Best NREL Podcasts (2024)

1
The Unofficial Mascots of NREL’s Colorado and Alaska Campuses 13:05

12m ago13:05

13:05

In this episode, our hosts explore the unofficial mascots of NREL’s campuses in Colorado and Alaska. This interactive episode covers: A fun guessing game (listeners are encouraged to join in) connecting clips of animal calls to their sources—the unofficial mascots of each campus. The game highlights how the local wildlife at each campus symbolizes …

1
Distributed vs. Centralized String: Optimizing PV Plants with the 250 KW, 600v Inverters with CPS America | EP235 56:09

36m ago56:09

56:09

In today’s episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Bryan Wagner, President and General Manager, and Anton Patton, Vice President of Product Management at CPS America. They dive deep into the company's groundbreaking 250kW 600V string inverter, a product poised to revolutionize the solar industry. The discussion covers the evolu…

1
152. Energy Transition – the Global Investment Guide 32:59

1d ago32:59

32:59

Gerard is live on the Wisdom Tree Commodity Exchange podcast and delivers a masterclass on how to invest in the Energy Transition: Renewables, Equity, Innovation, Commodities. ----- Laurent will be keynote speaker at ReSource Amsterdam 24-25/10/24. Come say hello https://resource-platform.eu/events/re-source-2024-event/ ----- We also salute the lat…

1
Navigating the TVA Market with Gil Hough, TenneSEIA | EP234 38:05

7d ago38:05

38:05

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews Gil Hough, Executive Director of the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA). The discussion offers a comprehensive look at the unique energy landscape within the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region, which spans Tennessee and parts of six other states. Key p…

1
151. Peak Fossil Fuels - Sep24 25:17

8d ago25:17

25:17

ExxonMobil forecasts 2050 Oil demand be the same as today. We believe that they are just “talking their books.” To discuss the future of the Energy system as well as the fight against Climate Change, we bring in a very respected expert and friend of the show: Kingsmill Bond, Energy Strategist at RMI. Kingsmill has been digging deep into the data an…

1
Interns, Economy, and Startups: The NREL Impact 9:32

13d ago9:32

9:32

In this week’s episode, our hosts dive into NREL’S impact, featuring: NREL’s research interns and how they’re not only gaining valuable experience but making tangible contributions to the clean energy transition. This year alone, NREL employed more than 500 interns both on-site and remote. Listen to what summer 2024 intern Amanda Behmer has to say …

1
Overcoming Opposition to Clean Energy Projects in Rural America with Brenden Miller | EP233 38:08

14d ago38:08

38:08

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Brendan Miller, Deputy Director of the Land and Liberty Coalition, to discuss building support for renewable energy projects in rural communities across America. Brendan shares his unique journey from farmer and local school board member to renewable energy advocate, offering valuable insig…

1
150. The new Valuation of Wind Assets 13:56

15d ago13:56

13:56

As Europe has reached 270GW wind power (vs 150GW USA), corresponding to a value of 500bnEUR, we dig into the value of those assets. Gerard being out, Laurent brought his friend Mortimer Menzel, Managing Partner of Augusta Co, one of the most seasoned investment bankers in the wind sector. After describing the past gloom (interest rates, inflation, …

1
Data Driven O&M Strategies with Wattch and Omnidian | EP232 1:01:27

21d ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Today on the Clean Power Hour we explore the world of data-driven strategies for supercharging solar O&M (operations and maintenance) with expert guests Alex Nussey, CEO of Wattch and Trish Graf, VP of Sales at Omnidian. The conversation kicks off by exploring the current state of monitoring and analytics in distributed generation (DG) solar, with …

1
149. Hydropower in a 24/7 Clean Energy System - Sep24 30:02

23d ago30:02

30:02

As wind and solar become ubiquitous, the value of hydropower goes up. Hydropower is becoming the ultimate clean energy, as it is flexible and easily dispatchable. Hydropower is concentrated in certain geographies (China, Brazil, Canada) and is almost entirely developed by State-Owned Utilities that can stomach and support the very long construction…

