Cleantech Talk

CleanTechnica's Zach Shahan, Scott Cooney, and Derek Markham talk about how much has changed in the cleantech revolution in the past 16 years, from solar power to electric vehicles to biodiesel.

KJ Gimbel, founder and CEO of Xcelerate Auto, talks with CleanTechnica about the benefits and obstacles to electrifying government fleets, including police fleets. This is a true deep dive into the culture and process in public sector fleet management and leasing.

We recently spoke with Carina Brockl, Chief Revenue Officer at Aurora Solar, about the effect the Inflation Reduction Act is having on the US solar industry. On a less positive note, she also talked about "Net Energy Meting 3.0" in California and high interest rates. She talked about trends in the solar industry and effectively making solar sales. There's much more, too. Listen to the whole podcast!

CleanTechnica talks with Milad Davoodi, COO of Xcelerate Auto, about EV myths, real-world EV charging needs, road trips and towing with EVs, EV battery life and replacement, and extended warranties for EVs. Listen in for a lot of fun anecdotes as well as great information!

In this episode, CleanTechnica's Zach Shahan talks with Markus Flekenstein, Head of ARENA PLM International-PreSales at PTC; Varena Junge, co-founder of Yook; and Tim Klenner, Supply Chain Manager at ProGlove about a partnership between these companies to cut supply chain emissions. By seamlessly integrating Arena's cloud-based PLM with ProGlove's solutions and leveraging Yook's carbon footprint analysis platform, the collaboration optimises your product lifecycle development. This synergy not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to a more environmentally conscious and carbon-efficient approach.

Aimée Christensen, Founder and CEO of Christensen Global, talks with CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney about climate crisis, resilience, and highlights from the recent COP28 conference. Aimée Christensen brokered the first ever bilateral agreement on climate change between the US and another nation (Costa Rica, in 1994), and has helped build the sustainability platforms for, among others, the United Nations, Microsoft, Google, and Virgin, where she helped Sir Richard Branson develop the Carbon War Room.

Dr. Ray Gallant discusses the variety of grid-connected, off-grid, and portable charging products currently available for construction as well as what’s in the works. He will also touch on how innovation in charging technology is benefiting both on- and off-road EVs. Also, on the heels of Volvo CE publishing its own brand-agnostic software protocol for 48V off-board DC chargers so that other OEMs and suppliers may use it in the development of their own charging solutions, Ray discusses the importance of collaboration throughout the industry and along the entire supply chain for progress on decarbonization and the technology that supports it.

For many organizations, Scope 3 emissions not only make up the highest amount of their total emissions footprint but are also the most difficult to address. According to Deloitte's Sustainability Action Report, 86% of companies reported challenges just MEASURING it, let alone ACTING on reducing it. Join Dave Rimkus, Associate Director of Supply Chain Renewables at Schneider Electric; Vishnu Nair, Head of Operations for Zeigo Activate; and CleanTechnica's Jo Borras as they unpack why Scope 3 is so complicated, and what to do about it.

Building upon the first podcast with Volvo CE, this episode will take a deeper dive into electric construction equipment. Much of the talk around EVs has applied to on-road use, but off-road vehicles are a significant contributor to global warming too. In fact, the buildings and construction sectors combined account for 38% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Electric construction equipment is starting to be used globally as a way to address this issue. Dr. Ray Gallant will share the current landscape of the technology and what advancements are on the horizon, what fleets need to know about switching to electric machines, why it’s important to start reducing off-road emissions now, and how electric machines are opening up new opportunities for companies. He'll also touch on why this matters to all audiences, even those not in the construction industry, because many organizations work with partners in their value chain who use construction equipment.

Meeting the targets needed to avoid the worst effects of global warming is going to take an integrated and comprehensive effort. When it comes to EVs, that means we need to focus on more than just electric cars. Other vehicles, including construction equipment, are part of the solution. This podcast will touch on the trends that are changing the world — urbanization, sustainability, political instability, technology — and where Volvo Group is headed to help address these: connectivity, automation and electromobility, with a focus on emobility. It will also introduce the topic of electric construction equipment (early use cases and the potential) which will be expanded on in the second podcast.

