Explore every episode of the podcast The Renewables Talent Lab

Adam Saupe sat down with David N. Jones, the Chief Executive Officer at Lumena Energy for episode # 11. In addition to leading Lumena Energy David has served on relevant Boards, regularly meets with political leaders from emerging markets, has a YouTube channel featuring his Virtual Power Plant presentation, and recently hosted the first annual Agrobotics Adventure: Youth Summit held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Prior to serving as a thought leader in the Renewable Energy sector, David studied at The Julliard School and obtained an MBA from MIT.

Some highlights from this broad ranging conversation include:

-The 2 biggest hurdles we currently face in meeting our global clean energy goals

-An education on virtual power plants and subterranean microgrids

-Where will we find the 10 million sharp minds that will soon be employed in the Renewable Energy sector

David on Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-n-jones/

Lumena Energy on the web: https://lumenaenergy.com/

David's Virtual Power Plant presentation from Illinois Institute of Technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_725lsuoTco

Adam Saupe had the pleasure of hosting Zoe Gamble , the President of CleanChoice Energy for episode #10. Prior to her crucial role at CleanChoice Zoe served as Chief Executive Officer at Pine Gate Renewables and General Counsel at FLS Energy. With a JD she also obtained a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law and Graduate School. Passions include yoga, meditation, hiking, and writing. And with 5 kids and 1 dog, busy is an understatement!

Some highlights:

• Championing women and diverse voices in the workplace leads to better problem-solving and more creative workspaces.
• Project finance in the renewable energy sector involves investing in and financing renewable energy projects that generate revenue over time.
• How non-traditional career paths can lead to world class success

....and so much more!

Zoe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoehanes/

CleanChoice Energy on the web: https://cleanchoiceenergy.com/

Joining us for the 1st episode of The Renewables Talent Lab podcast was Mr. Seth Terry, the CEO of New Day Hydrogen. Seth is an experienced Entrepreneur & leader in his own right. For the last 25+ years, Seth has had the opportunity to successfully scale & grow a variety of businesses. His experience is grounded in science & on the job experience. He earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in addition to earning an MBA & his PhD in Environmental Science & Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Seth has a passion for the Renewables space and the race to reduce carbon emissions and lean on the growth & development of clean energy.

He currently serves as the CEO of New Day Hydrogen a Colorado based organization that seeds local hydrogen that seeds local hydrogen markets in North America with its proprietary HubStarter hydrogen production and fueling system.  These systems produce hydrogen fuel on site with just water and electricity and offer centralized fleets a rapid, affordable alternative to batteries in their transition to zero emissions.    

Some of the highlights we covered:

-Why Seth is so passionate about the Renewables space

-Why New Day Hydrogen was Founded

-How New Day Hydrogen is disrupting the commercial transportation industry

-Seth's bold predictions for the Renewables industry, especially the use of Hydrogen

-How he manages stress, especially during tough times

...and so much more!

Seth Terry on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-terry-4427144/

New Day Hydrogen on the web:

https://www.newdayhydrogen.com/

Adam Saupe had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Steve Letendre, the Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Fermata energy for episode #9. Dr. Letendre is a Regulatory & policy professional with over 25 years experience specializing in the value of distributed energy resources & the grid of the future. Steve holds his masters degree in Economics from Binghamton University & his PhD in Energy Policy from the University of Delaware. At Fermata Energy, he works to promote policies, regulations & wholesale market reforms that really unlock the value that V2G offers to the grid as well as to the customer. Dr. Letendre has published over 50 technical reports & articles which have been featured in numerous leading energy journals including the Electricity Journal.

Some highlights:

• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows electric vehicles (EVs) to become an integrated part of the electric grid by using bidirectional chargers.
• V2G provides energy storage and flexibility to the grid, promoting a more decentralized and renewable energy future.
• EVs can be used to power homes and buildings during outages, reduce peak demand, and provide valuable services to the grid.
• The transition to a distributed grid is driven by a convergence of forces, including public policy, technology advancements, and economics.
• V2G technology has the potential to decarbonize the grid and support the transition to a clean energy future.

...and so much more!

Dr. Steve Letendre on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-letendre-phd/

Fermata Energy on the web:

www.fermataenergy.com

Adam Saupe had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Jena Lococo, Chief of Staff at NovoHydrogen. During the conversation, Jena shares her career journey from working in the oil and gas industry to her current role in green hydrogen. She discusses her experiences in environmental engineering, policy, and sustainability consulting, highlighting the importance of regulatory certainty and bipartisan collaboration in driving sustainable climate policy. Jena explains her role as Chief of Staff, which involves overseeing culture, operations, and strategy at NovoHydrogen. She also discusses the company's growth, recent achievements, and the future of green hydrogen.

Takeaways

• Working in the oil and gas industry allowed Jena to advocate for change from within a carbon-intensive industry.
• Regulatory certainty and bipartisan collaboration are crucial for effective climate policy.
• As Chief of Staff, Jena oversees culture, operations, and strategy at NovoHydrogen.
• NovoHydrogen is a green hydrogen project developer focused on reducing price volatility & CO2 emissions with a reliable & safe zero-carbon alternative
• The company has experienced significant growth and has been selected for award negotiations for the Department of Energy's regional hydrogen hubs program.
• Jena is optimistic about the future of green hydrogen and believes that every technology in the climate toolbox will be needed.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Jena's background

02:32Career Journey: From Oil and Gas to Green Hydrogen

07:58The Importance of Regulatory Certainty and Bipartisan Collaboration in Climate Policy

11:01The Role of a Chief of Staff at NovoHydrogen

22:12Growth and Achievements at NovoHydrogen

24:16The Future of Green Hydrogen and the Climate Toolbox

About Jena's background:

Jena earned both her Bachelors of Science & Masters of Engineering from the University of Florida with concentrations in Environmental Engineering. She's held positions like Environmental & Regulatory Advisor & Sustainability Associate with huge names like ExxonMobil & McKinsey & Company. Since 2023, Jena has served as Chief of Staff for NovoHydrogen.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenalococo/

About NovoHydrogen:

Led by the conviction that zero-carbon hydrogen is a key piece of the decarbonization puzzle, the company leverages deep energy sector knowledge to provide green hydrogren solutions to large-scale industrial, transportation & power sector customers.

www.novohydrogen.com

For this episode, Adam Saupe sat down with Margaret Thompson, Director of Business Development at Klick Solar. Margaret shares her journey into the renewable energy industry and provides insights on how others can transition into the field. Thompson also explains the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its impact on the industry, including the extension of the 30% tax credit for solar systems. She highlights the need for advancements in battery technology and grid infrastructure to support the growth of solar energy. Thompson remains optimistic about the future of solar and encourages homeowners to explore the benefits of solar energy.

Takeaways

• Transitioning into the renewable energy industry requires people skills and a passion for educating homeowners about the benefits of solar energy.
• Klick Solar focuses on training individuals from various backgrounds vs focusing on hiring only those with specific education or experience.
• The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has extended the 30% tax credit for solar systems until 2032, providing an opportunity for homeowners to save on installation costs.
• Advancements in battery technology and grid infrastructure are necessary to support the growth of solar energy.
• Despite increasing interest rates, solar energy remains a viable option for homeowners, and the market is expected to continue growing.

Margaret Thompson on LinkedIn;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretpthompson/

Klick Solar on the web:

www.klicksolar.com

Summary

In this conversation, Adam Saupe hosts Douglas Dagan, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Renewable Energy at Suburban Propane. Doug discusses the importance of renewable energy and the role of businesses in the energy transition. He emphasizes the need for an all inclusive approach and the complexity of the renewable energy landscape. Doug highlights Suburban Propane's efforts to bring renewable energy to customers through renewable propane, renewable DME, and biogas. He also provides insights into career opportunities in the renewable energy sector and offers advice for individuals to make a positive impact on climate change.

Takeaways

• The energy transition requires an all-of-the-above approach and the active involvement of existing energy companies.
• Career opportunities in the renewable energy sector include engineering, sales, and leadership roles.
• Individual actions, such as reducing food waste and making sustainable purchasing decisions, can contribute to addressing climate change.
• Businesses and governments play a crucial role in incentivizing and driving the development of renewable energy technologies.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

06:12Outlook for the Energy Transition

12:55Suburban Propane's Renewable Energy Initiatives

25:21Individual Actions to Address Climate Change

30:12Conclusion and Gratitude

About Doug:

Mr. M Douglas Dagan is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Renewable Energy at Suburban Propane. Prior to joining Suburban Propane, Doug spent nearly two decades advising public & private entities on all things Renewable, all aspects of Renewable Energy projects, advocating for environmental & energy policies & supporting climate change initiatives. Doug serves on several boards & with several industry groups including the Board of Directors of Low Carbon Fuel Coalition, the Board of Directors for the Advanced Biofuels Association, and the Executive Committee of the International DME Association. Doug holds his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry & Environmental studies, a double Masters from Yale University (including Environmental Management) & his JD from Vermont Law School.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougdagan/

About Suburban Propane:

Suburban Propane is a 95+ year old marketer & distributor of a diverse array of products to meet the energy needs of its customers. These products include propane, heating oil, refined fuels, natural gas, electricity, and of course, the significant work being completed on the renewables side.

www.suburbanpropane.com

Summary

In this episode, Adam Saupe interviews Mike Crosby, Director of Talent Acquisition at Energy Vault, about building world-class organizations and career development in the renewable energy industry. They discuss the importance of strategic career planning, the potential for career pivots into renewable energy, and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. They also touch on the use of AI in recruitment and provide recommendations for further reading on career development.

Takeaways

• Strategic career planning involves considering both short-term job searches and long-term career goals.
• Pivoting into the renewable energy industry is possible, but the level of experience required may vary depending on the specific role and company.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important considerations for companies, and efforts should be made to reduce bias in job descriptions and hiring processes.
• AI is becoming more prevalent in recruitment, but it is not yet capable of replacing human judgment and personal touches in the hiring process.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

02:00Short-Term vs. Long-Term Job Search

06:10Pivoting into Renewable Energy

12:00Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

23:19The Role of AI in Recruitment

28:06Closing Thoughts

About Mike Crosby:

With his Bachelors from Harvard & double Masters from Stanford, Mike is a veteran recruiter & talent acquisition leader in his own right. For the last 10 years, he has worked as a recruitment professional for companies like DIRECTV, Tickemaster & others to help build best-in-class teams. Interestingly, prior to getting into recruitment, Mike held positions as a High School Teacher, High School Assistant Principal, and as a Sr Analyst-Sales Ops for Medtronic. Today, he leads talent acquisition for EnergyVault.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-crosby-4432025/

About Energy Vault:

The team at Energy Vault is pioneering a fater journey to the decarbonization of our planet by reducing the cost of abundant clean energy, delivering valuable, grid-scale energy storage solutions & efficiently solving the demanding requirements of a clean energy future.

www.energyvault.com

In this episode, Mitch Robbins and Adam Saupe interview Darcy Hill, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Origis Energy. Darcy shares her journey from agency recruiting to internal talent acquisition and her passion for the renewable energy industry. The conversation focuses on the challenges and successes of managing rapid growth while preserving the company's culture. Darcy discusses the importance of building infrastructure for the hiring process and prioritizing the candidate experience. She also emphasizes the significance of effective communication and shares the company's future plans and initiatives, including their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and hiring military veterans.

Takeaways

• Transitioning from agency recruiting to internal talent acquisition allows for a deeper dive into one organization and a more meaningful impact.
• Managing rapid growth requires establishing processes and procedures to ensure scalability and preserve the company's culture.
• Building infrastructure, such as an applicant tracking system, helps streamline the hiring process and improve efficiency.
• Prioritizing the candidate experience through feedback surveys and open communication enhances the company's reputation and attracts top talent.
• Effective communication is crucial during periods of growth and change to keep employees aligned and engaged.
• Origis Energy is focused on reimagining zero and expanding into new regions, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion and hiring military veterans.

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

01:25Transition from Agency Recruiting to Internal Talent Acquisition

03:15Rapid Growth and Culture Preservation

07:22Challenges of Rapid Growth and Culture Preservation

15:01Building Infrastructure for Hiring Process

19:14Focus on Candidate Experience

21:46Lessons Learned and the Importance of Communication

23:39Future Plans and Initiatives

24:42Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and Hiring Military Veterans

About Darcy Hill:

Over the last 10+ years Darcy has built an impressive resume as a leading Agency recruiter turned internal talent acquisition leader. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Talent Acquisiton for a company called Origis Energy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-hill/

About Origis Energy:

Origis Energy is a company accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future by Reimagining Zero. The company continues to deploy a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid and distributed power generation which long term operations & asset management of plants across the US.

https://origisenergy.com/

Joining us for episode #3 was Mr. Troy Bredenkamp, the SVP of Gov't & Public Affairs at The Renewable Fuels Association. Troy is no stranger to the energy, renewables, or agricultural space by any means. He's been a leader in the space for well over 20 years. Prior to joining RFA, he held positions like CEO of the Colorado Livestock Association, Director of Congressional Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, Executive VP & General Manager for the Nebraska Rural Electric Association and Executive Director for Renewables Fuel Nebraska.

This episode is dedicated to debunking myths about ethanol, addressing misinformation that has circulated for years. Troy discusses the origins of these misconceptions, many of which he attributes to the oil and gas industry's resistance to the emergence of ethanol as a competing fuel. Tune in as we uncover the truth behind ethanol and provide clarity on this important renewable energy source. Whether you're a professional in the industry or simply interested in renewable fuels, you're sure to gain valuable insights from our conversation with Troy!

Troy Bredenkamp on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-bredenkamp-88892a147/

Renewable Fuels Associations on the web:

ethanolrfa.org

Joining us for episode #2 was Mr. Scott Bolton, the Executive Vice President of Global Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Hydrostor. Scott comes to the show with over 25 years of experience in the energy and utilities industries, with a focus on public policy and regulatory affairs, developing physical asset and market-based solutions, external relations, and creating coalitions to achieve a variety of initiatives.

Scott is passionate about crafting energy storage solutions for a cleaner, more reliable grid. As the Executive Vice President of Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Hydrostor, he leads the development and execution of the company's policy and regulatory strategy across multiple markets and jurisdictions.

Prior to joining Hydrostor, Scott served in a variety leadership roles for Pacific Corp and served as a Legislative Aid in the United States Senate and prior to that served in the United States Army.

Hydrostor, is a long duration energy storage solutions provider that provides reliable and affordable utility integration of long-duration energy storage, enabling grid operators to scale renewable energy and secure grid capacity. The company has proven that its patented Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (“A-CAES”) technology can provide long-duration energy storage and enable the renewable energy transition.

Some of the highlights we covered:

-Scott's journey in Global Policy & Regulatory/Gov't Affairs

-His transition from a large corporation to a start-up and the differences he's experienced

-Scott's perspective on where Regulations are going within Renewables

...and so much more!

Check out Scott Bolton on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-bolton-72489/

Check out Hydrostor on the web:

https://hydrostor.ca/