Smart Energy Voices
Welcome to Smart Energy Voices: an SED Podcast
Hosted by John Failla, Smart Energy Decisions Founder.
Smart Energy Voices, an SED podcast, features conversations with leaders of the energy transition. In each episode, Smart Energy Decisions founder John Failla digs deep with industry movers and shakers to reveal insights you can learn from in their stories, personalities, and visions for the future.
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You can also find this podcast on Spotify, Radio Public, Stitcher, Pandora, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, Acast, Deezer, Double Twist, Learn Out Loud, Player FM, Podknife, and Spreaker.
Episode 46: Inspiring Diversity in Energy Series with Ajulo Othow and Dana Clare Redden
Date: 9/17/2021
Guests: Ajulo Othow, Enerwealth Solutions, LLC
Dana Clare Redden, Solar Stewards
This episode of Smart Energy Voices continues our series on Inspiring Diversity in Energy with a panel from the recent Renewable Energy Forum. Smart Energy Decisions’ Debra Chanil sat down with Ajulo Othow, co-founder and CEO of EnerWealth Solutions, LLC, and Dana Clare Redden, founder of Solar Stewards. With this experience in creating companies in the solar space, they’ll discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship and what they think is needed to bring more diversity to the solar industry. Read more...
Episode 45: A Guide to Addressing Your Scope 3 Value Chain Emissions
Date: 9/10/2021
Guests: Katherine Canoy, 3Degrees
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil talks with Katherine Canoy, Director of Energy and Climate Practice at 3Degrees. As more organizations are making ambitious climate commitments, such as net-zero emissions, many companies grapple with the most effective way to address their Scope 3 emissions. Debra and Katherine discussed practical steps that organizations can take to tackle their value chain emissions at SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum. Listen in on the discussion of this hot topic: reducing Scope 3 emissions.. Read more...
Episode 44: Bucknell's Renewable Energy Journey, with Victor Udo
Date: 9/3/2021
Guests: Dr Victor Udo, Bucknell University
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Victor Udo, Bucknell University’s Director of Sustainability. Bucknell University recently announced a 7-acre solar array on the campus. Victor explains how the project came about, how it fits in with their overall sustainability strategy, and what was needed to overcome the sometimes contentious process to gain local ordinance to proceed. This episode is a must-listen for other large power users, especially in higher education. Read more...
Episode 43: Capitalizing on Opportunities in Community Solar
Date: 8/27/2021
Guests: Miro Sutton, NRG Energy
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Miro Sutton, Managing Director – Renewable Advisory, Strategy and Origination, NRG Energy. This discussion covers the state of community solar, including key trends, benefits, and common misperceptions. You’ll want to listen in to learn about NRG’s unique approach to developing community solar projects. Read more...
Episode 42: Building a Global Renewable Energy Portfolio
Date: 8/20/2021
Guests: Zephyr Taylor, Mars Inc
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Zephyr Taylor, Global Director of Renewable Energy, Mars Inc. This conversation took place during Smart Energy Decisions’ Renewable Energy Forum. They discussed Mars’ progress against its “Sustainable in a Generation” plan and its ambitious emissions reduction and renewable energy goals. Listen to hear more about Zephyr’s work at Mars. Read more...
Episode 41: More Than Just Solar: The Evolving Clean Energy Needs of Large Power Users
Date: 7/8/2021
Guests: Raphael Declercq, EDF Renewables North America
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, produced in partnership with EDF Renewables, host John Failla is joined by Raphael Declercq, Executive Vice President, Distributed Solutions & Strategy at EDF Renewables North America. Raphael has been working with EDF for 12 years, with a background in consulting and banking. Since mid-2010, his role has been to build an offering for C&I customers and other entities looking for distributed solutions. Listen as they discuss the changing needs of large electric power users and how EDF is evolving in response to those needs. Read more...
Episode 40: The Energy Switch, with Peter Kelly-Detwiler
Date: 6/25/2021
Guests: Peter Kelly-Detwiler, NorthBridge Energy Partners
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by his friend and colleague Peter Kelly-Detwiler, founder of NorthBridge Energy Partners. Peter is an active faculty member of Smart Energy Decisions and has decades of experience in the energy industry. Join as John and Peter discuss Peter’s new book: The Energy Switch. Read more...
Episode 39: Goodbye to Year Over Year Baselines, Hello to Predictive Modeling
Date: 6/18/2021
Guests: Andrew Blauvelt, BuildingOS
Ken Watson, Acuity Brands
At a recent Innovation Summit, host Debra Chanil sat down with Ken Watson, a Sr. Manager of Key Accounts at Acuity Brands, and Andrew Blauvelt, the Vice President of Sales at Acuity Brands for the BuildingOS product group. In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, they discuss the shift in building industry energy metrics and establishing baselines in a world with inconsistent occupancy levels and changing public health guidelines. Listen to hear Andrew and Ken share their extensive experience and insight on best practices for navigating this dynamic shift. Read more...
Episode 38: Challenges of Energy Management for Healthcare
Date: 6/11/2021
Guests: Robert Berninger, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, SED's Debra Chanil discusses several innovative retro-commission projects with Robert Berninger, Director of Plant Operations, Energy and Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Bob oversees more than 4 million square feet of critical care facilities in the heart of New York City. Listen as he recounts his experience evaluating potential projects so you can benefit from the great insights Bob has to share.. Read more...
Episode 37: The State of Sustainable Finance
Date: 6/4/2021
Guests: Kara Mangone, Goldman Sachs
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla is joined by Kara Mangone, Managing Director and Global Head of Climate Strategy at Goldman Sachs. Kara has worked at the forefront of Goldman Sachs’ sustainability commitments over the years, first leading sustainability reporting and investor engagement, then as Chief Operating Officer of Goldman Sachs’ Sustainable Finance Group and now as Global Head of Climate Strategy. Listen in to learn more about Kara’s efforts at Goldman Sachs. Read more...
Episode 36: Cal Poly Fast-tracks Decarbonization
Date: 5/28/2021
Guests: Dennis Elliot, California Polytechnic State University
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla sits down with Dennis Elliot, Assistant Vice President for Facilities at California Polytechnic State University, to discuss Cal Poly’s climate action plan and decarbonization efforts. In a recent interview Dennis had with SEV’s sister podcast, Beyond the Meter, John learned about the great work Dennis and his team are doing at Cal Poly. Listen to this follow-up interview to learn more about Cal Poly’s work and how it is changing the way academia views its climate impact. Read more...
Episode 35: The Future of Green Hydrogen
Date: 5/21/2021
Guests: Janice Lin, Green Hydrogen Coalition
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla talks with Janice Lin, the Founder and President of the Green Hydrogen Coalition. She has over 20 years of experience in clean energy strategy and market development. Her visionary leadership and passion for green hydrogen is inspiring change in the energy industry. Listen as Janice shares her mission for the green energy transition. Read more...
Episode 34: Decarbonizing with Integrated Energy Management
Date: 5/14/2021
Guests: Scott Hart, NRG
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Scott Hart, Vice President and General Manager of NRG Business - Texas to discuss how integrated energy supply and demand management strategies, including the deployment of DERs, can effectively help large power users achieve their decarbonization goals.. Read more...
Episode 33: Managing Data on the Road to Net Zero
Date: 5/7/2021
Guests: Adam Kramer, Ledger8760
In this episode of Smart Energy Decisions, host John Failla speaks with Adam Kramer, former Vice President of Strategy at Switch and current CEO of sustainability and energy start-up Ledger8760. They discuss Adam’s role in helping Switch achieve 100% renewable energy and his new position at Ledger8760. Listen as they address the need for accurate data in order to successfully set and achieve sustainability goals. Read more...
Episode 32: Intel 2030
Date: 4/23/2021
Guests: Marty Sedler, Intel
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Marty Sedler, Director of Global Utilities & Infrastructure or Intel Corporation. Marty was the opening keynote speaker from Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Innovation Summit where he shared Intel’s 2030 goals for energy savings, alternative energy, and emissions reductions. Intel has a global scope and is constantly working on new technologies and solutions for renewable energy. Listen to learn about Intel’s goals for 2030. Read more...
Episode 31: The State of Retail Energy Partnerships
Date: 4/16/2021
Guests: Raj Bazaj, Constellation
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Raj Bazaj, Executive Director of Solution Sales at Constellation. John and Raj discuss the future of retail energy partnerships and the impact that has on the energy industry. Listen to hear Raj share his personal insights on sustainability and energy solutions in retail environments. Read more...
Episode 30: Trends in Renewable Energy Deal Making & The Biden Administration
Date: 4/9/2021
Guests: Keith Martin, Norton Rose Fulbright
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host John Failla speaks with Keith Martin, a transactional lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright. Keith worked for 146 companies last year and his firm did $145 billion in project financing. He also lobbies the US treasury and congress on policy issues and has worked for two democratic senators. Listen to learn more about clean energy from the perspective of legislative infrastructure. Read more...
