Smart Energy Voices
Welcome to Smart Energy Voices: an SED Podcast
Hosted by Debra Chanil, Editorial and Research Director of Smart Energy Decisions
Smart Energy Voices, an SED podcast, features conversations with leaders of the energy transition. In each episode, Smart Energy Decisions' Editorial and Research Director Debra Chanil digs deep with industry movers and shakers to reveal
insights you can learn from in their stories, personalities, and visions for the future.
Click on the Apple Podcast or Google Podcast buttons below to listen and subscribe.
You can also find this podcast on Spotify, Radio Public, Pandora, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, Acast, Deezer, Double Twist, Learn Out Loud, Player FM, Podknife, and Spreaker.
Episode 113: Reaching Net Zero: Kingspan’s Planet Passionate Program
Date: 11/22/24
Guest: Brent Trenga, Kingspan
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Brent Trenga, Director of Sustainability at Kingspan North America, shares the company’s ambitious Planet Passionate program and its progress over the first four years of this 10-year initiative. Brent dives into the challenges they faced and the innovative solutions they have implemented to overcome them. He also highlights the value of benchmarking, setting aggressive sustainability targets, and internal buy-in from company leadership and employees to drive impactful change in sustainability efforts for this global building products manufacturer. Read more...
Plugged In - Episode 1: The Evolving Landscape of Nuclear Technologies
Date: 11/8/2024
Guest: Benton Arnett, Senior Director of Markets and Policy, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Welcome to the first episode of Plugged In: Exploring Energy. In this podcast miniseries, host Chuck Hanna from Constellation sits down with Benton Arnett from the Nuclear Energy Institute to discuss how nuclear power is transforming to meet today’s energy needs. They also explore emerging tech like small modular reactors (SMRs) and the growing demand for clean energy in sectors like AI and data centers.
Episode 112: Heard at REF: Renewable Thermal — The Next Frontier in Decarbonization
Date: 10/24/24
Guest: Zephyr Taylor, Mars, Inc.
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Zephyr Taylor, Global Commercial Head and Category Director for Renewable Energy at Mars, Inc., takes a close look at the topic of Scope 1 emissions and industrial heat decarbonization. While many companies are comfortable sourcing renewable electricity for their Scope 2 targets, Scope 1 — specifically the challenge of decarbonizing industrial heat — is a different story. This episode tackles the technology, economics, and internal company dynamics required to make progress in this area. Read more...
Episode 111: Google’s Climate Journey – Decarbonization Within Reach
Date: 10/11/24
Guest: Savannah Goodman, Google
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Savannah Goodman, Data and Software Climate Solutions Lead at Google, talks about Google's ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy goal and the innovative tools Google is developing to decarbonize not only its operations but also to influence the broader energy grid. She reveals their use of Time-Based Energy Attribute Certificates (T-EACs) and how this technology can change the procurement of energy across all industries and deliver clean energy to the grid in times and places where it’s needed. Read more...
Episode 110: Heard at REF: Beyond ESG — Making Renewable Energy a Business Priority
Date: 9/27/24
Guest: Charles Benisch, ENGIE Impact
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Charles Benisch, Director of Renewable Advisory at ENGIE Impact, covers how to move from admirable renewable energy goals to actionable strategies that align with executive priorities, as well as the rising risks of climate-related lawsuits, the impact of skyrocketing energy costs, and the looming pressure on supply chains. For organizations committed to sustainability, he outlines how innovative solutions like community solar programs and tax credit transfers can be leveraged to create budget-free paths to achieving green goals while still benefiting the bottom line. Read more...
Episode 109: Heard at REF: How to Plan Your Optimal Clean Energy Roadmap at Least Cost
Date: 9/13/24
Guest: Seyed Madaeni, Verse
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, listen to insights from a session at the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum (REF) featuring Seyed Madaeni, co-founder and CEO of Verse. Madaeni discusses the complexities of planning an optimal clean energy roadmap at the lowest cost. He outlines the various factors that organizations need to consider when planning their sustainability programs and the importance of understanding the financial implications of these decisions. Live polling at REF revealed insights into attendees’ experiences with PPAs and their organization's clean energy goals. Among those results, many organizations responded that they have clean energy goals, but there is still a need for more robust strategies to achieve them, including technology-driven solutions. Read more...
Episode 108: The Intersection of AI and Sustainability
Date: 8/23/24
Guest: Megan Lorenzen, Salesforce
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Megan Lorenzen, Director of Climate and Energy at Salesforce, to discuss the intersection of AI, energy and sustainability. Megan shares insights on Salesforce's efforts in clean energy deployment, including their 100% renewable energy commitment and their role in the global energy transition. They also explore Salesforce's innovative approaches to AI, including the balance between AI's potential to drive climate action and its environmental impact. Megan shares Salesforce’s new sustainable AI policy principles and discusses their engagement with policymakers to promote effective climate legislation, while providing a comprehensive look at how leading technology firms are navigating the complex landscape of energy and AI for a sustainable future. Read more...
