Best Rural Electricity Supply Podcasts (2025)

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Electricity and Power: Energieunabhängigkeit in Zeiten geopolitischer Umwälzungen 33:36

13d ago33:36

33:36

Send us a text Sigmar Gabriel — ehemaliger Vizekanzler der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, ehemaliger Bundesaußenminister sowie früherer Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Energie und Bundesminister für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit — spricht mit Nico Peterschmidt darüber, wie Europa auf Afrikas Entwicklung und Energiewende blickt und welche…

1
Electricity and Power: The Geopolitics of Energy Independence (English interpretation) 43:41

15d ago43:41

43:41

Send us a text Sigmar Gabriel — former Vice Chancellor of Germany, former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, and former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as former Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety — joins us to discuss how Europe sees Africa’s development, its energy transition,…

1
The CEESOLAR Story 37:37

17d ago37:37

37:37

Send us a text What if electricity didn’t stop at lighting a room but kick-started a local economy? We head to Nigeria to unpack CEESOLAR’s journey from a bold 2017 idea to a working blueprint for mini-grids that power livelihoods—milling grain, cooling goods, charging e-tricycles, and teaching digital skills in a rural computer lab. The result is …

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Cold Chains powered by Minigrids 38:46

19d ago38:46

38:46

Send us a text Bas Hetterscheid from Wageningen University and Nico discuss Cold Chains in Africa and the role minigrids can play in their development. The growing urban middle class in many African countries is demanding more fresh products, which may not be available close to the cities. Cold chains are required to make sure the products arrive a…

1
Mini-grid company valuation in equity transactions 42:31

1M ago42:31

42:31

Send us a text Unlock the hidden complexities of mini-grid company valuation with the brilliant minds of Brian Lukera Wambani from Camco and Michael Feldner from the GET.invest Finance Catalyst. This episode promises to equip you with the nuanced understanding required to navigate the valuation challenges faced by mini-grid enterprises, which opera…

1
Boosting managerial capacities - The AMAP 2.0 opportunity 25:59

2M ago25:59

25:59

Send us a text In this episode, Benjamin Curnier from AfDB’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) breaks down AMAP 2.0—what it is, who it’s designed for, and how it works. If you’re a minigrid company looking to tap into technical assistance funding, this conversation offers the perfect starting point. 👉 Access the AMAP 2.0 guidelines and appl…

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Creating a Cyber Aware Culture for Local Water Utilities 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

Deputy Managing Director at the Cyber Readiness Institute Lessie Skiba joins host Bryson Bort to discuss the CRI’s new program connecting small- and medium-sized water utilities with cyber coaches to strengthen their resilience. What if the most effective cybersecurity solution isn't a new piece of technology, but a human connection? How can we emp…

1
State of the Sector: Nico at INENSUS’ 20th Anniversary 15:48

2M ago15:48

15:48

Send us a text Join us for a special episode featuring Nico’s State of the Sector address, delivered in Nairobi during INENSUS’ 20th anniversary celebration in September 2025. In this keynote, Nico reflects on two decades of impact, explores today’s challenges and opportunities, and shares a forward-looking vision for the future of the sector. Link…

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Local Infrastructure is Critical Infrastructure 51:05

3M ago51:05

51:05

Our host Bryson sits down with Colin Ahern and Kirk Herath, two of the only cybersecurity experts working in Governors’ offices in the United States. Colin was appointed Chief Cyber Officer of the State of New York by Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2022, and Kirk stepped into his role as Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine a…

1
Bridge Financing Minigrid Construction 57:54

3M ago57:54

57:54

Send us a text Results-Based Financing (RBF) is now the go-to model for mini-grid subsidy disbursement—but there’s a catch: the money only comes after the connections are in place. That means developers have to front the $400–800 per connection cost for construction and equipment, creating a serious funding gap. In this episode, we chat with Fernan…

1
Old Systems, New Threats 31:09

5M ago31:09

31:09

Bryson Bort is joined by Jim Montgomery, Director, Industrial Cybersecurity Solutions at TXOne Networks. TXOne provides network-based and endpoint-based products to tackle security vulnerabilities across industrial environments. With decades of IT security experience, Jim now leads TXOne’s work protecting Operational Technology environments across …

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The Truth About OT Vulnerabilities 33:32

6M ago33:32

33:32

Bryson Bort sits down with Adam Robbie, Head of OT Threat Research at Palo Alto Networks, to pull back the curtain on OT threat research. With a background in electrical engineering, Adam’s first job in cybersecurity was at an IT help desk. He now leads a team dedicated to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats targeting Operational T…

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Containers vs. pre-fab vs. constructed power houses 1:01:50

