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