Best Vpp Podcasts (2025)

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Grab bag: the affordability crisis, a VPP tipping point, and solar’s moment 1:00:03

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7d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

This week, we’re doing something a little different: we’re turning to Jigar’s social media feeds and listener questions to guide our conversation on the latest news in clean energy. First, we tackle the affordability crisis. President Trump recently posted on Truth Social calling renewables "the scam of the century" and blaming them for rising pric…

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849: From Solar to Storage: Jigar Shah’s VPP Vision Revisited 41:23

8d ago41:23

41:23

"You're not in the solar industry anymore." That bold declaration from Jigar Shah at RE+ 2023 sparked debate, shifted mindsets—and now, two years later, is being realized. Nico Johnson recently revisited the discussion with Jigar for a current-day check-in before diving into the full, original conversation that started it all. As the then-Director …

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The "zero-cost" VPP with big plans for empty rooftops 45:59

15d ago45:59

45:59

National Renewable Network CEO Alan Hunter on his company's mission to get home solar and storage to the masses. Plus news of the week.By Solar Insiders - a Renew Economy Podcast

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E261: Solar to VPP: Powering the Future 38:43

16d ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, our guest is Clinton O’Neil, a distributed energy veteran whose journey began in Hawaii’s rooftop solar boom and evolved into driving innovation in grid modernisation and virtual power plants (VPPs). Clinton shares deep insights into the transition from net metering to non-export solar, the pivotal role of energy storage, and how D…

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E266: Navigating Knowledge: From ADB to AI 54:48

5h ago54:48

54:48

In this episode, our guest is Daan Boom, former Knowledge Management Specialist at ADB, who shares how knowledge systems have evolved—from early platforms like K-Map and E-Star to today's AI-driven environments. He reflects on building a culture of learning within development institutions, his current work on climate resilience in Bangladesh, and h…

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JPMorgan’s climate scientist thinks differently about risk 52:30

19m ago52:30

52:30

In 2004, Dr. Sarah Kapnick was a young banking analyst at Goldman Sachs when she spotted a blind spot: no one was helping clients understand climate risk. Two decades later, she’s the Global Head of Climate Advisory at JPMorgan, turning climate science into boardroom strategy. Kapnick’s career path — from Wall Street, to NOAA’s chief scientist, and…

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851: Batteries vs. Peakers: [Revisiting] How Fluence Is Redefining the Grid 41:51

1d ago41:51

41:51

“Storage Was Never Just an Add-On” What if we’ve been thinking too small about batteries? In this rebroadcast from RE+, Kiran Kumaraswamy, former VP of Growth at Fluence, makes a bold case for reimagining energy storage—not just as a renewable add-on, but as a foundational tool for grid transformation. Kiran breaks down how the energy storage secto…

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E265: Electrifying Heavy Freight at Diesel Prices 39:16

1d ago39:16

39:16

In this episode, our guest is Daniel Bleakley, co-founder of New Energy Transport, who shares how his team is building a vertically integrated, zero-emission road-freight company that can compete at diesel price parity by pairing electric trucks with on-site generation and smart participation in Australia’s wholesale electricity market. He explains…

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What consumers really want from virtual power plants 1:04:50

1d ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Plico Energy CTO George Martin says business is booming under the new home battery rebates, but the name of the VPP game remains the same. Plus news of the week.By Solar Insiders - a Renew Economy Podcast

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850: RE+ 2025 Survival Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Get to Vegas (with 6 expert insiders!) 1:07:57

3d ago1:07:57

1:07:57

Heading to Las Vegas for RE+ 2025? This episode is your ultimate field guide. We’ve got the inside scoop from SunCast host Nico Johnson and some of the industry leaders shaping this year’s event—from Abby Hopper’s optimistic industry outlook to Jigar Shah’s no-nonsense advice for finding your tribe in the midst of uncertainty. You’ll also hear from…

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E264: Rethinking Electricity Like the Internet 55:22

5d ago55:22

55:22

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Nordman, a long-time researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Bruce brings four decades of experience in energy efficiency and introduces his revolutionary vision for transforming how buildings use electricity, drawing strong parallels with the evolution of internet technology. We explore the concep…

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E263: How This Startup is Fixing Online Content Noise 40:06

9d ago40:06

40:06

In this episode, our guest is Cheree Bonnici, a startup founder based in South Australia, and the driving force behind Topicks, a global content platform focused on community, education, and sustainability. Cheree shares the story behind creating a curated digital space where users choose what they learn—free from algorithms and noise. From solving…

