Best Institute Of Productivity Productivity Minute Podcasts (2024)

1
The Emerging Battery Belt of the US - Episode 82 7:52

3d ago7:52

7:52

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Spurred by investment incentives from the IRA, a manufacturing renaissance is emerging along the I-75 corridor between Michigan and Georgia. Huge investments into battery manufacturing facilities are tapping into existing automotive infrastructure and supply chains to div…

1
China's Dominance in Clean Tech Supply - Episode 81 8:37

10d ago8:37

8:37

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content China is not only the global leader in developing renewable energy, but they maintain a huge competitive advantage in clean tech manufacturing and supply. From solar panels to wind turbines to raw minerals and EVs, China supplies the globe with what's needed to convert to…

1
The Rise of the Lowly Electric Meter (AMI) - Episode 80 7:39

17d ago7:39

7:39

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The electric meter is one of the foundational backbones of the energy transition. And today's meters do so much more than simply measure and report on the amount of energy being consumed at a site. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) provides two way communication betw…

1
Building Climate Resiliency into an Organization - Episode 79 7:29

24d ago7:29

7:29

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul discusses some examples of how companies, cities, farms and other entities are adapting their strategies to cope with climate change. As the threat from extreme weather events increases, ensuring that an organization is resilient and strengthened aga…

1
New York's Cap & Invest Program (Karsten Barde - National Grid) - Episode 78 9:22

1M ago9:22

9:22

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In order to meet the ambitious climate goals as enshrined in New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the state is about to embark upon a far reaching program to ratchet down emissions from heavy emitters. The Cap and Invest program has a lot of…

1
Headwinds for the Offshore Wind Industry - Episode 77 7:18

1M ago7:18

7:18

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content There's a lot going on in the offshore wind market in the US these days. Multiple projects have had to renegotiate or even outright cancel their power purchase agreements. In today's episode, Paul takes a closer look at the reasons behind this turmoil and the impact on th…

1
How Climate Change is Affecting Renewable Generator Production - Episode 76 7:31

1M ago7:31

7:31

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The amount of renewable generation that is forecasted to come online over the next few years is staggering. But renewable assets face risks - risks associated with the changing climate in the first place. As weather patterns change, affecting cloud cover, snow melt, or wi…

1
How Green Bank Financing Bridges the Risk Gap for Clean Energy Projects - Episode 75 7:47

2M ago7:47

7:47

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content There are over 20 Green Banks spread across the US, designed to deploy clean energy technologies and ensure equitable access to the clean energy economy. These quasi-public institutions play an important role in bridging a risk gap between what is "theoretically financeab…

1
Science Based Targets - Episode 74 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content If there is a gold standard for setting corporate climate goals, it's a science based target. These commitments are a rigorous, methodical approach toward ensuring that we stay below the 2 degree warming threshold. In today's episode, Paul explains the methodology used to…

1
The Role and Need for Philanthropy in Climate Action (Randall Kempner - The Aspen Institute) - Episode 73 8:16

2M ago8:16

8:16

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Philanthropic giving to climate related causes is woefully small. But charitable dollars have a really important role to play because of their flexibility and different motivations. They can catalyze investment in areas where private or governmental dollars can not. In th…

1
Decarbonizing Freight & Trucking (Mike Roeth - NACFE) - Episode 72 9:19

2M ago9:19

9:19

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Paul sits with Mike Roeth of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) to discuss the current state of trucking and how that industry is decarbonizing. Although trucks only account for 5-10% of the vehicles on the road, they contribute up to a quarter of t…

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Local Law 97 (Luke Surowiec - ICF & NYC Accelerator) - Episode 71 8:15

3M ago8:15

8:15

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content 2024 marks the first compliance period for the groundbreaking building performance standard in New York City known as Local Law 97. The law requires large buildings to go beyond simply reporting emissions and to begin to enact decarbonization standards. Or face fines. Pau…

