More Power To You®️

Welcome to Part Three in a special six-part series of More Power To You, produced in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center for National Clean Energy Week 2018. Each episode spotlights a different clean energy technology, and features some of the people and companies leading the way in Maryland. 

In this episode we focus on distributed energy solutions. My guests are: 

• Geoff Oxnam, CEO of American Microgrid Solutions
• Eric Wachsman, Director of the University of Maryland Energy and Innovation Institute, and CEO of Ion Storage Systems
• Michele Mitch-Peterson, Senior Business Consultant at Honeywell

Our conversation covers a range of issues that all stem from the electricity transition we’re in the midst of—from the old, centralized power grid to a smarter, networked and more distributed grid. We discuss how new technologies and ways of integrating them can make the system more efficient; reduce carbon emissions; improve grid security, reliability and sustainability; and serve as a huge job creation engine.

Special Offer for MPTY listeners:

Next month, the Maryland Clean Energy Center is hosting its annual Maryland Clean Energy Summit, a three-day conference from October 8-10 in College Park. The conference focuses on cutting-edge technologies, modern business models, and innovative regulations and financing solutions to ensure a secure, resilient and transactive power grid. More Power To You listeners will get a 10 percent discount on registration if you enter the coupon code MPTY at checkout. 

Recorded July 23, 2010. Published September 25, 2018.

Welcome to Part Two in a special six-part series of More Power To You, produced in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center for National Clean Energy Week 2018. Each of these episodes spotlights a different clean energy technology, and features some of the people and companies leading the way in Maryland. 

In this episode, the second in the series, we focus on solar energy in Maryland. My guests are David Murray, Executive Director of MDV-SEIA; Cyrus Tashakkori, President of Open Road Renewables; and Corey Ramsden, VP of Go Solar at Solar United Neighbors. 

In our conversation we examine different segments of the solar industry including utility scale, residential rooftop, and the commercial and industrial sectors. We discuss the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and the importance of state policy in growing the industry; we look at energy equity issues, the economics of solar, and close with ahead towards next year’s legislative session.

References

• SEIA’s Solar Spotlight—Maryland fact sheet
• Benefits and Costs of Utility Scale and Behind the Meter Solar Resources in Maryland (April 10, 2018 Draft), Daymark Energy Advisors
• EARN Maryland
• GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
• CivicWorks
• Power52
• Clean Choice Energy

Special Offer for MPTY listeners:

Next month, the Maryland Clean Energy Center is hosting its annual Maryland Clean Energy Summit, a three-day conference from October 8-10 in College Park. The conference focuses on cutting-edge technologies, modern business models, and innovative regulations and financing solutions to ensure a secure, resilient and transactive power grid. More Power To You listeners will get a 10 percent discount on registration if you enter the coupon code MPTY at checkout. 

Recorded August 29, 2010. Published September 24, 2018.

Welcome to a special six-part series of More Power To You, produced in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center for National Clean Energy Week 2018. Each of these six episodes spotlights a different clean energy technology, and features some of the people and companies leading the way in Maryland. 

In this episode, the first in the series, we focus on Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment. My three guests all wear multiple hats: they run small businesses and also serve in leadership roles in industry associations.

• Nakita Reed is a Principal at Encore Sustainable Design and Chair of the Maryland Green Building Council
• Michelle Griffith, is a Manager at DeVere Insulation Home Performance and Chair of the Maryland Building Performance Association
• Michael Giangrandi is the owner of A.J. Michaels Company and Chair of the Maryland Alliance of Energy Contractors.

In our conversation we look at how the energy efficiency sector is a big employer of local jobs, but finding trained employees can sometimes be a challenge; and how standards and policy have driven change within the industry. We discuss different ways of financing energy efficiency upgrades, including the Empower Maryland program; we look at the unique challenges and advantages of older, historic properties; and we close with a look ahead and how the industry may continue to evolve. 

Special Offer for MPTY listeners:

Next month, the Maryland Clean Energy Center is hosting its annual Maryland Clean Energy Summit, a three-day conference that runs from October 8-10 in College Park. The conference focuses on cutting-edge technologies, modern business models, and innovative regulations and financing solutions to ensure a secure, resilient and transactive power grid. More Power To You listeners will get a 10 percent discount on registration if you enter the coupon code MPTY at checkout. 

Recorded July 23, 2018. Published September 23, 2018.

In this episode of More Power To You we explore the nexus of electrification, transportation and industrial marine ports. My guest is Christine Houston, Manager of Sustainable Practices at the Port of Long Beach, the 2nd largest port in the country and a national leader in electrification.

