Experts Only

This week on the pod, Jon Powers sits down with Dr. Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer at Microsoft. They discuss Joppa's background studying ecology and biodiversity, how that led him to a career at Microsoft. He currently leads the company’s environmental sustainability efforts as well as the AI for Earth project, a 5 year, $50 million cross-company program dedicated to AI research and technology in agriculture, water, biodiversity, and climate change. Before becoming the Chief Environmental Officer, he worked as a researcher for Microsoft at the intersection of environmental and computer science. He has a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Ecology and Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a PhD in Ecology from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, and volunteered with the PeaceCorps in Malawi.

This week on the pod, Thom Byrne speaks to Daniel Oros, co-founder of G2VP. Byrne and Oros discuss the state of venture capital and the sustainable companies G2VP invests in. In 2009, Daniel joined Kleiner Perkins and led investments for the Green Growth Fund before co-founding G2VP. Daniel’s primary focus has been on rapidly growing technology companies in the industrial, consumer, and financial services sectors. Dan is a Board member at Fictiv, an observer at Turvo, and led G2VP’s investment in Carbon. He also serves as a Board member at Optoro, a Green Growth Fund portfolio company. Prior to this, Mr. Oros was a Vice President of the Goldman Sachs Special Situations Group and a founding member of its Alternative Energy Investing team. Mr. Oros holds a B.S. degree, with distinction, in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford, with a concentration in Financial and Decision Engineering. Experts Only is hosted by CleanCapital. Learn more: www.cleancapital.com/experts-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ To learn more about G2VP’s investment Portfolio check out: https://www.g2vp.com/

This week on the pod, Jon Powers speaks to Michael Terrell, Head of Energy Market Development at Google. Michael leads energy market strategy at Google, where he is part of the business team responsible for the company’s data centers and global energy portfolio. In this role, Michael has advanced new approaches to Google’s procurement of 3 gigawatts of renewable power, pioneered innovative renewable energy purchase programs in the U.S. and overseas, and delivered landmark projects such as converting a coal plant to a data center. In their discussion, Terrell and Powers talk about the market forces driving—or, in some cases, being shaped by—innovative corporate sustainability strategies. Michael Terrell holds a B.S. in Natural Resources from Sewanee, the University of the South; an M.E.M. in Environmental Management from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; and a J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan School of Law. Prior to his work at Google, he held positions as Special Assistant for Outreach and Strategic Planning for the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Policy Aide for the U.S. Department of State; and law clerk for the U.S. Department of Justice environmental enforcement division. He also served as Deputy Chair for the Energy and Climate Change Working Group of the Clinton Global Initiative. Experts Only is hosted by CleanCapital. Learn more: www.cleancapital.com/experts-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ To learn more about Google’s sustainability initiatives, visit: https://sustainability.google/ Resources mentioned include the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance; learn more at: https://rebuyers.org/

This week on the pod, Jon Powers speaks with Rob Davis of Fresh Energy to discuss the link between pollinator insects and solar energy. In their discussion, Davis and Powers explore bees’ impact on the environment and human agriculture, and how solar farm designs can help a pollinator population in crisis. Rob Davis began his career working with technology start-ups and created the international crowdsourced campaign that launched the Firefox web browser. He now works as Director of the Center for Pollinators in Energy at Fresh Energy where he helps accelerate the nation’s transition to the use of clean and renewable energy. Davis’ work on pollinator-friendly solar has been featured in trainings by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Conservation Training Center, U.S. Department of Energy, the Electric Power Resource Institute, and the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. Experts Only is hosted by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/experts-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about pollinators and solar: https://fresh-energy.org/ Watch Rob’s TED talk: https://fresh-energy.org/beeslovesolar/ Catch Rob at the following upcoming events: Agrivoltaics: Harvesting Multiple Benefits from Solar Sites on April 1: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/agrivoltaics-harvesting-multiple-benefits-from-solar-sites-tickets-56923291096 Read his latest Blog on why #BeesLoveSolar: https://www.organicvalley.coop/blog/bee-friendly-solar-is-win-win-win-for-people-planet-pollinators/

This week on the pod, guest host Marc Garrett, Chief Technology Officer speaks with Charlie Isaacs, the Chief Technology Officer for Customer Connection at Salesforce who has a successful track record of R&D leadership at companies like Verizon, Answer Systems, Broad Daylight and Kana. He’s been an early adopter and leader in the ever evolving customer relations management(CRM) and Internet of Things(IOT) software space, where he holds several patents. Charlie has been a long time supporter of solar energy and I’m excited for today’s conversation about the growing integration of data, customer relations and the internet of things in the solar industry and how an industry leader like Salesforce is helping to pave the way. We hope you enjoy today’s conversation as much as we did. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/experts-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about the Orange Button Initiative: https://orangebuttondata.org/

