Most Americans have never heard of their state’s public utility commission—yet these low-profile regulatory bodies control over $200 billion in annual utility spending and directly influence the price you pay for electricity and gas. In this episode of Energy Changemakers, host Elisa Wood sits down with Charles Hua, founder and executive director of PowerLines, a national nonprofit pushing for smarter, more consumer-centered utility regulation.
Together, they unpack the eye-opening findings of PowerLines’ latest national survey with Ipsos, revealing a rare bipartisan consensus: Americans across political lines feel powerless about their utility costs—and most don’t know where to turn for solutions. Charles explains why this regulatory opacity persists, what it means for energy affordability and the economy, and how PowerLines is working to modernize an outdated system for a more inclusive, transparent, and effective energy future.
If you’ve ever looked at your utility bill and wondered, Why is this so high—and who decides this anyway?, this episode will give you the clarity (and motivation) to learn more.
What You’ll Learn:
Why state utility commissions wield more power over your wallet than you think
The real drivers behind rising electricity and gas bills (hint: it’s not what you expect)
How regulatory systems can evolve to center consumer voices
The uphill battle of participating in public utility commission meetings—and what needs to change
Why both policy insiders and everyday Americans need to care about this issue now
Opportunities to engage with Power Lines and push for a more equitable grid
Charles Hua is the founder and executive director of PowerLines, a nonprofit organization working to make the utility regulatory system more accountable, equitable, and responsive to American consumers. With experience at the U.S. Department of Energy and Berkeley National Lab, Charles brings deep policy expertise and a practical mission: ensuring that the energy system works for everyone – not just insiders.
📧 Contact Charles: charles@powerlines.org
Resources & Links:
Learn more about state Public Utility Commissions: NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners)
Join the Energy Changemakers community: EnergyChangemakers.com
As uncertainty looms over the future of the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), many in the distributed energy sector are concerned about how to keep solar and storage projects economically viable. In this episode, host Elisa Wood sits down with Gareth Evans, CEO of VECKTA, to unpack his recent analysis that offers surprising—and hopeful—insights.
Gareth’s findings challenge conventional wisdom: solar and storage projects can still achieve a viable return without the ITC—but only if we radically rethink how these systems are structured. Elisa and Gareth discuss real-world project comparisons, the importance of optimization, and how resilience and cost savings are quickly becoming more compelling motivators than sustainability branding alone.
If you’re navigating the complex landscape of decentralized energy, this conversation is a must-listen.
Guest Bio:
Gareth Evans is the CEO of VECKTA, a leading SaaS platform and marketplace that empowers businesses to design, evaluate, and deploy profitable and resilient onsite energy systems. With a focus on removing soft costs and increasing project viability, VECKTA’s technology enables companies to analyze their full portfolio of assets, optimize energy strategies, and connect with qualified suppliers—all while saving time, money, and emissions. Gareth brings decades of experience in clean energy innovation and is a vocal advocate for practical, scalable solutions in the transition to decentralized power.
Learn more: www.veckta.com
Key Topics & Highlights:
• [00:00–03:00] Introduction to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and why it’s on shaky ground
• [03:00–06:00] What VECKTA does: a SaaS platform and marketplace to de-risk and scale onsite energy
• [06:00–10:00] The IRA’s impact on distributed energy—how it shifted the global energy conversation
• [10:00–14:00] Real-world analysis: how project viability changes with and without the ITC
• [14:00–17:00] Why optimization—not just solar saturation—is the key to post-ITC success
• [17:00–20:00] What types of businesses are leading the charge (hint: it’s not who you’d expect)
• [20:00–25:00] Resilience vs. sustainability: changing motivations in a high-risk energy landscape
• [25:00–27:00] Quantifying resilience: how to prevent costly outages
• [27:00–29:00] The future of decentralized energy—why Gareth remains optimistic, ITC or not
Resources & Mentions:
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) summary: White House Overview
• American Society of Civil Engineers Grid Report: ASCE Infrastructure Report Card
• Energy Changemakers Community & Newsletter: energychangemakers.com
Call to Action:
If this conversation inspires you, be sure to:
• Subscribe to The Energy Changemakers Podcast on your favorite app
• Leave a review to help more listeners find us
• Join our newsletter at energychangemakers.com
• Follow VECKTA for more insights into optimizing your energy future
Together, we can shape a cleaner, more resilient grid—one project at a time.
