Inevitable

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Startup Series: Unlocking Ammonia as Energy with Amogy May 23, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Seonghoon Woo is CEO and co-founder at Amogy. Amogy is building technology to unlock ammonia's potential as a clean energy fuel source for transportation and beyond. About a year ago, they raised a Series B of funding led by SK Innovations, with backers including Temasek, Aramco Ventures, Mitsubishi, DCVC, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Mitsui OSK Lines, and others.

Ammonia is a workhorse chemical in modern society. It's one of the most produced chemicals in the world today, and it's used primarily as the foundation of the nitrogen fertilizer industry, as a transport vessel for nitrogen. Chemically, ammonia is NH3, so in addition to nitrogen, it contains hydrogen. And hydrogen as we know has a strong potential as a low to zero emissions fuel source, depending on how it's produced.

But hydrogen is challenging to transport. Ammonia, therefore, also has the potential to be a transport vessel for hydrogen as a power source, and ammonia supply chains are already mature today. Amogy's unique innovation lies in cracking ammonia into hydrogen at the point of power generation and then powering vehicles via hydrogen fuel cells. They are targeting ocean shipping as most major companies seek solutions to decarbonize their supply chains.

In this episode, we cover:

[02:21]: Dr. Woo’s background and journey to founding Amogy
[05:16]: Co-founder roles and decision-making at Amogy
[07:16]: The company’s impressive Series B funding round and key investors
[09:45]: Overview of Amogy and its technology: converting ammonia to energy
[11:14]: Importance of ammonia in global food production and fertilizer
[15:07]: Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier and its applications beyond fertilizer
[17:03]: Ammonia production processes, challenges of transportation and storage
[19:47]: Amogy’s innovation to use ammonia as a fuel without combustion
[24:35]: Ammonia compared with other renewable fuels like methanol and batteries
[29:21]: Process and efficiency of converting ammonia to hydrogen on ships
[31:32]: Safety considerations for storing and transporting ammonia on ships
[34:40]: Amogy’s current traction and building the world's first 100% ammonia-powered vessel, a tugboat
[38:57]: Where Amogy is looking for help today
[42:07]: Future expansion of ammonia adoption in East Asia and globally

Episode recorded on May 9, 2024 (Published on May 23, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Reframing Nuclear Narratives with the Breakthrough Institute May 13, 2024

Show notes

Adam Stein is the Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute, where he focuses on the technology, policy, risk and economics of nuclear energy. The Breakthrough Institute is a global research center that identifies and promotes technological solutions to environmental and human development challenges. Among its many projects, the Breakthrough Institute recently launched Build Nuclear Now, a national campaign to mobilize Americans in targeted states to call for regulatory and legislative change to accelerate the licensing and deployment of new, advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.

Adam brings a pro-nuclear perspective to this conversation; and given that, Cody and Adam focus the majority of the discussion on the history of nuclear power in the US and potential paths forward, rather than debating the merits of nuclear (which could of course be a full episode by itself). Adam has a particular interest in advanced nuclear reactors, which represent a broad class of new technologies currently under development and review. This conversation covers these advanced reactors and so much more.

Episode recorded on Apr 15, 2024 (Published on May 13, 2024)

In this episode, we cover:

[02:39]: Launch of 'Build Nuclear Now' to boost public support for nuclear energy
[03:45]: Shift in public opinion on nuclear energy post-Three Mile Island incident
[05:03]: Contrast between post-WWII and current energy policies focusing on efficiency
[09:30]: Decline of nuclear energy due to increased natural gas from fracking
[10:48]: Challenges in revitalizing the stagnant US nuclear industry
[13:02]: Future projections for nuclear load growth by 2050
[15:14]: Why renewables and storage alone cannot meet future energy demands
[19:39]: Additional benefits of nuclear energy
[21:33]: The role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the need for reform
[25:00]: Challenges with traditional nuclear reactor approval processes
[29:23]: Vogtle reactors and challenges for deploying nuclear plants in the US
[32:27]: The potential of advanced nuclear reactors and their smaller, adaptable designs
[39:32]: Strategic focus on Appalachia for repurposing coal plants for nuclear projects
[42:38]: Recent legislative efforts to modernize nuclear energy regulation and innovation
[52:12]: The process and challenges of nuclear fuel management, from enrichment to waste
[01:01:12]: National focus on nuclear innovation, highlighting Idaho's MARVEL reactor development
[01:05:31]: Role of the Breakthrough Institute in addressing and implementing solutions for nuclear energy barriers