This week on the pod, Jon Powers and Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, dive into how social, economic and behavioural norms affect the way humans view climate change. In their discussion, we learn about the 6 different views Americans hold regarding climate change, the types of questions scientists ask when studying human behaviour and climate, and how the clean energy revolution will be the biggest economic revolution in human history. Upon graduating university, Anthony moved to Aspen, Colorado and joined the Aspen Global Change institute. Since then he has become an expert on public opinion and public engagement with the issues of climate change and the environment. His research investigates the psychological, cultural, and political factors that influence environmental beliefs, attitudes, policy support, and behavior. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/experts-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about Six Americas: http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-are-increasingly-alarmed-about-global-warming/

This week on the pod, Jon Powers sits down with Piper Foster Wild, CEO of 60 Hertz, to discuss how microgrids can reduce diesel dependence in rural Alaskan communities. It’s a fascinating discussion on how new technology is empowering these communities who have been plagued by operation and maintenance failures, living with the uncertainty their energy needs will be met. Prior to moving to Alaska, Piper was Vice President of Amatis Controls, an Internet of Things manufacturing start-up based in Aspen, Colorado. There, she also served as Board Chair of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. Additionally, she is a German Chancellor fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about 60 Hertz: https://www.60hertzenergy.com/

This week on the pod, Jon Powers sits down with Katherine Hamilton, co-founder and chair of 38 North Solutions, to discuss current climate culture and the challenges political leaders face with clean energy innovation. It’s a fascinating discussion on how policy makers influence new technologies, resilience and clean energy, and the role of innovation as a marketforce. Katherine has had a dynamic career advancing federal clean energy policy. She has served in advisory roles for the Energy Storage Association and Good Energies, Inc.; advocated for the development of renewable portfolio standards in New Jersey and Maryland as Co-Director for the American Bioenergy Association; and worked in buildings research and government relations at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In addition to her policy experience, Katherine spent a decade at a utility, designing electrical systems for commercial and residential developments. Katherine is also a co-host of The Energy Gang podcast through Greentech Media. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about 38 North Solutions: https://38northsolutions.com/

Thomas Byrne sits down with Terry Tamminen, CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, to discuss climate change solutions, updates on progress from #California, and Terry’s journey to CEO of Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (and of course what it’s like working with Leo). Terry has an impressive and expansive history working on environmental causes for more than 20 years in state government, universities, and the private sector. He founded the Santa Monica BayKeeper, served as the Executive Director of the Environment Now Foundation, and co-founded the Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic at the School of Law, University of California Los Angeles. After helping Arnold Schwarzenegger win the historic recall election and become Governor of California in 2003, Terry was appointed to a position as Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and later as Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor. During his time in government, Terry was the architect of many groundbreaking sustainability policies, including California's landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the Hydrogen Highway Network, and the Million Solar Roofs initiative. Terry joined the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation as CEO in 2016. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about Terry Tamminen and his work: https://www.leonardodicaprio.org/team/ or on his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-tamminen-b8523ab3/

This week, Thomas Byrne sits down with Gretchen Bakke, cultural anthropology professor at McGill University, to discuss her most recent book “The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future.” In the last century, America’s electrical supply has evolved from a series of smaller, distributed energy sources to mostly monopolized large utility companies. And still the energy systems of America and other countries continue to evolve. On this week’s episode of Experts Only, our guest, Gretchen Bakke, shares insights from her book on the electrification of America, the development of the modern grid, and her thoughts on the future of utilities. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ About Gretchen: Gretchen Bakke is a cultural anthropologist and author of The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future. She is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at McGill University and currently holds a position as a Guest Professor at the Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems, Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. Learn more about Gretchen Bakke and her work: http://bakkeconsolidated.org/Welcome.html

This week’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the NY Green Innovation Showcase, hosted by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Jon Powers sits down with Alicia Barton, President and CEO of NYSERDA, to talk about New York’s current and future roadmap in the energy transition. This conversation features insights from Alicia on the state of clean energy technology, storage and innovation; the US and global energy systems transition and market growth; and the role of companies, regulators, investors, governments, and utilities in building a clean energy economy. Alicia brings a wealth of experience and knowledge on the industry to share with you. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Find more episodes: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ The NY Green Innovation Showcase attracted leading cleantech investors and strategic partners from around the globe to help drive deal flows and help improve the environment for co-investment and syndication. For those who don’t know NYSERDA, they are leading the way in the US energy transition and setting the standard for many other states to follow. NYSERDA, promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. Since 1975, NYSERDA has worked with stakeholders throughout New York including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, university researchers, utility representatives, investors, and entrepreneurs to develop, invest, and foster the conditions that expand the state’s clean energy economy. Learn more about NYSERDA: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About

