Energy Gang

• Inside the ‘crazy grid’: why the future of energy needs everything, everywhere, all at once

  Building out the electricity grid was traditionally a predictable and straightforward business. Now it’s like trying to land a jet on a moving aircraft carrier in the dark. That’s a quote from this week’s guest Quinn Nakayama. He’s the senior director of Grid Research and Innovation at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). He joins host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe to discuss how California is dealing with all the uncertainty created by new demands being placed on the grid: variable renewable generation, electric vehicles, data centers, and more. Quinn refers to the fast-changing electricity system of today as the ‘crazy grid’, because so many things are happening at once. Wind and solar power create new challenges for grid stability, while batteries and demand response offer new solutions. Electric vehicles, following mandates from the state of California and other governments around the world, create new patterns of electricity consumption. The latest breakthroughs in AI are creating a surge in power demand from data centers. And those advances in AI are also opening up new possibilities for grid management. Planning is harder than ever. Are Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) an important solution? Amy, Ed and Quinn debate their effectiveness; these tools are helpful, but they can't solve everything. Large loads such as data centers still need major upgrades to wires and substations. But with a high penetration of electric vehicles, California is working on smart tech that makes it easier to install EV chargers without expensive upgrades. PG&E is also exploring faster ways to connect large users, such as allowing temporary solutions until new lines are built. Despite the range of innovations that are available, and the exciting rate of progress in new technologies, the US risks falling behind other countries. Quinn and Amy warn that cuts in support for clean energy and EVs could lead to the US losing out to China, which is investing heavily in these technologies. The Reconciliation Bill that was signed into law last week included abrupt curtailments of tax credits for wind and solar power. So what is the right way forward for the grid? For the electricity system to meet the fast-evolving demands of the modern world, it needs everything: more energy, more flexibility, and faster action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• The Big Beautiful Bill is close to passing. What would it mean for clean energy in the US?

  This week the US budget reconciliation legislation, dubbed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, squeaked through the Senate on a 51/50 vote. The bill has wide-ranging implications for energy in the US, including an imminent end to tax credits for wind and solar power. To discuss what the new legislation means, host Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Amy Myers-Jaffe, director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab. Also joining the show are Robbie Orvis, senior director of Modeling and Analysis at the think-tank Energy Innovation, and Jeremy Horan, VP for Government Affairs at ACORE, the American Council on Renewable Energy. They discuss some of the key implications of bill: less investment in wind and solar, increased use of natural gas, and a relatively bright outlook for battery storage. And they explain the dramatic twists and turns of the past few days that have brought us to where we are today. They also dive into the impacts of the dreaded rules on FEOC: Foreign Entities of Concern. These are new regulations intended to ensure that companies controlled by China and Russia, among others, don’t benefit from US energy subsidies. But they will have the effect of tying the industry up in a mountain of new red tape. Before that, Ed and Amy talk about an even more dramatic event in global energy: the US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict. The US dropped 30,000 pound ‘bunker-buster’ bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated with threats to close the Straight of Hormuz: the critical artery that delivers oil from the Gulf to the West. But by the middle of last week, tensions had eased significantly: there was a ceasefire, and negotiations were under way to agree a lasting peace. Put it all together, and it adds up to a hectic couple of weeks for the future of energy. Expect in-depth analysis of all the news, and ideas on how the energy industry can prepare for what’s coming.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• EBOS: the unsung hero that’s accelerating clean energy deployment | How Shoals is improving utility-scale solar performance

  Sponsored content from Shoals Technologies Group.EBOS – electrical balance of systems – includes everything that carries electricity from solar panels to the grid: wiring, switches, connector boxes and other components. It might not grab headlines, but it’s the backbone of every solar and storage project, and is essential to performance, reliability and project success. In this special episode of The Energy Gang, host Ed Crooks talks with Stephen LaFleur, Senior Director of Sales for Utility-Scale Solar at Shoals Technologies Group, about why getting EBOS right is critical. Stephen explains how incorporating EBOS early in project planning helps EPCs and developers avoid delays, lower costs, and ensure long-term reliability.Connectors are just one example of an EBOS component that can cause serious issues. A recent report from HelioVolta found that 83% of projects surveyed had at least one connector-related issue, many of them due to simple installation mistakes. In one solar portfolio, connector failure and replacement costs added up to nearly 60% of annual revenues. So how can developers avoid that kind of severe cost impact? Stephen and Ed discuss. Also joining the conversation is Grant Reasor – he’s an Associate Electrical Engineer for Solar PV and Storage Projects at Burns & McDonnell, the international architecture, engineering and construction firm. From a project engineer’s point of view, he unpacks why EBOS matters more than ever, especially as the industry shifts to higher voltages and looks to repower aging solar sites.The solar and storage industries are evolving fast. Stephen and Grant break down how smart EBOS choices can improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support the next wave of clean energy growth.This episode is brought to you by Shoals Technologies Group. If you are in clean energy, you know that project success depends on more than just panels and batteries, it’s about the electrical backbone that connects it all. That’s where Shoals comes in. Their factory-built, rigorously-tested EBOS solutions for solar and storage streamline installs, reduce costs, and improve long-term reliability. Want to learn more? Just head over to shoals.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• How do we adapt to a warming world?

