In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil introduces a keynote session from the Smart Energy Decisions Summer Forum featuring Dr. Wolfgang Bauer, where he tackles two vital questions: How much will it cost to replace all fossil fuels, and how much will we gain? With compelling data and economic analysis, Bauer outlines the feasibility of a complete global transition to renewable energy. He also explores energy efficiency, the capacity and costs of various renewable sources, storage technologies, and the consequences of inaction on climate, emphasizing that transitioning to renewables not only benefits the planet but also increases global prosperity.

 You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

Why “energy is money” and how pricing varies regionally (02:52)

Why energy conservation is the greenest energy strategy (03:44)

How much usable energy fossil fuels provide (08:35)

Capacity factors and costs of renewables (11:52)

The role of nuclear and emerging technologies (15:22)

Dispatchable renewables and storage solutions (18:15)

Making the case for a $32 trillion investment (22:13)

Rising global temperatures and dangers of climate inaction (25:21)

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Dr. Bauer has served in various capacities at Michigan State University, most recently as University Distinguished Professor and as President of the MSU Research Foundation. He is one of the authors of the MSU Energy Transition plan, owns renewable energy power plants, and has done extensive research and consulting on renewable energy sources. Dr. Bauer serves on the Advisory Board of Smart Energy Decisions.

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In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna welcomes Brian Janous, Co-founder of Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former leader of Microsoft’s global energy team. They explore the energy sector’s changing dynamics, driven by skyrocketing demand from data centers and a shift in emphasis from buying energy to securing capacity. Janous shares insights from his 25-year career in the power and utilities industry, highlighting the current strain on the grid, the role of utilities, and the importance of building energy resilience. 

For full episode show notes, click here.

Brian is the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Cloverleaf Infrastructure. Cloverleaf aims to solve the critical problem of expanding grid capacity to support the largest electric customer loads to spur economic growth and investment. Previously, Brian served as VP of Energy at Microsoft, supporting the development and execution of Microsoft’s global cloud and AI energy strategy. This included oversight of energy policy, procurement, renewable energy, distributed generation, and overall environmental impact. Prior to Microsoft, Brian worked as a consultant at Brubaker & Associates, assisting Fortune 500 companies with energy procurement, policy, and sustainability matters. 

Brian serves on the board of VEIR, a pioneer in superconducting transmission technology, and Protect Our Winters. He also holds advisory board positions with LineVision, a leader in dynamic line rating technology, LevelTen Energy, operator of the largest marketplace for renewable energy buyers, and the Institute for Energy Studies at Western Washington University. Brian holds an MBA from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Missouri.

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In this episode of Plugged In, Abhinav Krishna talks to Joe Hayden, Executive Vice President for North America at GridBeyond, to explore the evolving opportunities and challenges of energy flexibility in today’s world. As the conversation dives into how commercial and industrial customers can unlock new revenue streams and support grid stability through demand response programs, Hayden shares why traditional approaches to demand response are being replaced by data-driven, AI-enhanced, and incremental strategies — especially in industries like data centers, cold storage, steel and manufacturing. From the challenges of backup power integration to opportunities in real-time flexibility, Hayden explains where we are in the transformation of the grid’s generation and management of costly peak events, and breaks down how GridBeyond helps customers future-proof their energy strategies.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

To read full episode show notes, click here.

Resources:

Joe Hayden is the VP of Revenue for North America for Dublin, Ireland-based GridBeyond. He has led businesses supporting the electric utility sector for over 20 years and in demand response over the last eight years, during what has been the fourth major electricity grid transformation.

Connect with Abhinav Krishna

As Vice President of Commercialization and Development, Abhinav Krishna helps Constellation’s customers meet their environment, energy and operational goals. With deep experience coming from 15+ years spent at the forefront of the energy industry in leadership roles across Commercialization, Product Development, Structuring, Risk and many others, he continues to leverage his expertise in sustainability and energy markets to help companies meet their renewable energy and efficiency goals.

