E60: Keeping methane out of the atmosphere by using it on Earth, with Windfall Bio

The Keep Cool Podcast

#Tech #Entrepreneur #Business #Nick Van Osdol #Careers #Climate Tech

1:15:36

In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times , former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall . We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update on his family and reflects on the profound trials and growth that come with adversity. 📌 What We Discuss: ✔️ How David and his family navigated the challenges of a serious health crisis. ✔️ The rise of political polarization and the factors driving it. ✔️ Why distinguishing between “unwise, unethical, and unlawful” is crucial in analyzing political actions. ✔️ How consuming different perspectives (even opposing ones) helps in understanding political dynamics. ✔️ The role of Christian values in politics and how they are being redefined. ⏳ Episode Highlights 📍 [00:01:00] – David French’s background and his journey from litigation to journalism. 📍 [00:02:30] – Personal update: David shares his wife Nancy’s battle with cancer and their journey as a family. 📍 [00:06:00] – How to navigate personal trials while maintaining faith and resilience. 📍 [00:10:00] – The danger of political paranoia and the pitfalls of extreme polarization. 📍 [00:18:00] – The "friend-enemy" paradigm in American politics and its influence in Christian fundamentalism. 📍 [00:24:00] – Revisiting Divided We Fall : How America’s divisions have devolved since 2020. 📍 [00:40:00] – The categories and differences of unwise, unethical, and unlawful political actions. 📍 [00:55:00] – The balance between justice, kindness, and humility in political engagement. 📍 [01:00:00] – The After Party initiative: A Christian approach to politics focused on values rather than policy. 💬 Featured Quotes 🔹 "You don't know who you truly are until your values are tested." – David French 🔹 "If we focus on the relational, we can have better conversations even across deep differences." – Corey Nathan 🔹 "Justice, kindness, and humility—if you're missing one, you're doing it wrong." – David French 🔹 "The United States has a history of shifting without repenting. We just move on." – David French 📚 Resources Mentioned David French’s Writing: New York Times David’s Book: Divided We Fall The After Party Initiative – More Info Advisory Opinions Podcast (with Sarah Isgur & David French) – Listen Here 📣 Call to Action If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion 🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media @coreysnathan: Bluesky LinkedIn Instagram Threads Facebook Substack David French: 🔗 Twitter | BlueSky | New York Times Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡…

about a year ago 1:00:01

MP3•Episode home

Description: Nick and Josh Silverman, the CEO of Windfall Bio, discuss his companies novel methane utilization technologies while casting a wide net across the climate tech ecosystem to discuss dynamics inherent to the methane ‘story’ as a whole and why methane mitigation deserves more attention from stakeholders across climate and energy (as well as listeners like you)

Why methane in general deserves a lot more attention in climate circles
Why methane hasn’t gotten more attention until now
A novel way to use methane on Earth, keeping it out of the atmosphere

Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, methane mitigation, energy, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.

00:01:57 - Needed Nuance in Climate Discussions and Methane's Role

00:04:04 - Reversing Climate Change with Methane Reduction

00:09:06 - Using Methane as a Feedstock

00:14:37 - Windfall Bio's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy

00:19:31 - Customizing Solutions for Different Methane Sources

00:25:17 - The Self-Sustaining Business Model of Windfall Bio

00:26:34 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business

00:31:11 - The Persistence of Methane Emissions Despite Its Value

00:34:12 - Case Study: Methane Mitigation on a Dairy Farm

00:44:13 - The Need for a Broader Focus Beyond CO2 in Climate Action

00:49:24 - The Positive Movement in Methane Regulation and Awareness

Learn more about Windfall Bio on their website: https://www.windfall.bio/

If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool

Thank you so much!

Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

76 episodes

E60: Keeping methane out of the atmosphere by using it on Earth, with Windfall Bio

The Keep Cool Podcast

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Why methane in general deserves a lot more attention in climate circles
Why methane hasn’t gotten more attention until now
A novel way to use methane on Earth, keeping it out of the atmosphere

00:01:57 - Needed Nuance in Climate Discussions and Methane's Role

00:04:04 - Reversing Climate Change with Methane Reduction

00:09:06 - Using Methane as a Feedstock

00:14:37 - Windfall Bio's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy

00:19:31 - Customizing Solutions for Different Methane Sources

00:25:17 - The Self-Sustaining Business Model of Windfall Bio

00:26:34 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business

00:31:11 - The Persistence of Methane Emissions Despite Its Value

00:34:12 - Case Study: Methane Mitigation on a Dairy Farm

00:44:13 - The Need for a Broader Focus Beyond CO2 in Climate Action

00:49:24 - The Positive Movement in Methane Regulation and Awareness

Learn more about Windfall Bio on their website: https://www.windfall.bio/

If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool

Thank you so much!

Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

76 episodes

#Tech #Entrepreneur #Business #Nick Van Osdol #Careers #Climate Tech

All episodes

1
SYNDICATED EPISODE - More Efficient EVs, From The Powertrain Up With Scalvy 34:47

5 weeks ago34:47

34:47

𖥔 Note 𖥔 This is a syndicated podcast from the Climate Capital Podcast , which Nick hosted. Nick also works at Climate Capital. You'll find the format very similar to past Keep Cool podcast content - hope you enjoy! Follow the Climate Capital Podcast in general here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cc-pod/id1709396247 Nick will host episodes over there more often & syndicate some here on Keep Cool's podcast. // In this episode, Nick van Osdol sits down with Mohamed Badawy , CEO of Scalvy . Scalvy is redefining how electrical energy moves. Initially focused on electric mobility powertrains, surging demand for Scalvy’s modular integrated technology has driven expansion into stationary energy storage and data centers. With 6+ patents and Fortune 500 partnerships, Scalvy is driving electrification at scale. Mohamed’s journey from a tenured professor at San Jose State University to the CEO of a venture-backed startup is both inspiring and insightful. He founded Scalvy with a clear vision: to commercialize innovative technology that addresses real-world problems. At the heart of Scalvy's innovation is its software-defined energy management module, which integrates seamlessly with energy storage systems. Unlike traditional battery management systems, Scalvy’s modules offer a range of functionalities, including the ability to invert DC power to AC, regulate DC output, and charge batteries—all without the need for additional electronic systems in vehicles. This modular approach not only simplifies design but also significantly reduces costs and enhances performance. The technology is particularly relevant for electric vehicles (EVs), but its applications extend beyond that realm. Scalvy also focuses on stationary energy storage solutions that provide grid services and data center applications. As Mohamed noted, the initial skepticism about the applicability of their technology in sectors beyond EVs has transformed into a strong market pull, validating Scalvy's versatile approach. One of the standout features of Scalvy's technology is its modularity. Traditional powertrains are often bulky and require customization for different vehicle models, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. In contrast, Scalvy’s system allows manufacturers to use the same hardware across various applications while configuring it to meet specific needs. This flexibility not only streamlines production but also accelerates the electrification process for diverse vehicle types, including off-road machinery and material handling equipment. Since launching commercial engagements just a few months ago, Scalvy has already secured multiple agreements with OEMs in the electric truck and off-road vehicle sectors. The company is witnessing a growing interest in its technology, particularly in industries that require efficient electrification solutions. As Scalvy continues to build its customer base, the focus will shift towards scaling production and obtaining necessary certifications. To learn more about Scalvy, visit http://www.scalvy.com/ .…

1
LIVE SHOW E71: Scaling highly versatile biogas tech, with Stephan Herrmann, CEO of Reverion, and Sebastian Heitmann, Co-Founder and Partner at Extantia Capital. 1:01:27