Across America, sunny driveways are abundant yet surprisingly overlooked as potential power generators. Now, a Florida-based startup, Gismo Power, is pioneering a remarkable innovation: a portable, plug-in solar EV charger called the MEGA – or Mobile Electricity Generating Appliance.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers Podcast, host Elisa Wood talks with Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt, CEO and mechanical engineer, and her parents and business partners, electrical engineer Achim Ginsberg-Klemmt and operations specialist Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt. Together, this activist entrepreneurial family is challenging both conventional wisdom and outdated regulations to create a new category of solar technology designed specifically for renters, small businesses, and anyone seeking greater energy independence.
The MEGA is more than a typical solar installation—it’s an appliance that plugs directly into your home’s electrical system. Because it’s mounted on wheels, the MEGA avoids the high costs and red tape associated with permanent rooftop or ground-mounted systems. This unique approach has already attracted early adopters across the U.S., from tech enthusiasts to Native American communities looking for energy sovereignty.
But innovation is only half the battle. Gismo Power faces complex regulatory hurdles, as most jurisdictions lack a legal framework for “plug-in” solar devices. Elisa’s conversation with the Ginsberg-Klemmt family reveals the challenges—and potential solutions—in navigating local permitting processes, utility approvals, and shifting attitudes toward decentralized renewable energy.
Ultimately, the Ginsberg-Klemmt family sees the MEGA as not just a technological breakthrough but as a path toward energy democracy—making clean power accessible and affordable for the millions of Americans who have been historically left out of the solar revolution.
Join Elisa and the Gismo Power founders as they discuss the science, the struggles, and the exciting future of distributed solar energy, one driveway at a time.
Guests:
Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt, CEO of Gismo Power, Mechanical engineer and recipient of the Ozy Genius Award and winner of SXSW Innovation Award in the student innovation category
Achim Ginsberg-Klemmt, vice president of engineering at Gismo Power, Electrical engineer specializing in renewable technologies.
Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt, vice president of operations, leading communications, regulatory strategies, and community outreach.
Explore Further:
• Learn more about Gismo Power: gismopower.com
• Read about Utah’s groundbreaking plug-in solar legislation (HB 340)
• Discover the work of Red Cloud Renewables: redcloudrenewable.org
Join the conversation:
Subscribe to our newsletter and become part of the community working toward an equitable, decentralized, and clean energy future at energychangemakers.com.
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are often overlooked, misunderstood, or underrepresented in discussions about the future of the electric grid. In this episode, host Elisa Wood explores why DERs—like rooftop solar, batteries, small wind turbines, and community energy projects—are so critical to building a decentralized, resilient, and equitable energy system.
Elisa shares why she founded Energy Changemakers and how this platform fosters meaningful conversations with industry leaders about the transformation of the electricity system. She also discusses the major barriers to widespread DER adoption, from regulatory hurdles to misconceptions about their role in the energy mix.
This episode features insights from leading voices in the energy sector, including:
• Erika Ginsberg-Klemmt (vice president of operations, Gizmo Power) on the economic benefits of owning distributed energy systems.
• Bill Prindle (principal, Better Energy Advisors) on the challenges of valuing DERs.
• Lorenzo Kristov (grid architect) on the need for bottom-up energy planning.
• Cameron Brooks (E9 Insights) on the importance of distribution system planning to support DER growth.
Key Takeaways
• DERs offer unique advantages – They provide backup power, are faster to install than traditional power plants, and reduce electricity loss by generating power closer to where it’s used.
• Ownership matters – Local communities that invest in DERs can control their own energy sources and keep financial benefits within their community.
• Regulatory change is needed – Current policies favor large-scale energy projects, but a shift toward valuing DERs and integrating them into local planning can drive meaningful change.
• The grid must evolve – With the rise of EVs, batteries, and solar power, the distribution grid needs modernization and better integration strategies.
