Direct Current - An Energy.gov Podcast

S5 E4: Science Powered by Exascale Jan 10, 2025

What is exascale computing? Why does it matter? To find out, we connected with the computing experts at DOE's national laboratories. Join us as we discuss the arduous journey to build three of the fastest computers in the world and their software. After more than a decade of planning and work, these powerful exascale computers are now enabling groundbreaking research that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. With research in cancer, biofuels, space exploration, and more, exascale computing is bringing scientific discovery to new heights.

S5 E3: The Next Generation Science of Pandemics Dec 06, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder that, despite our great achievements, we are still bound by the laws of our own biology. And while the Coronavirus has been a tragedy on a global scale, it has also pushed the scientific community to new levels of cooperation, coordination, and discovery. Join us while we discuss the extraordinary advancements brought about by the National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory's work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we still face many obstacles in pandemic prevention, detection, and mitigation. Thankfully, the DOE and its National laboratories are uniquely qualified to meet these challenges, head-on. We have mobilized like never before, and have powerful new collaborative tools in our arsenal.

S5 E2: Fully Charged: How Batteries Are Combating the Climate Crisis, Part 2 Jul 25, 2024

The second of two episodes, we’re going under the hood to take a look at something these EVs all share in common — a battery. Where do they come from? How do they work? And how the U.S. is working to meet the demand for millions of batteries for EVs, grid storage, and more.

S5 E1: Fully Charged: How Batteries Are Combating the Climate Crisis, Part 1 (REBROADCAST) May 15, 2024

The first of two episodes, we’re going under the hood to take a look at something these EVs all share in common — a battery. Where do they come from? How do they work? And how the U.S. is working to meet the demand for millions of batteries for EVs, grid storage, and more.

S4 E5: End of Year Chat with Secretary Jennifer Granholm Dec 20, 2023

Join us for an energizing conversation with Secretary Jennifer Granholm, focused on the Department of Energy’s 2023 accomplishments and the progress of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. From shaping the future of transportation to creating thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs. With historic investments in our electric grid to deliver reliable, affordable, clean power to all Americans, including in rural and underserved communities. DOE is focused on a just clean energy economy, ensuring that this historic transition lifts up the most vulnerable among us. Find out how the Investing in America agenda is helping everyday Americans and more on this episode of Direct Current.

S4 E4: 70 Years of Atoms for Peace Dec 08, 2023

70 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower went before the United Nations and delivered a speech unlike anything the world had ever heard. The president spoke in sweeping terms about the terrible destructive power of new atomic weapons. But he also had a message for the assembly, one with a more optimistic tone: Join us in harnessing the power of the atom for good — not evil. From the dawn of the atomic age, nuclear power branched into two distinct paths: nuclear energy, and nuclear weapons. A chain reaction of historical events would lead down one path to the creation and eventual detonation of the world’s first atomic weapons in 1945. Down the other path, work forged ahead on peaceful uses of nuclear power. Join us on a trip through nuclear history, from "Atoms for Peace" to today.

S4 E3: Fully Charged: How Batteries Are Combating the Climate Crisis, Part 1 Oct 17, 2023

The first of two episodes, we’re going under the hood to take a look at something these EVs all share in common — a battery. Where do they come from? How do they work? And how the U.S. is working to meet the demand for millions of batteries for EVs, grid storage, and more.

The Manhattan Project, Part 2 (REBROADCAST) Jul 20, 2023

The conclusion of our two part story on the Manhattan Project. We take you to the Trinity site where the first bomb was tested and then follow the Airmen as they drop the first ever atomic bombs. Later, learn about the creation of the Department of Energy and how, along with the National Park Service, we're preserving the origins of nuclear power and weaponry.

The Manhattan Project, Part 1 (REBROADCAST) Jul 20, 2023

The first of two episodes that tell the story of an unprecedented, U.S. government effort to beat Nazi Germany in the race to construct a nuclear weapon, the dawn of the atomic age, and how that legacy is being preserved.

S4 E2: The Extremes of Weather in a Changing Climate Jul 06, 2023

In this second episode of season 4 of Direct Current, we dive into a topic that’s been in the news a lot lately: extreme weather. While intense storms have splashed across headlines throughout history, the frequency seems to be increasing. Interviews with Colin Zarzycki, an Assistant Professor at Penn State University, and Alan Rhoades, a research scientist with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, help us explain how climate modeling is helping scientists predict what may lie ahead.

