PODCAST

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan

Claire Broido Johnson & Dan Kammen

The business and science of energy... All around the world.

news business news

All Episodes

29:12

Ducks, Curves, and Batteries

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/11/18

In this episode, Claire and Dan break down one of the most misunderstood challenges in modern energy: the duck curve. They explain why solar-heavy grids create steep late afternoon ramps in demand, how utilities currently struggle to manage them, and why battery storage is emerging as the critical solution. They explore examples from California, Spain, Portugal, and beyond, and walk through the economics, developer challenges, and policy dynamics shaping solar-plus-storage today. If you have heard

24:16

Data Centers, AI, and the Coming Power Crunch

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/11/11

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan unpack one of the most urgent and fast-evolving issues in the energy world: the explosive growth of data centers and the massive electricity demands driven by AI. From skyrocketing grid stress and 250% energy cost spikes in some regions to the surprising role of 747 jet engines as makeshift power plants, this conversation cuts through the noise and delivers clarity. Whether you work in tech, energy, or policy — or you're just curious about why your

22:37

From Idea to Impact: How Climate Tech Startups Scale...

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/11/04

In part two of Energy Matters' series on what works—and what doesn't—in climate tech, Claire and Dan dig into how startups move from promising ideas to scalable, sustainable businesses. They explore the building blocks of success: operational excellence, smart capital strategy, competitive awareness, and proactive engagement with regulators and utilities. Through candid insights and real-world examples, Claire and Dan reveal how founders can avoid common pitfalls, adapt to shifting markets, and

24:44

What Makes Climate Tech Startups Thrive — and Why So...

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan take a candid look at what separates successful climate tech startups from the ones that never make it past the prototype. Drawing from decades of experience in both business and science, they unpack real stories from companies like Enphase, CleanCapital, MiaSolé, and Ada Energy—exploring what great leadership, realistic market sizing, and sound unit economics look like in practice. From visionary founders and ego-free C-suites to flawed

21:44

Transportation Revolution: Claire Buys a Car

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/10/21

After a recent accident totaled her Prius Prime, Claire is in the market for a new car — but with a 6'5" husband, a narrow Baltimore parking pad, and strong opinions about trillionaire tech CEOs, the decision isn't simple. In this episode, Claire and Dan go head-to-head on hybrids vs. full EVs, cost of ownership myths, charging infrastructure reality (yes, even in small towns), and whether environmental impact truly favors electric. They dig into cobalt-free batteries, carbon payback timelines, and

19:45

Climate Week 2025: Winners, Losers, and Lost Ground

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/10/14

At Climate Week 2025, the gap between climate tech innovation and U.S. policy has never felt wider. Claire and Dan unpack the week’s biggest moments—from the president’s incendiary comments to shifting ESG priorities, the rise of pragmatic energy realism, and how renewables continue to defy political narratives. Plus, insights from the Clinton Global Initiative and projects giving hope amid global backsliding. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

36:19

Nuclear Power: Promise or Peril?

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/10/07

Claire and Dan explore whether nuclear power can truly help solve the climate crisis. They unpack the promise of small modular reactors, the reality of aging plants, and the long-term hope of fusion—balancing innovation, cost, and risk in one of energy’s most polarizing debates. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen

29:46

Energy: East Coast vs. West Coast

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/09/30

In this episode, Claire and Dan dive into the long-standing East Coast vs. West Coast debate... This time, it’s all about energy. From California’s pioneering climate policies, solar and EV mandates, and wildfire-driven grid challenges, to the East Coast’s regional planning, offshore wind ambitions, and coastal resilience, we explore how each side of the country is shaping the future of clean power. Along the way, we unpack successes, setbacks, and surprising lessons each coast can learn from the

28:54

Why Energy Efficiency Matters Now More Than Ever

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/09/23

Energy efficiency has been called the “first fuel” of the clean energy transition—cheap, effective, and proven. So why do Americans still overlook it? In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan unpack the history of efficiency from the 1970s oil crises to today’s grid congestion and data-driven energy demand. They explore why utilities resist selling less power, why homeowners skip upgrades, and why low-income communities face the steepest bills. From 1970s tree-planting programs to today’s

39:03

What Happens in Vegas… Stays in Beijing?

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/09/16

Claire just returned from RE+ in Las Vegas, Dan just back from Beijing. We compare the U.S. private-sector deal frenzy with China’s government-plus-industry energy push. Claire explains why developers and tax-equity players are racing to start construction before credits sunset, how much of the pipeline is real vs. grandstanding, and why battery storage was the talk of the floor (hello, duck curve). Dan reports on mega-scale grid building, EV battery swaps, and long-duration storage ideas (from sand

28:31

Moore’s Law and the Future of Energy Innovation

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/09/09

Claire and Dan unpack Moore’s Law — the principle that technology improves and costs decline as production scales — and explore its powerful role in driving down the price of solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies. They connect the dots between semiconductors, renewable energy, policy incentives, and innovation curves. They tackle the big questions: how far can Moore’s Law take us, where does it fall short, and what does it mean for the future of AI, energy efficiency, and fusion

31:36

The Big Beautiful Bill and Reshaping the Future of...

Energy Matters with Claire and Dan ·

2025/09/04

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan discuss the Big Beautiful Bill Act. They explain changes to the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits and cover the ups and downs of solar and new timelines for wind, solar, and energy storage projects. Claire and Dan break down what these changes mean for developers, jobs, and U.S. competitiveness in the global energy market.

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Energy Matters with Claire and Dan

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