  The world is experiencing a new reality: infrastructure, agriculture, and supply chains were built for a historical climate that no longer exists. Last year the average global surface temperature was about 1.47° C warmer than in the late 19th century, according to NASA. On current trends we are on course for perhaps 2.7° C of warming by the end of the current century: far in excess of the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5° C.As it becomes increasingly likely that the world is not going to cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to meet that Paris goal, it becomes more and more important for us to learn how to adapt and become more resilient in a warming world.It’s an issue that has been a focus for Dr Sarah Kapnick, the Global Head of Climate Advisory at the bank JP Morgan. She is a former Chief Scientist at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and she knows the worlds of climate science and climate finance inside out.She returns to the show to talk to host Ed Crooks and regular Amy Myers-Jaffe about what the world’s failure to get on track for meeting the Paris goals means for finance, investment and our futures. Together they unpack what global warming means for economies, energy systems and vulnerable communities. One critical point where climate damages and risks are emerging as an urgent issue is in insurance costs. Some areas are becoming uninsurable as threats of flooding or wildfires mount. The impacts are worst for low-income communities and countries. Without support to adapt and build resilience, many nations could face a climate-induced debt spiral. So what can we do to be prepared for a warming world? How are energy companies investing to stay ahead of the risks? And can there be a profitable business in climate adaptation? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Geothermal, dealmaking, and the future of clean energy finance | live from the ACORE Finance Forum in New York

  In the third and final special episode recorded live from the ACORE Finance Forum, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to industry leaders to explore some key issues in renewable energy technology and finance.Amy starts the episode by speaking with David Ulrey, CFO of Fervo Energy, an innovative geothermal startup. David shares insights into Fervo’s projects, including their initial commercial pilot in Nevada and the ambitious 100-megawatt development in Utah. They discuss the challenges and successes of pioneering next-generation geothermal energy, the potential for the technology to offer clean, reliable power across the US, and the evolving landscape of financing structures in the industry.Ed then sits down with Mona Dajani, global co-head of Energy, Infrastructure and Hydrogen at the law firm Baker Botts. Mona provides an expert perspective on the shifting sands of energy dealmaking amidst political and economic uncertainty in the US. She highlights how companies are rapidly pivoting their strategies, shifting from green hydrogen to alternative technologies or repurposing sites for data centres, and discusses why global markets remain committed to clean energy despite changing US policy priorities.Later, Ed and Amy speak with leaders from businesses supported by ACORE’s Accelerate programme. Amy talks with Tonya Hicks, founder of Power Solutions Inc, who shares her inspiring journey as a woman entrepreneur in electrical contracting and renewable energy. Tonya stresses the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of policy volatility and argues that the industry’s momentum will continue despite political shifts.Ed also speaks with Jennifer Rouda, CEO of 7Skyline, who discusses the unique challenges faced by tribal governments in the US pursuing renewable energy projects. Jennifer highlights the critical role of bridging finance and impact investors as federal funding becomes less predictable.Finally, Ed and Amy wrap up with a comprehensive conversation with Ray Long, President and CEO of ACORE. Ray summarises key themes from the forum, including the industry’s concerns about the abrupt potential removal of energy tax credits and the urgent need for viable alternative financing mechanisms. He underscores the economic and environmental impacts of current legislative uncertainty and outlines the future resilience strategies the clean energy industry may adopt. This concludes our three-part series from the ACORE Finance Forum. We'll be back in two weeks, resuming regular coverage of all the latest developments and discussions shaping the energy transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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