In our conversation we touch on a range of issues including why the Port is pursuing electrification in the first place, what’s involved in electrifying a massive marine port, the implications of electrification for managing load, and what port electrification and automation mean for jobs and workforce development.

References include:

• The Port's Energy Island Initiative brochure
• Video of the Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) at the Long Beach Container Terminal 
• POLB electrician training partnerships with Long Beach City College and IBEW: https://academy.polb.com/career/electrician/

Recorded August 23, 2018.

Published September 10, 2018. 

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More Power To You is sponsored by SemaConnect, the leading provider of smart, networked electric vehicle charging stations. SemaConnect’s integrated solution combines its elegantly-designed charging station with its cutting edge cloud-based network, making it easy for drivers to manage their charging experience on their laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Unlike some of its competitors, SemaConnect’s support for open standards and interoperability, combined with its robust dashboard, data analytics and reporting, make it an ideal solution for public utilities who want to manage and operate their own charging networks. And SemaConnect’s turn-key experience allows property managers to easily add and manage charging stations at their properties.

American-owned, SemaConnect designs, assembles and distributes all its products at its headquarters in Maryland. Learn more about SemaConnect and its best in class service and warranty at SemaConnect.com.

In this episode we take a regional look at energy efficiency in the Southeastern U.S. My guest is Mandy Mahoney, President of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, or SEEA.

We start off by discussing the concept of energy efficiency and what it means these days, and then dive into SEEA’s energy efficiency work in the South, including the energy equity work that SEEA is doing in high poverty and often rural communities. Mandy, a native-born Southerner, shares her perspective on some of the economic and cultural nuances that can make it challenging to advance energy efficiency and clean energy in the South, but we also explore some innovative approaches that work. We then get into some of the interesting ways in which SEEA is expanding its energy efficiency focus to include electric transportation, storm resiliency and even healthcare. We close with a preview of SEEA’s upcoming annual Conference which will be held in Atlanta this October.

Resources mentioned include:

• Collaboration: One Key to Arkansas' Success (slide deck by Arkansas PSC's Matthew Klucher
• Ouachita Electric Cooperative's HELP PAYS (Pay As You Save) Energy Efficiency Program
• Partnership for Southern Equity
• Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
• FORTIFIED Home™ standard for resilient construction
• ACEEE Rural Energy Conference
• fusion (2018 SEEA Conference)

Recorded August 22, 2018.

Published August 27, 2018.

Sign up for email news and updates from More Power To You. 

More Power To You is sponsored by SemaConnect, the leading provider of smart, networked electric vehicle charging stations. SemaConnect’s integrated solution combines its elegantly-designed charging station with its cutting edge cloud-based network, making it easy for drivers to manage their charging experience on their laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Unlike some of its competitors, SemaConnect’s support for open standards and interoperability, combined with its robust dashboard, data analytics and reporting, make it an ideal solution for public utilities who want to manage and operate their own charging networks. And SemaConnect’s turn-key experience allows property managers to easily add and manage charging stations at their properties.

American-owned, SemaConnect designs, assembles and distributes all its products at its headquarters in Maryland. Learn more about SemaConnect and its best in class service and warranty at SemaConnect.com.

This is the second of two episodes in which we look at clean energy advocacy and politics from different political points of view, as we approach November's midterm elections. This week we hear a progressive perspective from Craig Auster, PAC and Advocacy Partnerships Director at the League of Conservation Voters.

We begin the conversation with a discussion about what LCV is and does, and then get into the politics.

Show references include:

• Emily's List
• Rep. Terri Sewell
• H.Con.Res.119 (House Resolution opposing a carbon tax)
• Market Choice Act sponsored by Rep. Carlos Curbelo

LCV-endorsed Congressional candidates Craig mentioned:

• Dan McCready for Congress (NC)
• Sean Casten for Congress (IL)
• Mike Levin for Congress (CA)
• Dan Feehan for Congress (MN)
• Elissa Slotkin for Congress (MI)
• Abigail Spanberger for Congress (VA)
• Gina Ortiz Jones for Congress (TX)
• Elaine Luria for Congress (VA)

Recorded: July 27, 2018.

Published: August 6, 2018.

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More Power To You is sponsored by the Energy News Network. With original reporting on clean energy and daily digests of timely aggregated content, the Energy News Network is dedicated to covering America's transition to a clean energy economy. Subscribe for free to its regional services covering the West, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast, or to its national service—US Energy News—at energynews.us.

This is the first of two episodes in which we look at clean energy advocacy and politics from different political points of view. In today's show I sit down with Charles Hernick, Director of Policy and Advocacy at CRES Forum and its political arm, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, for the conservative perspective.