22 weeks ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Description: Stephan Herrmann, Co-founder & CEO of Reverion, and Sebastian Heitmann, Co-Founder and Partner at Extantia Capital—an investor in deep decarbonization technologies—joined Nick for a live discussion in New York City to explore breakthroughs in Reverion’s biogas energy technologies and discuss the state of energy and climate tech in general across the world. Reverion is redefining biogas, enabling up to 5x revenue additions for biogas plant operators by converting excess renewable energy into green gas, all while enhancing grid stability. In this episode, the trio discusses the following: Biogas Tech Evolution: Biogas has evolved beyond traditional combustion engines, with Reverion integrating fuel cells and electrolysis to maximize efficiencies. Reverion’s tech enables biogas plants to operate when renewable power is scarce and then flip on a dime to produce green methane when there’s an excess of renewable power, transforming downtime into additional revenue and benefits for other stakeholders from the plant to the grid. The Role of Biogas in a Decentralized Grid: As power grids shift to include more intermittent sources like wind and solar, biogas offers dispatchable energy that can balance grid demands. Stephan and Sebastian explain the unique benefits of Reverion’s solution and how it can help meet the needs of modern, dynamic energy systems. Market Fit and Commercialization: Stephan shares his journey from PhD research to piloting the first plants and securing customer interest across Europe and beyond. Reverion is now poised to expand across markets, including the U.S., where biogas remains an underutilized resource. Diverse Climate Impact and Benefits: Reverion’s systems offer not just power but pure CO₂ streams for carbon capture and utilization. This positions it as part of the bioenergy ecosystem alongside solutions like biogas carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Versatility is a crucial strategy for business building or climate outcomes, like reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions and producing dispatchable clean energy for a resilient power grid. Broader Climate Tech Landscape: Nick and the guests wrap up with a discussion on geothermal, carbon capture, geological hydrogen, and much more, including the macroeconomic environment and the outlook for energy and climate tech solutions. Listen in for insights on balancing innovation, energy demands, a changing world, and expanding climate solutions globally. Timestamps: 00:02:07 - Live Podcast from Climate Week NYC 00:03:07 - Guest Introductions 00:04:14 - Stephan's Journey to Reverian 00:07:35 - Extantia Capital 00:10:12 - Technical Overview of Fuel Cells 00:13:41 - Market Applications of Fuel Cells 00:16:59 - Summary of Energy Grid Transition 00:20:10 - Introduction to Biogas 00:24:20 - Importance of Methane Emissions 00:25:50 - Reversion’s Commercialization Journey 00:28:00 - Technical Components of Reverian's System 00:33:35 - Hydrogen and Methane Production 00:36:39 - Series A Fundraising 00:39:44 - Audience Q&A: Logistics and Transportation 00:45:08 - Audience Q&A: Ideal Customer Locations 00:46:26 - Audience Q&A: Efficiency Comparison 00:48:18 - Audience Q&A: Green Ammonia Production Learn more about Reverion here: https://reverion.com/ …and Extantia Capital here: https://extantia.com/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter (X): https://x.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E70: Making greener steel at significant scale with Tim Hill of Nucor 49:15

32 weeks ago49:15

49:15

Description: Nick is joined by Tim Hill, the General Manager of Sustainability Solutions for Nucor Corporation. Nucor is the largest steel producer and recycler in North America. Plus, Nucor produces steel via a larger circular and electricity-powered process; their steel uses recycled scrap and is made in electric arc furnaces (EAF) instead of blast and basic oxygen furnaces (BF/BOF). This makes Nucor not just one of the largest steel producers in the world, but a leader in steel decarbonization. Whereas green steel is often something that’s referred to as a future possibility, much greener steel is already available domestically today. In addition to these points, Nick and Tim discuss the following…: Misconceptions about ‘hard to abate’: A necessary reframe for the fact that steel is often seen as a ‘hard to abate’ sector, given that Nucor already offers steel that In comparison, emits only 0.77* tons of CO2 per ton of steel produced for Scopes 1-3. That’s less than one third the GHG intensity of BF-BOF steelmaking (Worldsteel). Additional decarbonization: There are many areas where Nucor can achieve additional emissions reductions along their supply chain, including in sourcing renewable and cleaner power. This is an area where Nucor is leading the market with numerous technological partnerships. Global leadership: How can Nucor’s expertise in greener steel manufacturing spread to the rest of the world? There’s a lot of work to do to decarbonize steel; Nucor finds itself in a powerful leadership position, not just to export greener steel to markets globally, but to shape and influence how the entire world approaches decarbonization. … and much more! Timestamps: 00:02:17 - Guest Introduction: Tim's Career at Nucor 00:04:47 - Nucor's Enterprise Strategy and Decarbonization 00:05:08 - Common Misconceptions About U.S. Steel Industry 00:07:08 - Nucor's Leadership in Steel Recycling 00:11:19 - U.S. vs. Global Steel Production Methods 00:14:17 - Nucor's CO2 Emissions Compared to Global Averages 00:17:06 - History of Nucor's Decarbonization Journey 00:21:46 - Market Evolution and Customer Demand 00:25:56 - Catalytic Demand for Clean Energy 00:28:12 - Decarbonizing Remaining Emissions 00:31:05 - Investments in Fusion and Hydrogen Technologies 00:34:42 - Policy and Regulatory Frameworks 00:38:39 - Opportunities for Nucor in Global Markets 00:42:26 - Broader Climate and Energy Topics Learn more about Nucor and their sustainability efforts here: https://nucor.com/sustainability If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E69: Understanding the full scope of the Loan Programs Office with Arpita Bhattacharyya 48:00