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Live from SF Climate Week with Senator Scott Wiener and Shashank Samala May 06, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, recorded live during San Francisco Climate Week, we delve into the critical intersection of climate policy and carbon removal. Joining us are two distinguished guests: California Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the recent landmark climate legislation known as California's SB 253 or the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and Shashank Samala, the CEO and Co-founder of Heirloom, a pioneering carbon removal company. Shashank was a previous guest on the show in 2021, and we're excited to have him back to weigh in on this important conversation.

Senator Wiener sheds light on the legislative landscape driving climate action, while Shashank offers insights into the technologies transforming carbon removal. Together, we explore the convergence of policy and innovation, examining how regulatory frameworks catalyze the adoption and scaling of technological solutions. We pack a lot into this conversation, and we hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, we cover:

[2:15] Senator Scott Wiener's background and personal climate journey
[6:04] Shashank's entrepreneurial background and transition to carbon removal
[8:38] An overview of Heirloom
[10:20] An overview of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
[12:59] SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, authored by Senator Wiener
[17:46] California's cap and trade system
[20:22] The importance of carbon accounting and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)
[25:32] How the Senator's team worked with startups to verify compliance challenges
[31:48] Heirloom's categories of carbon buyers
[34:25] SB 308, Carbon Market Development Act, authored by Senator Josh Becker
[36:17] The role of geography in carbon removals
[40:14] How startups can engage with local policymakers
[45:11] The benefit of representing San Francisco as a climate tech hub
[46:29] Senator Wiener's wishlist for climate policy, including dense housing and world-class public transportation
[47:06] Shashank's wishlist for climate policy, including SB 308

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Exploring NOAA with Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Kapnick Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Sarah Kapnick serves as the Chief Scientist at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which plays a critical role in understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Bringing a unique mix of science and finance to NOAA, Dr. Kapnick's background includes a stint as a senior climate scientist at JP Morgan Chase, a leadership role at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, and an early career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. She holds a PhD in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from UCLA and an AB in Mathematics from Princeton.

In our conversation, Dr. Kapnick touches on a wide range of topics, including NOAA's extensive work, the importance of resilience and adaptation in today's changing climate, and the challenges of planning for a future that deviates from past assumptions of a stable climate. Highlighting NOAA's efforts in supporting community resilience and innovation, she underscores the agency's commitment to aiding stakeholders in navigating the complexities of our evolving environmental landscape, emphasizing the critical need for investment and focus on adaptation for the remainder of the 21st century.

In this episode, we cover:

[03:08]: An overview of NOAA and its departments, focusing on climate, weather, ocean, and coasts
[05:16]: The six line offices within NOAA, including the National Weather Service and Oceanic Research
[09:26]: NOAA's management of marine resources and the Great Lakes
[12:18]: How scientific priorities are set within NOAA, driven by mission and funding
[15:06]: Kapnick's background in climate science and finance
[20:23]: The intersection of climate change and finance
[22:45] The need for bipartisan support for resiliency and adaptation measures
[31:13]: NOAA's role in funding and supporting coastal resilience and climate-ready fisheries
[36:34]: NOAA's focus on adaptation and resilience in response to climate change
[48:19]: Opportunities for startup innovation and government funding in adaptation and resiliency
[54:00]: The state of the world's ocean and atmospheric circulation, including AMOC slowdown
[59:17]: Climate change impacts on the Midwest and the variability of the Great Lakes

Episode recorded on Mar 13, 2024 (Published on Apr 15, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Climate Change and Democracy with Ning Mosberger-Tang Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Ning Mosberger-Tang is the founder and president at 1.5 Climate Strategies Group, alongside a host of other climate and civic organizations.

As one of the pioneering female engineers at Google, Ning played a crucial role in the development of Google's initial advertising platform. Transitioning from Google in 2006, her focus shifted towards combating climate change. Presently, she spearheads multiple organizations dedicated to instigating change.

This discussion spans her endeavors in political and electoral advocacy, civic engagement, and climate tech investing. With the 2024 election on the horizon, the opportunity to converse with Ning offered invaluable insights into the critical issues at stake, her priorities for the election cycle, and her strategic approach.

Episode recorded on Mar 19, 2024 (Published on Apr 8, 2024)

In this episode, we cover:

[01:47]: Ning's background, her experience at Google and transition to climate advocacy
[06:28]: Founding Innovo Foundation for conservation work and climate change mitigation
[07:23]: Ning's various initiatives, from tech investments to democracy reform
[10:00]: The importance of policy and electoral work for climate action after the 2016 election
[11:23]: Starting Blue Wave Postcard Movement to increase voter turnout
[16:27]: 1.5 Climate Strategies Group's mission and member pledge
[19:16]: Supporting investigative reporting on climate via Capital & Main and Grist
[20:20]: Focus on the 2024 elections for climate policy impact
[24:25]: Importance of state and local elections for climate action implementation
[29:39]: Ning's wishlist for future climate policies, highlighting the need for transmission reform
[30:20]: Deep dive on 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(4), PAC money, and the many ways elections are funded
[35:00]: The importance of building a strong ground game for elections
[39:47]: Ning's invitation to join 1.5 Climate Strategies Group
[40:06]: The Blue Wave Postcard Movement's effort to register voters in Pennsylvania
[40:59]: Oath.vote and closing words

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Diving into Desalination with Peter Fiske, National Alliance for Water Innovation Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Peter Fiske is the Executive Director at the National Alliance for Water Innovation or NAWI. NAWI is a collection of 19 universities, four national labs and 190 plus US water companies committed to developing new technologies to enable distributed desalination and water reuse. They're a five-year, $110 million research program supported by the US Department of Energy in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources and the California State Water Resources Control Board. They're headquartered at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in Northern California. Peter joined Berkeley lab in 2017. Prior to that, he was the Chief Executive Officer at Pax Water Technologies from 2008 until January 2017, when it was acquired by UGSI Incorporated. Peter holds a PhD in geochemistry and material science from Stanford and an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Our conversation today starts with a deep dive into desalination before broadening out into Peter's vision for our water system. Shout-out to former podcast guest Tom Ferguson at Burnt Island Ventures for connecting us with Peter. We've been wanting to learn about desalination and Peter helps us gain a much better understanding of that and so much more.

In this episode, we cover:

[3:11] Peter's work at the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)
[5:56] Overview of desalination and its various applications, including ocean desalination and water reuse
[9:19] Desalination challenges and opportunities, including energy usage and brine disposal
[14:33] Small-scale desalination systems and water reuse in buildings and cities
[20:09] The water-energy nexus and the impact of water usage on power generation
[27:30] NAWI's ongoing projects, including ultra high recovery desalination and recovery of valuable materials from wastewater
[32:16] Status of water innovation in the U.S. and other countries
[34:43] Water economics and the need for companies to consider their consumption
[36:49] The federal policy landscape for water in the U.S.
[38:30] Water as a national security
[40:45] Peter's background and career

Episode recorded on March 18, 2024 (Published on April 2, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: Reclaimed Lumber with Urban Machine Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Eric Law is the CEO and co-founder of Urban Machine.

Urban Machine develops robotics and AI to reclaim lumber from construction and demolition for re-use. They claim that 37 million tons of wood goes into landfills annually, and much of that wood could be reused. Their robotic machines specialize in the necessary steps to prep wood for reconditioning.

In 2022, Urban Machine successfully secured a seed funding round, spearheaded by Lower Carbon Capital and supported by GV (Google Ventures).

With a career rooted in the construction and contracting industry, Eric has extensive experience in large construction projects and has been involved in creating and selling software targeted at this sector. We start our conversation with an overview of the construction industry, highlighting the main players, their challenges, including considerations around emissions and sustainability.

The discussion touches on challenges Urban Machine aims to address, the innovative technology they employ, and their aspirations for the future.

In this episode, we cover:

[3:08] Overview of the construction industry and its challenges, including labor shortages and sustainability concerns
[5:52] Key stakeholders in construction
[13:41] Urban Machine's mission to reclaim lumber from construction and demolition for reuse
[17:91] The importance of deconstruction in reducing wood waste
[19:30] Urban Machine's tech and processes for preparing wood for reconditioning
[21:38] Benefits of using reclaimed lumber in construction projects
[23:58] Economic considerations of using reclaimed lumber and competing with virgin lumber prices
[26:19] Urban Machine's progress to-date, funding and future vision
[30:00] Eric Law's motivation for starting the company and its positive reception from the industry

Episode recorded on Mar 14, 2024 (Published on Mar 28, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

From the White House to Climate Frontlines with Brandon Hurlbut Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

Brandon Hurlbut, our guest on this episode, wears multiple hats. He's co-founder at Boundary Stone Partners, a climate change focused government affairs firm created in 2013 that operates at the intersection of technology, finance, and policy.

He's also co-founder of Overture, an early stage climate tech venture capital firm that recently announced a $60 million debut fund, and he is an operating partner at NGP, a private equity fund focused on energy with billions of dollars under management. Among other activities, Brandon also serves on the board of directors of the Sunrise Movement, The Solutions Project, co-founded by Mark Ruffalo, and Clean Energy for America.

Before this, Brandon served in the Obama administration as US Department of Energy Chief of Staff, and in the White House as the president's liaison to the energy and environment cabinet agencies. At the DOE, Brandon oversaw day-to-day operations of a federal agency with a $29 billion budget and a 115,000 person workforce. He also served on the investment committee for its $38 billion Clean Energy Fund.

Cody and Brandon discuss the intersection of policy and innovation, including what his work at Boundary Stone entails and the types of problems they help companies navigate. They also delve into the 2024 US election, including what's at stake from a climate change perspective in the presidential, House, and Senate elections.

In this episode, we cover:

[03:10]: Brandon's unified approach to merging technology, finance, and policy to combat climate change
[05:22]: Involvement with the Sunrise Movement and The Solutions Project
[09:52]: Transition from the Obama campaign to significant roles in energy and environment
[14:08]: The genesis and evolution of Boundary Stone
[21:14]: The varied advocacy work Boundary Stone undertakes to connect startups with government opportunities
[30:31]: The high stakes of the 2024 US election for climate policy and innovation
[34:42]: Potential climate policy directions and challenges in a post-2024 election landscape
[40:27]: Ramifications of a potential 2024 Trump win on climate initiatives
[43:53]: The role of Senate and House elections in shaping climate policy and legislation
[46:13]: The bipartisan appeal of hydrogen, geothermal, and permitting reform in energy policy
[50:38]: Brandon’s advice for getting involved ahead of the 2024 elections and beyond, including Climate Cabinet and Climate Power

Episode recorded on Mar 1, 2024 (Published on Mar 18, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Kim Stanley Robinson on Technology, Climate and Capitalism Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Kim Stanley Robinson, renowned science fiction author, is our guest on this episode of MCJ. He is the author of the Ministry for the Future, a novel which outlines humanity's attempts to navigate climate change in the coming decades.

Former President Barack Obama named the Ministry for the Future as one of his favorite books of 2020. The work has been cited by numerous entrepreneurs and builders in the MCJ member community as having had a significant impact on their interest in working on climate and decarbonization solutions. The subject of climate change shows up in many of Kim Stanley Robinson's works from his Mars trilogy, written in the 1990s about humans terraforming Mars, to his science in the capital Series from the mid 2000s, to his 2017 novel, New York 2140, which is set in a Lower Manhattan that is submerged due to sea level rise.

And it shows up in many of his other works as well. Stan, as he goes by, has won numerous awards including the Hugo Award for best novel for both Green Mars and Blue Mars, and the Nebula Award for best novel for Red Mars and his book 2312. The Atlantic has called his work the gold standard of realistic and highly literary science fiction writing. And according to an article in the New Yorker, he is generally acknowledged as one of the greatest living science fiction writers. Stan and Cody have a wide-ranging conversation about his relationship with nature, his views on capitalism, society, government and technology, and of course his writings and his views on climate change and the path ahead for us all.

In this episode, we cover:

[03:04]: Stan's early life, finding solace in nature on the California coast
[06:40]: Writing "The High Sierra: A Love Story" during the pandemic
[08:57]: Noticing climate change impacts in the Sierra Nevada
[12:08]: Climate change awareness sparked by a 1995 trip to Antarctica
[14:13]: Mixing dread and hope in climate change discussions
[17:36]: Viewing technology as both hardware and software
[21:19]: Critiquing capitalism's role in power dynamics
[26:58]: Majority's desire for a sustainable world despite hurdles
[28:00]: Individual actions within broader societal efforts
[30:14]: Civil disobedience as a response to failed representation
[34:18]: The UN and other international governance's role in global challenges
[39:18]: The potential of international treaties in climate action
[42:11]: The concept of sudden societal change in climate action
[48:06]: Ministry for the Future and "following the money" in climate change narratives
[55:59]: Overview of Stan's works and current projects on Antarctica

Episode recorded on Feb 7, 2024 (Published on Mar 11, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Quantum Solutions with Rigetti Computing Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Subodh Kulkarni is CEO and President at Rigetti Computing, and our topic in this episode is quantum computing and its implications for our changing planet. Rigetti Computing, a publicly listed company, builds quantum computers and superconducting quantum processors. It also provides cloud-based access to quantum computing for both commercial and research purposes.

Quantum computing, a field rooted in theoretical physics, is complex and involves the use of quantum bits or qubits, which differ from binary computing's zeros and ones. As the world's computing demand continues to soar with AI and data centers consuming vast amounts of energy, AI also has the potential to unlock climate change solutions through innovations in biotech, advanced energy, planetary modeling, and more.

We wanted to learn from Subodh about how quantum computing might change the game in all of these areas as it matures. Is it possible that quantum computing is an enormous future climate solution? Let's find out.

In this episode, we cover:

[02:39]: Subodh’s background and joining Rigetti as CEO
[05:26]: Basics of quantum computing versus classical computing
[09:19]: Introduction to the subatomic world
[11:46]: Physicality of a quantum computer
[15:01]: Rigetti's business model: cloud access and on-premise quantum computers
[17:06]: Qubit development and the potential to follow Moore's law
[18:02]: The power requirements of maintaining a hyper-cold environment for quantum computing
[20:02]: Quantum computing's potential to reduce data center energy consumption
[24:25]: Quantum's strength in probabilistic versus deterministic computation
[29:26]: Rigetti's involvement in DOE’s fusion project
[30:59]: Predictions for quantum computing advancements in the next 10 years
[33:45]: How quantum computing can bolster artificial intelligence
[36:18]: Current state of quantum computing and near-term inflection points
[37:16]: Initial use cases for quantum computing, Rigetti’s commercialization strategies, and government funding
[41:08]: Collaborative projects with major financial and pharmaceutical companies
[42:12]: Potential applications in weather modeling and synthetic biology

Episode recorded on Jan 23, 2024 (Published on Mar 4, 2024)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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