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848: Can America Lead Solar Cell Manufacturing? Arndt Lutz, EliTe Solar 14:06

10d ago14:06

14:06

Is the U.S. solar manufacturing boom standing on a hollow foundation? In this live episode from PV ModuleTech USA, Nico sits down with solar industry veteran Arndt E. Lutz, a global exec who’s seen it all—from Germany’s early solar rise to hydrogen innovation and now leading EliTe Solar’s manufacturing efforts. Despite America’s massive build-out o…

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E262: AI in Practice—Tools, Workflows, and What’s Next 41:48

12d ago41:48

41:48

In this episode, our guest is Amie Vuyong. She works on AI-powered identity verification, AML, and fraud prevention, areas she frames as “compliance AI agents.” She also shares how she used modern AI coding companions to turn a manual spreadsheet into a sleek personal finance web app, with expense tracking, budgets, and net‑worth views, built throu…

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847: The Startup Disrupting HVAC Like Tesla Disrupted Cars | Stephen Lake of Jetson 1:06:21

14d ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Heat pumps are the EVs of HVAC—so why aren’t we all using them? Stephen Lake, a highly successful engineer turned climate-tech entrepreneur, is here to explain why heating and cooling is the most overlooked piece of the decarbonization puzzle. After selling his last company to Google, Stephen founded Jetson to tackle one of the biggest—and slowest-…

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The Latitude stage: How AI changes our digital energy footprint 34:52

16d ago34:52

34:52

We're witnessing a profound shift from discrete AI tools to always-on AI companions — systems that provide constant feedback, conversation, and support. Sound familiar? It's the 2013 movie "Her" becoming reality. In this episode of Open Circuit, we have a conversation with MIT’s Vijay Gadepally from our Transition-AI conference about how the spread…

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846: Balancing State Energy Goals with Federal Uncertainty | Doug Scott, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Chair 22:38

17d ago22:38

22:38

A new wave of power demand is here. Is the grid ready? And can States keep up? Doug Scott, now in his second term as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, joins Nico to share how Illinois is navigating the accelerating pace of the energy transition. From integrating energy storage to regulating gigawatt-scale data centers, the ICC isn’t mov…

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E260: Electrifying Everything: The Role of EV Charging and Home Batteries 35:35

19d ago35:35

35:35

In this episode, our guest is Ned Funnell, a test engineer at Lincoln Electric and long-time electric vehicle (EV) enthusiast. Ned shares a decade of personal and professional insights from the EV world—discussing high-power chargers, grid resiliency, home batteries, and the evolving role of electrification in achieving net-zero goals. From transit…

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E259: Australia’s Homegrown EV Journey 36:58

22d ago36:58

36:58

In this episode, our guest is Gregory McGarvie, founder of Ace Electric Vehicles—Australia’s pioneering homegrown EV startup. Gregory shares his eight-year journey building locally assembled EVs, from trolley collectors for Woolworths to advanced, grid-integrated vans. We explore the challenges of local manufacturing, the innovation behind Ace’s en…

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845: How to Build Influence in a $1 Trillion Industry 46:03

22d ago46:03

46:03

So what’s the secret to building influence in a Trillion-dollar industry? Perhaps it’s “start when it’s only a Billion-dollar industry!” But in today’s episode a few more “secrets” are discussed. In this rare role-reversal, Nico Johnson—the voice behind SunCast—is interviewed by solar industry legend (and fellow podcaster), Barry Cinnamon. It’s a f…

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Start me up 50:49

22d ago50:49

50:49

EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher on the vital role start-up funding, mentoring and acceleration is playing in the evolution of consumer energy. Plus the news of the week.By Solar Insiders - a Renew Economy Podcast

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The Latitude stage: Solving the AI load growth puzzle 39:18

23d ago39:18

39:18

In the last two quarters, capital spending on AI has blown past all U.S. consumer spending. Investments in AI infrastructure have already eclipsed the telecom and dot-com booms. The top tech companies are pouring so much money into computing power that they may be single-handedly propping up an economy wobbling under chaotic tariff policy. Gigawatt…

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844: When Solar Systems Break: Who Really Pays? | Dean Chiaravallotti of Solar Insure 19:31

