• 016 - Grid Reliability in an AI World [audio]
    Apr 14 2025

    Michael Bryson, Sr. VP of Operations at PJM, unpacks the complexity of running the largest power grid in the US. From integrating renewables to managing extreme weather events and grid reliability, PJM operates in a delicate dance of supply, demand, and regulation. Bryson shares how policy, tech, and real-time data shape their decisions. This episode sheds light on the unseen, high-pressure world behind your light switch.

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    18 mins
  • 015 - The Mineral Equation: Supply, Sustainability & Geopolitics [audio]
    Mar 10 2025

    Simon Michaux explores the physical requirements to phase out fossil fuels completely, emphasizing the sheer scale of the challenge. He discusses the estimated energy demand, the need for alternative power generation, and the limitations of global mineral resources to sustain the transition.

    Michaux presents a detailed analysis of the metals required for renewable technologies and stationary power storage, questioning the feasibility of current transition plans.

    He highlights the necessity of a comprehensive raw materials strategy, incorporating recycling and alternative battery chemistries.

    The discussion also touches on systemic changes required in energy infrastructure and policy to ensure a successful and sustainable transformation.


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    24 mins
  • 014 - Trump’s Energy Agenda: Boom or Backfire? [audio]
    Feb 14 2025

    Today the Unlocking the Energy Trilemma podcast is one year old, and we celebrate this first anniversary with a Special Episode, the number 14th, where Ravi and JAM debate about the geopolitical shift in the Energy Sector due to Trump's election.

    They will share the Challenges and Opportunities of Trump's Energy Agenda. Is it a Boom or a Backfire?

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    20 mins
  • 013 - Solar Power hits a new WW record [audio]
    Jan 9 2025

    Sonia Dunlop (CEO of the Global Solar Council) discusses the impressive growth of solar power, highlighting the new global milestone in installed capacity. She explores the future of solar energy, addressing challenges like grid flexibility and storage, while emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to integrate solar into power grids. Sonia also touches on the importance of policy frameworks, technological collaboration, and the potential of long-duration energy storage in achieving a sustainable energy future. This insightful conversation outlines the path forward for solar energy and the global energy transition.

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    21 mins
  • 012 - DERs: A Masterpiece in Energy's puzzle [audio]
    Dec 19 2024

    Brad Harkavy (VP of Product at Oracle Energy & Water) speaks with Ravi and JAM about the challenges and opportunities in managing DER systems.

    Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) play a key role in the energy transition by decentralizing power generation, integrating renewable sources, and improving grid efficiency by reducing transmission losses. They enhance energy resilience through diverse supply sources and enable consumer participation in energy markets, accelerating the shift to a low-carbon economy. A DER Management System (DERMS) can turn DER intermittency into a dispatchable grid resource that supports reliability and efficiency goals.

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    23 mins
  • 011 - The Promise and Perils of Battery Energy Storage
    Nov 20 2024

    Are Battery Energy Storage Systems the key to unlocking the Energy Trilemma? Is the cost of grid-scale batteries decreasing? What is the business model for a BESS owner? How does BESS react to electricity price volatility?

    We speak with Neil Weaver (Research Director al Modo Energy) to get the answers to these questions and more.

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    19 mins
  • 010 - Decarbonizing Industrial Heat
    Oct 29 2024

    James Macnaghten, CEO of Caldera and inventor of many thermal energy storage patents, speaks with Ravi and JAM on decarbonizing industrial heat to drastically reduce global CO2 emissions. We already have technology to address a big piece of this Market and we shouldn't miss taking these low-hanging fruits.

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    23 mins
  • 009 - Are Interconnections Enough? Exploring Reliable Alternatives for Energy Transition
    Oct 5 2024

    Kathryn Porter, an independent energy expert, speaks with Ravi and JAM about Power Grid Interconnections, their role in the Energy Transition, their impact on the price of local electricity, and the new criteria of some countries.

    Kathryn addresses why electricity costs are increasing with the Energy Transition and her expectations at the end of this decade.

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    27 mins