In this episode, Claire and Dan break down one of the most misunderstood challenges in modern energy: the duck curve. They explain why solar-heavy grids create steep late afternoon ramps in demand, how utilities currently struggle to manage them, and why battery storage is emerging as the critical solution.

They explore examples from California, Spain, Portugal, and beyond, and walk through the economics, developer challenges, and policy dynamics shaping solar-plus-storage today.

If you have heard of the duck curve but never fully understood it, or wondered why storage is essential for the clean energy future, this conversation makes it crystal clear.

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan unpack one of the most urgent and fast-evolving issues in the energy world: the explosive growth of data centers and the massive electricity demands driven by AI. From skyrocketing grid stress and 250% energy cost spikes in some regions to the surprising role of 747 jet engines as makeshift power plants, this conversation cuts through the noise and delivers clarity. Whether you work in tech, energy, or policy — or you're just curious about why your electricity bills might rise — this episode offers a grounded look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of power in America.

In part two of Energy Matters' series on what works—and what doesn't—in climate tech, Claire and Dan dig into how startups move from promising ideas to scalable, sustainable businesses. They explore the building blocks of success: operational excellence, smart capital strategy, competitive awareness, and proactive engagement with regulators and utilities. Through candid insights and real-world examples, Claire and Dan reveal how founders can avoid common pitfalls, adapt to shifting markets, and build the resilience needed to make meaningful change in the energy transition.

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan take a candid look at what separates successful climate tech startups from the ones that never make it past the prototype. Drawing from decades of experience in both business and science, they unpack real stories from companies like Enphase, CleanCapital, MiaSolé, and Ada Energy—exploring what great leadership, realistic market sizing, and sound unit economics look like in practice. From visionary founders and ego-free C-suites to flawed go-to-market strategies and overestimated demand, Claire and Dan reveal the patterns that determine whether a climate innovation scales or stalls. This conversation bridges the gap between the lab and the boardroom—and sets the stage for part two, next week, of their deep dive into startup culture. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

After a recent accident totaled her Prius Prime, Claire is in the market for a new car — but with a 6'5" husband, a narrow Baltimore parking pad, and strong opinions about trillionaire tech CEOs, the decision isn't simple. In this episode, Claire and Dan go head-to-head on hybrids vs. full EVs, cost of ownership myths, charging infrastructure reality (yes, even in small towns), and whether environmental impact truly favors electric. They dig into cobalt-free batteries, carbon payback timelines, and the surprising global innovation the U.S. may be shutting itself out of. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

At Climate Week 2025, the gap between climate tech innovation and U.S. policy has never felt wider. Claire and Dan unpack the week's biggest moments—from the president's incendiary comments to shifting ESG priorities, the rise of pragmatic energy realism, and how renewables continue to defy political narratives. Plus, insights from the Clinton Global Initiative and projects giving hope amid global backsliding. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

Claire and Dan explore whether nuclear power can truly help solve the climate crisis. They unpack the promise of small modular reactors, the reality of aging plants, and the long-term hope of fusion—balancing innovation, cost, and risk in one of energy's most polarizing debates. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

In this episode, Claire and Dan dive into the long-standing East Coast vs. West Coast debate... This time, it's all about energy. From California's pioneering climate policies, solar and EV mandates, and wildfire-driven grid challenges, to the East Coast's regional planning, offshore wind ambitions, and coastal resilience, we explore how each side of the country is shaping the future of clean power. Along the way, we unpack successes, setbacks, and surprising lessons each coast can learn from the other. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

Energy efficiency has been called the "first fuel" of the clean energy transition—cheap, effective, and proven. So why do Americans still overlook it? In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan unpack the history of efficiency from the 1970s oil crises to today's grid congestion and data-driven energy demand. They explore why utilities resist selling less power, why homeowners skip upgrades, and why low-income communities face the steepest bills. From 1970s tree-planting programs to today's smart thermostats, Claire and Dan show how efficiency could shift from "boring" to transformative—if we can overcome the split incentives and political barriers holding it back. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

Claire just returned from RE+ in Las Vegas, Dan just back from Beijing. We compare the U.S. private-sector deal frenzy with China's government-plus-industry energy push. Claire explains why developers and tax-equity players are racing to start construction before credits sunset, how much of the pipeline is real vs. grandstanding, and why battery storage was the talk of the floor (hello, duck curve). Dan reports on mega-scale grid building, EV battery swaps, and long-duration storage ideas (from sand to moving rock). We also look at community solar, interconnection bottlenecks, and what consolidation means for getting steel in the ground fast. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson & Dan Kammen More: energymatters.world