Episode 107: Heard at REF: The Continued Evolution of Offsite Renewable Purchasing
Date: 8/9/24
Guest: Luke Penne, Constellation
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Luke Penne, Senior Business Development Manager at Constellation Energy, in an interview from the 2024 Renewable Energy Forum, “The Continued Evolution of Offsite Renewable Purchasing.” This insightful episode covers recent developments in offsite renewable purchasing, including factors affecting the rising prices of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the importance of more impactful renewable purchases, and increasing demand for PPAs and integrated solutions as companies face challenges in meeting their 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals. Read more...
Episode 106: Heard at REF: PIVOT! How to Keep Advancing Your Strategy When Everything Changes
Date: 7/26/24
Guest: Sarah Johnston, Calpine
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Sarah Johnston, Managing Director of Marketing and Carbon Differentiated Strategy at Calpine, discusses corporate sustainability targets and the challenges of achieving them, particularly among the recent changes in SEC and SBTi guidelines. This was the opening keynote at SED’s recent Renewable Energy Forum.
Drawing from 15 years at Calpine, Johnston explores proactive and prescriptive planning to mitigate risks and optimize energy strategies in an uncertain environment. She also touches on corporate challenges in Scope 3 emissions, advocating for supply chain collaboration to reduce carbon footprints. Read more...
Episode 105: Navigating Building Regulations and Incentives to Empower Sustainability
Date: 7/12/24
Guest: Melissa Banks, Trane Technologies
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil speaks with Melissa Banks, Regulatory and Utility Advocacy Director at Trane Technologies, about the complex landscape of building decarbonization and sustainability. Banks discusses the increasing importance of regulatory compliance, utility incentives, and tax benefits in making energy efficiency projects financially viable for businesses and building owners.
She explains the significance of understanding local utility incentives and shares examples of utility programs that offer substantial rebates for energy-efficient upgrades and emphasizes leveraging these incentives and working with experts to help maximize the financial benefits of their sustainability efforts — making the path to decarbonization both achievable and affordable. Read more...
Episode 104: Circular Economy and Sustainable Deconstruction: A Unique Approach at the City of Boulder
Date: 6/21/24
Guest: Emily Freeman, City of Boulder
In this episode, Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Freeman, Circular Economy Policy Advisor of the City of Boulder. Freeman highlights strides in three core principles of the circular economy and how Boulder's initiatives align with the city's ambitious climate action goals.
As Boulder continues its journey towards carbon neutrality, Freeman's insights offer a blueprint for other cities and organizations seeking to integrate circular economy principles into their sustainability strategies and policies. Read more...
Episode 103: The Evolution of Building Performance Standards
Date: 6/7/24
Guest: Marshall Duer-Balkind, Institute for Market Transformation (IMT)
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sat down with Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy Programs at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), to talk about building performance standards (BPS) and their implications for the energy transition. He also gives an overview of IMT's mission and work, focusing on their efforts to improve the efficiency and performance of buildings through policy development and equitable decarbonization.
Duer-Balkind delves into the specifics of BPS policies and the need for long-term planning by building owners and tenants to meet their requirements, emphasizing that "doing nothing ain't free." He discusses how building performance standards intersect with other market trends such as climate change mitigation, financial considerations, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, as well as the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals. Read more...
Episode 102: Heard at Net Zero Forum: The Decarbonization Journey Begins With Energy Efficiency
Date: 5/17/24
Guest: Sharon L. Nolen, Eastman Chemical Company
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Sharon L. Nolen, Program Manager & Fellow, Global Natural Resource Management at Eastman Chemical, for a dive into Eastman's journey toward decarbonization, emphasizing the pivotal role of energy efficiency in their strategy. Sharon highlights Eastman Chemical's commitment to sustainability, focusing on mitigating climate change, mainstreaming circularity and caring for society.
Sharon outlines Eastman Chemical's goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy usage by 2030, providing examples of energy efficiency projects across analytics, utility systems, distribution, and manufacturing processes, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability benefits. Read more...
Episode 101: Heard at Net Zero Forum — What's Old, New, and Next for Hourly Carbon-Free Matching Products
Date: 5/3/24
Guests: Katie Soroye, LevelTen Energy; Chuck Hannna, Constellation; Brian Megali, Constellation
In this episode, we join experts during the opening session of the Net Zero Forum Spring for important updates on hourly carbon-free energy matching. The session, titled "What's Old, New, and Next for Hourly Carbon-Free Matching Products" and presented by Constellation, sheds light on the changing landscape of clean energy and the importance of hourly 24/7 carbon-free energy as a new industry standard. Read more...
Episode 100: Heard at Net Zero Forum — Women in Smart Energy
Date: 4/19/24
Guests: Renée Yarmy, Port of San Diego; Eryn Beddoes, Red Deer Polytechnic; Leigh Pearson, Staples Canada
We’re celebrating the 100th episode of Smart Energy Voices with a showcase of women leaders who are driving sustainability in the energy sector. As recorded at the recent Net Zero Forum Spring, 2024 WISE (Women in Smart Energy) winners Renée Yarmy, Eryn Beddoes and Leigh Pearson discuss advancing net-zero efforts, workforce development, the value of mentorship, improving gender diversity in STEM and energy, and their personal motivations. Read more...
Episode 99: Seizing the Day — Decarbonization as an Organizational Opportunity
Date: 4/5/24
Guest: Becky Wacker, Trane Commercial
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil welcomes back Becky Wacker, the Director of Energy Services Sales at Trane Commercial. In Episode 88, they dug into the challenges and opportunities that commercial building operators face today in light of their decarbonization efforts. In this new episode, Becky discusses how to seize decarbonization as an organizational opportunity and provides a framework for navigating complexity and prioritizing where to turn decarbonization into a competitive advantage. Read more...
Episode 98: An Entrepreneur's Journey in Clean Energy
Date: 3/22/24
Guest: Brittney Boyd, Energy Equity Group (EEG)
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Debra Chanil speaks with Brittney Boyd, founder and CEO of the Energy Equity Group (EEG). Brittney shares her personal journey, from growing up in a low-income neighborhood to becoming an influential figure in the clean energy industry, and delves deeper into the mission and goals of the Energy Equity Group. Read more...
Episode 97: Energy and Equity
Date: 2/23/24
Guest: Emily Schapira, Philadelphia Energy Authority
In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Emily Schapira, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. She’s also a recent winner of the DEI Impact award in the Catalyst for Change category. They discuss how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is making great strides in the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Read more...
Episode 96: Heard at Net Zero Forum: Insights from the Healthcare Sector
Date: 2/9/24
Guest: Scott Czubkowski, Medxcel Facilities
Cory Pouliot, Boston Medical Center
At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series focuses on energy customers in healthcare. The interviews feature Scott Czubkowski, the National Director of Energy and Facility Performance at Medxcel Facilities, and Cory Pouliot, the Senior Director of Facilities Operations at Boston Medical Center. Read more...
Episode 95: Heard at Net Zero Forum: Insights from the Commercial Sector
Date: 1/26/24
Guest: Rebecca Hensley, CSX
Joshua Witte, Dollar Tree
Gary Hilberg, Local Bounti
At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions conducted live interviews with energy customers at various stages of their decarbonization strategies. This episode of the Heard at NZF mini-series features interviews with energy customers in the commercial space. The guests are Joshua Witte, Director of Energy Sustainability and ESG at Dollar Tree stores, Rebecca Hensley, Senior Manager of Environment Programs at CSX, and Gary Hilberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Local Bounti.. Read more...
Episode 94: Balancing Profitability and Sustainability at IKEA
Date: 1/11/24
Guest:Adrian Avino, IKEA
At Smart Energy Decisions’ recent Net Zero Forum, Adrian Avino, Engineering Construction Manager for IKEA Property, North America Real Estate/US, gave an overview of how IKEA plans to meet its sustainability goals. Adrian shares IKEA’s holistic approach including the company’s strategy to use renewable heating and cooling for projects across its North American portfolio. Read more...
Episode 93: DEI Impact Awards Part 2
Date: 12/15/23
Guest: Sandeep Blah, PSE&G
Bambi Ingram, University of Alabama
Ashif Hassan, Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership
Scott Gurba, The City College of New York
On this episode of Smart Energy Voices, we continue to highlight the winners of the 2023 DEI Impact Awards, recognizing power users driving the energy transition while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We speak with Sandeep Blah about the PSE&G Clean Energy Jobs Program, Bambi Ingram about the success and educational value of the UAB Solar House and Sustainable Community project, and Scott Gerba and Ashif Hassan about the Colin Powell Bloom Energy Fellowship. The DEI Impact Awards were sponsored by NRG. Read more...
Episode 92: DEI Impact Awards Part 1
Date: 12/1/23
Guest: Marianella Franklin, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Dr Charles Marshall, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Jennifer Brunelle, NRG
At its recent Net Zero Forum, Smart Energy Decisions hosted the 2023 DEI Impact Awards, recognizing large power users’ company-wide efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while powering the energy transition. This two-part series will celebrate the winners of these awards and highlight their efforts. The DEI Impact Awards were sponsored by NRG. Read more...
