In this episode, Wes Ashworth sits down with Matt Ward, President of EticaAG, for a deep dive into one of the most critical frontiers in clean tech today—battery safety. From the U.S. Navy’s nuclear engineering ranks to spearheading next-gen energy startups, Matt’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. And his latest mission? Making lithium battery fires a thing of the past.

EticaAG’s immersion-cooled, non-flammable lithium battery technology borrows from 100+ years of transformer design to deliver safe, scalable, and efficient energy storage solutions. It's not just innovation—it’s reinvention with real-world roots.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The origin story of EticaAG—a transpacific joint venture born from one pivotal conversation
• How dielectric oil and immersion cooling make thermal runaway a non-event
• Why this tech thrives in high-risk environments
• The trade-offs of safety vs. energy density, and why context is everything
• How U.S.-based battery manufacturing in Pennsylvania is fueling economic growth and supply chain resilience

What’s Next for Storage?

Matt doesn’t shy away from the big questions. From decentralizing the grid with microgrids, to supporting AI and EV-driven demand spikes, to future-proofing with fusion and long-duration storage—he paints a vision where energy isn’t just transitioning—it’s expanding.

He shares bold perspectives on:

• The misconceptions about battery safety
• Scaling challenges and the promise of standardization
• How tariffs, trade, and technology are converging in a volatile yet opportunistic moment

Leadership & Lessons:

From his startup mentality to embracing persistence and curiosity, Matt unpacks:

• The cultural shift needed to move fast in a slow-moving industry
• Why listening to customers beats pushing products
• His advice for newcomers: “Educate yourself, reach out, and don’t give up.”

Key Takeaways:

• Energy storage isn't optional—it's the backbone of electrification, resilience, and grid modernization.
• Safety will define the next wave of innovation, and EticaAG is leading the charge.
• We must support utilities, standardize interconnections, and invest in resilient infrastructure.

Whether you're deep in the clean energy space or just curious about how batteries power everything from data centers to Mars dreams, this episode delivers sharp insights and real-world solutions from one of the sector’s most forward-looking leaders.

Links: 

• Matt Ward on LinkedIn
• EticaAG's website

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

• Email: [email protected]
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