1
Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades, Cybersecurity Workplace Culture, and Saving Energy With the US Navy 10:33

27d ago10:33

10:33

In this episode, our hosts discuss: Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades: Researchers at NREL are developing wind turbine blades using a new material known as PECAN (PolyEster Covalently Adaptable Network) resin. This bioderivable resin allows the blades to be chemically recycled and remanufactured multiple times, offering a sustainable alternative to tr…

1
Sun'Agri: Bringing European Agrivoltaic Innovation to the US | EP231 26:29

28d ago26:29

26:29

In this fascinating episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Chuck Schwartz, head of business development at Sun'Agri, to explore the cutting-edge world of agrivoltaics. Chuck shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, ultimately leading him to the forefront of solar technology in agriculture. The conversation…

1
148. Batteries: the Great Consolidation 12:15

29d ago12:15

12:15

“Summer has come and passed / The innocent can never last / Wake me up when September ends”. Like John Wick, Laurent thinks he is back. So we have a very energetic Minutes to start September. With Gerard, the co-hosts focus on one of the key trends of 2024 which they call “Batteries, the Great Consolidation”. A lot of great experts are helping shap…

1
Agrivoltaics: Progress and Potential with Jordan Macknick, NREL | EP230 27:33

1M ago27:33

27:33

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Jordan Macknick, a senior researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to explore the fascinating world of agrivoltaics. With over a decade of experience in the field, Macknick offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of solar energy and agriculture, shedd…

1
147. Decarbonising buildings - Aug24 31:15

1M ago31:15

31:15

How to decarbonise buildings? That’s an important topic because that sector accounts for 37% of all emissions, making it one of the three pillars of decarbonisation next to electricity generation and transportation. Progress has been mixed. If lighting is an incredible success, heating and cooling remain a complex proposition with certain countries…

1
Cars, Concrete, and Changes to the Grid 13:51

1M ago13:51

13:51

In this episode, our hosts discuss: Carbon-Negative Concrete – Learn about the BUILD'EM project, which aims to replace traditional cement with a low-carbon alternative made from lignin and other innovative materials. This new concrete not only reduces emissions but also promises to be cost-competitive and environmentally friendly. Discover how thes…

1
Robotic Solar Farm Vegetation Management with Tim Lichti | EP229 18:50

1M ago18:50

18:50

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Tim Lichti, founder and CEO of Swap Robotics, to discuss innovative solar farm vegetation management solutions. Lichti shares insights into how his company is tackling one of the most significant ongoing expenses in solar farm operations - vegetation control. Swap Robotics has dev…

1
146. NREL: “Our Renewable Energy Future” - Aug24 31:19

1M ago31:19

31:19

A special interview with one of the great minds of the Energy Transition. Dr. Doug Arent is the Executive Director of Strategic Public– Private Partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, U.S and Distinguished Fellow, World Economic Forum. He just published a book called “Our Renewable Energy Future: The Story of H…

1
Monetizing Solar Tax Credits: Opportunities in the DG Space with John Carson |EP228 27:19

2M ago27:19

27:19

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with John Carson, managing partner at Armagh Capital, to explore the world of tax credit finance for distributed generation solar projects. John shares his expertise on how companies can monetize solar tax credits, particularly focusing on projects ranging from 0.5 to 40 megawatts…

1
Dual-Use Solar: Exploring the Synergy of Crops and Clean Energy | EP227 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Greg Barron-Gafford, a professor at the University of Arizona and a pioneer in the field of agrivoltaics. Recorded at the Solar Farm Summit, this conversation dives deep into the exciting world of dual-use solar, where crops and solar panels coexist in mutually beneficial arrangem…