39 weeks ago48:00

48:00

Nick is joined by Arpita Bhattacharyya, Chief Climate Officer at the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, where she helps understand common barriers that slow down deployment in the Loan Programs Office's $200+ billion portfolio of deals. Her work also entails understanding the community engagement, equity, and communication considerations necessary to develop and fund new programs and projects, like the LPO's Tribal Energy Financing Program. Specifically, Nick and Arpita discussed: Tribal Energy Finance Program: Arpita shares insights into the Tribal Energy Finance Program, highlighting how the LPO provides specific technical assistance for tribes across the country to develop new clean energy projects like solar and storage microgrids to enhance energy resilience and sovereignty. Nick and Arpita also discuss the success of the Viejas microgrid project as a template for future tribal energy initiatives. Industrial Decarbonization: Nick and Arpita delve into the challenges and opportunities inherent to industrial decarbonization, focusing on sectors like low-carbon cement and steel. Arpita emphasizes the need for patient capital and innovative solutions. We also discuss how the federal government's investments in industrial decarbonization projects signal a shift towards a more holistic energy transition and a broader lens of sustainability. Community Engagement and Communication: Arpita highlights the foundational importance of effective community engagement for the entirety of the energy transition. Timestamps: 00:03:23 - Arpita's Background in Climate Work 00:05:12 - Role at the Loan Programs Office 00:06:31 - Disambiguation of Government Offices and the Department of Energy's Mandate 00:10:03 - Work at the Loan Programs Office in 2024 00:12:08 - Tribal Energy Finance Program Stewardship 00:17:39 - Viejas Microgrid Project Overview 00:22:10 - Templatizing Solar and Storage Projects 00:25:07 - Addressing Program Challenges 00:30:03 - Speeding Up the Loan Programs Office Process 00:36:02 - Communicating Energy Transition Benefits 00:40:05 - Challenges in Industrial Decarbonization Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the DOE's Loan Programs Office in said transition. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about the Loan Programs Office and projects like the Viejas Tribe microgrid on their website: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office + https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-announces-conditional-commitment-viejas-microgrid-build-renewable-utility-scale If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://x.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E68: Investing in water with Tom Ferguson, Founder and Managing Partner at Burnt Island Ventures 45:39

42 weeks ago45:39

45:39

Nick is joined by Tom Ferguson, Founder and Managing Partner at Burnt Island Ventures, one of the first venture capital firms focused on investing in startups driving innovation in water-focused applications and industries. Despite touching nearly everything on Earth, water is an under-discussed, under-invested in, and under-resourced category. As a result, innovation in the space often lags other areas that get more attention, whether fintech, crypto, or AI. At the same time, water is one of several categories that could see the most disruption due to climate change. Hence, Tom & team are on a mission to not just invest well in water but to grow the category as a whole. As part of their conversation, Nick & Tom also discussed: Scope & Definition: Nick & Tom spend time breaking down and decomposing what is even meant by ‘water’ when we try to understand it as an industry. Portfolio Companies: Tom runs through seminal examples of several portfolio companies that underscore the types of companies Burnt Island Ventures invests in and the impact they’re targeting Storytelling and Intangibles: Nick & Tom stress the need for better storytelling in the water sector to attract more investment and public interest. Timestamps: 00:01:23 - Tom's Journey into Water Investment 00:03:23 - Breaking Down the Water Investment Landscape 00:06:09 - Challenges in Water Sector Investment & Reframing the Industry 00:13:07 - Burnt Island Ventures' Mission 00:15:51 - Highlighting Portfolio Companies 00:22:03 - FundOne Portfolio Overview 00:27:00 - The Overlooked Importance of Water in Various Sectors 00:34:17 - The Importance of Storytelling + The Role of Investors in Water Sector 00:37:00 - Cross-Cutting Issues in Climate and Energy 00:39:53 - The Role of Water in Climate Adaptation Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and investing in water and what the ‘water’ category as a whole even entails and represents. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about Burnt Island Ventures on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.burntislandventures.com/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E67: Decarbonizing hydrogen and carbon black by splitting methane with Monolith Materials CEO, Rob Hanson 43:32

