability - (22:21) How many companies will adopt E-liability in 3-6 years - (25:52) Highlights from Vance The details of Colgate-Palmolive's VPPA - (28:40) Key points in the VPPA decision-making process - (32:43) Collborating with other market participants - (34:42) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by: KPMG Much-anticipated guidance coming down the pipeline from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department is set to define how clean hydrogen can be produced in the US. Amid furious lobbying efforts, the release of this guidance has already been delayed once. With potentially hundreds of billions of dollars on the line, Adi Bhashyam, a hydrogen analyst for BloombergNEF, joins the show to share what he describes as a framework that should be followed for thoughtfully crafting and effectively implementing the hydrogen piece of the Inflation Reduction Act. From BloombergNEF Adi's recent article: "US Hydrogen Guidance: Be Strict or Be Damned" More resources from KPMG The Hydrogen Horizon Energy & Chemicals Energy Institute 2023 Statistical Review of World Energy Highlights from Adithya Bhashyam The basics of the 45V hydrogen tax credit - (3:43) Possible timeline for when to expect the guidance - (5:31) How is 'clean energy' defined within this guidance? Which colors? - (6:25) $70 billion in potential tax credits - (7:28) Not the normal lobbying battle lines - (8:27) Criteria for qualifying for the 45V tax credit: additionality, time-matching, deliverability - (9:40) The ideal framework for US hydrogen guidance - (11:23) Potential timeline for implementation - (14:13) Outside factors and headwinds to consider - (17:45) Adi's bold predictions about how it all plays out - (21:32) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by: ExxonMobil Climate Week is about to kick off in New York, so Lauren Collins and Michael Joyce, who are both partners at the law firm of Vinson and Elkins, join the show to talk about what to expect from Climate Week, what kinds of news and announcements they will be keeping an eye on and how the overall conversation about Climate Week -- and climate coverage in general -- has evolved over the years. We also mark the one year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act with a deep dive on the impact that legislation, particularly the tax credits it contains, has had on the energy sector. Lauren and Michael discuss how the IRA will continue to reshape the energy mix and what to watch for as US government agencies continue to release related tax and regulatory guidance. They also share insights about Basel III and other headwinds that might slow the momentum of the IRA. Finally, Lauren and Michael offer their bold predictions about what lies ahead for the IRA in the next few years. Check out the Sustainability SmartPod Highlights How the conversation around Climate Week has evolved - (3:14) News to watch for coming out of Climate Week - (6:09) How and where firms are investing in renewables - (10:21) The IRA's impact on specific energy sectors - (16:24) Headwinds the IRA is facing - (20:23) The threat Basel III poses to tax equity and renewables investing - (21:38) US Treasury's much-anticipated guidance on hydrogen - (25:53) Questions developers are asking before closing deals - (29:09) The need for more talent throughout the industry - (30:46) Tax issues that continue to fly under the radar - (33:05) 'Stacking' tax credits takes off - (37:09) Biggest takeaways from the first year of the IRA - (38:11) Lauren and Michael's bold predictions - (41:44) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by: ImpactAISummit It's time for Part 2 of our back-to-back episodes focused on trends that are shaping the solar sector. On our last episode, Daniel Cruise from Lium Research discussed what's going on in the solar market here in the United States. Today, we hear from Harald Overholm, the co-founder and CEO of Alight Energy. Alight is a solar energy development and consulting company based in Stockholm, Sweden, so Harald is going to walk us through current solar trends in the Nordics and the rest of Europe. During our conversation, Harald and I will touch on the rise of solar-as-a-service, the role power purchase agreements (PPAs) are playing in Europe, and how Alight is working with companies like Toyota and Swedbank to help organizations optimize the potential of both on site and off site solar. Highlights from Harald Overholm How did Alight get started? (3:29) How has the solar market matured? (6:03) The trend of industry verticals moving to solar together (11:22) Headwinds solar is facing (13:21) Investment trends in the Nordics (16:10) The benefits of agrivoltaics (18:37) Bold predictions for the future of solar (23:32) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by Deloitte According to a recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, US solar and storage companies have announced more than $100 billion in private sector investments since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August of 2022. So while there's certainly momentum (and capital) flowing in the right direction for solar, the forecast is not entirely sunny. Daniel Cruise, partner and Head of Renewables at Lium Research, joins the show to discuss which segments of the solar sector are looking bright ... and which segments might have a cloudy future. From Deloitte Power, Utilities & Renewables services Start charting your decarbonization path today Discover what’s sustainable, renewable, and possible in the future of energy. Deloitte’s Renewable Energy Seminar is back September 27-29, 2023! Register today! Sustainability SmartPod episode featuring Deloitte's John Mennel Highlights from Daniel Cruise Current trends in the renewables sector - (5:06) Clouds in the forecast for residential solar - (6:46) Utility-scale solar looking bright - (11:36) SOLARSAT insights - (14:11) Battery storage moving slow, but remains crucial - (17:18) Big-picture risks for the renewable sector - (18:09) Daniel's bold predictions - (19:56) More resources from Lium Research Utility-scale solar analysis Residential solar analysis Daniel's previous appearance on this podcast Learn more about SOLARSAT from Lium Research Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsors: CDMSmith.com/Webinars CDMSmith.com/Energy ImpactAISummit.com When you think of the company 3M, you probably think of Post-it notes. But 3M produces a lot more products than Post-it notes. In fact, 3M is very active in the energy sector. Terry Collier, Vice President of Research and Development for 3M's Electrical Markets Division, joins the show to spend some time talking about the grid. Transmission queues are a well known problem for the energy sector, with some new projects expected to take years before the power they generate can be integrated into the grid. But as you all know, we need more power now. So Terry shares some of the solutions that 3M is developing to help get the most out of existing grid infrastructure. With events like extreme weather putting a strain on grids, Terry also outlines technologies already in the marketplace that aim to enhance grid stability and resiliency. We also discuss cutting-edge innovations to help wind farms, utilities and distributed energy resources (DERs) control their costs, reduce downtime, and optimize performance. More resources from 3M The Future of Our Grid 3M.com/Forward Highlights from Terry Collier Challenges to electrifying everything - (5:13) 3M's activities surrounding EVs - (6:43) Addressing the problem of lengthy transmission queues - (7:47) Deplying sensors to boost grid performance and resiliency - (9:03) More solutions to enhance grid resiliency - (15:41) The role of AI in modern grid management - (18:55) 3M's activities in the wind and solar sectors - (21:42) Terry's bold predictions about the movement to electrify everything - (24:10) The 'One Thing' related to energy that Terry spends the most time thinking about - (26:30) CDM Smith listen. think. deliver. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