Episode 29: The Future of Clean Tech Investing
Date: 4/2/2021
Guests: Ron Pernick, Clean Edge
In this episode, John speaks with Ron Pernick, the founder and managing director of Clean Edge. Ron has over 30 years of experience in high-tech sectors, the last 20 of which have been in clean tech. He founded Clean Edge to be an analyst organization focused on this emergent sector. Since 2001, they’ve collected and processed data from dozens of successful clean tech organizations. Find out how this information can be used to invest in the future of clean tech. Read more...
Episode 28: Addressing Residual Emissions on the Path to Net Zero
Date: 3/26/2021
Guests: Stephanie Harris, 3Degrees
Not all ideas for reducing carbon emissions are created equal - what works well for one company won’t work for another. So how does a company start on the path to clean energy? Debra Chanil talks with Stephanie Harris about that very issue. Stephanie Harris is a Director on 3Degrees’ Carbon Markets team where she helps organizations create customized plans for climate action. For over 15 years, 3Degrees has been helping companies strategically establish and achieve their carbon emission goals. Listen in as they discuss this practical approach to reducing residual emissions. Read more...
Episode 27: Collaborating for Customer-Centricity in Achieving Sustainability Objectives
Date: 3/19/2021
Guests: André Canguçú, ENGIE North America
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly affordable every day but it hasn’t yet become accessible to everyone. ENGIE is working to change that. John Failla speaks with Chief Commercial & Industries and M&A Officer for ENGIE North America, André Canguçú about what they’re doing to expand access to renewable energy for smaller entities and those new to the field. André explains how ENGIE is working to simplify the process of obtaining renewable energy. Listen to hear how they’re making a difference in the ever-evolving industry of renewable energy. Read more...
Episode 26: The Evolution of McDonald's Sustainability Roadmap
Date: 3/12/2021
Guests: Emma Cox, McDonald's Corporation
With 37,000 restaurants in over 100 countries serving 69 million people every day, McDonald’s understands how great an impact they have. The last time John spoke with Emma Cox, North American Sustainability Manager at McDonald’s Corporation during the 2019 Innovation Summit, the company was primarily focused on energy efficiency within the U.S. Since that beginning, their focus has had a global shift that will positively affect the environment. Listen to hear how McDonald’s is changing the world one community at a time. Read more...
Episode 25: The Future of GM, EVs and Renewables with Rob Threlkeld
Date: 3/5/2021
Guests: Rob Threlkeld, General Motors
The future of decarbonization is in re-inventing the transportation industry. As it stands, vehicles account for 28.2 percent of greenhouse emissions. That’s an amazing opportunity for change. Imagine the reduction in carbon emissions if those vehicles were to be powered by electricity. John speaks about the potential of electric vehicles with General Motors’ Global Manager of Sustainable Energy, Supply, and Reliability, Rob Threkeld. Read more...
Episode 24: Inspiring Diversity in Energy with Telisa Toliver
Date: 2/26/2021
Guests: Telisa Toliver, Chevron
The wake-up call came a few years ago when the Wall Street Journal ranked energy at 10 out of 11 fields in a survey on diversity in businesses. Since then, Smart Energy Decisions has worked to raise the profile of this issue with its series “Inspiring Diversity in Energy.” This edition features a discussion with Telisa Toliver, General Manager of Renewable Power for Chevron and Debra Chanil, SED’s Director of Research and Content. Read more...
Episode 23: Creating Climate Wealth with Jigar Shah
Date: 2/19/2021
Guests: Jigar Shah, Generate Capital
Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Smart Energy Decisions with this conversation between Founder and Editorial Direction John Failla and clean energy industry pioneer Jigar Shah, who has changed the way businesses approach technology to both save money and improve their impact on the environment.
Episode 22: The Future of Sustainability Strategy
Date: 2/12/2021
Guests: Greg Kandankulam, NRG Energy
2020 has definitely produced a number of challenges, but the need for societies and organizations to move toward sustainable energy solutions has not gone away. Today John speaks with Greg Kandankulam about what the NRG team is experiencing as it works with large organizations and municipalities that are moving toward renewable energy solutions.
Episode 21: Ørsted’s Journey from Oil Giant to Most Sustainable Company in the World
Date: 2/05/2021
Guests: Melissa Peterson, Ørsted
It’s not common to see a company that’s heavily vested in a particular segment of any industry make a 180-degree turn that is designed to eliminate the need for its original area of focus. It’s even more uncommon for that company to become the leader in its new niche. That’s the story of Ørsted, a Denmark-based Oil Giant that has made the transition to renewable energy like few other companies.
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