1
145. Clash of Titans (Barnard vs Martin) – Industrial Heat Redefined 1:29:53

2M ago1:29:53

1:29:53

During Summer season, we bring you back the best of our sister show, Redefining Energy TECH, where host Michael Barnard invites Paul Martin for a very long and geekie conversation about innovative solutions for industrial heat. Two titans of our industry. Paul Martin, a seasoned chemical engineer, share his profound insights on the electrification …

1
Agrivoltaics and Community-Centric Solar with Iain Ward |EP226 38:57

2M ago38:57

38:57

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Iain Ward, founder of Solar Agricultural Services (SolAg), to explore the exciting world of agrivoltaics - the practice of combining solar energy production with agriculture. Ward, with his background in conservation planning and environmental science, shares insights on how the s…

1
Perovskites in a Circular Economy, Clean Hydrogen From Offshore Wind, and Hydrogen Transportation Infrastructure Modeling 11:20

2M ago11:20

11:20

In this episode, our hosts discuss: 1. Revolutionizing Solar Energy with Perovskites As we develop technology to produce renewable energy, it’s important that our materials don’t cause problems for future generations! Discover how NREL researchers are advancing perovskite solar technology, which promises a leap forward in solar energy efficiency. T…

1
Rapid Shutdown, Large Modules, and Storage: Trends Shaping C&I Solar with Steve Schwerd | EP225 40:30

2M ago40:30

40:30

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour host Tim Montague sits down with Steve Schwerd of Schwerd Consulting to discuss the state of commercial, industrial, and small-scale utility solar and storage engineering. Steve shares his journey from electrical engineer to solar industry expert, highlighting the evolution of sustainable design and the growi…

1
144. Bill Gates and Energy (2/2) – the Investments / Breakthrough Energy Ventures 18:55

2M ago18:55

18:55

In episode 143, Gerard, Laurent and Michael have discussed the philosophy of Bill Gates when it comes to the Energy Transition, and the root causes of his flawed thesis. Let see now if this transpires in his main investment vehicle, Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). Michael Barnard is quite blunt: “To be clear, Gates is still highly resistant to …

1
Exploring Agrivoltaics with American Farmland Trust | EP224 34:49

2M ago34:49

34:49

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Ethan Winter and Austin Kinzer from American Farmland Trust (AFT) to explore the world of agrivoltaics. We discuss AFT's "Smart Solar" program, which aims to balance the acceleration of clean energy with the preservation of thriving farms. We explore the challenges and opport…

1
How Perovskite Technology is Reshaping the Solar Industry with Scott Graybeal | EP223 34:18

2M ago34:18

34:18

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague sits down with Scott Graybeal, CEO of Caelux, to explore the exciting world of perovskite solar technology. Graybeal reveals how his company is on the cusp of revolutionizing the solar industry with their innovative perovskite-based coatings for traditional solar panels. Graybeal dispels the myt…

1
143. Bill Gates and Energy (1/2) – the Thesis 19:34

2M ago19:34

19:34

Bill Gates is sucking a lot of oxygen in the Energy Transition. Is he a force for good, or a nuisance? What is his thesis and where does it come from? And is the thesis still valid in 2024 or obsolete? In this episode, we will not analyse Breakthrough Energy Ventures, his VC fund celebrating its 10th anniversary. That will be the topic of Episode 1…

1
Agrivoltaics is Transforming Solar Development with Lucy Bullock-Sieger | EP222 32:33

2M ago32:33

32:33

Agrivoltaics may be the biggest innovation in solar since the invention of the solar tracker. Today on the Clean Power Hour, we dive into the future of solar and farming with Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Vice President of Strategy at Lightstar Renewables. Discover how agrivoltaics is revolutionizing the solar industry and helping rural communities realize …

1
Renewable Tech Projections and Opportunities To Power Research in the South Pole 13:36

2M ago13:36

13:36

In this episode, our hosts discuss two recent stories from NREL: The recent release of this year’s Electricity Annual Technology Baseline (ATB): a valuable resource for utility planners and grid operators to understand and tackle new challenges in the ever-changing power landscape. For the last 10 years, researchers, led by NREL, have released this…