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In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Trevor Joelson, Enterprise Energy Services Account Executive at Trane, explores how organizations can secure funding for energy and sustainability projects by aligning proposals with business priorities and stakeholder needs. He outlines

 You will want to hear this episode if you are

●      Successful funding strategies for energy and sustainability projects (08:38)

●      Stacking incentives to improve project economics (16:34)

●      Importance of understanding organizational priorities (23:09)

●      Case study of EnerSys’ corporate leadership (27:12)

Resources:

●      Presentation Slides: “Stop Saying You Can’t Find Money for Energy & Sustainability Projects”

●      EnerSys Climate Action Plan Roadmap

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If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

This episode of Smart Energy Voices features a live conversation exploring the unique sustainability challenges and opportunities within sports and entertainment venues with Bill Squires, Board Member of Green Sports Alliance and Chief Venues and Operation Officer for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2024/New York & New Jersey Host Committee, and Danielle Doza, Senior Director of Sustainability for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The discussion, which was presented at SED Forum Spring 2025, highlights how organizations like GOAL and the Green Sports Alliance are helping sports teams lead with environmental responsibility and use their platform to influence sustainability at scale. Doza shares how the Cavaliers are embedding sustainability into their operations through data-driven energy management, internal culture change, and fan engagement efforts. She emphasizes the importance of shifting mindsets among long-tenured building operators and leveraging the competitive spirit of sports to drive sustainable innovation. Squires reflects on his experience managing large venues like MetLife Stadium, underlining the critical role of ownership buy-in and the financial case for sustainability initiatives. 

For full episode show notes, click here.

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In this episode of Plugged In, Chuck Hanna welcomes Rich Powell, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), to discuss the future of grid infrastructure and associated emerging technologies. Powell highlights the importance of enhancing the current grid through innovative technologies like dynamic line rating, advanced conductors, and virtual power plants. He emphasizes the need for better utilization of existing assets and explores how grid-enhancing technologies can improve efficiency and support clean energy generation. Powell also touches on the role of policy shifts in enabling these advancements, sharing insights into the ongoing legislative efforts around tax incentives for clean energy. He stresses the potential impact on electricity prices and the importance of maintaining support for new clean energy generation.

For full show notes, click here.

Resources:

Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA)

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Rich Powell is the CEO of Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA). Prior to CEBA, he was the CEO of ClearPath and ClearPath Action, the DC-based organizations advancing policies that accelerate breakthrough innovations to reduce emissions in the energy and industrial sectors. Powell advises policymakers on investing wisely in energy innovation, removing roadblocks to building and exporting American clean energy and industrial technology, and maintaining and promoting our flexible clean energy resources. He frequently testifies before Congress on climate change and energy innovation.

His work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, FoxNews.com, Washington Examiner, The Hill, Morning Consult, RealClear Energy, and several regional publications. His views are regularly featured in national publications including the National Review, NPR, Politico, USA Today, Axios, E&E, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, LA Times, Houston Chronicle, MIT Tech Review, Bloomberg, Green Tech Media, Utility Dive, the Guardian, and many others. Powell serves on the boards of the 2040 Foundation and the Conservative Climate Foundation, is a Strategic Advisor to the Silverado Policy Accelerator, and is part of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s Advisory Group. Rich served on the Advisory Committee to the Export Import Bank of the United States from 2019 to 2021.

Previously, Powell was with McKinsey & Company in the Energy and Sustainability practices. He focused on corporate clean energy strategy, government low carbon growth strategy, and clean tech market entry.

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Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart RadioIf you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Andrew Dempsey, Director of Climate at REI, about the cooperative’s evolving approach to sustainability. Andrew shares REI’s commitment to local and accessible renewable energy and how the co-op is working to ensure its energy procurement has meaningful community impact. They explore the growing convergence of energy and climate within corporate structures, and how REI’s climate strategy is directly tied to protecting the outdoor experiences that define its brand. Andrew discusses the role corporates can play in advancing climate solutions beyond compliance by leading with voluntary commitments and supporting innovation.

For detailed show notes, click here.