This episode will put you ahead of the curve on some key conversations taking place these days in the renewables sector. Numerous companies are striving to match their energy consumption – on a daily, intraday or evenly hourly basis – with renewable energy sources. It’s an ambitious goal, so today's guests are Gridmatic Founder and CEO Matt Wytock and VP of Business Development David Miller. Their team leverages artificial intelligence to make that matching a reality. And speaking of AI … the rise of ChatGPT and other generative AI solutions has propelled the technology to the top of the headlines. Not a day goes by when we don’t hear about how some company is using AI in a new way … or how many jobs AI is going to make obsolete. But you know what we don’t hear much about? How much energy it takes to power the computers that are cranking thru those AI algorithms. In fact, This story arch is eerily similar to cryptocurrency. Crypto had been on the scene for a while before people started asking hard questions about how much energy all those crypto mining computers were pulling from the grid. AI is no different. Matt and David are going to share their insights on how AI can help solve an energy consumption conundrum created by the popularity of AI. We will also discuss developments in the market for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and the impact the Inflation Reduction Act has had on the entire energy industry. Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Sponsored by Deloitte There’s been a lot of buzz about the role hydrogen stands to play in the energy transition. Alan Alexander, a partner at Vinson & Elkins, joins the show to help separate the signal from the noise. V&E just released a paper ("Unlocking the Opportunity of Low-Carbon Hydrogen: Investment, Incentives, and Collaboration") that outlines the current hydrogen landscape and what lies ahead as factors like the Inflation Reduction Act continue to drive growth in the sector. Alan walks us through the themes of the paper and shares his thoughts on how the hydrogen sector is maturing. The paper is an excellent primer on hydrogen and also includes an insightful summary of key points that developers and financiers need to remember when planning and negotiating hydrogen projects. From Deloitte Power, Utilities & Renewables services Start charting your decarbonization path today Discover what’s sustainable, renewable, and possible in the future of energy. Deloitte’s Renewable Energy Seminar is back September 27-29, 2023! Registration opens June 28 Sustainability SmartPod episode featuring Deloitte's John Mennel Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