S4 E1: Keeping the Lights on in Ukraine May 03, 2023

Season 4 of Direct Current opens with a race against the clock, as the Department of Energy and National Labs join forces with industry and international partners to get emergency shipments of electrical grid components to Ukraine — before Russian attacks plunge the country into darkness.

Who Cares About Quantum? (Season 4 Teaser) Feb 22, 2023

"Quantum" is everywhere these days — in the news, on TV, in the titles of blockbuster action films — but what even is it? Why is it important to understand it? Basically... who cares about quantum?

To find out, we got philosophical with National Lab quantum scientists Anna Grassellino and David Awschalom about their brain-bending research, the massive impacts it could have on our lives, and the joy and frustration of chasing breakthroughs that can take decades to arrive.

Also: Season 4 of Direct Current is coming soon! Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts to get a fresh delivery of energy audio goodness in your feed when it drops in spring 2023. Don't miss it!

People Powered: Chris Castro, Director of Sustainability Aug 04, 2022

For years, Chris Castro worked tirelessly to bring a brighter future to the city of Orlando, Florida. We heard from the (now-former) director of sustainability about how he got his start, his passion for clean energy, and the city's resilience efforts.

People Powered: Conrad Flowers, Lead Interconnection Engineer Apr 13, 2022

Conrad Flowers wanted a more fulfilling career, so he followed his passion and took a job in solar energy. Now he’s connecting solar farms to the electric grid and helping train the next generation of engineers.

People Powered: AlexAnna Salmon, Village Council President Feb 17, 2022

AlexAnna Salmon is a fierce advocate for her home, a remote Alaskan town called Igiugig. As village council president, she's working to preserve her tribe's traditional way of life amid a warming climate and a shift from fossil fuels to clean energy.

People Powered: Gaby Ibarra, Building Energy Analyst Jan 21, 2022

Our series highlighting workers in clean energy continues! Gaby Ibarra, a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrants, shares her journey into a new career helping modernize heating and cooling systems for old buildings in New York City.

People Powered: Michael Flores, Wind Technician Dec 21, 2021

In the latest episode of "People Powered," our new series on clean energy careers, wind technician Michael Flores shares what it's like to travel the country and scale 300-foot wind turbines for a living — and why he's sticking with wind for the long run.

People Powered: Kaly Moore, Solar Construction Manager Nov 29, 2021

Presenting "People Powered," a new series on clean energy careers! There are millions of good-paying jobs in energy, and we'll be introducing you to the folks who do them — starting with Kaly Moore, construction manager at a Washington, DC, solar company.

Brewing Up Energy Savings Sep 30, 2021

Contained within a single glass of beer is hundreds of hours of labor and vast amounts of resources. Join us as we go inside a popular craft brewery and learn how DOE programs are helping reduce costs while saving water and energy.

LCLS-II: Brighter, Faster, Smaller Jul 09, 2021

Stretching nearly two miles under a freeway in Palo Alto, CA, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a huge X-ray laser with the power to capture images of molecules in motion. Now, a big upgrade is taking this SLAC Lab facility to the next level.

LPO's New Look: A Conversation with Jigar Shah Jun 14, 2021

With $40 billion in lending authority, the Loan Programs Office is one of the Energy Department's most powerful clean energy investment tools. We sat down with Director Jigar Shah to talk about how LPO works, and what's in store for the future of energy.

Getting to Know Secretary Granholm Apr 21, 2021

The nation's 16th Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, sat down with Direct Current to talk clean energy, climate, her "obsession" with creating millions of good-paying union jobs, and her vision for the Department of Energy.

Mars 2020, Part 2: SuperCam Does It All Jul 30, 2020

Developed by Los Alamos National Lab, SuperCam is the scientific “Swiss Army Knife” for NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover. In this episode, we hear from the SuperCam team what it's like shooting rocks with lasers, and how it could help us find life on...

Mars 2020, Part 1: Powered by Plutonium Jul 24, 2020

NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover is loaded with technology developed by the Department of Energy, including a nuclear battery fueled by plutonium-238. Listen as we follow the rover’s power source on its 7-year, 5,000-mile journey from lab to launch pad.

AI: Safer, Smarter, More Secure (Live at AAAS) Apr 22, 2020

Artificial intelligence is all around us — even if we don’t realize it — and the rapid spread of AI technologies into our lives raises big questions about security. Our guests in this episode study the risks of ever-present AI,

The Future of Water & Wildfire (Live at AAAS) Mar 31, 2020

COVID-19 is dominating the headlines, but the pandemic isn’t the only threat to human health. Water is an essential part of life, but changes in the water cycle can have disastrous results. The National Labs are working to understand and predict them.

National Labs Respond to COVID-19 Mar 14, 2020

An interview with Dr. Chris Fall, Director of the Department of Energy Office of Science, about the agency’s response to COVID-19.

Tribal Energy: Powering Self-Determination Dec 10, 2019

For hundreds of Indian tribes and native communities across the United States, energy represents many things: a lifeline, a source of income, a path to sovereignty. Learn how the Office of Indian Energy helps tribes take control of their energy destinies.

AI: This Is Just the Beginning Oct 09, 2019

Artificial intelligence is all over the news, but what's all the hype really about? We travel to Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee to find out how AI is going to revolutionize science, and welcome a new podcast to the Department of Energy family!

S3 E8: KRUSTY in Spaaace! Jul 16, 2019

50 years after Apollo 11 made history, NASA is getting ready to send astronauts back to the Moon, then on to Mars. We're going to need a power supply that can keep humans alive in space for years at a time. Could a miniature nuclear reactor be the answer?

S3 E7: DUNE: The Neutrinos Must Flow May 07, 2019

Join Direct Current on a subatomic sojourn into the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), a massive international research project aiming to unlock the secrets of the neutrino and answer the question, "Why does anything exist?"

S3 E6: Women in Power: The C3E Story Mar 20, 2019

Direct Current - An Energy.gov Podcast talks to the women who are leading a clean energy revolution, with a little help from C3E. It's part support network, part annual gathering, part awards show — and all about empowerment.

S3 E5: Microbiomes! Live at AAAS Mar 01, 2019

There's an invisible world of microbes living all around us that we're only just beginning to understand. We talked to two DOE scientists at the 2019 AAAS Meeting in D.C. to learn how genetic research could answer big questions about these tiny organisms.

S3 E4: This Episode Stinks Nov 21, 2018

Grease. Gunk. Sludge. Where most people see a nasty nuisance, these scientists see powerful potential. Join us as we wade into the world of bioenergy and learn about the folks working to turn waste into useful energy!

S3 E3: Nuclear Energy: Fact, Fiction, Future Sep 13, 2018

Nuclear energy gets a bad rap on "The Simpsons," but there's a lot more to the story. In this episode of Direct Current, we separate fact from fiction and and explore how splitting atoms could play a big role in America's clean energy future.

S3 E2: Makers Jul 31, 2018

This episode of Direct Current is dedicated to the makers at the Energy Department — the engineers, researchers and artisans whose creations are pushing science and technology to exciting new places.

S3 E1: Sitting Down with Secretary Perry Jun 20, 2018

You know Rick Perry as the current Secretary of Energy and former Texas governor, but did you know he once played drums with ZZ Top? On the Direct Current season 3 premiere, hear from Perry on everything from supercomputers to "Dancing with the Stars."

S2 E9: Power Couple Feb 05, 2018

A pair of energy detectives is hunting down waste and saving money at two big U.S. manufacturing companies. Hear their story, and learn how our Better Plants program is helping partners across the nation find similar success.

S2 E8: Holiday Lights, Redux Dec 19, 2017

We're keeping the season merry and bright with a show about data and holiday lights!

SHORT CIRCUIT | History of the Light Bulb Nov 14, 2017

One of the most ubiquitous items in the world is an item you can probably see from wherever you’re listening… the light bulb. The story of how the light bulb came to light is a fascinating one that we think even a child could understand.

S2 E7: Energy Secrets Oct 27, 2017

From the real science behind the Upside Down in Netflix's "Stranger Things" to the mysterious death of a U.S. president, Direct Current is pulling back the curtain on some of our deepest, darkest #EnergySecrets.

SHORT CIRCUIT | Energy @ 40 Oct 04, 2017

Energy is 40 and we're celebrating with a look back at four decades of #ScienceForThePeople. We talk to the Department's longest-serving employee (53 years!), revisit the agency's origins, and look to the future with the help of our official historians.

S2 E6: A Shot in the Dark Sep 13, 2017

Earth, the cosmos, everything we can see with our eyes and our instruments is made up of normal matter. But all that doesn’t add up to a whole lot. It's just 15% of the mass of the universe.
The rest is an unknown, invisible… something…

SHORT CIRCUIT | Solar, Meet Eclipse Aug 17, 2017

Solar power is booming in the U.S. So what happens when the sun disappears during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017? We talk to the energy experts.

S2 E5: Hyper Drive Time Aug 09, 2017

And now, for something completely different… Take a drive with Direct Current as we mash up three slightly off-kilter energy stories. It might get weird, but it won’t be boring. It’s Hyper Drive Time!

S2 E4: 17 Labs in 17 Minutes Jul 24, 2017

The Department of Energy’s National Labs are the crown jewels of science in America. But their work is so diverse that it’s hard to cover all 17 of them in one podcast episode. So naturally, Direct Current took on that challenge.

This Lab Is Your Lab Jun 30, 2017

As we head into July 4, enjoy "This Lab Is Your Lab." A song meant to highlight some of the amazing work being done across the Energy Department's system of 17 National Labs, the crown jewels of science in the United States.

S2 E3: The Manhattan Project, Part 2 Jun 21, 2017

The conclusion to our two part series on the Manhattan Project -- an unprecedented, U.S. government effort to beat Nazi Germany in the race to construct a nuclear weapon, the dawn of the atomic age, and how that legacy is being preserved.

SHORT CIRCUIT | Ruth's Story Jun 05, 2017

Ruth Huddleston was 18 when she took a job at a secret Army facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during World War II. It was so highly classified that no one could even tell her what she was working on. We have her story.

S2 E2: The Manhattan Project, Part 1 May 18, 2017

The first of two episodes that tell the story of an unprecedented, U.S. government effort to beat Nazi Germany in the race to construct a nuclear weapon, the dawn of the atomic age, and how that legacy is being preserved.

SHORT CIRCUIT | How to Soak Up an Oil Spill Apr 20, 2017

It's been seven years since the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Could a sponge developed by Argonne National Lab help stop the next big oil spill from becoming a catastrophe?

S2 E1: The Hype Trailer Apr 13, 2017

Direct Current returns next week! LISTEN TO OUR NEW TRAILER to get a little taste of what's in store for season 2. We also want to say a quick thank you to everyone who listened to the first season; we really appreciate your support and your enthusiasm.

Episode 10: The Exit Interview Jan 17, 2017

With the current presidential administration coming to a close, we asked a very special guest to share some thoughts on his time here at the Energy Department. It’s our boss, nuclear physicist and Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz.

Episode 9: What Happened to Acid Rain? Jan 05, 2017

Acid rain was one of the biggest environmental problems of the 20th century. We investigate why it’s a thing of the past -- and what it can teach us for tackling climate change.

Episode 8: Ho-Ho-How Holiday Lights Work Dec 01, 2016

Why do holiday lights burn out all the time? We find out the answer, and do it in rhyme.

Episode 7: From Water to Wattage Nov 03, 2016

Hydropower is America's oldest and largest source of clean, renewable energy. But can it grow to meet our changing needs? Follow our hosts on a journey from hydropower's origins to the new wave of technologies that could shape its future.

Episode 6: Energy Ghostbusters Oct 20, 2016

Spooked by the goblins of energy inefficiency? In this episode, we talk with Josh Olsen, an “Energy Ghostbuster" from our Weatherization Program. Learn how to keep from being haunted by your energy bill and trick-or-treat yourself to energy savings.

Episode 5: The Future of Cool Sep 14, 2016

Paul and Simon lead the way to the future of cooling, where new technologies like magnet-based air conditioning and personalized robots will transform how we fight climate change, save on energy costs and stay comfortable.

Episode 4: Backronyms Aug 10, 2016

Not all acronyms are created equal. Join us on a journey into the colorful world of government "backronyms," where there's more to a name than just a jumble of letters.

Episode 3: Power To The People Jul 11, 2016

How does power get to the people who use it? We explore that question and talk about the electric grid -- what it is, how it works, and what happens when the power goes out.

Episode 2: The Clean Energy Geek Squad Jun 25, 2016

We call a "help desk" that provides clean energy policy assistance to governments worldwide, talk to Nicky Phear, who cycles across Montana teaching students about climate change, and propose a few new units of energy -- starting with a burrito.

Episode 1: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Rooftop Solar May 03, 2016

We investigate the sneaky "soft costs" driving up the price of rooftop solar, delve into the archives for a look at the turbulent times around the Energy Department's creation, and contemplate some alternatives to the name "Direct Current."

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Direct Current – An Energy.gov Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected