For Entrepreneurs, Capital Providers, and Co-investors Accelerating Sustainable Industry

RIP Greentech Media … the Alternatives?

RIP Greentech Media … the Alternatives?

Last week Wood Mackenzie announced they were shutting down Greentech Media. GTM was the go-to resource for the energy transition over the past 5+ years and I was a daily visitor. The staff, content and research was high quality. There are a number of new names that have popped up over the year: Bloomberg Green …

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Extreme Temperature and Power Rates

Extreme Temperature and Power Rates

Due to one of the coldest weeks on record, Texans are ramping up their electric heaters. The state usually has peak energy demand mid-summer… with air conditioners turned on full blast. But right now, peak energy demand in ERCOT coupled with some offline power units (and low-producing solar in snow) means that electricity prices are …

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The Second Mouse

The Second Mouse

A LP with history of the energy transition gave me this great line yesterday: “Some people say the early bird gets the worm. Maybe. But the second mouse definitely gets the cheese” Having been in/around energy & technology entrepreneurship for over a decade, I know what “being early” felt like…. and it wasn’t enjoyable as …

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What’s not consensus about ESG Tracking?

What’s not consensus about ESG Tracking?

In my entire start-up and VC career in energy and sustainability, I don’t think I have ever seen such consensus around a single idea: ESG and impact tracking as a software. Yes, we are seeing some incredible firms and entrepreneurs out there. But… …as Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital says: “Being ‘right’ doesn’t lead to …

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Weaponized Networks

Weaponized Networks

Our critical infrastructure is increasingly digitized. Sensors and analytics are used to optimize operations. These digital networks and sensors create efficiency and improved communications. Unfortunately, what is used to optimize can also be used to weaponize. These same networks transmitting important operating network conditions and commands can be hacked. And our towns, states, and even …

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Climate Got Paid Last

Climate Got Paid Last

Over the years, the scale of climate investment dollars has oscillated dramatically. I think we are going to be at an elevated plateau of interest for a few years now. Why are there big swings in “climate-tech” investments? Historically, climate investments were paid with the final 5% of profits… so in any down market, the …

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Volta Announces Planned Merger with Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II

Volta Announces Planned Merger with Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II

Volta Industries, Inc., the industry leader in commerce-centric electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, today announced that it has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: SNPR), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). When the transaction closes, the combined company is expected to be publicly traded under the …

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Soft costs = Stubborn costs

Soft costs = Stubborn costs

I came across a research report on the state of battery systems. The report talked about the massive battery system (residential, commercial, utility scale) deployments coming over the next decade. Battery systems growth will alter our grid and how we think about centralized power generation and storage. One chart (seen below) in the document shows …

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Climate Millionaires

Climate Millionaires

A few days ago there was a thread on Twitter about capitalism and climate. Jason Jacobs and I-Kang both elevated the fact that we need more highly visible, successful entrepreneurs that make their wealth in the “climate” theme. As someone who generally believes that capitalism does a pretty darn good job with allocating dollars, the …

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