This quick podcast offers a taste of what went on today at Day Three of the American Clean Power Association's CLEANPOWER conference, including insights from: Magic Johnson Leo Moreno from AES Clean Energy Armando Pimentel from Florida Power & Light Jesse Gronner from Triple Oak Power Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

The show keep marching along in NOLA! This quick podcast offers a taste of what went on at Day Two of the American Clean Power Association's CLEANPOWER conference, including insights from: Governor John Bel Edwards Former Senator Mary Landrieu Susan Nickey from HASI Jason Grumet from ACP Art Del Rio from EDF Renewables Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Things are cooking in New Orleans! This quick podcast offers a taste of what went on at Day One of the American Clean Power Association's CLEANPOWER conference, including insights from: Retired US Army General Stanley McChrystal John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation Mark Bradley, President of Bradley Construction Management Craig Cornelius, CEO of Clearway Energy Group Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

Workforce development is a crucial step along the path to a clean energy future. Proponents of the energy transition can't stop talking about all the jobs, jobs, jobs that the transition will bring, but what exactly will that workforce look like? Jasmine Robinson, a project manager at IHI Terrasun Solutions, joins the show to talk about what the energy sector can do to recruit, develop and retain more women. Jasmine started developing her engineering skills at an early age and she's determined to see more women follow in her footsteps. That's why she's keen to see things like STEM classes, mentoring programs, and other initiatives used to develop a pipeline of talented women to seize all those jobs, jobs, jobs. Key highlights Jasmine's path to an engineering career - (5:15) Advice for a young person pondering a career as an energy engineer - (7:59) Advice for someone considering a mid-career pivot to the renewables sector - (8:50) What the industry can do to attract, develop and retain more engineering talent - (10:29) How has the landscape for women in the engineering field changed in the last 15 years? - (12:33) Pivotal mentors during Jasmine's engineering journey - (16:09) Important programs working to bring more women into the renewables sector - (17:47) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

When many people think of solar power, they think of rooftop solar panels or massive, utility-scale solar farms. But there are more options. Kacie Peters, senior director of communications at Pivot Energy, joins the show to explain the basics of community solar. Peters highlights the momentum this segment of the renewables industry is enjoying -- and some of the challenges it is facing. Peters also details how more consumers and business owners can access community solar to power their homes and/or operations. Highlights What is community solar? - (1:48) Community Solar vs. Residential Solar vs. Utility Solar - (3:05) Cost benefits of community solar - (5:26) Increasing awareness about community solar - (6:42) Typical companies that tap community solar - (10:54) Other types of customers - Nonprofits, Schools, etc. - (13:00) How the Inflation Reduction Act is affecting community solar - (15:49) The role of community solar in the net energy metering debate - (17:34) Kacie's bold predictions - (20:17) Pushing back against misinformation and 'Astroturfing' - (22:50) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod

If you've flown on American Airlines recently, there's a chance your plane was fueled by a small amount of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Jill Blickstein, Vice President of Sustainability at American Airlines, joins the show to talk about the latest advancements in SAF, how the carrier leverages renewables to power its operations and fleet upgrades the airline has made to enhance its sustainability. We also chat about an AI-enabled system called 'Smart Gating' that conserves fuel and saves time for travelers. American Airlines is undertaking numerous initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. As Jill explains, many of those efforts come in places passengers might not notice, but certainly lead to more sustainable air travel. Highlights Update on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - (4:10) American Airlines' goals for SAF usage - (7:56) Using SAF to attract business travelers - (10:36) Creating a SAF certificate for all travelers - (14:22) The potential for zero-emission hydrogen-electric aircraft - (14:47) Partnering with the Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Catalyst - (17:24) Other sustainability initiatives at American Airlines - (19:10) 'Smart Gating' - (23:47) Powering operations with renewable energy - (26:20) Validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative - (27:02) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod