Hardware to Save a Planet

In order to meet demand peaks, utilities often have to fire up dirty power plants, essentially generators that burn extra fuel per unit of electricity. So the electricity from those peaker plants is not only the most expensive but also has the highest emissions of any electricity on the grid. But now there’s a solution on the horizon.
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett speaks with Mia Rath, co-founder and CTO of Lumindt, about how solid-state hydrogen storage is transforming commercial energy. They explore how metal hydride batteries decouple power from energy capacity, enabling long-duration, cost-effective storage. Mia explains why this approach outperforms lithium-ion systems, slashes operating costs, and reduces peaker-plant emissions. Listeners will gain insights into scaling hardware innovation, material breakthroughs, and strategies for resilient, on-site renewable energy deployment.
What you will learn:

• How to decouple power and energy in battery systems 
• Why metal hydride storage beats compressed and cryogenic hydrogen 
• The material science principle driving Lumen's competitive advantage 
• How to build a resilient on-site energy strategy for data centers and warehouses
• Why iterative hardware manufacturing is non-negotiable for startups 
• How to navigate permitting advantages in emerging energy technologies

Mia Rath is the Cofounder and CTO of Lumen, a pioneering energy storage company developing novel solid-state hydrogen battery technology for commercial applications. With a background in aerospace engineering and materials science from Georgia Tech, Rath has leveraged her expertise in advanced materials to create an innovative solution that decouples power and energy in energy storage systems.
Hardware to Save a Planet is brought to you by Synapse. We are a global product development and engineering firm that partners with visionary companies to design, develop, and realize breakthrough hardware and AI-powered innovations that advance climate technologies.
To learn more about Synapse and potential business partnerships we offer outside of the podcast, please visit: https://www.synapse.com/contact/  to get in touch!
Episode Resources:

• Mia Rath on LinkedIn
• Lumindt Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Globally, we burn as much fossil fuel heating homes as we do driving cars, yet home heating rarely gets climate attention, even though it drives massive energy use, grid strain, and raises household costs.
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett speaks with Dan Yates, CEO and Chairman of Dandelion Energy, about why geothermal heat pumps may be the most overlooked solution in residential decarbonization. Dan explains how tapping the stable temperatures beneath our feet can slash home energy consumption, dramatically reduce peak electricity demand, and outperform air source heat pumps during extreme weather. 
He shares how Dandelion cut system costs through builder partnerships, making geothermal viable at scale, and why utilities increasingly see it as a grid-stabilizing asset. The conversation explores how hardware innovation, smart incentives, and new business models can align to make clean, electric home heating both affordable and practical.
What you will learn:

• How to cut residential heating energy consumption in half with geothermal energy
• Why peak load reduction is the grid's real crisis, and geothermal can cut it by 75%
• The mobilization cost breakthrough that unlocked geothermal affordability
• How federal tax credits combined with state incentives are creating opportunities
• The hidden retrofit challenge blocking decarbonization
• Why behavioral economics from Opower predicted geothermal's current rise

Dan is a mission-driven entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to the environment. Dan is the CEO and Chairman at Dandelion, the largest and fastest-growing residential geothermal company in the US. He is also a board member of NRDC (the leading US environmental advocacy organization), co-owner of e-commerce company The Spice House, and an active tech investor. Previously, Dan was co-founder and CEO of energy efficiency software company Opower. Dan led Opower through a $1Bn+ IPO (NYSE:OPWR) in 2014 and its sale to Oracle in 2016. Opower has helped consumers save more than 35 terawatt hours of energy, making it a top-five residential clean energy company. Dan has been recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, one of Fortune's 40 under 40, and a Washingtonian Tech Titan.
Episode Resources:

• Dan Yates on LinkedIn
• Dandelion Energy Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify 

 Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this special year-end episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett explores how the rapid expansion of technology and data centers to support it is accelerating some of the most important climate tech breakthroughs of the decade.

Dylan revisits insights from eight innovators shaping the future of grid capacity, renewable power, long-duration storage, hydrogen backup systems, thermal batteries, and low-carbon construction materials. 

As energy demand from technology infrastructure and data centres surges, these technologies are proving essential for building resilient, sustainable infrastructure. This recap highlights the hardware, economics, and engineering advances that will define how data centers can scale, without overwhelming the planet.