1
Puerto Rico's Recovery (Javier Rua - SESA) - Episode 70 7:42

3M ago7:42

7:42

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content It's been about 6 and a half years since Hurricane Maria laid waste to Puerto Rico's power grid. As the island continues its recovery, it is pioneering a more distributed, renewable and resilient power infrastructure that the rest of us can learn from. In this episode, Pa…

1
The SEC's Climate Disclosure Rules - Episode 69 8:20

3M ago8:20

8:20

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content On March 6th, the Securities and Exchange Commission released their long awaited rules on climate disclosure. The final product attempts to standardize how companies report on the risks that they face from worsening climate events, while providing a way to indicate the st…

1
Thermal Energy Networks (Matt Rusteika - Building Decarbonization Coalition) - Episode 68 8:55

3M ago8:55

8:55

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Thermal Energy Networks are matriced assemblies of pipes and heat pumps where buildings can not only utilize the heat from the ground beneath us, but repurpose heat from the buildings around us to make certain we're not wasting anything. And, because of that, these system…

1
24-7 Hourly Matching - Episode 67 7:52

4M ago7:52

7:52

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul unpacks how 24/7 hourly matching is becoming something of a new standard for corporate renewable energy procurement. This temporal strategy is having an impact on not just how large companies are buying power, but also for federal organizations, hydr…

1
Walmart Met Their Project Gigaton Goal - Now What? - Episode 66 8:10

4M ago8:10

8:10

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content When Walmart launched their Project Gigaton program in 2017, the idea that the retailer could get their suppliers to cumulatively reduce 1 BILLION tons for carbon emissions by 2030 was hailed as incredibly ambitious. Last week, the company reported in their fourth quarter…

1
What Can the US Learn From European EV Adoption? - Episode 65 8:34

4M ago8:34

8:34

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content While EV global sales continue to surge, the uptick in the US lags significantly behind that of our European counterparts. And while obstacles such as a lack of charging infrastructure, high up-front costs, and battery range are affecting market share - those same issues …

1
The Good Climate News Episode - Episode 64 7:59

4M ago7:59

7:59

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Getting discouraged by all of the negativity in climate news recently? In this week's episode, Paul takes a different tack - focusing on the good news that came out of 2023 and all of the positive results that we've *already* achieved in climate action. Take a bit of hope…

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Why is Heat Pump Deployment so Tough? (DR Richardson & Jan Keleher - Elephant Energy) - Episode 63 8:10

5M ago8:10

8:10

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul is joined by DR Richardson and Jan Keleher of Elephant Energy to discuss the challenges of the residential heat pump market. With an array of federal, state and local incentives, a myriad of technology options, sizing requirements, electrical upgrade…

1
The Dual Threat of Wildfires for Utilities - Episode 62 7:37

5M ago7:37

7:37

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The intensity and impact of wildfires has dramatically increased over the past few decades due to climate change. And as those acres burn, those fires are releasing trapped carbon back into the atmosphere and only exasperating global warming. Utilities have been at the ce…

1
How Renewable is Renewable Natural Gas? - Episode 61 8:20

5M ago8:20

8:20

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Is renewable natural gas the silver bullet for a greener future or a complex puzzle yet to be solved? While many industrial and natural gas companies have looked to RNG as a potential solution to decarbonize their operations, the fuel source is not without some issues. Pa…

1
What's Worse than Carbon Dioxide? - Episode 60 8:47

5M ago8:47

8:47

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content CO2 may be the main culprit of climate warming activities - but there are other greenhouse gases out there even more potent. Twenty thousand times more potent, in fact. And controlling these gases is just as important to meeting our climate ambitions as reducing carbon em…

1
45V Hydrogen Tax Credits - Episode 59 8:30

5M ago8:30

8:30

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Just before Christmas, the US Treasury and IRS issued rules on how certain tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act should be considered. These 45V tax credits are critical to the growth and evolution of the hydrogen industry, but not everyone agrees on how these credit…

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California's New Carbon Accounting Law (Catherine Atkin - Carbon Accountable) - Episode 58 7:52

6M ago7:52

7:52

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Back in October, California passed a remarkable law called Senate Bill 253, The Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. Usually shortened to just SB 253, the new law is the first to require large companies to publicly report on their greenhouse gas emissions. Paul sits…

1
A Tale of Two COPs - Episode 57 7:29

6M ago7:29

7:29

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content COP28, the world's largest climate event, wrapped in Dubai last week. On the one hand, the COP is an event for politicians and dignitaries as they wrestle with the language around how forcefully the world will commit to the climate transition. But, the COP has another sid…

1
Electrifying Industrial Heat - Episode 56 7:35

6M ago7:35

7:35

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Industrial and manufacturing processes require intense heat - something that has been relatively difficult to achieve with electricity. But converting those processes away from fossil fuel sources and to renewable energy is critical if we're going to decarbonize this sect…

1
The Role of AI in the Energy Transition - Episode 55 7:52

7M ago7:52

7:52

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Artificial Intelligence is having a moment. And while there are legitimate concerns as to how AI can influence our society and culture, this emerging technology is also having a profound impact on the pace and scale of the energy transition. In this episode, Paul dissects…

1
Decoupling the Utility Business Model - Episode 54 7:58

7M ago7:58

7:58

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The utility business model is a bit unusual, given that power companies own a natural monopoly in the areas in which they operate. But just as the energy transition has upended a bunch of other industry models, it's doing something similar in the staid power industry. Pau…

1
Local Governments and the IRA - Episode 53 7:35

7M ago7:35

7:35

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The Inflation Reduction Act unlocked $379 billion toward cleaner and more renewable climate technologies. But it also funnels nearly $50B toward State and Local governments to help them develop and implement their own climate resiliency plans. In this episode, Paul discus…

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The Corporate PPA Market - Episode 51 8:29

8M ago8:29

8:29

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Season 2 of Eight Minutes kicks off with an overview of the current state of the Corporate PPA market. Lots of tailwinds for the growth of new renewables projects - but also quite a few challenges that are keeping the industry back from reaching its full scale. Paul digs …

1
Reflecting on the State of the Energy Transition - Episode 50 8:19

8M ago8:19

8:19

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Our fiftieth episode wraps up the first season of Eight Minutes. To celebrate, Paul gets reflective on the challenges and his unwavering optimism on the energy transition. He delves into the hurdles we face in this momentous transition, from the considerable costs of rene…

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Sustainable Food Systems (Ashley Allen - Oatly) - Episode 49 7:32

8M ago7:32

7:32

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, we take a hard look at the challenges faced by the food industry in the context of climate change. Paul interviews Ashley Allen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Oatly, on how the oat-based company is striving to decarbonize their products while educating …

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The Clean Energy Workforce - Episode 48 7:47

9M ago7:47

7:47

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Why is the transition to a green economy about more than just swapping out old tech for new, more sustainable options? Paul explores this pressing question, laying bare the complexities and challenges of shifting an entire workforce into the clean energy landscape. Follow…

1
The Impact of Missing Climate Targets - Episode 47 7:41

9M ago7:41

7:41

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The Wall Street Journal released an article last week discussing how many companies are likely to miss their net zero sustainability targets. And while lots has been discussed about the value and need for corporations to be aggressive on their climate commitments, very li…

1
The UAW Strike - Episode 46 7:11

9M ago7:11

7:11

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The United Auto Workers went on strike last week, hitting all of the Big Three automakers simultaneously for the first time in history. And while pay and benefits remain big negotiating items, the specter of the EV transition is hanging over these developments. Will the c…

1
The Grid Edge - Episode 45 8:25

9M ago8:25

8:25

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul discusses some of the emerging value propositions that exist at the grid edge - that point of power consumption. As utilities and start-ups offer up new technologies and solutions, Paul digs into what makes these propositions work and the challenges …

1
Cryptocurrency & Renewable Energy - Episode 44 8:05

10M ago8:05

8:05

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, we navigate the heated controversies surrounding the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies. We dig deeper into the implications of crypto mining on our environment, thoroughly dissecting the challenges it brings and the potential solutions that can cou…

1
The Moral Ambiguities of Rare Earth Minerals - Episode 43 7:52

10M ago7:52

7:52

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content What if the solution to our environmental crisis is also the source of another potential catastrophe? In this thought-provoking episode, we shine a light on the often-overlooked dark side of our quest for sustainable energy. Paul explores the ecological and societal impac…

1
The IRA at One - Episode 42 7:51

10M ago7:51

7:51

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) turns one on August 16th. Widely lauded as the most comprehensive climate legislation ever - how has the law done during its first year? In this episode, Paul digs into how the IRA has affected domestic manufacturing, renewable energy pro…

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The Alphabet Soup of Climate Reporting - Episode 41 8:03

11M ago8:03

8:03

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Last week, the International Sustainability Standards Board released two sets of standards to help harmonize and consolidate how companies should account for and report on their risks around climate. These new standards help to simplify the alphabet soup of existing stand…

1
Hydrogen for Home Heating? - Episode 40 8:14

11M ago8:14

8:14

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Hydrogen is likely to play a big role in decarbonizing the economy, but that doesn't mean that it's a simple substitute for everything that currently burns natural gas. In this episode, Paul discusses whether hydrogen is a viable option to replace natural gas for the heat…

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The Paris Agreement - Episode 39 7:36

11M ago7:36

7:36

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul discusses the seminal global climate agreement that emerged from Paris in 2015. From it's history, its controversy, and its effectiveness, Paul unpacks how the Paris Agreement is mobilizing the globe toward climate action. Follow Paul on LinkedIn.…

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Beyond the Battery - Episode 38 8:59

11M ago8:59

8:59

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Energy storage is a big component of the energy transition. Whether for EVs or residential homes or grid enabled backup, energy storage is an important and evolving topic. But whereas the conversation may start with the familiar lithium-ion battery, there are both emergin…

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Sustainable Supermarkets (Kathy Loftus - Retail Business Services/Ahold Delhaize USA) - Episode 37 7:04

12M ago7:04

7:04

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this week's episode, Paul sits down with Kathy Loftus of Retail Business Services, the services company for Ahold Delhaize USA which includes supermarkets such as Food Lion, Stop & Shop, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Giant Food. Kathy, RBS and the local retail brand…

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Offshore Wind - Episode 36 7:21

12M ago7:21

7:21

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this latest episode, Paul dissects the growing offshore wind market in the US. The offshore wind industry may only have 42 MWs of capacity currently operating, but over 40,000 MWs of capacity are in some form of development. With that huge ramp up will come challenges …

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The Duck Curve - Episode 35 8:09

12M ago8:09

8:09

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The challenge in integrating large scale renewables onto the grid isn't just a matter of intermittency or of displacing fossil fuels. System operators trying to balance daytime generation with nighttime demand end up offsetting a lot of the value created by solar power in…

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MassCEC (Tom Chase - MassCEC) - Episode 34 7:08

1y ago7:08

7:08

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Not all of the energy challenges facing us are technical in nature. Equally important to scaling clean energy solutions are in lowering costs, investing in novel, newer technologies, and implementing processes that make it easy for consumers to transition. In this episode…

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Demand Response - Episode 33 7:51

1y ago7:51

7:51

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul discusses Demand Response programs and their role in helping transition to a net zero economy. Instead of building new gas fired power units, demand response asks participants to reduce their power needs at times when the power grid is particularly s…

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The Role of Big Oil - Episode 32 8:05

1y ago8:05

8:05

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content As the world grapples with climate change and transitioning to cleaner, more renewable resources, what is the role that big oil can play in that pivot? It's a nuanced question that probably deserves more than eight minutes, but Paul does his best to dig into some recent w…

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