We begin the conversation with Charles explaining CRES Forum's goal and mission. Charles then discusses CRES Forum's National Clean Energy Week initiative, what it's all about and how people can get involved. We then switch gears and get more into the politics of clean energy, including how CRES engages with conservative candidates and how it frames the conservative message for supporting clean energy policies.

Some of Charles' articles:

• Global energy politics are front and center at the World Cup in Russia (The Hill, 6/24/18)
• Federal energy proposal will hike consumer costs in freezing winter (The Hill, 1/6/18)

Recorded: July 20, 2018.

Published: July 23, 2018.

Sign up for email news and updates from More Power To You. 

More Power To You is sponsored by the Energy News Network. With original reporting on clean energy and daily digests of timely aggregated content, the Energy News Network is dedicated to covering America's transition to a clean energy economy. Subscribe for free to its regional services covering the West, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast, or to its national service—US Energy News—at energynews.us.

In this episode we focus on data, analytics, artificial intelligence and their impact on the electric grid. My guest is Sonny Garg, Managing Director of Global Energy Solutions at Uptake. We start this fascinating and wide ranging conversation with a look at how data and predictive analytics are being used to maximize the uptime, productivity and efficiency of our existing generation fleet. We then explore some ways in which artificial intelligence and machine learning are enabling large scale defection from the grid, and how regulatory policy and incentives need to change to enable incumbents to evolve into a more decentralized and digital grid. We close the conversation by looking ahead and contemplating how utilities and the grid itself may be fundamentally different in the future.

Show references include:

• Untapped Energy: How the US Wind industry can produce more megawatts without new turbines (Uptake report)

• To keep the lights on in the digital age, regulatory model must reward innovation, published in The Energy Collective, April 30, 2018

Recorded May 30, 2018.

Published June 11, 2018.

Sign up for email news and updates from More Power To You. 

More Power To You is sponsored by the Energy News Network. With original reporting on clean energy and daily digests of timely aggregated content, the Energy News Network is dedicated to covering America's transition to a clean energy economy. Subscribe for free to its regional services covering the West, Midwest, Northeast and Southeast, or to its national service—US Energy News—at energynews.us.

In this episode of the podcast we focus on Alaska's unique energy landscape. Our guest is Chris Rose, Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, or REAP. We begin with an overview of energy in Alaska today, then delve into the unique way Alaska's grid operates without oversight from FERC—the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—and how reforming the grid's system-wide governance can improve efficiency and reliability and reduce costs. We look into the reasons behind the growth of renewable energy despite the lack of a statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard, including how Alaska's high energy costs can make new technologies more economical than in the lower 48 states, and we highlight an innovative flywheel energy storage system on Kodiak Island. We close with a discussion about how the national climate change conversation is playing out in Alaska, and look ahead by contemplating what Alaska's energy landscape may look like ten years from now.

Show references include:

• E&E News: On Kodiak Island, flywheels are in and diesel is 99.8% out by Margaret Kriz Hobson, June 10, 2016
• Midnight Oil, an 8-part podcast series from Alaska Public Media
• Climate Action for Alaska Leadership Team
• Island Institute in Rockland, Maine
• Cold Climate Housing Research Center
• Alaska Center for Energy and Power

Recorded: May 9, 2018.

Published: June 5, 2018.

Sign up for email news and updates from More Power To You. 

More Power To You is sponsored by the Energy News Network. With original reporting on clean energy and daily digests of timely aggregated content, the Energy News Network is dedicated to covering America's transition to a clean energy economy. Subscribe for free to its regional services covering the Midwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast, or to its national service—US Energy News—at energynews.us.

In this episode we look at the current landscape for community solar, including trends, financing models and case studies. We close with a prediction about the state of community solar five to ten years in the future. My guests are Dan Chwastyk, K Kaufmann and Jared Leader from SEPA, the Smart Electric Power Alliance. Three new reports from SEPA serve as the basis for our discussion. 

SEPA's reports referenced in the show:

• Community Solar Program Design Models 
• Financing Community-Based Solar Projects: Case Studies From The Field
• Value Stacking in Minster, Ohio

Other references include:

• Coalition for Community Solar Access 
• Fremont's Community Solar Farm information sheet
• Virginia's first community solar project earns national award (BARC Electric Co-Op press release)
• Energy Storage Snapshot, with Tanuj Deora and Nick Esch of SEPA (Episode 25)

Recorded May 11, 2018.

Published May 14, 2018.

Sign up for email news and updates from More Power To You. 

More Power To You is sponsored by the Energy News Network. With original reporting on clean energy and daily digests of timely aggregated content, the Energy News Network is dedicated to covering America's transition to a clean energy economy. Subscribe for free to its regional services such as Midwest Energy News or Southeast Energy News, or to its national service—US Energy News—at energynews.us.