Here’s a list of guests featured in this episode:

• Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of Span
• Anders Korsgaard, Co-founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies
• Inna Braverman, Co-founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power
• Ted McKlveen, Co-founder and CEO at Verne Global
• Nehali Jain, VP of Strategy and Growth at Antora Energy
• Curtis VanWalleghem, Co-founder and CEO of Hydrostor
• Sandeep Nijhawan, Co-founder and CEO at Electra
• Greg Williams, VP of Products at Sublime Systems

Arch Rao is unlocking hidden grid capacity through real-time digital load management, proving that smart controls, not costly upgrades, can support rising data centre demand. Anders Korsgaard is tackling the complex system integration challenges of fuel cells and electrolyzers, showing why hardware innovation requires longer, more deliberate development cycles. Inna Braverman is transforming underused coastal breakwaters into wave-energy generators, aligning clean power production with the surge of coastal data centre buildouts. Ted McKlveen is replacing polluting diesel backup generators with hydrogen systems, turning data centres into clean, grid-supporting power assets. Nehali Jain is advancing thermal batteries that charge rapidly on cheap renewables and discharge steadily over 24 hours, smoothing data centre demand with far lower storage costs. 

Curtis VanWalleghem is deploying long-duration compressed air storage that delivers both cost-effective energy and critical synchronous inertia, solving grid stability challenges that batteries cannot address. Sandeep Nijhawan is achieving cost-parity green steel by leveraging low-grade ore, flexible renewable consumption, and ultra-pure iron pricing to eliminate the traditional cost premium. Greg Williams is delivering cost-competitive green cement by avoiding emissions through process innovation rather than relying on expensive, incomplete carbon capture.

Episode Resources:

• Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of Span
• Anders Korsgaard, Co-founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies
• Inna Braverman, Co-founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power
• Ted McKlveen, Co-founder and CEO at Verne Global
• Nehali Jain, VP of Strategy and Growth at Antora Energy
• Curtis VanWalleghem, Co-founder and CEO of Hydrostor
• Sandeep Nijhawan, Co-founder and CEO at Electra
• Greg Williams, VP of Products at Sublime Systems
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Recycling human waste rarely makes the sustainability spotlight, yet our current recycling system flushes away 32 billion gallons of fresh water and the nutrients that could replace a quarter of global fertiliser demand.
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett speaks with Taylor Zehren, co-founder and CEO of Wasted, about how rethinking human waste can unlock a powerful circular sanitation economy. Zehren explains how urine-diversion technology turns porta-potties into nutrient-recovery hubs, reducing water waste, cutting emissions, and replacing a significant share of global fertilizer demand. She highlights why separating waste at the source outperforms traditional wastewater treatment, how Wasted’s model transforms disposal costs into revenue, and why cultural shifts, starting with educating children, are essential for scaling sustainable, nature-inspired sanitation systems across homes, venues, and communities.
What you will learn:

• Why urine diversion at the source outperforms end-of-pipe nutrient recovery
• How to leverage existing logistics infrastructure to scale nutrient collection
• The biomimicry principle behind separating waste streams
• How to design for adoption without requiring behavioral change
• Why circular business models create better unit economics than linear waste disposal 
• The cultural and psychological power of making nutrient cycles visible

Taylor Zehren is the cofounder and CEO of Wasted, a circular sanitation company reimagining how we collect, treat, and repurpose human waste. With a background in biology and international development work through her Fulbright scholarship, Taylor founded the nonprofit Do Good Shit to deploy sustainable waste management systems in remote outdoor locations before scaling her impact through Wasted. She combines scientific rigor with biomimicry principles to tackle one of society's most overlooked climate challenges: transforming sanitation infrastructure into a nutrient recovery system.
Episode Resources:

• Taylor Zehren on LinkedIn
• Wasted Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Decarbonizing maritime shipping is critical for a sustainable future, but conventional engines and fuel systems have long been a bottleneck. Anders Korsgaard and his team at Blue World Technologies are on track to change that. 

Join Dylan Garrett on this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, as he welcomes Anders Korsgaard, Founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies, to discuss how methanol fuel cells are transforming the industry. Drawing on decades of expertise in fuel cell systems, Anders explains how high-temperature PEM fuel cells convert liquid methanol into clean electricity with 20–25% improved efficiency over conventional engines. He shares why methanol is emerging as the preferred green fuel for shipping, how waste heat recycling boosts system performance, and the practical challenges of retrofitting versus new-build vessels. From forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Maersk to scaling hardware solutions for hard-to-abate sectors, Anders reveals what it takes to make sustainable maritime shipping both economically viable and technologically feasible.

