Energy Superheroes

Hydrogen continues to be a promising player in the energy transition. Our latest Energy Superhero is hydrogen-champion James Kast, Director of Hydrogen Business Development at Iwatani. Founded over 100 years ago in Japan, Iwatani has an extensive background in the industrial gas industry. They are at the forefront of the hydrogen economy, laying foundational work in developing fuel cell stacks for vehicles. In this episode, James sheds light on his company’s hydrogen production work and their venture into the U.S. market.

Mining has a problem – it’s big, dirty, and expensive. But we need mining for critical energy transition minerals (think metals like copper and zinc). What if there were a more sustainable alternative? Liz Lappin, CEO of Common Good Mining, sheds light on her company’s groundbreaking modular mining technique, set to redefine traditional methods in the mining industry. In this episode, Liz introduces the revolutionary technology that aims to address mineral shortages in the ever-evolving energy industry.

Can direct air capture solve our carbon problem? That’s what Alex Bell, Chief Growth Officer at Removr, is betting on. His company is developing state-of-the-art technology to effectively capture carbon dioxide straight from the air. Operating from Oslo, Remover repurposes oil and gas technology to remove atmospheric carbon and then store it permanently underground. In this episode, Alex explains how DAC could drastically change our climate story for the better.

Joshua Olaiya, a 20-year-old robotics prodigy from Nigeria, is hoping to spark a robotics revolution - one that could potentially be the key to fighting climate change. The young tech visionary recently went viral for his “hand gesture robot” - developed when he was only 17. His inspiring story provides hope and motivation for many aspiring STEM professionals, especially from underrepresented communities. In this episode of Energy Superheroes, Joshua discusses how he got started with robotics and how he thinks it could reshape industries across the board.

Andrew Eil, the Head of Climate Risk at TCS North America, considers himself a futurist - one deeply involved in understanding our shared future amidst the climate crisis. With contributions to publications like the Observer and Illuminem, Andrew brings a great understanding of climate risk to the table. His recent work on the World Economic Forum's Annual Survey has provided key insights into the future state of our planet under the pressure of climatic changes, a future that will necessitate cooperation between governments, businesses, and individuals alike. In this episode, Andrew discusses the imminent climate crisis and the key role of startups and venture capital in the fight against it.

As one of the most rapidly growing nations on Earth, India and its energy development plays a huge role in the larger climate conversation. Just ask Kaushik Deb, a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. With a particular focus on India and OPEC and powerful insights gained from experience at BP, Kaushik’s opinion holds weight when it comes to the future of energy. In this episode, Kaushik lays out a comprehensive picture of the ongoing global energy transition and the pivotal roles of both India and OPEC.
 

We’ve heard of fuel cells, and we know about electrolyzers, but what about a technology that can do both? That’s where Paul Matter’s company comes in. As the Co-Founder and Technical Lead at Power to Hydrogen, Paul is helping to pioneer some truly revolutionary hydrogen technology: reversible fuel cells. In this episode, Paul explains how Power to Hydrogen is shaking up clean energy (here on earth and in space!).

Meet Philippe Birker, co-founder of Climate Farmers, an organization that champions regenerative agriculture across Europe. Philippe has devoted his career to promoting agricultural practices that not only sustain but actively restore the health of our planet. In this episode of Energy Superheroes, Philippe offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between agriculture and climate change. Shifting the focus from sustainability to regeneration, Birker advocates for practices that can help reverse environmental damage and foster a healthier food system.

How can we navigate the confusing world of carbon markets? As the CEO of Climate Solutions, Simon Puleston Jones combines his background in finance with his passion for sustainability to drive meaningful change in the energy sector. His sharp insights and unique perspectives, honed throughout his career as a financial services business leader, lobbyist, regulatory expert and lawyer, are invaluable to anyone keen on understanding the emerging realm of carbon markets. In this episode, Simon dissects the complexities of carbon markets, explaining their crucial role in incentivizing emission reductions and propelling the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In the latest episode of Energy Superheroes, we sit down with James Thomas, founder and CEO of Jet Connectivity. Unlike many ventures in the energy transition space that are banking on future profitability, James' innovative project is already turning a profit. Jet Connectivity is trailblazing a path in the energy transition by providing floating communications for offshore wind farms. In this episode, James sheds light on how Jet Connectivity is filling a significant gap in the energy sector while still making money.