44 weeks ago43:32

43:32

Description: Nick is joined by Rob Hanson, the CEO of Monolith, a company building methane pyrolysis plants to turn methane into hydrogen and carbon black, both of which are critical products for global industries and which are predominantly produced with significant emissions footprints today. Monolith’s process aims to decarbonize hydrogen and carbon black production while commercializing to scales of clean production not seen almost anywhere else in the world. Nick and Rob also discuss the duality of methane’s inherent economic value and its staggering cost to the environment, especially as a major global warming driver, as well as: Technical ins and outs: Among other things, one of the pieces of technologies Monolith has built is one of the world’s largest plasma torches. Not sure what that means? Listen for more. What it’s like working with the DOE’s Loan Programs Office: While the Loan Programs Office's risk appetite doesn’t suit itself to every type of project, Rob breaks down under what circumstances working with the LPO can be a powerful partnership to scale critical clean technologies. Sustained will for the energy transition: Why ‘sustainability’ is about a lot more than just greenhouse gas emissions and other ‘green’ metrics. Timestamps: 00:03:08 - Methane's role across environmental and economic impact 00:04:11 - Rob's background and journey to Monolith 00:06:10 - The Role of DOE's Loan Programs Office 00:09:03 - Deep dive into Monolith's technology and development 00:19:08 - Carbon Black production and usage 00:26:33 - Challenges and rigor required to work with the LPO 00:30:08 - Monolith's future production capacity and impact 00:33:32 - The importance of economic viability without green premiums 00:36:07 - Sustained will and what the energy transition holistically requires 00:38:33 - Perception of the energy transition in the Midwest 00:41:47 - Calls to action Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing industry. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about Monolith on their website and LinkedIn: https://monolith-corp.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/monolith-corp/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E66: Building flywheels of irreversible momentum for methane monitoring & measurement 38:18

46 weeks ago38:18

38:18

Description: Nick is joined by Jigar Shah, the Director of the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, and Ian Dickinson, the CEO of LongPath Technologies, to discuss the commercialization of novel methane monitoring technologies to accelerate lower-hanging fruit in methane mitigation. Specifically, Jigar, Ian, and Nick discuss the ongoing methane measurement technologies LongPath is building for oil and gas infrastructure in the Permian Basin and what climate, economic, safety, and regulatory impacts are being driven by a step-change in methane measurement and monitoring technologies. Further, Jigar, Ian, and Nick also discuss: Bridging financing gaps: The Loan Programs Office’s role in financing climate and energy technologies to create “flywheels of irreversible momentum,” in Jigar’s words. Momentum for methane: The range of tailwinds coalescing right now for methane measurement and mitigation that are accelerating the work of companies like LongPath The oil and gas industry’s role: What does the oil and gas industry think of trends in methane measurement and monitoring, whether from a technology perspective or with respect to new regulations coming to the fore in the U.S. to price methane emissions? Timestamps: 00:03:31 - Loan Programs Office's Support for Climate Tech Companies 00:04:40 - Methane's Impact on Global Warming vs. Lack of Financing 00:05:16 - Economic Incentives to Address Methane Leaks 00:08:33 - Technologies for Methane Detection and Monitoring 00:10:26 - LongPath's Development and Commercialization 00:15:15 - Safety Benefits of Novel Methane Monitoring 00:18:45 - Operational and Compliance Challenges in Methane Management 00:22:40 - EPA's Methane Regulations and Industry Impact 00:27:29 - Potential Global Impact of Methane Management Technologies 00:30:12 - Broader Economic and Environmental Benefits of Methane Reduction 00:31:38 - LPO's Goals and Impact on Hard Tech Innovation 00:33:40 - Working with the Loan Programs Office 00:35:09 - Other Exciting Developments in Climate Tech and Energy Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of DOE's Loan Programs Office in accelerating the energy transition in the U.S. and globally. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about LongPath Technologies on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.longpathtech.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/longpathtech/ Learn more about the DOE’s Loan Programs Office on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office / https://www.linkedin.com/company/doe-loan-programs-office/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E65: Building the common operating picture for climate action with Vibrant Planet 44:26

