You don’t have to look far to see the vitriol and backlash ignited by the rapid expansion of hyperscaler data centers. While critics and activists tend to focus their ire on resource consumption and residents’ electricity bills, the reality of data center economics is far more complex.
In this episode of Catalyst, host Shayle Kann sits down with Andy ... Show More
Sep 3
What comes after the data center backlash?
In their early days, data centers were largely welcomed by communities who saw their arrival as an economic boost. Today as concerns around noise levels, power prices, water use, and AI grow, they face fierce opposition. In this episode, Shayle speaks to Brian Janous, co-founder ... Show More
47m 34s
Aug 27
The rise of metal fuels
Diesel generators remain ubiquitous because they offer an unusually powerful combination of low cost, high energy density, long-duration storage, and reliable off-grid power. But their pollution, noise, maintenance requirements, permitting challenges, and growing footprint are be ... Show More
40m 29s
Sep 2021
Will Direct-Air Carbon Capture Be Viable?
Carbon capture has long been criticized as too nascent, too expensive, and too distracting. Is that changing?This month, the Swiss company Climeworks officially launched a direct-air capture plant in Iceland, called Orca. The company has already signed deals with SwissRe, Bill Ga ... Show More
54m 8s
Jan 2025
Re-imagining the energy grid ... through batteries (Two Indicators)
When it comes to solar and wind power, renewable energy has always had a caveat: it can only run when the wind blows or the sun shines.The idea of a battery was floated around to make renewables available 24/7. For years, it existed as an expensive, little-used technology. Then i ... Show More
17m 49s
Jul 2023
What’s the next big trend in clean energy?
For decades, we have wildly underestimated the growth of renewables. Now that cost curves and deployments have exceeded all expectations, what’s next for the clean energy industry?
This week, we feature a conversation between journalist David Roberts and futurist Ramez Naam about ... Show More
52m 58s