The Watt Hour

What powers your phone, aircraft, satellites, robots, and modern infrastructure?In this first episode of The Watt Hour for 2026, American Lithium Energy’s Chief Strategy Officer, William Hadala, breaks down the true foundation of modern energy storage—the lithium-ion battery cell.This episode covers:What a battery cell really is (and why it matters)A simple history of lithium-ion technologyHow batteries evolved from consumer electronics to aerospace and advanced systemsWhy safety, performance, and reliability must start at the cell levelWhere energy storage is heading nextThis is a high-level, educational discussion designed for engineers, business leaders, students, and anyone who wants to understand how energy storage quietly powers the modern world.No hype. No jargon. Just clarity.Welcome to The Watt Hour.

The next war won’t be decided by missiles—it’ll be decided by batteries. From drones and directed-energy weapons to satellites and submarines, every system depends on stored energy. In this episode, we break down why U.S.-made battery cells are more than just components—they’re strategic assets. Learn how domestic production defines mission readiness, why foreign-made cells are becoming a liability, and what the Pentagon’s 2027 NDAA ban really means for defense, aerospace, and the industrial base.

In Episode 19 of The Watt Hour, host William Hadala takes you on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of American Lithium Energy's cutting-edge 18650 battery cell manufacturing facility. Discover how America is reclaiming energy independence through advanced lithium-ion battery production—engineered specifically for defense, aerospace, robotics, and mission-critical applications. Watch as raw materials transform into high-performance, NDAA-compliant power cells through precision processes including slurry mixing, electrode coating, cell assembly, formation cycling, and rigorous aging protocols. Learn how ALE's revolutionary SafeCore and Zero-Volt technologies are setting new standards for battery safety, reliability, and mission endurance—powering UAVs, military vehicles, satellites, space systems, and next-generation edge computing platforms. This is American battery manufacturing at its finest, delivering the energy solutions that protect national security and drive innovation forward.

Episode 17 of The Watt Hour explores “The Golden Dome”—a planet-scale security fabric powered by Made-in-USA energy storage, microgrids, and edge AI. We break down NATO flashpoints, the drone threat, counter-UAS defenses, and why 5th/6th-gen warfighters teamed with collaborative autonomous aircraft, vessels, and ground systems will define deterrence across land, sea, air, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum (LEO/MEO/GEO/cislunar). We connect law-enforcement tech for critical infrastructure protection, privacy-preserving edge intelligence, and a resilient domestic battery supply chain to show how energy and autonomy—done safely—can prevent wider war while uplifting civil resilience. If you care about microgrids, batteries, AI at the edge, and sovereign networks that actually scale, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more on energy, autonomy, and national resilience.

In this episode of The Watt Hour, host William Hadala sits down with Tanner Yackley, a former MQ9 UAV sensors operator and founder of Remote Warrior LLC. Tanner shares his journey from flying over 1,000 combat missions to transitioning into academia and launching a nonprofit that supports veterans. Together, they explore the evolution of UAV and drone technology, the critical role of battery and power systems in endurance and mission success, and the challenges of integrating UAVs into civilian airspace. The conversation also highlights counter-UAS strategies, directed energy developments, and the mental health struggles many veterans face after service. Learn how Remote Warrior’s initiatives, including Panic Packs, are helping veterans navigate anxiety and thrive in civilian life—while also hearing Tanner’s perspective on the future of drones and military technology.

In Episode 15 of The Watt Hour, we explore how in-situ logistics and additive manufacturing technology are redefining energy, defense, and space applications. From lunar regolith to disaster-zone materials, this episode uncovers how localized production, 3D printing, and advanced robotics will power resilient supply chains, accelerate space exploration, and transform how we think about sustainability, autonomy, and infrastructure on Earth and beyond.

In this episode of The Watt Hour, we dive into geothermal energy—Earth’s unseen power grid—and how it can transform the future of clean energy, AI, and national security. By combining geothermal baseload power with American Lithium Energy’s advanced lithium-ion batteries featuring SafeCore and Zero Volt technology, and HyperEdgeX immersion-cooled micro data centers, we explore a resilient, decentralized blueprint for powering AI, defense, and critical infrastructure. Learn how geothermal baseload generation, U.S.-made high-density battery storage, and edge interconnection create a sustainable, secure, and scalable energy ecosystem. Keywords: geothermal energy, Earth’s unseen power grid, American Lithium Energy, HyperEdgeX, edge data centers, AI infrastructure, clean energy, battery storage, SafeCore, Zero Volt, microgrids, national security.

In Episode 13 of The Watt Hour, William Hadala explores why hyperscale AI data centers could break the internet—and why the future belongs to decentralized Edge AI. From the lessons of mainframes and telecom to the urgent sustainability challenges of today, we reveal how companies like American Lithium Energy, HyperScaleX, and GridEdgeAi are rewriting the rules. Discover how edge computing, renewable energy, and battery-first design are making AI faster, cleaner, and more resilient. If you care about the future of artificial intelligence, energy, and sustainability, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.

In Episode 12 of The Watt Hour, we take you inside American Lithium Energy (ALE)—who we are, what we do, and why our story matters for the future of defense and aerospace. From 20 years of breakthrough R&D to scaling Made-in-USA manufacturing, ALE is delivering advanced lithium-ion batteries with unmatched safety, reliability, and performance. Learn how our technologies like SafeCore and Zero Volt Technology are powering systems across land, sea, air, and space—from directed energy weapons and UAVs, to satellites in orbit and next-generation eVTOL aircraft. This episode is more than our story—it’s about the future of energy security. The Watt Hour — Electrifying Earth and Beyond.

In Episode 11 of The Watt Hour, we sit down with Russ Van Der Werff to explore the groundbreaking technology of High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). We discuss how these aircraft deliver global connectivity, surveillance, and defense capabilities from the stratosphere, the integration of advanced battery cells and packs into their airframes, and the power needed for long-endurance missions. Discover the future of communications, disaster response, and clean energy integration as HAPS technology reshapes both commercial and military landscapes.