48 weeks ago44:26

44:26

Nick and Allison Wolff, CEO of Vibrant Planet, discuss the platform Allison and company are building to accelerate environmentally and economically sound outcomes in natural resource management, wildfire risk mitigation, and more. Whether your interest stems from curiosity around optimal use cases for AI and machine learning in climate action or nature-based solutions ranging from proactive land management to mitigate wildfires or the reintroduction of beavers, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Specifically, Nick and Allison discuss: How Vibrant Planet’s platform is a perfect case study of using AI and ML for climate action Rapid outcomes Vibrant Planet has driven by digitizing natural resource management processes and uniting all required stakeholders more seamlessly Underappreciated opportunities for significant impact in nature-based solutions, as well as underappreciated careers that people interested in climate work should consider Timestamps: 00:03:51 - The Multifaceted Impact of Vibrant Planet's Platform 00:10:44 - The Pre-Digital State of Fire Risk Management 00:14:16 - The Importance of AI in Vibrant Planet's Platform 00:19:28 - Global Expansion and Key Use Cases 00:24:03 - Business Model and Customer Base 00:25:44 - Emerging Markets and the Future of Carbon and Biodiversity Credits 00:32:20 - A Concrete Example of Vibrant Planet's Impact 00:36:07 - Challenges and Concerns for the Future 00:42:14 - Calls to Action and Keeping Up with Vibrant Planet Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the future of nature-based solutions work to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about Vibrant Planet on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.vibrantplanet.net/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibrant-planet/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
SPECIAL EPI: How Glassdome digitizes and accelerates industrial decarbonization 45:58

49 weeks ago45:58

45:58

Nick and Josh Charnin-Aker, Glassdome’s co-founder and CTO, as well as TJ Yoon, Product Manager, discuss how Glassdome is building a platform and a deeply experienced team to accelerate sustainability in manufacturing, heavy industry, and more. Not only does this involve building a first-in-class digital product to help customers like SK manage things like product carbon footprint calculations, but it also entails getting their hands dirty to collect novel, primary data from manufacturing environments and supply chains. Specifically, Nick, Josh, and TJ discuss: The new base layer for manufacturing and industrial decarbonization Glassdome is building The regulatory environment and specific rules and regulations necessitate a much deeper understanding of supplier and factory-level data from manufacturers How deeper and digital intelligence will accelerate sustainability outcomes in what are traditionally thought of as ‘hard-to-abate’ industries Timestamps: 00:03:27 - Overview of Glassdome's Business Focus 00:06:12 - EU and SEC Regulatory Landscape 00:08:45 - EU Battery Regulations and Challenges 00:12:07 - EU Battery Regulation Impact on Manufacturers 00:14:04 - Facilitating Deeper Data Understanding in Manufacturing Supply Chains 00:20:01 - Differentiation from Other Carbon Accounting Software 00:21:37 - Acquiring Data from Outdated Manufacturing Equipment 00:23:31 - Granularity of Emissions Data in Manufacturing 00:25:46 - Macro vs. Micro-Level Emissions Analysis 00:27:03 - Opportunities for Manufacturing Decarbonization 00:30:08 - Global Shifts in Manufacturing Sustainability 00:39:41 - The Broader Context of Sustainability Beyond Emissions 00:42:10 - Call to Action for Listeners and Job Seekers Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of better data to accelerate industrial decarbonization. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about Glassdome on their website and LinkedIn: https://glassdome.com/ / https://glassdome.com/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

