PI Energy Podcast

Today we have Brendan Reed on the podcast, the Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs at the San Diego Airport Authority. 

Brendan shares his impressive work on mitigating climate change by keeping the San Diego airport as sustainable as possible. He explains how he and his team are following a carbon neutrality plan to help guide the airport to reduce emissions. 

We discuss how an airport works as a city, and how being mindful of all parties can help contribute to the goal.

Finally, we look at the future, and compare the old to new implementations being used, to fully utilize the stored energy from solar power to battery energy storage systems. One great takeaway from this episode is that we all can contribute, which Brendan demonstrates from their program “ The Good Traveler” which guides everyday travelers to do their part. 
Learn more here: https://thegoodtraveler.org/aviation-partners/san-diego-international/ 

This week´s guest on the podcast is Caroline Trowbridge, Project Manager at Metrus Energy and Boardmember at Women in CleanTech & Sustainability.

Caroline shares her experiences in working at San Fransisco-based Metrus Energy, and how they help mitigate climate change. She explains how their service helps their customers to reach their sustainability target and bring up the challenges they work to overcome. We discuss the high demand for solar power and other new energy-efficient solutions that can increase a business´ economy. 

Finally, we discuss how Caroline is shedding light on women in her industry by creating a central platform for women to come together. We look at the future, and how diversity equity inclusion has increased opportunities for a more equal CleanTech industry. 
Check out their website: https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/


Make sure you give it a listen! 

Phil interviews Franz Hochstrasser, Co-founder and CEO of Raise Green. Franz tells us about the necessity for a platform like Raise Green, where individuals can take ownership of local projects that benefit the community and the environment. He also discusses his path to get here on the team of the Obama campaign and position at the USDA where he was part of the Climate Action Plan creation. You can find about more about Franz’s company Raise Green at https://www.raisegreen.com/. You can find out more about the basics of Regulation CF funding and the benefits it can give to small businesses at https://www.sec.gov/smallbusiness/exemptofferings/regcrowdfunding.

Phil interviews Jimmy Jia, founder of the Jia Group.  
Jimmy discusses his holistic approach to energy and explains how it is done by looking at the organizational structure and how they look at energy use itself. With his consultancy, they help companies align their strategies from the ground facility to the board level,  creating better energy outcomes. 
He also shares how his observations inspired him to write "The Corporate Energy Strategist´s Handbook". 
Check out Jimmy´s book here  https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Energy-Strategists-Handbook-Sustainability/dp/3030368378 

Phil interviews Renee Yarmy, Program Manager of Energy and Sustainability for the Port of San Diego. She discusses the role the Port plays in a city’s economy and maintaining of some of its most vital resources, the success San Diego’s Port has had meeting their Climate Action Plan, and the development of new technologies such as microgrids to continue innovating and improving. She also shares how the Port interacts with other groups within San Diego, including the Navy, airport, and Universities. Check out more on the Port of San Diego’s Energy and Sustainability Program here: https://www.portofsandiego.org/environment/energy-sustainability/energy

Phil interviews Jason Anderson, President and CEO of Cleantech San Diego. They discuss the role San Diego plays as an unexpected but growing player in the clean energy and technology realms, and how the organization works to provide mentoring, funding, and community outreach. Learn how Cleantech is not just about the environment, but has an important economic role as well. Find out more about Cleantech San Diego at https://cleantechsandiego.org/

Phil interviews Dr. Austin Sendek, founder and CEO of Aionics. Dr. Sendek tells us why AI and ionics make sense together and how they can improve technology development in many fields and how his company does this with batteries, plus how a lab joke turned into trying to name a standardized unit based on some Northern California slang. Find out more about Aionics at https://www.aionics.io/

Phil interviews Lee Krevat, board member of PI Energy and former Sempra Energy Director of SmartGrid, and they discuss Lee’s work developing new technology programs for utility companies using solar to power an EV fleet, solar entrepreneurship, and what it takes to be an improv musician. Check out Lee’s podcast The Climate Champions: https://climatechampions.podbean.com/, and see the episode with Phil and fellow board member David Andresen: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-i2cr8-a60996

Phil interviews Hans Janzon, president of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce (SACC), whose San Diego branch focuses on Clean Tech/Renewable Energy and Life Sciences and bringing together small businesses in both countries, creating a collaborative environment to work towards common goals. Hans discusses the path forward for developing and financing these types of technologies. Learn more at the SACC Green Connections conference: http://www.sacc-sandiego.org/green-connections.html

Phil interviews David Andresen, a board member of PI Energy and longtime friend who was part of the company’s conception, and discusses how he was introduced to the concept of renewable energy, and how that evolved, and what challenges it has faced.  David spends most of his time in the realm of commercialization, strategy and corporate finance of next-generation sustainability technologies, including PI Energy. You can find about more about him:  http://ecotechadvisors.com/davidandresen