Join the Energy Changemakers Community
If you’re passionate about decentralized energy and want to be part of the conversation, consider joining the Energy Changemakers community. Visit energychangemakers.com to:
• Attend free events
• Subscribe to the newsletter
• Join the premium community for exclusive content and networking opportunities
Connect & Subscribe
• Subscribe to Energy Changemakers Podcast on your favorite platform
• Leave a review to help spread the word about DERs
• Follow us online at energychangemakers.com
Together, we can accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more decentralized grid.
How do you make an ambitious clean energy goal a reality that benefits an entire community? In this episode, we sit down with Cody Hooven, principal and co-founder of Evolution Affairs, to explore how she led the charge in creating San Diego Community Power—now the second-largest Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in the U.S.
From navigating policy and financial hurdles to engaging local stakeholders and launching during the turbulence of COVID, Cody shares the behind-the-scenes story of what it takes to build a more decentralized, community-driven energy future. She also discusses the growing role of local governments in energy decision-making, the unique advantages CCAs offer over traditional utilities, and why community engagement is the key to lasting change.
Tune in to learn how CCAs are shaping the future of energy—and how communities across the country can take control of their power.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers
00:27 Meet Cody Hooven: The Force Behind San Diego's Community Choice Program
01:57 Understanding Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)
04:48 The Growth and Challenges of San Diego Community Power
11:40 Navigating Financial Hurdles During COVID-19
14:16 Lessons Learned and Advice for Future CCAs
23:24 The Role of CCAs in Distributed Energy
29:41 Future of CCAs and Energy Transition
33:30 Cody Hooven's New Venture: Evolution Affairs
35:25 Conclusion and Call to Action
🔗 Learn More & Join the Conversation: EnergyChangemakers.com
AI is driving up power demand, but how much and how fast remains under debate. Bulls warn we’ll need far more electric power than we’re poised to produce. Bears say utilities inflate the numbers and don’t account for the efficiencies technology tends to achieve over time.
The debate heightened recently when DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, announced that it had developed a more efficient AI large language model. This model purports to perform as well as US models but uses far less computing power and, therefore, less electricity.
This is a big deal because the power industry has been planning and investing based on the idea that AI will increase electric demand significantly.
So, exactly how much influence will DeepSeek have on electricity demand? In an interview with Energy Changemakers’ Elisa Wood, Rich Miller, former editor and founder of Data Center Knowledge and Data Center Frontier, explains why neither the bulls nor the bears are correct.
Miller also describes the growing innovation of data centers, their increasingly important role in energy, and why they could transform the utility industry.
Stay until the end, when Miller unveils the surprising results of a poll he conducted with his data center industry followers.
***
Elisa Wood: “My world loves distributed energy, and I'm curious if you're seeing much of a push towards onsite energy for data centers?”
Rich Miller: “That is the million-dollar question. And in fact, that is the most important trend that I think we are seeing right now, largely because we have this sort of log jam where many data center operators want much more energy than they're going to be able to get from the utilities in the short term.”
Visit EnergyChangemakers.com for content and community on the grid edge.
Bill Prindle, principal of Better Energy Advisors, told us what distributed energy resource (DER) companies don’t get about utilities in episode 1 of this two-part series. Now he looks at the other angle — what utilities don’t get about distributed energy players.
It’s a clash of business cultures: Utilities have historically operated as monopolistic, cautious, heavily regulated entities. DER companies are innovative, often disruptive, scrappy and highly competitive. And they have to work together.
Prindle is uniquely qualified to describe the nuances of how these two entities interact. He’s worked with both for many years in roles at ICF, the American Council on an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Alliance to Save Energy.
Here we look at the sometimes uneasy relationship between utilities and distributed energy companies as new challenges emerge in the electric sector, including flattened demand growth, DER integration, regulatory shifts, and evolving business models.
—“For decades, utilities operated in a happy economic environment—demand grew, rates decreased, and everyone benefitted. But the game has changed.” – Bill Prindle
—“The industry isn’t just about engineering and regulation; it’s also a fascinating study in culture and personality.” – Elisa Wood
With an expensive push underway to build large power plants and transmission to meet growing electric demand, energy efficiency is gaining new importance. Creating more negawatts (energy reduction) reduces the need to build new energy infrastructure, saving everyone a lot of money.
Despite its benefits, energy efficiency has always been a “little engine that could” technology trying to overcome market obstacles. Now it faces problems collecting fair compensation in wholesale markets because of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling.