1
Building the Solar Workforce: Union Labor's Role in the Energy Transition | EP221 36:10

2M ago36:10

36:10

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Dane Simpson, Director of LECET (Laborers' and Employers' Cooperation and Education Trust), to explore the vital role of labor unions in constructing the gigawatts of solar needed for the energy transition. Dane elucidates how organizations like LECET and LIUNA (Laborers' Int…

1
142. Batteries vs Hydrogen (Gerard is Live at EcoSummit 2024) 15:43

2M ago15:43

15:43

This week, it is a solo by Gerard Reid. This is the audio of its remarkable presentation at EcoSummit Berlin in June 2024. The topic is “Batteries vs Hydrogen” Link to the YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAbr4byi414By Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid

1
Solar Sheep: The Future of Sustainable Vegetation Control in Renewable Energy | EP220 16:49

2M ago16:49

16:49

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews JR Howard, owner of Texas Solar Sheep, about the growing industry of solar grazing. JR shares his journey into solar grazing, which began three years ago when a friend recommended exploring this unique intersection of agriculture and renewable energy. From a small pilot project, …

1
Navigating the Clean Energy Transition: Insights from Clean Capital's Thomas Byrne | EP219 37:14

3M ago37:14

37:14

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Thomas Byrne, CEO and co-founder of Clean Capital, to discuss the evolving landscape of clean energy investment and development. Byrne shares insights from his journey in the industry, from his beginnings as a project finance lawyer to founding Clean Capital in 2016. The conv…

1
141. Texas, California: From Renewable Energy developer to IPP - Jul24 29:17

3M ago29:17

29:17

Texas and California have witnessed a crazy growth in Solar and Batteries in recent years. In 2024 California has 24GW of Solar and 9GW of batteries on its grid; Texas has grown even faster with 31GW of Solar and 10GW of batteries. When it comes to the Energy Transition, you can make the following analogy: public policies are the land and financial…

1
Enabling Healthier Communities: Thermo Fisher's Impact 32:29

3M ago32:29

32:29

Listen to the conversation as they discuss: How health equity is a key component of Thermo Fisher’s core business. How Thermo Fisher leverages its capabilities and customer relationships to further its impact. Initiatives that improve health equity through accessibility to drug-resistant HIV testing, next-generation sequencing to diagnose lung and …

1
Education Initiatives To Empower Future Innovators 11:01

3M ago11:01

11:01

Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss NREL’s impactful and comprehensive approach to education initiatives aimed at cultivating the next generation of clean energy leaders, emphasizing the importance of cultivating STEM identity and fostering diversity and inclusion. Through initiatives like the Stories and STEaM series, NREL not only inte…

1
Grid-Enhancing Technologies with Alexina Jackson, AES | EP218 48:44

3M ago48:44

48:44

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Alexina Jackson, Vice President of Strategic Development at AES, to discuss the future of the electrical grid and the implementation of grid-enhancing technologies (GETs). Alexina shares her insights on the transformation of the grid from an analog system to a more digital, d…

1
140. Minutes - SolarPower Europe introduces the "Flexibility Revolution" 11:49

3M ago11:49

11:49

After a crazy Intersolar in Munich which welcomed more than 120,000 visitors, the pace of Solar deployment in Europe is going exponentially. Gerard and Laurent bring in Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of Solar Power Europe, to discuss the development of Solar, and through the new report “Mission Solar 2040”, how we are on the cusp of a Flexibility Revol…

1
Revolutionizing the Grid: Smart Technology and Energy Storage Solutions with Dr. Zhehan Yi | EP217 41:55

3M ago41:55

41:55

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague welcomes Dr. Zhehan Yi, Utility and ESS Product Solutions Director at CPS America, for an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge utility-scale energy storage solutions. Dr. Yi shares his journey from electrical engineering to becoming a key player in the renewable energy sector, offering uniq…

1
139. The ESG label is outdated. What now? - Jul24 31:25

3M ago31:25

31:25

Glencore’s CEO Gary Nagle has once described ESG as “some person in the basement in office number 27 engaged in a box-ticking exercise.” And a lot of fossil fuel companies – while being less explicit – share the same opinion on ESG… and have voiced their hostility indirectly through complicit media outlets. The ESG movement is facing a significant …

1
The Power of the Elements: Growing Residential Solar Installations and Weather’s Impact on Renewable Grid Operations 10:32

3M ago10:32

10:32

Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss two recent stories from NREL: In 2023, the SolarAPP+ automated online permitting platform streamlined the approval process for residential rooftop solar installations, reducing project timelines by approximately 14.5 business days compared to traditional methods. This advancement not only saved over 15…

1
Owning the Customer Experience with Sunvoy's Joe Marhamati | EP216 45:47

3M ago45:47

45:47

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Joe Marhamati, co-founder of Sunvoy, a customer relationship management and system monitoring platform for solar installers. Joe discusses his background working at the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office during the early days of utility-scale solar development in the U.S. He …

1
Access to Clinical Trials: Eliminating Barriers to Enrollment for Women 19:32

3M ago19:32

19:32

Dr. Blackburne shares insights into: The challenges of recruiting women and minority groups for clinical trials, noting the logistical and societal barriers they face. Innovative solutions, such as telemedicine and flexible scheduling, to make trial participation more accessible. Recent advances in clinical research, including a groundbreaking pree…

1
138. Minutes: The Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 15:28

3M ago15:28

15:28

We bring in Nick Wayth, CEO of Energy Institute (EI), for the release of the 73rd Edition of the Statistical Review of World Energy. The Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy™ analyses data on world energy markets from the prior year. Previously produced by bp, the Review has been providing timely, comprehensive and objective data to …

1
Crops, Critters and Conservation: The Solar Farm Summit with Dan French | EP215 23:26

4M ago23:26

23:26

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Dan French, the founder of the Solar Farm Summit, an event dedicated to promoting and advancing agrivoltaic solar (also known as dual-use solar or solar grazing). Dan shares his background, starting from his work as an attorney for BP Oil, then making his mark in brownfield solar deve…

1
137. Subsea interconnectors: new horizons - Jun24 27:43

4M ago27:43

27:43

UK is at the nexus of the subsea interconnector’s new economy. Great Britain is connected to Continental Europe by 8 interconnectors representing up to 15% of its power consumption. Subsea cables are now a growing industry because of the benefits they bring to the grids, such as resiliency, capacity, lower prices, and renewable energy balancing. Al…

1
Building Reliability in Transmission, Solar Panels, and Islanded Communities 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: Dynamic Line Ratings, a crucial upgrade for our transmission system's future, are like adjusting a road's speed limit based on weather conditions. By utilizing real-time weather monitoring, we can increase power transmission when it's safe, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectivene…

1
Insuring the Solar Revolution: Managing Risks in a Changing Climate with Hunter Johnson | EP214 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague talks with Hunter Johnson, Vice President of Alliant Insurance, about the crucial role of insurance in the solar industry and how climate change is impacting the way insurance companies assess and underwrite solar projects. The discussion covers various factors that solar installers, developers,…

1
136. Special Eurelectric with PPC’s CEO Georgios Stassis 17:58

4M ago17:58

17:58

Laurent interviews Georgios Stassis, PPC’S CEO, during Eurelectric Power Summit 24. PPC, the Greek Utility, is a remarkable turnaround story: from a soviet-style dinosaur a few years ago, PPC has become a thriving forward-looking profitable modern Utility. With Georgios, we discuss the investment in renewables, the phase out of lignite, digitisatio…

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