1
E63: Literally making It rain with Augustus Doricko of Rainmaker 41:26

51 weeks ago41:26

41:26

Nick and Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, discuss the viability of cloud seeding to (quite literally) make it rain more. Whether for farmers dealing with drought or depleted aquifers or for adaptive purposes such as mitigating wildfires, the potential applications of cloud seeding and making rain more abundant are endless. Nick and Augustus dive deep into the history, theory, and modern current state of cloud seeding while turning an eye to what to expect from Rainmaker in Q2 2024 and beyond. In addition, they discuss: The various approaches and technical complexities inherent to cloud seeding Whether cloud seeding simply “pulls forward” rain that would otherwise have precipitated How to encourage more people to pursue hard problems and the value of non-linear career and life paths Timestamps: 00:02:06 - Overview of Rainmaker's Mission 00:03:00 - Public Perception and History of Cloud Seeding 00:04:49 - Breakthrough in Cloud Seeding Validation 00:07:40 - Cost Challenges and Rainmaker's Innovations 00:10:52 - Discussion on Cloud Seeding Materials 00:13:04 - The Confluence of Technologies in Modern Cloud Seeding 00:19:41 - Complexity in Climate and Water Systems 00:22:00 - Public Interest in Complex Climate Solutions 00:23:10 - The Importance of Long-Form Content 00:24:24 - Business Model and Customer Agreements at Rainmaker 00:30:03 - Pricing and Servicing Agreements for Water Production 00:31:57 - Rainmaker's Seeding Operations and Results 00:34:14 - Supply-Side Conversations in Water Resources 00:36:05 - Drone Technology and Altitude in Cloud Seeding 00:38:01 - Potential Synergies with Other Geoengineering Efforts Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of novel geoengineering efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform. Learn more about Rainmaker on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.makerain.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainmaker-technology-corporation/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E62: Infrastructure investing for the energy transition with John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta 46:32

1 year ago46:32

46:32

Description: Nick and John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta Fund Management, explore the intersection of infrastructure investment, private equity, and the energy transition in the U.S. in 2024. Specifically, Nick and John discuss the merits of technologies ranging from carbon capture to hydrogen and renewable natural gas while also casting an eye to the political landscape and how sustainable infrastructure investing has changed over the past five years in the U.S. In addition, Nick and John dove deep on the following topics: Other technologies like thermal energy storage, which is commercializing as we speak and offer a cost-effective solution to store and utilize excess renewable energy The importance and state of stable policy: Nick and John discuss the IRA, the need for further clarification on its components, and other stable policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The importance of "boring capital" in climate tech and energy investment: As more large private equity firms enter the market, it signals a maturation of the industry. Timestamps: 00:01:52 - Climate Tech Investment Landscape 00:04:48 - Molecule-focused Energy Infrastructure 00:05:09 - The Role of Private Equity in Energy Transition 00:06:13 - Types of Projects and Technologies for 2024 00:07:17 - The Mainstreaming of Carbon Capture 00:11:27 - The Role of Stable Policy in Infrastructure Investment 00:15:22 - Specific Projects Supported by Cresta 00:21:07 - The Potential of Renewable Natural Gas 00:24:06 - The Process of Creating Sustainable Aviation Fuel 00:29:57 - Cresta's Investment Strategy for 2024 00:31:24 - The Practical Applications of Green Hydrogen 00:34:24 - The Need for Stable Policy in Energy Investments 00:35:16 - Policy Tailwinds and Headwinds in the US 00:37:25 - The Impact of State-Level Policies on Energy Transition 00:40:37 - The Importance of Boring Investments in Energy Transition Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of infrastructure investing in various critical capital stacks. Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes. Learn more about Cresta on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.crestafunds.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/crestafunds/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much. Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E61: Making more climate resilient chocolate with Kawa Project and CEO, Aaron Feigelman 36:50