What you will learn:

• How methanol fuel cells achieve higher efficiency than conventional maritime engines 
• Why methanol is emerging as the preferred green fuel for maritime shipping 
• The technical breakthrough of using waste heat to improve overall system efficiency
• How fuel cells can reduce green fuel consumption by 20-25%
• Why retrofitting existing ships presents different challenges than new builds 
• The critical role of industrial partnerships in scaling hardware climate solutions 
• Why liquid fuels will likely remain crucial for long-distance maritime shipping 
• How the intersection of renewable energy infrastructure and fuel cell technology enables reliable power generation in remote locations

Anders Korsgaard is the Founder and CEO of Blue World Technologies, a leading innovator in methanol fuel cell technology for maritime and stationary power applications. With a PhD in fuel cell systems and over two decades of experience in sustainable energy, Anders has dedicated his career to advancing clean, efficient alternatives to combustion engines. Under his leadership, Blue World is partnering with global industry leaders like Maersk to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and enable the transition to sustainable shipping.

Episode Resources:

• Anders Korsgaard on LinkedIn
• Blue World Technologies Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify 

 

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Updating home electrification is key to a sustainable future, but outdated electrical infrastructure has long been a bottleneck. Arch Rao and Span are out to change that.
Join Dylan Garrett on this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, as he welcomes Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of SPAN, to discuss how his company is reinventing the humble electrical panel for a modern, electrified home. Drawing on his experience at Tesla Energy, Arch explains how SPAN’s smart panel enables homeowners to monitor, control, and optimize their energy use, without costly service upgrades. He shares how SPAN is helping accelerate the adoption of solar, EVs, and batteries through intelligent load management and design aesthetics. From forging utility partnerships to scaling hardware manufacturing, Arch reveals what it takes to build climate-impactful hardware and unlock the next era of smart home energy systems.
What you will learn:

• How SPAN's smart panel eliminates the need for expensive electrical service upgrades 
• Why the electrical panel is the key integration point for managing home energy loads
• How SPAN achieved product-market fit through both utility partnerships and direct consumer adoption
• The "Systems Architecture" approach to avoiding over-engineering 
• Why design aesthetics in industrial design matter for infrastructure products 
• How digital power control systems can unlock 1.4x more backup power from existing home batteries
• Why infrastructure solutions should deliver economic value independent of policy incentives
• The importance of deep domain expertise and conviction when building hardware 
• How utilities are embracing smart panels as cost-effective alternatives 
• Why focusing on designing interoperable products vs. closed ecosystems leads to broader market impact

Arch Rao is the Founder and CEO of SPAN, a pioneering company revolutionizing home electrical infrastructure through smart panel technology. With a background in mechanical and automotive engineering, Arch previously served as a leading product executive at Tesla Energy, where he played a crucial role in developing the Powerwall and other energy storage solutions. His expertise spans energy conversion technologies, product development, and sustainable infrastructure design. Under his leadership, SPAN has transformed the traditional electrical panel into an intelligent energy management system that enables widespread adoption of solar, batteries, and electric vehicles in homes.
Episode Resources:

• Arch Rao on LinkedIn
• SPAN Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify 

 Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Wave energy has the potential to provide up to 66% of U.S. electricity needs, but offshore systems have long struggled with cost, durability, and scalability. All that is about to change.

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes Inna Braverman, founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, to explore how her company is making wave energy commercially viable through an innovative onshore approach. Inna shares her personal journey from surviving the Chernobyl disaster as an infant to becoming a pioneer in clean energy at just 24. She explains why building on existing coastal infrastructure reduces costs and risks, how wave energy’s 90% availability rate complements solar and wind, and why focusing on achievable early markets is key to scaling climate tech.


What you will learn:

• How personal experience inspired a mission to develop clean energy solutions
• Why onshore wave energy systems offer significant advantages 
• The strategic value of starting with existing coastal infrastructure 
• How wave energy could provide up to 66% of U.S. energy needs while creating jobs
• Why wave energy's 90% availability rate makes it an excellent complement to solar 
• How regulatory innovation and demonstration projects are paving the way for commercial-scale wave energy
• Why focusing on achievable early markets is crucial for climate tech innovation
• The pathway to reducing wave energy costs to $0.05/kWh at the commercial scale
• How strategic partnerships are accelerating wave energy adoption

Inna Braverman is the founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power (Nasdaq: WAVE), a pioneering company revolutionizing renewable energy through onshore wave technology. She co-founded the company at 24, leading it to install the world’s first grid-connected wave energy array and secure a 404.7MW project pipeline. Recognized by Wired, Fast Company, and the United Nations for her innovation and impact, Inna’s journey, from surviving the Chernobyl disaster as an infant to becoming a global clean energy leader, embodies her resilience and vision. 


Episode Resources:

• Inna Braverman on LinkedIn
• Eco Wave Power Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify 

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Solar panel costs have dropped 90% in the past two decades, transforming clean energy from subsidy-dependent to economically viable on its own. If we care about scaling climate tech, we need to understand the role of economics, policy, and geography in shaping which solutions thrive.


