Energy by MarketScale

The oil and gas industry has so much planning on the front end, but even with that type of thoroughness things can always go wrong. Accidents like Deepwater Horizon are on the front of everyone’s minds, and although tragic, they provide a huge learning lesson for how things can be done better.

Nathan Sumrall, Welding Engineer at Superior Cladding, points out that there is an urgency within the industry today that can lead to stress while trying to get everything done quickly but correctly.

As a child, he was fascinated with joining materials together, from super gluing fingers to playing with his dad’s welder. That has carried on through his B.A. in Welding Engineering and the five years that he has been in his important role at Superior Cladding.

“The justification for what we do in this company is the segue for so many challenges in oil and gas because parts either wear away or corrode away, and that’s where these claddings come in handy, because a piece of steel may have to last 20, 30, 40, 50 years and there’s a spot at the connection point where that product can wear away prematurely,” Sumrall said. “That’s where cladding fits in place.”

Water and electricity are essentials that many of us couldn't imagine living without. However, an astonishing number of people around the world don't have access to these necessities. According to recent statistics, 1.2 billion people worldwide don't have access to electricity and another 800 million don't have access to clean water.

Troy Billett and OffGridBox are doing something about it.

OffGridBox fills a 6X6X6 foot shipping container with everything needed to set up solar panels for electricity and water purification. Then, they're able to ship these containers anywhere in the world. Installation is fast and efficient, taking just three hours once the box reaches its destination.

These boxes have been used in remote villages, areas affected by natural disasters, and tiny house communities. "The idea is to have a modular system that is useful for each case. We can't assume that every place is going to need the same things," says Troy Billett, the U.S. Director for OffGridBox.

For many of the people who have benefited from receiving one of these boxes, having the necessities of life has opened up a world of possibilities. "It's not just about clean water, it's about what clean water and electricity allow people to do," says Billett.

Today's episode of the MarketScale Energy podcast takes a look at two renewable energy sources: solar and wind. As demand grows for these sources, people are coming up with creative ways to utilize this energy in a way that both teaches and saves money.

More and more, societal culture is emphasizing the need to be environmentally conscience. Everyday citizens are becoming more aware and socially active in their concerns for the air quality in their neighborhoods. Traditionally, legal standards have enforced monitoring ambient air for a standard criteria of pollutants, but this wide net is no longer sufficient.

Air quality is now a factor that can attract new residents, businesses, and, in some areas, tourism. This social push is setting a demand for more specific, and complex forms of monitoring. Companies such as CIMCON Lighting, and Ramboll’s Environment and Health Division are working to deploy sensor solutions that are flexible and can satisfy the unique goals for every region.

"We are really starting to see monitoring in new ways. Ways that are social and ways that are fueled by the public and public awareness," said Julia Luongo, Managing Consultant for Ramboll Group's Air Quality division. Luongo came on the podcast, joined by Chris Davis, Vice President of Smart Cities for CIMCON Lighting, to discuss what are the major reasons – regulatory, social, environmental, economic – that compel cities and utilities to measure environmental air quality, and what is driving the need for more distributed and granular air quality monitoring?

While the technology is growing in efficiency, the challenge deepens for city planners, as the amount of data can be overwhelming. The question now is how do cities process instrument data and provide meaningful solutions to its citizens.

Energy is essential to life as we know it. The planet is facing some big challenges when it comes to energy and many scientists are working away on how to remedy this. In this podcast, we talk to two academia experts on what the future of energy may be.

2019 is a big year for the energy industry. Companies are taking advantage of emerging tech like drones and machine learning to improve operations, we're doubling down on a renewable future, and continuing to see booming oil production in the Permian Basin to name a few things. It's definitely a year to watch out for.

Like any industry, seeing those changes come into play takes time and a lot of cutting through red tape. That's what our content explores on today's episode. How should you approach 2019 headstrong to get energy initiatives moving with vigor, and how should countries, municipalities and companies coordinate to make these energy initiatives a reality?

Today's MarketScale Energy Podcast Show hosts two varied features; one looking at the future of a familiar power source and its impact on local communities, and the other looking at the energy behind drones. We hear from Founder of BP Capital & TriLine Index Solutions Toby Loftin, who analyzes an article on MarketScale Energy that digs into the impact of increased production in the Permian Basin, and how one stretch of land is impacting not only Texas and New Mexico communities, but the global oil market.

We also get a drone-themed recap compilation of several MarketScale guests who we've sourced over the last year, looking at innovation in drone technology. Specifically, what's the best way to power them? Some say hydrogen fuel cells, others say battery power. We give them the platform to voice their opinions and insights, and show why thoughtful changes in drone power sources means more capable payloads.

Water is one of planet Earth’s most precious resources. We use water to keep our bodies hydrated, to clean ourselves, to water our crops, entertain ourselves, etc. And while it might seem like water is a limitless resource, the numbers say otherwise. Only 3% of Earth’s water supply is fresh, consumable water; that number could heavily decline if we don’t find ways to conserve water. Our water use hasn't even been stretched to its full capacity; growing fire destruction in California and continuing challenges in basic sanitation across the globe put us in a tricky position on how to move forward with thoughtful, efficient water us.

Joining us today is Klaus Reichardt, CEO of Waterless Co., inventor of the no-flush urinal, a product which has helped save venues like the Mercedes Benz stadium hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. "While the state of water is still good, we still have to be prepared for what's coming," Reichardt said. Reichardt knows first-hand how vulnerable the world or even just the United States can be with a limited and strained water supply. He provides insight on how his waterless invention came to be, the economic benefits of being a water conservationist, and what the state of water will be in the United States in the near future.