Energy Changemakers Podcast

• How to Speed Microgrid Development for Data Centers

  Two energy giants come together with a new strategyThe global data center boom is colliding head-on with one of the most pressing bottlenecks in the energy sector: access to reliable, timely power. In this episode, host Elisa Wood sits down with Jim Mozell, senior director of strategic partnerships at Siemens Energy, and Juan Colina, data center and IT segment leader at Eaton, to discuss how together they are trying to overcome interconnection delays and provide “speed to power” for microgrids.While many data center developers scramble for quick fixes—from reviving retired plants to chasing speculative nuclear projects—these two energy giants came together to propose a “power to chip” approach. The result, they say, is faster deployment timelines, optimized efficiency, and a more financially sustainable way to meet AI-driven compute demand.This conversation explores:●  Why interconnection delays (often 7–9 years) are driving data centers to rethink power strategies●  How Siemens and Eaton’s microgrid design enables modular, onsite generation—scalable from 250 MW to a gigawatt●  The critical role of redundancy, efficiency, and combined-cycle technology in meeting massive compute demand●  How data centers can shift from being heavy consumers to becoming good grid citizens●  Global regulatory challenges and opportunities across the U.S. and Europe●  Why slowing down the “frenzy buying” of energy deals could save operators money and optimize long-term sustainabilityAbout the GuestsJim MozellSenior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Siemens EnergyJim leads collaborations that address global energy challenges through scalable, efficient technology. At Siemens Energy, he works on integrating advanced power generation systems into industrial applications, including the fast-growing data center sector.Juan ColinaData Center & IT Segment Leader, EatonJuan is responsible for shaping Eaton’s global strategy for powering next-generation data centers. With expertise in modularization, resilience, and electrical distribution, he focuses on helping operators scale sustainably while ensuring reliability from “onsite generation to chip.”The market panic around securing power for data centersWhy Eaton and Siemens chose a modular microgrid approachTechnical components: Siemens’ SGT-800 turbines, batteries, and Eaton’s switchgear/UPS solutionsHow modular scaling helps manage CapEx and growth timelinesThe opportunity cost of waiting for grid connections vs. generating onsiteFinancial viability and efficiency as essential long-term considerationsRegulatory hurdles in Europe and North AmericaFuture vision: campuses and hub-and-spoke models supported by optimized onsite powerRelevant LinksEnergy Changemakers PodcastSiemens EnergyEaton Data Centers📩 Have questions or insights? Email Elisa at [email protected] to keep the conversation going.Call to ActionKey Topics CoveredIf you’re interested in how local energy innovations are reshaping the grid—and the future of data centers—subscribe to Energy Changemakers wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a review to help others discover the show, and join our newsletter community at energychangemakers.com to stay ahead of the curve.

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• What It Really Takes to Make a Customer-Centric Electricity System

  Guest: Bruce Nordman, Retired Research Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryAfter nearly 40 years at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Bruce Nordman has stepped into retirement — leaving with some big ideas about the future of our electricity system. In this episode, host Elisa Wood speaks with Bruce about the insights he’s gathered over his career and why he believes the grid has strayed from its original purpose: serving customers.Bruce argues that today’s electricity system is structured around the needs of the grid, rather than those of the consumer. He makes the case for a reimagined model—one where electricity behaves more like the internet: plug-and-play, universal, and simple for the end user. From networking electricity inside buildings to creating globally harmonized standards, Bruce shares a vision for how to make energy systems both more efficient and more customer-friendly.This conversation covers:Bruce’s pioneering work on the energy use of electronics and IT networks at LBNLHow a “lightbulb moment” in 2010 changed the trajectory of his careerWhy electricity should be networked like the internet—universal, seamless, and behind-the-scenesThe hidden complexity of today’s demand response and why it burdens customers unnecessarilyWhy virtual power plants miscast customers as power plants rather than treating them as customersThe three essential ingredients for a truly customer-centric electricity system:Dynamic pricingCommunications infrastructureAutomation at the device levelLessons from Scandinavia, California, and Australia—and why no place has yet put all the pieces togetherWhat global harmonization would mean for future innovation and affordabilityBruce also shares his optimism about what lies ahead and why he believes the greatest barrier isn’t technology—it’s changing the way we think about the grid.Bruce Nordman recently retired after nearly four decades as a research scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His work has focused on energy efficiency in electronics and IT networks, the intersection of digital technology with electricity use, and advancing standards to support smarter, more sustainable systems. His innovative thinking has shaped policy, regulation, and the way we view the customer’s role in the grid. Today, Bruce continues to consult and advocate for globally harmonized, customer-centered approaches to the electricity sector.Learn more about Bruce Nordman on LinkedIn or at brucenordman.com Join the Energy Changemakers community: energychangemakers.comFollow host Elisa Wood on LinkedInIf you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to the Energy Changemakers Podcast on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Want to shape the dialogue on the decentralized grid? Sign up for our newsletter at energychangemakers.com.Together, we can build a grid that’s local, equitable, and clean.About the GuestResources & LinksCall to Action

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• Less Waste, More Productivity: An Economist’s Take on Our Energy Dilemma