24d ago19:31

19:31

Most warranties aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. In a solar market defined by price pressure and disappearing installers, consumers are more skeptical than ever—and they’re asking smarter questions. Who’s responsible when something breaks? Will anyone answer the phone in 10 years? 5 years? In this live session, Nico Johnson sits down with…

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E258: Batteries in a Box: From Off-Grid to Global Energy Solutions 57:32

26d ago57:32

57:32

In this episode, our guest is Marc Sheldon, CEO of Red Earth Energy Storage. Marc shares his journey from solar thermal to leading innovations in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems. He explains how Red Earth’s Australian-made, plug-and-play solutions are transforming energy access — from rural off-grid sheds to large-scale commercial inst…

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843: The Real Reason Residential Solar Is Still Too Expensive (in the US) | OpenSolar’s Andrew McGuigan 20:23

28d ago20:23

20:23

Why is residential solar still so hard in the US? Andrew McGuigan will wager an answer. After 13 years in the solar trenches—from knocking doors at Sungevity to leading OpenSolar’s global expansion—Andrew has seen every twist of the solar coaster. Now at OpenSolar, he’s got a front row seat to helping 25,000+ installers worldwide streamline their b…

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Episode 192: Safety Career Fears w/Mark Alecia 52:06

29d ago52:06

52:06

Get the Book "Rethinking SAFETY Culture" Today! Join the Community of Safety Pros today! In this conversation, Blaine J. Hoffmann and Mark Alicea discuss the complexities of imposter syndrome, particularly within the safety profession. Specifically, how this phenomenon affects safety pros at all stages of their careers, the importance of building c…

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842: Out-Innovating China in Critical Minerals: ReElement’s Bold U.S. Strategy 1:29:55

29d ago1:29:55

1:29:55

Are Coal and clean energy still at odds?? It might sound like a contradiction, but today’s guest is proving that innovation often comes from the most unexpected places - in this case, Coal Mines. Listen in as Nico sits down with Mark LaVerghetta, co-founder of ReElement Technologies, a company turning the coal industry on its head by extracting cri…

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E257: Charting the Future of Offshore Wind in the Philippines 47:27

30d ago47:27

47:27

In this episode, our guest is Alma Roxas-Aguila, a seasoned renewable energy expert with over two decades of experience in the Philippine wind sector. Alma shares her journey from early project development at Alternergy, including involvement in Southeast Asia's first onshore wind farm, to her current focus on scaling up offshore wind. She provides…

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841: From 3 Weeks to 3 Days: Accelerating Solar with Drones | Jason Steinberg, Scanifly 21:10

1M ago21:10

21:10

What if the tools you use to sell solar are setting you up to fail? That’s the uncomfortable truth Jason Steinberg, CEO of Scanifly, is tackling head-on. In this episode recorded live at NABCEP 2025, Jason and Nico dig into the disconnect between sales and operations in solar—where remote designs sell the dream, but outdated imagery and manual meas…

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E256: Energy Abundance, AI, and Human Potential 56:39

1M ago56:39

56:39

In this episode, our guest is Cameron Quin, a serial energy entrepreneur who reconnects with Sohail after years of impactful work across the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. Cameron shares his journey from launching off-grid solar ventures to exploring the deeper aspects of human energy and spiritual well-being. He offers unique insights into th…

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Is America giving up on clean energy manufacturing? 1:00:54

1M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Over the last four years, the U.S. clean energy manufacturing sector saw a historic boom. Factory construction doubled, foreign firms opened production in dozens of states, and federal policy spurred over $150 billion in manufacturing plans. But a swirl of conflicting policies — from chaotic tariff threats to complex foreign sourcing rules — is fre…

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840: Rethinking Battery Storage: Domestic BMS, Cybersecurity & Geopolitics | Michael Worry of Nuvation Energy 1:04:11

1M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

In a market flooded with cheap imports and geopolitical risk, one company is standing its ground. Did you know there’s only one North American battery management system (BMS) provider at utility scale—despite growing pressure from subsidized Chinese competitors offering systems at zero cost? Michael Worry, CEO of Nuvation Energy, joins Nico to shar…

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E255: Responsible AI and the Future of Inclusion 50:04

1M ago50:04

50:04

In this episode, our guest is Xiaochen Zhang, a global innovation leader and the driving force behind AI 2030 and FinTech for Good. Xiaochen shares his journey from the World Bank to founding organisations that champion responsible technology. He dives into the six-pillar framework of responsible AI—transparency, accountability, fairness, safety, s…