Episodes

Providing modern energy services to the developing world is a monumental challenge, as 80% of the global population resides in these regions yet uses only 20% of the world's energy. This episode features a discussion between Ashvin Dayal from The Rockefeller Foundation and Robert Stoner, Deputy Director at the MIT Energy Initiative, on how to potentially double global energy production to meet this demand. They explore strategies for increasing energy access affordably while minimizing environme...

Energy and water are intricately connected, each vital for the effective functioning of the other. This episode explores how municipal water systems and agricultural irrigation consume vast amounts of energy, while energy production itself requires significant volumes of water. Afreen Siddiqi, research scientist at MIT, and Newsha Ajami, Chief Development Officer for Research at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, discuss strategies to reduce consumption in both sectors to enhance efficiency and sus...

Across the globe, numerous countries, states, and corporations have committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This episode features Dr. Melissa Lott, Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, and Terry Keeley, Managing Director at BlackRock, discussing the extensive technologies, policies, and financial investments required to meet this ambitious target. They evaluate the feasibility of reaching net zero by 2050 and con...

Advancements in battery technology have propelled electric vehicles into the mainstream, offering consumers viable alternatives to traditional cars. In this episode, Shirley Meng, Chief Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and Lynden Archer, Dean of Engineering at Cornell University, explore the potential for these technologies to similarly transform the electric grid. They discuss the current state of battery innovation and its capacity to enhance grid reliability and efficiency.

Send us a Text Message. Building on the previous discussion of battery technology's impact on vehicles and the grid, this episode dives deeper into the innovation behind battery materials. Lynden Archer, Dean of Engineering at Cornell University, and Shirley Meng, Chief Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory and Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, explore potential new materials that could make batteries more affordable, safer, and less impactful on the environment...

Energy infrastructure, from extraction sites to transmission lines, occupies and alters vast tracts of land. In this episode, Mark Mills, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Gurcan Gulen, Principal at G2 Energy Insights, discuss the extensive impacts of energy development on land. They explore how various energy processes require drilling and mining, and consider the footprint of energy transportation systems. The conversation also delves into strategies to minimize these impacts while...

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) hold transformative potential for the energy sector, promising enhanced efficiency and improved forecasting of electricity resources. In this episode, Pamela Isom, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Office for the US Department of Energy, and Anima Anandkumar, Director of Machine Learning Research at NVIDIA, evaluate the current capabilities of AI and ML in energy. They discuss whether the existing algorithms and computin...

While CO2 emissions often dominate discussions on the environmental impacts of energy, particulate air pollution presents a more immediate concern. Burning coal, wood, diesel, and animal dung leads to millions of premature deaths annually. In this episode, Angel Hsu from the University of North Carolina and Amod Pokhrel, a health sciences researcher at UC Berkeley, delve into the issues of air pollution. They explore innovative ideas and strategies to mitigate these harmful effects and improve a...

The electric grid, and all its attached generators and transformers, has been called the largest machine in the world. In part 1, we’ll discuss how it powers our lives and the modern world, and as our electricity demands grow, how it could better meet them in the future. ERCOT CEO, Brad Jones, and Southern California Edison CEO, Steven Powell, discuss.

As we continue our exploration of the electric grid, we delve into its pivotal role in powering cities, industries, homes, and increasingly, our vehicles. In this episode, Southern California Edison CEO, Steven Powell, and ERCOT CEO, Brad Jones, discuss the necessity of expanding and enhancing national electric systems. They consider the challenges of increasing electricity supply while aiming for lower carbon emissions, striving for grids that are more extensive, reliable, and affordable with m...

Liquefying natural gas and distributing it globally could equalize access to gas at a universal market price, potentially boosting industry and aiding developing nations in shifting away from coal. However, concerns about the high costs of LNG import terminals and the potential increase in emissions pose significant challenges. In this episode, Octávio Simões, CEO of Tellurian, and Jake Schmidt, Senior Climate Director at NRDC, explore the complexities and potential impacts of expanding the glob...