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 sector. But a host of emerging technologies are helping to make that transition. From heat pumps to old fashioned firebricks to more advanced technologies...
Dec 12, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 56
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 what AI can, and can not do, and illustrates a few examples of how this important technology is changing our power grid. Paul references the followin...
Dec 04, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 55
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. Paul digs into the existing Cost of Service model most utilities employ today, as well as discussing the evolving role that decoupling and Performance Ba...
Nov 20, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 54
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 discusses the federal funding sources as well as the challenges and opportunities that these dollars present for governmental entities. Follow Paul on Linke...
Nov 13, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 53
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 into these issues with a fly-over on how the corporate PPA market is doing in today's conditions. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
Oct 30, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 51
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 renewable energy resources to the infrastructure changes needed to support this new era. But also expresses why this change is already happening and may h...
Oct 16, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 50
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 consumers on the environmental impact their food choices make. For more information on Oatly, visit: https://www.oatly.com For more information on Ash...
Oct 09, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 49
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 Paul on LinkedIn ....
Oct 02, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 48
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 little has been discussed on what the impact is if a company misses on those targets. In this episode, Paul digs into what little research has been cond...
Sep 25, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 47
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 change over to electric cars cost unionized jobs? Or is there opportunity in the transition? Paul takes this episode to look at the EV market through t...
Sep 18, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 46
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 we have in realizing all of the potential value. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
Sep 11, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 45
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 counteract them. Join Paul as we uncover whether crypto can truly transform into a green industry or if it’s just another case of environmental greenwash...
Aug 28, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 44
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 impact of mining for lithium and cobalt - essential minerals in modern battery production. We delve into the controversies surrounding these practices, inc...
Aug 21, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 43
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 projects and global aspirations for climate impact. And we even touch on some of what needs to happen next to maximize the opportunities unleashed by the...
Aug 14, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 42
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 standards while also setting the stage for regulated, mandatory reporting requirements on sustainability. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
Aug 07, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 41
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 heating of residential homes. References cited in this episode include: "Is Heating Homes with Hydrogen all but a Pipe Dream? An Evidence Review" - Jan Ro...
Jul 31, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 40
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 ....
Jul 24, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 39
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 emerging and very mature technologies out there that provide energy storage at different cost points and durations - ideal for different situations. Paul use...
Jul 17, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 38
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 brands of ADUSA are doing amazing work in helping to build sustainable supermarkets for the future. In addition to helping reduce operating emissions, ...
Jul 10, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 37
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 and controversy. Paul digs into all of that in these eight minutes. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
Jul 03, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 36
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 the first place. In this episode, Paul discusses the Duck Curve, a useful tool that shows how increased solar penetration may actually lead to subopt...
Jun 26, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 35
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, Paul sits with Tom Chase from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, MassCEC, to discuss how that organization is helping needed ideas come to marke...
Jun 19, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 34
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 stressed. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
Jun 12, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 33
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 wins (and losses) by climate activists in this space, the ways in which oil companies are already adapting, and some successful pivots that big compani...
Jun 05, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Heard of the term "greenwashing". Some companies are riding the environmental and climate change wave by providing false or misleading information on their activities. But greenwashing is sometimes really difficult to uncover due to the many forms that it can take. Here, Paul dives into the different ways that companies may be misleading their customers and investors, from greenhushing to greenshifting. For those inter...
May 22, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Paul gets a bit wonky in this episode, discussing how Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing (or PACE financing) works. Coming up with the capital needed to install new solar panels, invest into upgraded energy efficient equipment, or electrify a building's thermal load can be difficult. PACE financing is a public option that has both pros and cons for property owners to consider. Follow Paul on LinkedIn ....
May 15, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Learning from the lessons of the Obama Administration's failed Clean Power Plan, the Biden EPA is set to launch a new set of rules governing carbon emissions from fossil fueled power plants this week. What's in these rules? What effect are they likely to have on greenhouse gas emissions? And, frankly, what likelihood do they have to stand up against a conservative Supreme Court? Paul dives into the EPA's latest carbon ...
May 08, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Fourteen months into the conflict in Ukraine and the energy landscape in Europe has shifted dramatically. Whereas Russia supplies of gas used to dominate the market, today, the equation is far different and more nuanced. And the shift toward electrification and more renewable resources has only increased over the past year-plus. In this episode, Paul dissects the impact that the war has had on Europe's energy transitio...
May 01, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content There are a lot of industries where renewable energy or electrification just simply isn't possible. To meet our climate goals, technology such as Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) has to mature and come down in cost. Paul discusses the current state of the CCUS market as well as some of the big investments that governments and private industry are making behind this technology. Follow Paul on LinkedI...
Apr 24, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Certain parts of the U.S. allow customers to buy their power from someone other than the utility - a mechanism called retail choice. And this has really created the opportunity for individuals, companies and other consumers to decide not only how much that they want to pay for electricity - but also the type of power that they want to use. Renewable energy programs are everywhere. In this episode, Paul dives into how t...
Apr 17, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 26