7M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Send us a text What's the best way to house a mini-grid system in remote areas? Should developers opt for the plug-and-play convenience of containerized solutions, the flexible modularity of prefabricated structures, or the permanence of traditional powerhouses? This question lies at the heart of scaling sustainable energy access to millions withou…

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Bridging the Cybersecurity Resource Gap 33:43

7M ago33:43

33:43

Bryson Bort welcomes Sarah Powazek, Program Director of Public Interest Cybersecurity at the UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, to discuss the organization’s work providing cybersecurity resources for the public, and CyberCAN, a project to connect cities and nonprofits providing critical services. How can cities play a larger role in p…

1
Mergers and acquisitions as a path to financial sustainability of mini-grids 1:03:13

7M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Send us a text Minigrids need scale to become profitable — and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) can be a powerful way to get there fast. But what does it really take to acquire or merge with another mini-grid company? How do you structure a deal that works? In this episode, host Kellie Murungi (INENSUS) sits down with Matthew Orosz (OnePower) and Prosp…

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Preparing for Unnatural Disasters 40:09

8M ago40:09

40:09

Welcome to season 5! Our host Bryson Bort sits down with Institute for Security and Technology (IST) Executive in Residence for Public Safety & Security Josh Corman. Josh previously joined us on season 1, episode 2 to discuss his experience founding I Am The Cavalry, a grassroots organization focused on the intersection of digital security, public …

1
From the Archives 23:07

9M ago23:07

23:07

For the final episode of the season, our host Bryson Bort reflects on four years and forty episodes of Hack the Plan[e]t, and picks a few favorites. Episode 8, DoD and Critical Infrastructure: https://hack-the-plant.simplecast.com/episodes/dod-and-critical-infrastructure Episode 10, The Congressman, The Commission and Our Critical Infrastructure: h…

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Protecting Critical Infrastructure for Rural Electric Cooperatives 31:09

10M ago31:09

31:09

Bryson is joined by Carter Manucy, Director of Cybersecurity at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to discuss rural electric cooperatives, the importance of collaboration, and the state of cybersecurity in the energy sector. With over two decades of experience in the sector, Carter was recently awarded E-ISAC’s prestigious Michael …

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INENSUS' 2025 Mini-Grid Market Outlook 54:38

10M ago54:38

54:38

Send us a text Join Kellie, Diego, and Nico from INENSUS' management as they peer into the future of the mini-grid sector for 2025 and beyond. If you're still shaping your strategy for the year, this episode could offer valuable insights to guide your planning. Disclaimer: Projections discussed are speculative, and INENSUS assumes no liability for …

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Reliability and Risks of the North American Power Grid 28:06

12M ago28:06

28:06

Bryson is joined by Sara Patrick, President and CEO at the Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO) to discuss cyber threats, mitigation strategies, and the United States energy infrastructure system. A lawyer by training, Sara led MRO’s enforcement group and compliance monitoring team for 16 years before stepping into her position as CEO. What risks…

1
DC Mesh Grids 58:06

12M ago58:06

58:06

Send us a text In recent years, DC mesh grids have gained recognition as a cost-effective and safe low-voltage solution for rural electrification, particularly for residential customers and small shops with power needs below 3-5 kW. In this episode, host Nico dives into the advantages and challenges of this emerging technology and the business mode…

1
How minigrids can help solve the migration crisis 50:50

1y ago50:50

50:50

Send us a text Migration remains a pressing issue in Europe and the United States, often spurred by conflict but increasingly influenced by climate change as a root cause. In this episode, Nico Peterschmidt and Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl from INENSUS explore how rural electrification and industrialization in Africa can strengthen resilience against cli…

1
The cooperative movement 57:28

1y ago57:28

57:28

Send us a text Community-owned electric cooperatives transformed rural electrification in the USA, raising access from 10% to 90% in just 15 years starting in the late 1930s. This successful model has since been replicated in regions like South America and countries such as the Philippines and Bangladesh. In Africa, this movement is now beginning t…

1
Securing Embedded Systems 31:20

1y ago31:20

31:20

In this episode, Bryson sits down with MITRE EMB3D co-founder Niyo Little Thunder Pearson. For nearly 20 years, Niyo has been at the forefront of protecting critical infrastructure systems. He previously led incident response for American Express, directing the company’s Security Operations Center during the LulzSec and Anonymous attacks, and worke…

1
Impact and reach - Is it time for a paradigm shift in minigrid financing? 58:21

1y ago58:21

58:21

Send us a text Minigrid scale-up efforts are currently falling short of meeting SDG 7 targets, particularly in Africa, where private minigrid companies must evolve and professionalize to achieve sustainable growth. With limited capital available for building the next generation of top-tier utilities, the sector faces a significant corporate financi…

1
Project finance for mini-grids 51:47

1y ago51:47

51:47

Send us a text Project finance has been instrumental in scaling large, grid-connected renewable energy projects, with well-established approaches that have facilitated trillions of dollars in lending to the sector. The result has been access to low-interest, long-term financing. This is exactly what mini-grids need to achieve similar success and gr…

1
Mini-grid funder ratings 49:08

1+ y ago49:08

49:08

Send us a text Mini-Grid CEOs have long voiced concerns over the inconsistent and overly complicated funding methodologies that vary significantly across different funders and countries, leading to prolonged delays in electrification efforts. Similar frustrations are echoed in the processes of securing equity and debt. Host Nico is joined by Kyle S…

1
Interconnected Mini-Grids: Opportunities and Challenges 49:42

1+ y ago49:42

49:42

Send us a text Interconnected Mini-Grids provide reliable electricity to underserved main-grid connected customers. They are a new phenomenon in the mini-grid space and beyond that provide profitable investment opportunities to mini-grid companies thanks to significantly larger electricity demand in semi-urban areas, where interconnected mini-grids…

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The Case For A Cyber Force 41:55

1+ y ago41:55

41:55

In this episode, Bryson sits down with Mark Montgomery, Senior Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. For three years, Mark served as Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, created by congressional mandate to develop strategic approaches to defending against cyber attacks. Now, he directs CSC 2.0, an initiative th…

1
Rural Industrialization with mini-grids 1:38:41

1+ y ago1:38:41

1:38:41

Send us a text In this flagship episode, we uncover the transformative power of Rural Industrialization through mini-grids with insights from industry leaders Peter Nyeko of Mandulis Energy (Uganda), Camille André-Bataille of Anka (Madagascar), and Oluwatobi Soyombo of Havenhill Synergy Limited (Nigeria). The host Nico Peterschmidt of INENSUS (Tanz…

1
Supporting Ukrainian Electrical Grid Resilience in Wartime 32:19

1+ y ago32:19

32:19

Joe Marshall is a Senior IoT Security Strategist at Cisco Talos Intelligence Group. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Joe helped coordinate a multinational, multi-company coalition of volunteers and experts to find a technological solution. Bryson and Joe sat down to discuss his efforts in Ukraine, how he got the go-ahead from Cisco leadership, …

1
Preparing for the potential worst day 30:36

1+ y ago30:36

30:36

In this episode, Bryson Bort is joined by Paul Shaver, Global OT Security Practice Lead at Mandiant / Google Cloud to discuss the cyber threat landscape. How did Paul’s military background play a role in his decision to start working with control systems? What is the difference between an advanced persistent threat and a regular threat? What does P…

1
Mini-grid consultancy - beneficial or harmful? 1:02:29

1+ y ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Send us a text Mini-grid consultants support the establishment of regulation or grant funding programs for the sector, advise on transactions or conduct due diligences. However, recent years have seen growing tensions between consultants and mini-grid companies. Host Nico confronts consultants Moses Kakooza (independent consultant, Uganda) and Mayl…

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The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop 27:03

1+ y ago27:03

27:03

Send us a text Mini-Grid Due Diligences are always complex and costly? - Wrong! The Mini-Grid Due Diligence One-Stop-Shop established by INENSUS, DETAIL Solicitors and Steinbeis Consulting Impact Investing reduces complexities by providing one contact point for all parts of a mini-grid due diligence (demand, technical, commercial, legal, environmen…

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The ICS Hacker 33:51

1+ y ago33:51

33:51

Claroty is a cybersecurity company that helps organizations to secure cyber-physical systems across industrial (OT), healthcare (IoMT), and enterprise (IoT) environments: the Extended Internet of Things (XIoT). In this episode, Bryson Bort sits down with Claroty director of research and industrial control system (ICS) vulnerability expert Sharon Br…

1
Productive for whom? - balancing energy productivity and community productivity 53:27

1+ y ago53:27

53:27

Send us a text In this episode, Aaron Leopold and Edwin Kwesiga from EnerGrow discuss the impact of introducing productive electricity in rural areas. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of providing asset financing in rural small businesses in Africa, particularly for entrepreneurs and individuals with modest incomes. EnerGrow's …

1
The mini-grid and solar home system multi-technology approach – a way towards more finance for the sector? 56:09

1+ y ago56:09

56:09

Send us a text Learn from Lynne Wesonga of Crossboundary Access and Gillian-Alexandre Huart from ENGIE Energy Access about the untapped potential of integrating mini-grids, solar home systems and other power supply technologies under one unified management and financing structure. This innovative approach aims to harvest synergies, reduce costs, an…

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I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, R-RECs - revenue opportunities for mini-grid companies 59:01