• On LinkedIn

Andrew Dempsey is the Director of Climate at REI, where he focuses on driving transformational change throughout the organization by leading the co-op’s climate, energy, and waste strategies. His work is centered on achieving impactful outcomes for REI’s business, employees, and broader community of members. Prior to REI, Andrew worked at Google, focusing on sustainable design and organizational strategy at the intersection of technology, experience, and human health. Andrew holds a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In today's episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna speaks with Kyle Tafuri, Vice President of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health, about the organization’s ambitious sustainability initiatives. Kyle shares perspectives on balancing long-term environmental goals with the immediate challenges of operating a healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships, incremental progress, and innovative solutions like offsite solar, carbon capture, and geothermal energy. He also discusses Hackensack Meridian Health’s proactive approach to supply chain sustainability, energy efficiency, and patient-centered environmental strategies.

For detailed show notes, click here.

•  On LinkedIn

Kyle Tafuri, Vice President of Sustainability at Hackensack Meridian Health, is not just a leader in healthcare sustainability – he's a visionary. For over a decade, Kyle has been instrumental in weaving sustainability into the very fabric of Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), transforming the health system into an industry leader in environmental responsibility.

Under Kyle's leadership, HMH and its hospitals were the first in the country to receive the Joint Commission Sustainability Certification. The flagship hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, has been recognized as one of the top 25 green hospitals by Practice Greenhealth for nine consecutive years. All of HMH’s hospitals are in the process of implementing 30 MW of on-site solar and battery storage, which is the most of any health system in the U.S. His dedication to green building, sustainable food practices, waste reduction, and responsible purchasing has set a new standard for healthcare institutions nationwide.

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Matt Howard, Vice President of Water Stewardship at The Water Council, for perspectives on the evolving landscape of water stewardship and its critical role in corporate sustainability. From record-breaking droughts to new regulations, Matt unpacks the challenges companies face, strategies to build resilience, and why water stewardship goes beyond conservation.

For detailed show notes, click here

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Matt Howard oversees The Water Council’s stewardship initiatives including WAVE: Water Stewardship Verified, water stewardship advisory services and comprehensive professional water stewardship training. Previously, TWC helped establish the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) System globally with specific oversight of North America. Matt created the world’s first professional credentialing program for water stewardship professionals and made the business case for use of the International Water Stewardship Standard (“AWS Standard”) in the North American marketplace. His 15+ years in sustainability program development and management include serving as Milwaukee’s sustainability director and leading sustainable manufacturing initiatives during his time in Washington, D.C., where he worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce and as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has an MA from George Washington University and a BA from Valparaiso University. He is AWS and Lean Six Sigma accredited and serves on the WELL Water Advisory and the Wisconsin Governor’s Wetlands Study Council. He served on the U.S. EPA’s National Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technology from 2014 to 2019.

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In this episode of Plugged In, Chuck Hanna speaks with Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director at CBRE Data Center Solutions, about the evolving data center and AI landscape. They discuss the rapid growth of AI and its significant impact on data centers, including the shift from large training models to inference-based AI and private AI, which demands more distributed, latency-sensitive facilities in urban areas. Pat emphasizes the growing need for infrastructure investments in connectivity and power to support AI advancements and cloud growth. They also explore the challenges of meeting energy demands, the emergence of enterprise-built data centers, and innovations in sustainable practices–offering a forward-looking perspective on the industry’s exciting trajectory.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

For full episode show notes, click here.

Connect with Pat Lynch

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Pat Lynch, Executive Managing Director for CBRE’s Data Center Solutions, acts as an advisor, advocate, and partner in navigating the dynamic technology needs for his clients. Pat and his team of professionals develop custom mission-critical strategies that address specific industry challenges and help meet business objectives. Through creative problem-solving and transaction structuring, clients experience improved reliability and expense management, and operational efficiencies. CBRE’s Data Center Solutions has experienced significant growth under Pat’s leadership, resulting in a diverse client base in terms of size and industry.

Prior to joining CBRE in 2011, Pat led global real estate services for a number of technology companies including Level 3 Communications, Carlyle Group/Coresite, First Data Corporation, and MFS Communications. Having successfully completed multimillion-dollar transactions for site acquisitions and developments, his professional acumen includes data center and mission-critical facilities, global corporate service delivery, portfolio optimization, and leadership as a senior manager. Pat volunteers as a coach for a competitive junior high boys basketball team. He also serves on the board for the rocky mountain region chapters of the Association for Data Center Management (AFCOM) and CoreNet Global.

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If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].