Energy Superheroes

In this episode of Energy Superheroes, we discuss the future of nuclear power with Elizabeth Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Isolation. Her Berkely, CA-based startup specializes in a unique issue: nuclear waste disposal. Driven by a passion for climate change, Elizabeth unexpectedly found herself in the nuclear sector and has since been driving innovation when it comes to waste challenges. Elizabeth explains why we need nuclear to reach net zero, and how we can continue to better the industry.

Hydrogen is expected to play a huge role in the energy transition, accounting for up to 25% of global decarbonization efforts. But today, many hydrogen solutions are expensive, inefficient, and unsafe. Hydro X CEO Assaf Sayada is hoping to fix that. His company is taking on the hydrogen industry with a technology that tackles key storage and transportation challenges. In this episode, Assaf provides an overview of the hydrogen value chain's problems and how Hydro X plans to solve them.

Cameron Halliday, Co-founder and CEO of Mantel, is leading the fight against climate change with his company's innovative approach to carbon capture. Mantel's first-of-its-kind molten salt carbon capture technology has the potential to transform industrial emissions reductions. By addressing efficiency, cost, scalability, and integration challenges head-on, Mantel could jumpstart the global transition towards a low-carbon future. In this episode, Cameron explains the critical role of carbon capture in achieving net-zero (or net negative!) emissions, as well as some of the sector’s key challenges.

In this episode of Energy Superheroes, we are joined by Jeff VanVoorhis, Vice President of EPC Project Development at Mead & Hunt. Jeff brings a wealth of experience in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, with a heavy focus on decarbonization solutions. Mead & Hunt works closely with their customers to implement many of the advanced solutions that we often only hear about as future opportunities. It’s clear that global decarbonization is accelerating, as more and more companies are executing real projects on the path to net zero.

Our latest Energy Superhero, Lauren Flanagan, is a lifetime entrepreneur and now Co-founder and CEO of energy startup Sesame Solar. Her company is decarbonizing disaster response and off-grid power with 100% renewable mobile nanogrids. With a focus on replacing fossil fuel generators with eco-friendly alternatives, Sesame Solar is part of a global movement towards a low carbon future.

Alison Wise, Founder and Principal of Wise Strategies, shares her rich background in environmental advocacy and her unique insights into sustainable energy. Her consulting firm provides solutions for technology and systems innovation, market analysis, project management, and communication throughout the cleantech sector. In this episode, Alison describes how she got her start in the sustainability space and why she believes we need to fundamentally change our relationship with the planet. 

Our latest Energy Superhero is Mark Schnepel, CEO and Co-Founder of Heat Recovery Innovations (HRI). With over two decades of experience, HRI specializes in high-temperature heat exchangers for a wide range of applications, pushing the boundaries of efficiency in energy systems. HRI's technology has found use in various sectors, notably in industrial settings, recycling turbine waste heat for water heating, cooling, or steam generation. Additionally, the tech is now proving useful for recycling heat in alternative energy sectors, for things like concentrated solar or nuclear power. 

Gene Gebolys, President and CEO of World Energy, is considered a global leader when it comes to next generation fuels. For over 25 years, his work at World Energy has driven leading breakthroughs in renewable fuels and helped expand use across the North American continent. Gene founded World Energy in 1998, with the goal of innovating and commercializing a wide range of renewable fuels - from advanced biofuels to SAF to clean hydrogen. Today, they collaborate with top companies and leaders to help implement net-zero solutions, particularly in hard-to-abate industries.

Nikita Baliarsingh, Co-Founder of Nexus Power, wants to revolutionize the energy sector - by turning waste into energy. Nexus Power's technology converts agricultural waste into fully biodegradable batteries, both reducing pollution and promoting the circular economy. These fast charging batteries take only 10 minutes to charge and can power up to 450 km in electric vehicle travel. In this episode, Nikita explains how her company's technology is aiding air quality and the energy transition at the same time. 

Manuela Zoninsein is set on transforming the beverage industry, all while reducing environmental impact and supporting frontline workers. As the CEO and founder of Kadeya, she is helping crack down on single use plastic through innovative beverage vending stations. In this episode, Manuela explains how she is not just offering a product, but a shift in how industries approach hydration and sustainability.