1+ y ago59:01

59:01

Send us a text Explore with us Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), a potentially lucrative revenue stream for operators of renewable mini-grids. We delve into the various forms of RECs, including I-RECs, P-RECs, D-RECs, and R-RECs, breaking down their characteristics, differences, and unique features. Our expert guests Linda Wamune (P-RECs), Stut…

1
Securing, Defending, and Bringing Resilience to Infrastructure 36:41

1+ y ago36:41

36:41

Psymetis creates Operational Technology (OT) security solutions that quickly and prevent electric grid outages and catastrophic infrastructure failures. Psymetis’ Werewolf system provides condition monitoring and threat mitigation for the power grid, detecting cyberattacks, equipment failures, and physical damage in real-time. In this episode of Ha…

1
Mini-grid financial modeling 1:11:26

1+ y ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Send us a text Embark on a journey to the heart of Africa's energy business, where the intricate dance of numbers in financial modeling for mini-grids is demystified. This episode brings the expertise of Kellie Murungi and Diego Perez to the table, guiding listeners through the numerical narrative that underpins the viability and strategic directio…

1
Mini-Grid Marketing and Advocacy 1:08:38

2y ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Send us a text In this episode, my guests Penny-Jane Cooke and Brian Kawuma from Power for All, Abraham Mudasia from AMDA, and William Brent from Husk Power, unravel the intricacies of establishing professional campaigns and advocacy to amplify the mini-grid sector's voice among policymakers, funders, financiers, and investors. We explore the syner…

1
CISA’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Mission with Jen Easterly 50:54

2y ago50:54

50:54

As America’s Cyber Defense Agency and the National Coordinator for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on every day. In this episode of Hack the Plant,…

1
Solar mini-grid technology - trends and markets 52:55

2y ago52:55

52:55

Send us a text Join us as we explore the future of solar mini-grid technology with INENSUS experts Dipta Majumder and Mike Arasa Ratemo. This episode illuminates the advancements in solar mini-grids, highlighting the shift from diesel generators to more eco-friendly solutions. We delve into component market price trends, the emergence of sodium-ion…

1
Managing complexity - digital tools for the mini-grid space 54:18

2y ago54:18

54:18

Send us a text The complexity of the mini-grid business stands at the forefront of Tobias Engelmeier from VIDA and Emily McAteer from Odyssey Energy's discussion, hosted by Nico Peterschmidt from INENSUS / MicroPower Manager Open Source. They explore how software can be a pivotal tool in managing the multifaceted challenges of this sector. Emily pa…

1
Mini-grid logistics - daring the impossible 56:34

2y ago56:34

56:34

Send us a text Every mini-grid construction is a high-stakes adventure, where the unexpected lurks at every turn. In this gripping podcast episode, my guests Chris Rollins and Davide Ceretti, take listeners on a thrilling journey into the heart of constructing solar mini-grids in Africa's most remote and challenging terrains. They reveal the daunti…

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The mini-grid year 2023 wrapped up 25:48

2y ago25:48

25:48

Send us a text Explore the African mini-grid sector's pivotal moments in 2023 in this year-end episode. Join Joanis Holzigel, COO of INENSUS, and host Nico Peterschmidt as they reflect on the year's significant developments in mini-grids. Tune in for insights and see you in 2024! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/ Vi…

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Ensuring Cybersecurity for Amtrak 42:29

2y ago42:29

42:29

I’m joined by Jesse Whaley, the Chief Information Security Officer at Amtrak, for this episode of Hack the Plant. Amtrak is the nation's largest passenger rail service provider and one of the most complex and critical transportation systems in the world. We discuss what it takes to oversee Amtrak’s digital assets and infrastructure, and what it tak…

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Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list? PART 2 44:38

2y ago44:38

44:38

Send us a text Here is PART 2 of "Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list?". Enjoy! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/ Visit www.inensus.com for more info.By Nico Peterschmidt / INENSUS

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Where to go next – Which countries are at the top of the funders’ list? PART 1 41:16

2y ago41:16

41:16

Send us a text Ever wondered how mini-grid grant funders think, decide and act? In this insightful episode, we're thrilled to host a panel of experts from the forefront of funding Africa's mini-grid sector. Join us as Benjamin Curnier from AFDB SEFA, Tatia Lemondzhava from World Bank ESMAP, and Dennis Nderitu from GEAPP delve into the mechanics of …

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A little mini-grid history (from an INENSUS perspective) 55:35

2y ago55:35

55:35

Send us a text In this enlightening episode, join Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl and Nico Peterschmidt, co-founders of INENSUS and pioneers in the mini-grid domain, as they guide us through the evolution of third-generation mini-grids since the early 2000s. They delve into the significant developments in mini-grid policies, technological advancements, and …

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Rural Electricity Supply Podcasts

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