In this episode, our guest is Laura Jones, an electrical engineer, social scientist, and co-founder of the Circular PV Alliance. Laura walks us through the pioneering work behind Australia's first certification scheme for circular solar farms, CPVA Certified. From integrating circular economy principles into planning and operation, to practical reuse and repair strategies for PV components, Laura's insights are both grounded and forward-looking.

We also explore her research on virtual power plants (VPPs), the real-world challenges householders face when participating in energy markets, and how human behavior intersects with energy tech design. Laura shares valuable lessons from her projects on battery storage, vehicle-to-grid trials, and how equitable and thoughtful systems design can lead to more resilient and inclusive energy futures.

Please join to find more.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Danny Kennedy, a serial energy entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for distributed renewables. Danny shares his bold vision for a world powered entirely by solar energy and battery storage — a transformation he calls "Solar for Universal Need." Drawing on his experience leading startups and initiatives like the California Clean Energy Fund and New Energy Nexus, Danny explores the dramatic cost declines in solar and storage technologies and their role in reshaping how we electrify everything — from homes to transportation, boats, agriculture, and even cooking.

He highlights how developing countries like Pakistan and the Philippines are leapfrogging centralized grid models by deploying decentralized, low-cost energy solutions that empower citizens and communities. Danny also discusses the overlooked potential of maritime electrification, the role of AI and social media in accelerating learning and deployment, and the coming disruption of fossil-fueled infrastructure.

This is a wide-ranging, energizing conversation on how innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold action can help us navigate — and accelerate — the global energy transition.

Please join to find more.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Glenne Drover, a passionate energy professional and currently the Company Secretary at Yarra Energy Foundation. Though semi-retired, Glenne remains deeply active in shaping Australia's energy landscape through consulting, advocacy, and public engagement.

We discuss the evolving battery storage landscape, with Glenne providing rich insights into vanadium redox flow batteries, salt-based alternatives, and iron-air innovations. He shares his experience helping commercialize long-duration energy storage in Australia and beyond.

A major focus is on community battery projects, including Yarra Energy Foundation's pioneering work that inspired both state and federal programs supporting hundreds of installations across the country. Glenne also explores the role of electric vehicles in grid support (V2G), Australia's world-leading rooftop solar economics, and the emerging challenges of energy resilience in response to extreme weather and grid reliability.

This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for anyone interested in energy transition, grid innovation, or how local communities can take charge of their energy future.

Please join to find more.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Yongping Zhai, former ADB energy leader and now Senior Advisor at Tencent, leading their carbon neutrality strategy.

He shares his journey from early solar projects to driving green innovation in big tech—covering dramatic cost drops in renewables, the rise of AI in grid management, and why mindsets must shift for the energy transition to succeed.

Yongping also discusses Tencent's role in supporting frontier technologies like direct air capture, long-duration storage, and carbon-to-product solutions, all aiming for net zero by 2030.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Gavin Dufty, National Director of Energy Policy and Research at St Vincent de Paul Australia. Gavin brings decades of experience advocating for consumer equity in Australia's energy transition. He shares valuable insights on evolving from kilowatt-based billing to energy-as-a-service models, rethinking subsidy frameworks, and the importance of involving everyday consumers in shaping regulatory policy. From hot water as a battery to intergenerational equity in solar incentives, Gavin outlines the foundational frameworks needed to enable inclusive and effective decarbonization. His clear-eyed perspective and consumer-first approach make this a vital listen for anyone engaged in the future of energy.

Please join to find more.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Daan Boom, former Knowledge Management Specialist at ADB, who shares how knowledge systems have evolved—from early platforms like K-Map and E-Star to today's AI-driven environments.

He reflects on building a culture of learning within development institutions, his current work on climate resilience in Bangladesh, and how to stay intellectually and physically active in retirement.

A thoughtful conversation on knowledge, AI, and lifelong engagement.

Please join to find more.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Daniel Bleakley, co-founder of New Energy Transport, who shares how his team is building a vertically integrated, zero-emission road-freight company that can compete at diesel price parity by pairing electric trucks with on-site generation and smart participation in Australia's wholesale electricity market. He explains why heavy line-haul routes are the best first movers (diesel can be ~40% of operating cost), outlines initial operations between Sydney and the Illawarra before extending down the Hume to Melbourne, and describes early trials with customers starting in September. Daniel also highlights the system-level upside—using large truck batteries (≈600 kWh each) for vehicle-to-grid flexibility—and updates us on funding (a first raise just under A$1M in Nov, with grants and a follow-on round underway).

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Nordman, a long-time researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Bruce brings four decades of experience in energy efficiency and introduces his revolutionary vision for transforming how buildings use electricity, drawing strong parallels with the evolution of internet technology.

We explore the concept of "nanogrids," price-responsive appliances, and how a decentralized approach to energy, using price signals instead of commands, can reshape both on- and off-grid systems. Bruce highlights the untapped potential of DC power, the role of embedded intelligence in devices, and how smart automation can lead to a more resilient, efficient, and affordable energy future for everyone from California to remote villages in Asia and Africa.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Cheree Bonnici, a startup founder based in South Australia, and the driving force behind Topicks, a global content platform focused on community, education, and sustainability. Cheree shares the story behind creating a curated digital space where users choose what they learn—free from algorithms and noise. From solving content quality challenges with AI moderation to building safe spaces for user-generated insights on climate change, nutrition, and EVs, she dives deep into what makes Topicks unique. She also reflects on the entrepreneurial journey, balancing personal passion with persistence, and her aspirations for growing an inclusive, expert-led platform that fosters real connection.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Amie Vuyong. She works on AI-powered identity verification, AML, and fraud prevention, areas she frames as "compliance AI agents." She also shares how she used modern AI coding companions to turn a manual spreadsheet into a sleek personal finance web app, with expense tracking, budgets, and net‑worth views, built through iterative MVPs using Cursor/Windsor and GPT. Beyond tools, Amie and Sohail compare real‑world AI workflows (from content editing to prioritization systems), swap notes on NotebookLM for multi‑PDF research and auto‑generated explainers, and discuss autonomy, from AGI timelines to everyday safety moments in driver‑assist and robotaxis.

Connect with Sohail Hasnie:

• Facebook @sohailhasnie
• X (Twitter) @shasnie
• LinkedIn @shasnie
• ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie
• YouTube @energypreneurs
• Instagram @energypreneurs
• Tiktok @energypreneurs
• Spotify Video @energypreneurs