Electricity markets are more volatile than they have been in decades, and most customers are still being asked to make billion-dollar decisions by looking in the rearview mirror. In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan are joined by Deirdre Lord, co-founder of The Megawatt Hour (https://home.themwh.com/) and a longtime leader in energy analytics and market transparency. Together, they unpack why today's energy markets are behaving so wildly, from AI-driven demand growth and electrification to aging infrastructure, weather extremes, and the uneven pace of the energy transition. Deirdre explains why data and forecasting, not intuition or market hype, are now essential tools for commercial, industrial, and institutional energy users. She shares how better access to utility data can empower customers to manage risk, plan long term, and make smarter decisions about renewables, storage, and load management. The conversation also explores reliability myths, the limits of fossil fuel "certainty," the rise of winter peaking, and why transparency may be one of the most powerful and underestimated forces shaping the future of the grid. If you have ever wondered why your energy costs feel unpredictable, what is really driving market volatility, or how data can turn confusion into strategy, this episode is for you.

As the world accelerates toward clean energy, a new form of geopolitics is taking shape... One defined not by oil fields, but by lithium mines, rare earths, and battery supply chains.

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan talk about how critical materials are reshaping global power dynamics, with a focus on Ukraine. They explore how Russia's occupation of mineral-rich regions intersects with the clean energy transition, why China's dominance in processing lithium and cobalt rivals OPEC's influence, and what these shifts mean for energy security in a post-fossil-fuel world.

The conversation also examines Europe's decarbonization strategy, the hidden energy costs of refining critical materials, and the growing role of conflict zones as testing grounds for advanced technologies — including drones and smart weapons systems. From recycling and circular economies to the ethical risks of innovation driven by war, this episode offers a sober, deeply informed look at the materials powering both the energy transition and modern conflict.

In the Season Two premiere of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan step back from technology and markets to examine the geopolitics now shaping the global energy system. From U.S. intervention in Venezuela's oil sector to growing interest in Greenland's critical minerals, this episode explores how raw power politics are colliding with the energy transition.

Claire and Dan unpack why Venezuela's heavy crude matters at a time of global oversupply, what it would really take to revive its oil industry, and who stands to benefit economically. The conversation then shifts north to Greenland, where melting ice, shipping routes, and mineral resources are turning a once-remote landscape into a geopolitical flashpoint.

Along the way, Claire and Dan connect these moves to China's clean energy dominance, rising global tensions, and the question at the heart of today's energy debate: are we investing in the energy system of the past, or the one we'll need for the future?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shapes how electricity generation and transmission connect to the grid, yet most people rarely think about its impact. In this episode, Claire and Dan unpack the FERC's expanding authority over large load interconnection and what it means for renewable energy, data centers, reliability, and consumer costs. Claire and Dan examine how massive project backlogs are delaying clean energy deployment, why billions are being spent to keep aging coal plants online, and how outdated planning models are driving higher utility rates. The conversation also explores grid reliability, transmission bottlenecks, political influence, and why utilities, regulators, and policymakers struggle to modernize a system facing unprecedented demand from AI and electrification. This is a clear-eyed look at how the grid actually works, why reform is so slow, and what is at stake for affordability, climate goals, and America's energy future.

In this episode, Claire and Dan compare the energy landscapes of Europe and the United States and explore why the two regions have taken such different paths. They discuss how geography, underground resources, policy stability, and political priorities shape everything from fracking to solar adoption. The conversation moves from Europe's dependence on Russian gas to America's rise as the top fossil fuel exporter, the evolution of feed in tariffs versus renewable portfolio standards, and the political forces that complicate clean energy deployment on both sides of the Atlantic. Claire and Dan also examine the role of nuclear power, why France embraced it while Germany and California backed away, and how new investment strategies and shifting global alliances may shape the next generation of energy.

Claire and Dan break down why COP 30 in Brazil is struggling, with low turnout, fading commitments, and growing influence from fossil fuel interests. They explain what this means for global climate cooperation and the challenges facing the next round of negotiations. Claire and Dan also examine the reaction to Bill Gates' recent climate letter, clarifying what he actually argued and why many of his points about tradeoffs and green premiums are being misinterpreted. They highlight where renewable energy is already cheaper, and why the story is more hopeful than headlines suggest. Dan shares examples from his work in Africa, including Kenya's progress on renewable power, and the hosts close with a realistic look at political setbacks and where meaningful progress is still happening.

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