  In this episode of Energy Changemakers, host Elisa Wood sits down with renowned energy economist Skip Laitner to explore the surprising ways our “stuff” — from food waste to excess parking lots — is shaping our energy use, economy, and environment. Drawing from his decades of work at the EPA, ACEEE, and beyond, Skip reframes the energy conversation from simply producing more to using resources more productively.Using vivid, household-level examples, Skip reveals how the sheer mass of human-made materials now likely outweighs all living biomass on Earth — and why that matters for energy demand. He discusses:How household habits, from car ownership to shoe purchases, add hidden costs to our energy systemThe difference between energy efficiency and energy productivity — and why the latter could cut total energy use in halfThe role of distributed energy systems in making people more aware of their consumption and wasteHow smarter policies and greater investment could boost economic resilience while reducing environmental pressuresWhy repurposing and reuse — not “degrowth” — are key to a healthier economy and planetFrom the economics of waste to the scaling lessons we can learn from biology, Skip offers a big-picture view that connects our personal consumption patterns to global policy choices. If you care about making the grid cleaner, more local, and more equitable, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about where real change begins.🔗 Download Skip’s paper Living More by Waste Than Ingenuity https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330383360_Let's_Talk_Trash_Do_We_Live_More_by_Waste_than_IngenuityConnect + ResourcesLearn more about the Energy Changemakers community: energychangemakers.comFollow host Elisa Wood on LinkedIn

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• Is Small Town America Ready for Climate Migration?

  As rising sea levels, floods, and wildfires continue to impact large swaths of the U.S., many people will be displaced from the coasts to the middle states. Hillary Brown, former director of the Urban Sustainability Program at City College of New York, sees this as an opportunity for faltering, inland communities to capture new economic opportunities — if they prepare for population growth now. Cultivating clean distributed energy resources is a key step.In this episode, Hillary dives into the policy frameworks, energy planning, community-led models, and financial opportunities that can help small towns thrive while providing a lifeline for those displaced by climate change.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What climate migration looks like in the U.S.—and why it’s already underwayWhy many people are still moving to climate-vulnerable areas like Florida and the SouthwestHow small towns can prepare to welcome newcomers and strengthen their local economiesThe role of distributed energy systems—solar, wind, microgrids, and storage—in climate-ready planningReal-world examples of small towns transforming through grassroots efforts, tax incentives, and energy innovationHow philanthropic investment and private sector engagement can support local resilienceThe importance of Main Street revitalization in creating economically viable, socially connected communitiesAbout the Guest:Hillary Brown is a leading voice in urban sustainability and infrastructure planning. She served as director of the Urban Sustainability Program at City College of New York and is the author of several books on next-generation infrastructure. Her most recent book, Revitalize Resettle: How Main Street USA Can Offer New Beginnings for America’s Climate Displaced, offers a practical, visionary blueprint for how small towns can prepare for climate migration and create stronger, more resilient communities in the process.Resources and Links:Revitalize Resettle: How Main Street USA Can Offer New Beginnings for America’s Climate Displaced — available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major booksellersMaking Rural America into a Climate Migration Mecca with the Help of Distributed Energy, Energy Changemakers, 8/8/2024Explore more conversations on the decentralized grid at energychangemakers.comSubscribe to the Energy Changemakers newsletter for industry updates and insightsCall to Action:Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with colleagues in planning, energy, or local government.

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• Maximizing the Value of Your Molecule: An Interview with Mark Feasel

  Elisa Wood interviews Mark Feasel — a former leader at Schneider Electric and FuelCell Energy, and now an independent energy consultant — about the growing tension between energy demand and access in the age of AI. As data centers proliferate and energy demand rises, utilities and innovators face a new challenge: Where will the power come from?Mark shares his perspective on how distributed energy resources (DERs), grid constraints, and new power generation models may reshape our energy infrastructure. They discuss the  blank-slate reality of many AI-driven projects, the rise of fully onsite generation, regulatory hurdles, and what the future may hold if some of the most powerful companies in the world begin generating their own electricity.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why access to grid capacity is becoming the new barrier for data centersHow AI’s energy needs are reshaping assumptions about utility-scale powerThe evolving relationship between DERs and utilities—from competition to collaborationWhy “oceanfront property” is the new metaphor for grid interconnectionThe surprising role coal and methane may play in next-gen energy systemsHow modular, scalable solutions are driving innovation in onsite powerWhat Mark is seeing in the classroom as he teaches the next generation of energy leadersGuest Bio:Mark Feasel, a long-time leader and innovator in the distributed energy space, is the founder and principal of VisRete, a consultancy that services related to energy management, digitalization, microgrids, power grids and distributed generation. He previously served in senior roles at Schneider Electric and FuelCell Energy. Mark also teaches at Northwestern University’s graduate program in Energy and Sustainability, where he mentors the next generation of changemakers. His experience bridges policy, business strategy, and engineering, offering a rare depth of insight into the evolving energy landscape.Energy Changemakers NewsletterSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifyLearn more about Northwestern’s Energy & Sustainability ProgramConnect with Elisa Wood:LinkedIn: Elisa WoodCall to Action:Want to help shape the future of the grid? Join the Energy Changemakers community by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with someone curious about how AI, regulation, and private capital are influencing the power grid of tomorrow.

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