In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes Pavel Molchanov, Investment Strategy Analyst at Raymond James, to share insights from his 20 years of studying energy markets. Pavel explains why economic viability is more important than technical breakthroughs, how different regions demand different solutions, and why climate adaptation will be essential. He offers a clear-eyed view of what it really takes for climate tech to achieve global impact.


What you will learn:

• How solar panel costs dropped 90% in 20 years and what this teaches us about technology scaling
• Why policy support isn't the end-all, be-all for climate tech success
• The key differences between "carrot" and "stick" climate policies 
• How geography and local conditions determine the optimal mix of climate solutions 
• Why economic viability, not just technical feasibility, is crucial for climate tech success
• How AI is both driving massive energy demand and enabling better grid management 
• Why adaptation strategies will be crucial for the next 20-40 years 
• How consumers can take meaningful climate action through EVs, solar adoption, and dietary choices

Pavel Molchanov is an Investment Strategy Analyst at Raymond James, focusing on energy, climate, and basic materials. With over two decades of experience, he began covering renewables in 2006 and is recognized as one of Wall Street’s leading voices in climate tech investing. A frequent guest on CNBC and Bloomberg, Pavel connects policy, science, and markets across sectors like solar, EVs, hydrogen, and carbon capture. He also serves on multiple advisory boards and supports global climate and sustainability initiatives.


Episode Resource

• Pavel Molchanov on LinkedIn
• Raymond James Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

The fashion industry produces 97 million tons of waste each year, and is responsible for 10% of global emissions and 20% of freshwater pollution. If we care about our planet, we need to take a closer look at sustainable fashion, and that is where Ravel enters the picture.

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes Ravel cofounders Zahlen Titcomb and Kristen Albrecht to discuss their breakthrough textile recycling technology. By recycling polyester and blended fabrics with 59% less energy while matching the price of virgin materials, Ravel is proving that sustainability can scale. They share insights on market-driven solutions, industry adoption, and transforming one of the world’s most polluting industries.

What you will learn:

• Why fashion's 97 million tons of waste and 10% of global emissions needs urgent innovation
• How Ravel's recycling technology achieves 93% lower environmental impact 
• Reaching price parity to drive widespread adoption of sustainable materials
• Why focusing on blended materials creates unique market advantages in recycling
• How supply chain integration and practical demonstrations drive industry acceptance 
• Why successful climate solutions must work within existing market systems 
• Maintaining material value rather than destroying and rebuilding in recycling processes
• Why collaboration with industry incumbents accelerates sustainable transformation

Zahlen Titcomb and Kristen Albrecht are the co-founders of Ravel, a pioneering company revolutionizing textile recycling through innovative polyester recycling technology. Zahlen brings extensive textile industry experience as the former co-founder of Five Ultimate, a leading ultimate Frisbee apparel brand, and BAM Boxers. Kristen's background in apparel supply chain design and sustainability, including running her own apparel company, provides crucial insights into industry challenges and solutions. Together, they've developed a groundbreaking non-destructive approach to recycling blended fiber materials that reduces energy consumption by 59%, CO2 emissions by 32%, and water usage by 90% compared to virgin polyester production.

Episode Resources:

• Zahlen Titcomb on LinkedIn
• Kristen Albrecht on LinkedIn
• Ravel Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett welcomes Ted McKlveen, co-founder and CEO of Verne, to discuss hydrogen’s rising role in clean power generation. They dive into Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen storage technology and its potential to replace diesel generators, especially in data centers and remote areas. Ted explains why hydrogen may be a practical and scalable solution for supporting the electrical grid and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, like trucking, by offering both economic and environmental benefits in the race toward a cleaner energy future.

What you will learn:

• Why hydrogen is essential for complementing the electrical grid rather than replacing it
• How cryo-compressed hydrogen storage achieves higher density at lower costs 
• Why data centers represent a massive opportunity for clean backup power
• The economics of hydrogen power generation and why it's becoming cost-competitive 
• How novel hydrogen production methods can achieve costs between $1-3 per kilogram
• Why power generation applications offer better economics for hydrogen adoption 
• How advances in materials science enable safe storage of hydrogen 
• Why replacing diesel generators with clean alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent 

Ted McKlveen is the Co-founder and CEO of Verne, a company innovating in hydrogen storage and transportation technology. With a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford, Ted brings deep expertise in renewable energy and climate solutions. His background includes roles at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and Bain & Company, along with recognition as a Breakthrough Energy Business Fellow.

Episode Resource:

• Ted McKlveen on LinkedIn
• Verne Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn