Energy Changemakers Podcast

• How Can Microgrids Achieve the Holy Grail of Scalability?

  Scaling microgrids has long been a sticking point in the clean energy conversation—custom-built and complex, they’ve traditionally defied mass deployment. But what if microgrids could be treated as products rather than projects?In this episode of the Energy Changemakers Podcast, host Elisa Wood sits down with Alok Singhania, Senior Partner at Gridscape, to explore how standardizing microgrids can reshape the energy landscape. Alok unpacks Gridscape’s innovative approach to making microgrids modular, scalable, and manufacturable, like any other piece of equipment. Together, they examine regulatory roadblocks, federal policy uncertainty, and the educational gaps holding back market adoption.From tribal installations to community colleges, Alok shares real-world examples of Gridscape’s work, outlining a clear path to making microgrids central to a decentralized, resilient, and equitable grid of the future.Why most microgrids are stuck in a “custom project” loopGridscape’s approach to productizing microgrids for scaleHow permitting delays and lack of public understanding slow adoptionWhy a decentralized grid is critical for resilience and cost savingsThe impact of utility policy and the “over-the-fence rule”How community microgrids could become the future of energy infrastructureReal-world examples from fire stations, tribal lands, and college campusesInsights on federal tax incentives, tariffs, and future-proofing the industryAlok Singhania is a senior partner at Gridscape, a microgrid technology and project development company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a background in both technology and entrepreneurship, Alok has been instrumental in transforming microgrid systems from custom installations into scalable, modular energy solutions. His work supports communities, critical infrastructure, and institutions in their journey toward energy independence and grid resilience.Gridscape SolutionsU.S. Investment Tax Credit (ITC) overview: energy.govSan Pasqual Band of Mission Indians Microgrid Case StudyShabo College Microgrid ProjectFremont Fire Station CEC Microgrid Project🔗 Website: https://energychangemakers.com/📩 Newsletter: Subscribe for weekly insights on the decentralized grid📣 Spread the word: Rate & review the podcast to help grow the clean energy conversation!The Energy Changemakers Podcast is your source for expert insights into building a decentralized, local, and equitable energy future. Subscribe and join the movement.

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• DERs and the Abundance Agenda: What Comes After Federal Funding Falls Short

  In this episode, Elisa Wood sits down with Tim Hade to discuss why now—despite, or perhaps because of—federal policy turbulence, the distributed energy industry is poised for massive transformation. Tim unpacks his move to Santa Barbara (which, by the way, he calls “home to the worst grid in the continental U.S.”) and how that community could become a national model for DER-powered resilience.They explore why community organizing is becoming just as crucial as engineering, how local governments are key players in energy infrastructure, and what role utilities can play in funding distributed solutions. From virtual power plants to the Distributed Capacity Procurement model, this conversation is a masterclass in building pragmatic, bottom-up energy systems in a time of urgent change.If you’re worried about the future of distributed energy, this episode will give you a reason to hope—and a blueprint for action.Key Topics:Why load growth is reshaping utility prioritiesSanta Barbara’s unique grid vulnerability—and opportunityThe role of local government in infrastructure resilienceVirtual power plants vs. legacy grid systemsFunding DERs without federal tax creditsBuilding community support and political willWhy DERs may thrive in a less supportive federal environmentRelevant Links:Learn more about Tim Hade’s work: Scale MicrogridLearn more about Leah Stokes’ research: https://www.leahstokes.comSparkFund’s Distributed Capacity Procurement model: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/events/distributed-capacity-procurement-a-new-tool-for-utilities/More from Elisa Wood: EnergyChangemakers.comCall to Action:Are you ready to be part of the shift toward decentralized, community-driven energy? Subscribe to the Energy Changemakers Podcast wherever you get your shows, and leave us a review to help this message reach more listeners. Join our newsletter at EnergyChangemakers.com for exclusive content and updates.

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• Microgrids Aren’t What They Used To Be

  In this insightful episode of the Energy Changemakers Podcast, Elisa Wood is joined by industry experts Lisa Cohn and Peter Asmus to explore the dynamic world of microgrids. They trace the evolution of microgrids from niche solutions for remote areas to vital tools for resilience in a world facing rising energy demands, data center expansion, and climate uncertainty.Lisa and Peter share their extensive experience in the field, discussing how microgrids have evolved from basic solar-plus-storage setups to complex, multi-resource systems that integrate fuel cells, hydro, data centers, and even artificial intelligence. They dive into how microgrids are transforming industries, from agriculture in Oregon to energy resilience in Alaska.Host: Elisa Wood, founder of Energy ChangemakersGuests:With:Lisa Cohn: Co-founder of Microgrid Knowledge and founder of CleanEnergyWriters.com.Peter Asmus: President of Pathfinder’s Communications and Senior Advisor of Clara Advisory.Key topics include:The origins of microgrids and how Superstorm Sandy propelled them into the spotlight.The critical role of microgrids in data center resilience.Innovative microgrid projects, including Blue Lake Rancheria, Cordova, and Kodiak Island.Why data centers are now leading microgrid adoption.The impact of tariffs and regulatory uncertainty on microgrid growth.The future of microgrids as a solution for energy resilience and decentralized power.Whether you’re a seasoned energy professional or simply curious about how microgrids work, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the past, present, and future of this transformative technology.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Energy Changemakers Podcast on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Want to stay informed on the latest in energy innovation? Subscribe to our newsletter at https://newsletter.energychangemakers.com/Call to Action:

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• The Battle for the Grid: How the Public Can Regain Control of Electricity

  Is it time to rethink who controls the grid?Elisa Wood sits down with legal expert and author Sandeep Vaheesan to discuss the rarely told—but critically important—history of public power in the United States. From the rise and fall of rural electric cooperatives to today’s mounting frustration with investor-owned utilities, Sandeep offers a sweeping, insider’s look at why our energy systems are failing the public—and what we can do about it.Together, they explore the roots of energy democracy, the tension between shareholder-driven utilities and the public good, and the resurgence of interest in publicly owned power. Sandeep shares examples of governance breakdowns (like Virginia’s Rappahannock Electric Cooperative) and inspiring success stories (such as Oregon’s Eugene Water and Electric Board). He also unpacks a surprisingly radical proposal from FDR and lays out his vision for a modern, democratic, and climate-resilient power system.Whether you’re a grid operator, policymaker, energy advocate, or just tired of high electric bills, this episode offers vital insights—and a hopeful call to action.Key Topics Covered:The two primary models of energy democracyWhy public utilities don’t always serve the publicProxy voting abuses in electric cooperativesLessons from Tri-County’s grassroots revolt in South CarolinaThe tension between scale and democracy in grid planningSandeep’s proposal for democratic governance of large-scale energy infrastructureThe future of public power in a post-IRA worldPublic involvement in regulatory commissionsPromising models like BPA and Eugene’s EWEBA live policy fight in New York: Should NYPA lead the clean energy buildout?About the Guest:Sandeep Vaheesan is the legal director at the Open Markets Institute, where he focuses on competition policy and monopoly power. He has written extensively on the intersection of law, utilities, and the public interest. His book, Democracy in Power: A History of Electrification in the United States, offers a deeply researched and accessible account of how energy systems in the U.S. came to be dominated by private utilities—and how public alternatives can help us address the climate crisis and economic inequality.Links & Resources:Get Democracy in Power from University of Chicago Press: Use code DMCRCYPWR24 for $15 off Listen to the August 28, 2024 episode: Are We Expecting Too Much from Virtual Power Plants?Learn more and join the conversation at energychangemakers.com Call to Action:Help shape the future of our energy system:Subscribe to the Energy Changemakers Podcast Leave a review on your podcast platform of choiceJoin our newsletter at energychangemakers.comShare this episode with your networkLet’s build a grid that works for everyone.

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• US Political Parties Agree on One Thing: Utility Bills

  Most Americans have never heard of their state’s public utility commission—yet these low-profile regulatory bodies control over $200 billion in annual utility spending and directly influence the price you pay for electricity and gas. In this episode of Energy Changemakers, host Elisa Wood sits down with Charles Hua, founder and executive director of PowerLines, a national nonprofit pushing for smarter, more consumer-centered utility regulation.Together, they unpack the eye-opening findings of PowerLines’ latest national survey with Ipsos, revealing a rare bipartisan consensus: Americans across political lines feel powerless about their utility costs—and most don’t know where to turn for solutions. Charles explains why this regulatory opacity persists, what it means for energy affordability and the economy, and how PowerLines is working to modernize an outdated system for a more inclusive, transparent, and effective energy future.If you’ve ever looked at your utility bill and wondered, Why is this so high—and who decides this anyway?, this episode will give you the clarity (and motivation) to learn more.What You’ll Learn:Why state utility commissions wield more power over your wallet than you thinkThe real drivers behind rising electricity and gas bills (hint: it’s not what you expect)How regulatory systems can evolve to center consumer voicesThe uphill battle of participating in public utility commission meetings—and what needs to changeWhy both policy insiders and everyday Americans need to care about this issue nowOpportunities to engage with Power Lines and push for a more equitable gridCharles Hua is the founder and executive director of PowerLines, a nonprofit organization working to make the utility regulatory system more accountable, equitable, and responsive to American consumers. With experience at the U.S. Department of Energy and Berkeley National Lab, Charles brings deep policy expertise and a practical mission: ensuring that the energy system works for everyone – not just insiders.🌐 Visit PowerLines.org📧 Contact Charles: [email protected] & Links:Learn more about state Public Utility Commissions: NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners)Join the Energy Changemakers community: EnergyChangemakers.com

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