Direct Current - An Energy.gov Podcast

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

"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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Show notes

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.