Guest Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, dives into the specifics of the ruling, its implications for wholesale capacity payments in the PJM market and the broader ramifications.
Be sure to listen to the end to hear Glover’s analogy explaining how energy efficiency is like cooking a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s spot on. (We recorded this podcast just after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday)
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers
00:28 The Impact of FERC's Decision on Energy Efficiency
01:43 Interview with Paula Glover: Insights on Energy Efficiency
04:31 Defining Energy Efficiency in Today's World
06:07 The Role of Demand Response in Energy Efficiency
07:50 Understanding Capacity Markets
17:11 Alliance to Save Energy's Current Focus
22:30 The Importance of Energy Efficiency Messaging
25:24 Conclusion and Call to Action
Join Energy Changemakers for content and community on the grid edge.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers podcast, host Elisa Wood discusses the concept of non-energy benefits with Roger Lin, Senior Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity. They explore the importance of valuing the social, environmental, and community impacts of energy decisions, which are often overlooked in traditional energy planning. California's efforts to incorporate non-energy benefits into energy resource planning are highlighted, including the ongoing proceedings and potential outcomes. The conversation delves into the challenges of quantifying these benefits, the problems with current least-cost optimization methods, and the broader implications for climate justice and energy resilience.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers
01:16 Understanding Non-Energy Benefits
02:13 Interview with Roger Lin
05:24 California's Non-Energy Benefits Proceeding
19:10 Challenges and Opposition
34:01 Future Implications and Broader Impact
36:45 Conclusion and Call to Action
Join Energy Changemakers for content and community on the grid edge.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers podcast, host Elisa Wood interviews Russell Lowes from Arizonans for Community Choice. They explore the potential of Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs in transforming local energy. Russell shares his journey from high school activism to becoming an author who influenced the fate of a nuclear power plant in Arizona. The conversation delves into the mechanics of CCE, their benefits over traditional utility models, and the specific efforts to bring CCE to Arizona. Russell outlines the environmental and economic advantages of CCE, discussing obstacles, the role of utilities, and the broader implications for energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers
00:37 Guest Introduction: Russell Lowes
02:11 Russell's Journey in Energy Activism
03:55 The Impact of Russell's Book
05:59 Challenges of Nuclear and Fossil Fuels
07:48 Understanding Community Choice Energy (CCE)
13:20 Promoting CCE in Arizona
15:18 Utilities vs. CCE: The Business Model Conflict
20:59 Benefits of CCE Over Traditional Utilities
29:55 Future of CCE and Legislative Efforts
34:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Join Energy Changemakers for content and community on the grid edge.
In an interview with Elisa Wood, veteran energy innovator Steve Pullins, CEO of ResSET, unveils his latest venture, a highly unusual sustainable apartment building in Ann Arbor, Michigan, set to be entirely off-grid. While foregoing a grid connection isn’t typical, especially for a city building, Pullins maintains it’s time to think of the electric grid as just one of several energy options, not the default.
Called South Town, the project strives to reduce housing costs using several novel strategies, including providing a shared electric vehicle fleet for building occupants. Pullins also designed the energy system based on the kilowatts actually used by appliances — not the generic nameplate ratings — which led to significant energy savings.
Pullins hopes to see the model replicated, a necessity, he says, given that the world’s building footprint will double over the next 40 years, threatening climate goals without radical change in commercial construction.
CHAPTERS
0:06
Introduction to Energy Changemakers
1:25
Off-Grid Living in Urban Settings
3:18
The Multifamily Housing Project
5:23
Addressing Challenges in Energy Supply
8:52
Innovative Approaches to Energy Costs
13:04
Rethinking Energy Resources
16:41
Navigating Utility Regulations
21:04
Electric Vehicles and Shared Mobility
24:18
Energy Efficiency and Affordability
26:20
Transforming Construction Practices
33:17
Advanced Energy Management Systems
34:46
The Future of Renewable Natural Gas
48:21
Building Resilience in Energy Systems
52:02
Demand Flexibility as a Resource
53:38
Conclusion and Community Engagement
Join Energy Changemakers for content and community on the grid edge.
At one point in Awesense’s history, CEO and Founder Mischa Steiner was in a serious accident when riding his bike. While he was still recovering, his company was named in a lawsuit, lost investors, and faced an audit.
It was a dark period, but the company made it through and navigated its way into a key energy transition market. Using its “digital twin on steroids,” Awesense helps make utility data — of which there is a proliferation — usable.
In this interview, Steiner describes how Awesense made a business out of serving the utility data analytics market, its role in the energy transition, and lessons he’s learned in the company’s 15-year journey.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers Podcast
00:27 Interview with Mischa Steiner: Founder and CEO of Awesense
02:03 The Evolution of Awesense: From Hardware to Data Solutions
06:13 Challenges and Innovations in Utility Data Management
07:52 The Role of Sensors in Grid Data Collection
15:20 Transition to Software Solutions and AI Integration
17:30 Addressing Data Errors and Enhancing Utility Analytics
21:13 Middleware Solutions for Accelerating Utility Projects
23:53 Utility Challenges and Solutions
24:17 Utility Size and Technology Adoption
25:59 Impact of DERs on Utilities
28:56 Future of Energy and AI Demand
30:22 Middleware and DERMs Integration
33:41 Entrepreneurial Journey and Challenges
38:50 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
42:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers podcast, host Elisa Wood engages in a rich discussion with Bill Prindle, a senior energy and climate leader. Bill brings over 40 years of industry experience and provides a unique perspective on the evolving roles of utilities and distributed energy resource (DER) companies in the modern grid. They delve into the financial models that govern investor-owned utilities, the complexities of grid regulation, the state's role in energy policy, and the historical context that has led to the current fragmented energy market. Bill explains the challenges and opportunities that DER companies and utilities face in working together, with a focus on their financial models, regulatory constraints, and the evolving technology landscape. The conversation also explores the impact of restructuring, the importance of integrated resource planning, and the technical and operational hurdles in integrating DERs into the grid.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers Podcast
00:27 Meet Bill Prindle: Energy and Climate Leader
01:57 Understanding Utilities' Perspective on DERs
06:46 Challenges and Opportunities in the Energy Sector
14:53 Historical Context of the Utility Industry
18:52 Restructuring and Its Impact on DERs
35:33 Interconnection Issues and Solutions
41:50 Conclusion and Next Steps
Energy Changemakers provides content and community for those working on the grid edge. For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers podcast, host Elisa Wood interviews Alex Bazhinov, founder and president of Lumin, a smart panel company. Alex shares his remarkable journey from working in the mining industry in Russia to pioneering smart home energy solutions in Charlottesville, Virginia. Like so many entrepreneurs, he began in his garage developing a prototype. Now, partnering with clean energy giants, Lumin offers a smart panel that gives homeowners more control over specific household appliances and is rolling out new technology that, among other things, lowers costs for homeowners readying for EV charging.
00:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers Podcast
00:50 Meet Alex Bazhinov: From Moscow to Clean Energy
02:09 The Mining Industry and Its Environmental Impact
05:04 The Shift to Renewable Energy
09:18 Challenges and Opportunities in Russia
11:07 Entrepreneurial Journey in the US
20:49 Founding Lumin: The Smart Panel Idea
30:06 Introduction to Smart Panel
30:41 Residential Solar and Battery Use Case
31:45 Dynamic Energy Management
32:55 Challenges with Traditional Battery Backup
34:14 Market Adoption and Partnerships
35:30 Introducing LuminEdge
36:51 Grid Services and Demand Response
40:36 Electrification of Homes
43:39 Avoiding Costly Electrical Upgrades
47:14 Distribution and Partnerships
51:20 Company Overview and Vision
52:12 Advice for Entrepreneurs
57:23 Conclusion and Call to Action
Energy Changemakers provides content and community for those working on the grid edge. For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter.
Voters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be asked to approve a ground-breaking new kind of utility on November 5, one run by the city that provides local, distributed energy to those who choose to participate. Missy Stults, Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, joins host Elisa Wood to explain why the city decided to pursue the creation of the Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), how it will work, its relationship to the local investor-owned utility, and what it brings to the city’s sustainability and equity efforts.
Also see Ann Arbor’s SEU website: www.a2gov.org.
00:00 Introduction to the Energy Changemakers Podcast
00:23 Ann Arbor's Unique Municipal Utility Proposal
01:09 Interview with Missy Stultz: Ann Arbor's Sustainability Director
03:35 Ann Arbor's Energy Landscape and Challenges
05:22 The Vision for a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)
11:34 How the SEU Will Operate: City and Consumer Perspectives
21:58 Community Engagement and Upcoming Referendum
25:59 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Energy Changemakers provides content and community for those working on the grid edge. For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers Podcast, financial expert Rob Hong of Sapling Financial Consultants explains how community solar can provide both profits for developers and cost savings for consumers. He presents the financials of a real project, explains the risks and rewards, compares various community solar approaches, and describes the pros and cons of community solar over other solar business models. “This discussion provides valuable finanicial insight for any community considering solar,” says podcast host Elisa Wood.
Chapters with Timecodes:
[0:00] Introduction to Community Solar Economics
[1:27] Overview of Community Solar Financials
[8:10] Comparing Ownership and Subscription Models
[14:31] Financial Benefits and Risks of Community Solar
[19:41] Developer's IRR and Return Analysis
[27:36] Deep Dive into One Project's Economics
[33:59] Risk and Return Analysis for the Operator
[39:39] Conclusion and Takeaways on Community Solar
For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter about all things distributed energy.
In this episode of the Energy Changemakers podcast, host Elisa Wood talks to three big thinkers in the electric power industry: Lorenzo Kristov, Kay Aikin, and Mark Paterson, who explain what it will take to create a democratized electric grid. Our guests also take on common grid fictions, such as the belief that virtual power plants provide an “easy button” to manage distributed energy. They offer a vision for a decentralized grid and describe programs in Colorado, Maine, and Australia paving the way.
00:00 Introduction to the Energy Changemakers Podcast
00:35 Understanding Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
01:00 The Role of VPPs in the Energy Grid
02:45 Contrarian Views on VPPs and Distributed Energy
03:23 Introducing the Expert Panel
06:22 Lorenzo Kristov's Vision for a Decentralized Grid
13:29 Kay Aikin's Critique of Virtual Power Plants
17:29 Mark Paterson's Insights from Australia
30:40 Harnessing Rooftop Solar Potential
31:32 Challenges in Large-Scale Energy Transformation
33:39 Market Structures and DERs
35:08 Strategic Transformation Processes
37:55 Performance-Based Regulation and Dynamic Pricing
39:05 Promising Jurisdictions and Examples
42:20 Localized Valuing and Monetization of DERs
44:20 Reforming Distribution Utilities
53:51 The Value Proposition of DERs
55:54 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter about all things distributed energy.
Elisa Wood interviews Nate Owen, CEO of Ampion, who provides an inside view of the US community solar market following a regulatory ruling in California that left many in the industry unhappy. Owen dives into the history that brought the industry to this point and explains why he’s bullish on its future. He delves into problems, like interconnection, that slow projects and market mechanisms and social benefits that drive its growth. Owen also details why it used to be hard for community solar projects to provide renewable energy certificates (RECs) and why that’s changed, as exemplified by the company’s deal with Wendy’s restaurant.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Energy Changemakers
1:08 Introducing Ampion and the Wendy's Deal
3:00 The Importance of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
6:00 Evolution of Community Solar and RECs
9:07 Value Proposition: Savings and RECs
11:45 Post-California Community Solar Outlook
15:14 Social Benefits of Community Solar
18:06 Challenges with Interconnection
20:39 Overcoming Interconnection Issues
22:15 Vision for the Future Grid
23:59 Transition to Solar Energy
For more conversations like this, check out the Energy Changemakers Community and sign up for our free newsletter about all things distributed energy.
As the energy grid faces unprecedented changes, local energy solutions are increasingly needed. Hosted by Elisa Wood, an experienced energy journalist, The Energy Changemakers Podcast brings you into the heart of these transformations. Each episode features in-depth discussions with industry leaders pioneering the move toward a decentralized grid. From technological innovations to policy changes — discover actionable insights to help your company leverage emerging opportunities. Join us at The Energy Changemakers Podcast and be part of the conversation that shapes our energy future.