To reach net zero, corporations need to power their operations with renewable energy. What solutions are available to achieve this? A combination of expert advice and software can accelerate the clean energy transition. Katie Mills, Head of Zeigo Power, and Meghan McIntyre, Senior Energy Analyst & Business Strategy Lead at Zeigo Power, join Zach Shahan, CleanTechnica CEO, for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from the best practice for how companies should approach decarbonizing their business operations, to how corporations secure contracts with clean energy projects, and, finally, where they see the PPA industry going.

This episode explores the dynamic landscape of the home solar market. We dive into the current challenges, including a downturn in publicly traded solar stocks and shifting demands in major markets like California. Despite these hurdles, there's a noticeable shift towards solar and battery systems. Looking ahead, we anticipate significant trends such as the rise of micro-grids and a spike in demand due to environmental concerns and advancements in solar technology. We also discuss the “15-cent rule” and its implications for solar adoption. We examine incentives for homeowners, including federal tax credits and state-level initiatives, particularly the burgeoning solar storage market set for growth in 2024. Innovations in solar products, such as efficient solar panels, and energy storage. The episode further addresses how solar products enhance energy security, offering homeowners a dependable power source and reducing grid dependence. We also discuss the projected growth of the US solar market, which is exp

Decarbonization is today’s challenge for everyone. When it comes to making serious inroads in reducing emissions, there are leaders, there are laggards, and there’s everyone in between. Join Ian Lawrence, Zeigo Network Manager, and Zach Shahan, CleanTechnica CEO, as they discuss the need for corporate leaders to build connections and learn about decarbonization tactics to make real progress. Discover how software can empower action through education, connections, and actionable opportunities.

Visiting family members who don't believe in climate science for the holidays? Here are some tips on how to talk to them at the big family dinner table.

Cristy Hatter, VP of Brand at Lectric eBikes, sits down with CleanTechnica's Scott Cooney to talk about the best selling eBikes in the USA and CleanTechnica's 2023 Holiday Wishbook. Fun fact: after Tesla's top selling Model Y and Model 3, Lectric eBikes are the 3rd best selling EVs in the USA! Learn more in the full podcast.

The Charging Interface Initiative Inc. (CharIN Inc.) and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) have teamed up to advance electric vehicle fast charging and interoperability. Erika Myers, Executive Director at CharIN North America, and Reuben Sarkar, CEO of ACM, talk with CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan about EV fast charging.

Laura Eve, VP, SaaS Sustainability Solutions for Zeigo, a suite of decarbonization software solutions, talks with CleanTechnica's Jo Borras about the corporate decarbonization imperative. 42% of Fortune 500 companies have set a major climate milestone for 2030, or have achieved one already (up 11% from last year). But what does decarbonization actually entail, why is it so hard, and how can software help businesses achieve their goals?

In this episode, CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan talks with Sara Nichols from the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition about drag racing an electric school bus with a diesel school bus, a funny thing bus drivers don't like about electric buses, EV charging and EV adoption in rural North Carolina, how clean cities coalitions can help lead the EV revolution, and more.

Electriciens sans frontières (Electricians Without Borders or EWB) is a French international aid nonprofit organisation, which has impacted the lives of millions of people over the last 30 years in more than 40 countries. Targeting the most isolated and vulnerable, it improves their access to safe, sustainable, and clean energy and water, for public services (education, health) and income-generating activities. As a result of winning the 2020 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Energy category, EWB has been able to extend clean energy access to 23,000 rural, low-income Madagascar residents and beyond. In this episode, CleanTechnica CEO Zach Shahan interviews Tania Chauvin, Senior Project Manager, Electriciens Sans Frontières.

Fires happen. Battery fires happen. Mishaal SyedNaveed, Fire Protection Engineer at Wartsila, and Noah Ryder, Managing Partner at the Fire & Risk Alliance, discuss how to do more to prevent fires at grid-scale battery storage facilities.