1 year ago36:50

36:50

Nick and Aaron Feigelman, the CEO of Kawa Project, dive deep on the world of waste-to-value alternatives to commodities like cocoa and palm oil. Specifically Nick and Aaron discuss why cocoa prices are soaring, how there’s a ton of ‘climate’ stories inherent to this dynamic, and the work Aaron’s company is doing to make cocoa alternatives that are sustainable and future-proof. In addition, Nick and Aaron walk through: All the climactic impacts inherent to supply chains for things like cocoa The benefit of waste-to-value approaches in climate tech and energy The nuts and bolts (or beans?) of the cocoa industry and Kawa Project’s business Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, food and agriculture, waste-to-value approaches, and more! Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes. 00:01:34 - Food Waste Statistics and Environmental Impact 00:04:51 - Challenges and Pivots in Business Model 00:08:05 - Kawa Project's Current Focus and Progress 00:13:43 - Impact Layers and Keeping Waste Out of Landfills 00:15:00 - The Iterative Process of Product Development 00:16:03 - The Economics of Waste Management 00:18:45 - Centralization of Cocoa Supply Chain 00:20:07 - Scale and Sales Cycle in B2B Ingredient Sales 00:23:59 - The Biggest Challenges for Kawa Project in 2024 00:27:38 - Aaron's Broader Thoughts on Climate and Industry 00:33:44 - The Free Market and Climate Solutions Learn more about Kawa Project on their website: https://www.thekawaproject.com/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E60: Keeping methane out of the atmosphere by using it on Earth, with Windfall Bio 1:00:01

1 year ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Description: Nick and Josh Silverman, the CEO of Windfall Bio, discuss his companies novel methane utilization technologies while casting a wide net across the climate tech ecosystem to discuss dynamics inherent to the methane ‘story’ as a whole and why methane mitigation deserves more attention from stakeholders across climate and energy (as well as listeners like you) Why methane in general deserves a lot more attention in climate circles Why methane hasn’t gotten more attention until now A novel way to use methane on Earth, keeping it out of the atmosphere Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, methane mitigation, energy, and more! Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes. 00:01:57 - Needed Nuance in Climate Discussions and Methane's Role 00:04:04 - Reversing Climate Change with Methane Reduction 00:09:06 - Using Methane as a Feedstock 00:14:37 - Windfall Bio's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy 00:19:31 - Customizing Solutions for Different Methane Sources 00:25:17 - The Self-Sustaining Business Model of Windfall Bio 00:26:34 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business 00:31:11 - The Persistence of Methane Emissions Despite Its Value 00:34:12 - Case Study: Methane Mitigation on a Dairy Farm 00:44:13 - The Need for a Broader Focus Beyond CO2 in Climate Action 00:49:24 - The Positive Movement in Methane Regulation and Awareness Learn more about Windfall Bio on their website: https://www.windfall.bio/ If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E59: SPECIAL EPISODE: Everything Electrification, with Quincy Lee & Ramez Naan 1:00:01

1 year ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Nick, Quincy Lee, the CEO of Electric Era, and Ramez Naam, a highly experienced climate tech and energy analyst and investor, dive deep on all things energy and electrification in 2024. Starting with a focus on mobility and the power sector, Quincy, Mez, and Nick touch on topics as far reaching as geoengineering, the power of narratives, and their expectations for decarbonization across other sectors out to 2050 and beyond. Why decarbonization and electrification need to be led by product superiority What to expect in energy and electrification in 2024 and beyond Other trends and topics beyond transportation and the power sector worth your attention Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, electrification, and energy broadly, and more! Subscribe on Spotify , Apple , Google , or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes. Timestamps: 00:05:00 - Mobility and Electrification Outlook for 2024 00:13:27 - Battery Energy Storage on Grids 00:19:19 - One Story of the Decade: Grid Overhaul 00:31:27 - The Winning Technologies in Energy Generation 00:39:52 - Transitions from ‘Old’ to ‘New’ Energy Sources 00:43:58 - Why Better Products Win in The Energy Transition 00:47:00 - Why More Focus on Agriculture & Land Use Change is Needed 00:50:50 - The Case for Geoengineering via Sunlight Reflection & More 00:54:50 - A Call to Action for Optimism & to Work on Climate Learn more about Electric Era on their website: https://electriceratechnologies.com/ and follow Ramez Naan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ramez If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool Thank you so much! Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/…

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E58: ‘Cyclical’ plastic recycling for a more circular economy with MacroCycle 36:55

1 year ago36:55