This week’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Clean Energy Leadership Institute’s (CELI) EMPOWER conference in DC. EMPOWER is the first conference dedicated to young professionals driving change in the clean energy sector, which says a lot about CELI’s mission as an organization. For those who don’t know CELI - the organization dedicated to developing and connecting the next generation of diverse clean energy leaders. Jon Powers sits down with Liz Dalton (new Executive Director) and Thomas Biddinger (New Board Member and VP at Bay4Energy) about the organization and its future. This conversation features insights from Liz and Thomas on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the clean energy workforce, and technology trends in energy and climate change. They both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from multiple dimensions of the industry to share with you. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com/expert-only Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about CELI: https://www.cleanenergyleaders.org/ With programs operating in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) is dedicated to developing the next generation of diverse, pragmatic clean energy leaders. Over the last five years, CELI has trained nearly 400 young professionals across 200+ organizations in clean energy policy, finance and technology. Learn more about CELI: https://www.cleanenergyleaders.org/ Applications for CELI's 2019 Fellowship will open on November 30th. More information can be found here: www.cleanenergyleaders.org/fellowship CELI is hosting a Clean Energy Advocacy + Deep Decarbonization event in SF on December 8th. A great opportunity for folks in the Bay who are thinking about applying to the Fellowship. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clean-energy-advocacy-101-workshop-achieving-deep-decarbonization-tickets-51568186835

Thomas Byrne joins us this week with an interesting conversation with Rob Day, Founder and Partner at Spring Lane Capital. Rob has been a sustainable resources private equity investor since 2004, and acts or has served as a Director, Observer and advisory board member to multiple companies in the energy tech and related sectors. Rob also serves on the Board at the New England Clean Energy Council. Today’s conversation features lessons learned from Rob’s 15 years of experience in clean energy investing. He's witnessed the growth and challenges of the clean energy space and has a wealth of experience to share with you. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about Spring Lane Capital: https://www.springlanecapital.com/ Spring Lane Capital partners with strong management teams who are selling or using distributed assets with compelling customer economics in the energy, water, food and waste sectors. Learn more about Spring Lane Capital: https://www.springlanecapital.com/

On the pod this week, Jon sits down with Kelly Speakes-Backman, the CEO of the Energy Storage Association, the national trade association dedicated to energy storage, working toward a more resilient, efficient, sustainable and affordable electricity grid. The organization represents a diverse group of companies, including independent power producers, electric utilities, energy service companies, financiers, manufacturers, and more involved in deploying energy storage systems. Kelly joined ESA with more than 20 years working in energy and energy efficiency, sustainability, renewables, and environmental business strategies. Her direct technology experience includes power generation from solar, wind, biogas and biomass, distributed generation, natural gas, smart grid and fuel cells. She joined the public sector in 2010 as the Clean Energy Director at the Maryland Energy Administration, where she led a team to implement programs aimed at meeting the Administration’s goal of increasing Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio to 20 percent by 2022. With her rich experience across sectors, and throughout the energy industry, we are excited to hear Kelly’s insight on the growth of storage and the transformative potential of this emerging technology. We hope you enjoy the conversation today as much as we did. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Learn more about the Energy Storage Association: http://energystorage.org/ 2025 Report for Energy Storage: http://energystorage.org/vision2025 McKinsey on the declining costs of storage: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/electric-power-and-natural-gas/our-insights/the-new-rules-of-competition-in-energy-storage

Missed Solar Power International and Energy Storage International in Anaheim this year? Experts Only hosted our podcast in front of a live audience to discuss the Economics of Microgrids with Miranda Ballentine (Constant Power), Sachu Constantine (Vote Solar), David Rubin (PG&E) and Mike Wu (Converge Strategies). Today’s episode is a bit longer than our typical podcast as we discuss the evolving microgrid business models from third-party projects to utility-initiated projects. In between, a hybrid, “unbundled” model based on public-private partnerships is emerging which could offer more flexibility and opportunities for collaboration. This episode examines the state of microgrids, using the discrete business models that are supporting build-out and specific use cases to highlight how microgrids best contribute to the electric grid’s steady evolution toward aggregating and integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), flexible loads, and increased resilience and security. Experts Only is made possible by CleanCapital. Learn more: http://www.cleancapital.com Follow on Twitter: @CleanCapital_ Details about SPI: https://www.solarpowerinternational.com/