Smart Energy Voices

In this episode of Plugged In, Host Chuck Hanna from Constellation talks with Adrian Anderson, General Manager of Carbon-Free Electricity, Renewable Energy & Carbon Dioxide Removal at Microsoft, about advancing carbon-free energy and data-driven sustainability. Adrian shares Microsoft’s sustainability goals, including their 100% renewable energy targets and the crucial role of data granularity for accurate carbon reporting. He highlights Microsoft’s investments in carbon reduction and innovation, such as the company’s Carbon Innovation Fund and its work in long-term power offtake agreements. They also cover the challenges and strategies around Scope 3 emissions, building carbon-free infrastructure, and fostering collaboration with utilities to support a sustainable future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Importance of data in energy management (03:47) Microsoft’s initiatives to achieve targets (08:53) Microsoft’s Carbon Innovation Fund (13:46) Scope 3 emissions and building infrastructure challenges (15:38) Collaboration with utilities to address constraints (16:25) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Adrian Anderson On LinkedIn Adrian Anderson is General Manager of Carbon-Free Electricity, Renewable Energy & Carbon Dioxide Removal at Microsoft. He has worked for a decade at the intersection of hyperscale and clean energy for Apple, Amazon, Google, and now Microsoft. Prior to leading teams in this capacity, he worked in renewable energy for a decade. In his current role, Adrian leads the organization within Microsoft responsible for all wholesale carbon-free electricity purchases and carbon dioxide removal programs. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Brent Trenga, Director of Sustainability at Kingspan North America, shares the company’s ambitious Planet Passionate program and its progress over the first four years of this 10-year initiative. Brent dives into the challenges they faced and the innovative solutions they have implemented to overcome them. He also highlights the value of benchmarking, setting aggressive sustainability targets, and internal buy-in from company leadership and employees to drive impactful change in sustainability efforts for this global building products manufacturer.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Overview of Kingspan’s Planet Passionate program (03:08) Earning company-wide engagement in sustainability (05:23) Kingspan’s approach to whole life carbon (13:42) Challenges in implementing the Planet Passionate program (16:42) Advice for companies starting sustainability programs (21:23) Click here for detailed show notes Resources: Kingspan Certifications Planet Passionate Program Connect with Brent Trenga On LinkedIn Brent Trenga has truly run the construction industry gamut serving in various roles including architect, developer, and even project owner, allowing him to fully understand the sustainability ecosystem. As Sustainability Director for Kingspan North America, Brent is committed to reducing the environmental impact of business operations, products, and services through continuous improvement and environmental transparency. Since 2015, Brent has led Kingspan North America’s material health and transparency program while driving a culture of healthier building, healthier planet, healthier people across Kingspan’s global footprint. Brent also leads Kingspan’s global Planet Passionate 2030 program looking after the Americas, supports strategic planning for the business development group, and provides insight on current and future sustainability initiatives keeping Kingspan at the forefront of our industry. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

Welcome to the first episode of Plugged In: Exploring Energy. In this podcast miniseries, host Chuck Hanna from Constellation sits down with Benton Arnett from the Nuclear Energy Institute to discuss how nuclear power is transforming to meet today’s energy needs. They also explore emerging tech like small modular reactors (SMRs) and the growing demand for clean energy in sectors like AI and data centers.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Changes in the nuclear energy sector over the past decade (01:23) Role of SMRs in meeting future energy needs (06:28) Tech giants and the shift to clean nuclear power (11:00) Evolving role of microreactors in various industries (14:58) Policy and regulatory actions for nuclear advancement (18:26) Click here for detailed how notes Connect with Benton Arnett On LinkedIn Benton Arnett, Senior Director of Markets and Policy at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), leads the development and execution of policy advocacy strategies to advance the interests of the nuclear energy industry. With over a decade of experience in government affairs, issues management, and strategic partnerships, he has a proven track record of influencing policy outcomes, building coalitions, and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders. Arnett holds a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Texas A&M University, where he specialized in energy, transportation, and technology policy. He is passionate about promoting energy policy that supports national security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Zephyr Taylor, Global Commercial Head and Category Director for Renewable Energy at Mars, Inc., takes a close look at the topic of Scope 1 emissions and industrial heat decarbonization. While many companies are comfortable sourcing renewable electricity for their Scope 2 targets, Scope 1 — specifically the challenge of decarbonizing industrial heat — is a different story. This episode tackles the technology, economics, and internal company dynamics required to make progress in this area. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Understanding Scope 1 decarbonization (02:37) Technological solutions for renewable thermal (05:01) Challenges and market dynamics of renewable thermal (09:11) Mars' renewables projects (13:30) Click here for detailed show notes Connect with Zephyr Taylor On LinkedIn As the Global Commercial head for Renewable Energy & Carbon Credits at Mars Inc., Zephyr Taylor oversees Mars’ renewable energy sourcing throughout the world – including market assessment, supplier engagement, deal structuring and negotiation, and key internal stakeholder partnering, alongside team oversight and organizational alignment. Zephyr has led the development and execution of strategic sustainability initiatives in the public and private sector globally. His expertise spans policymaking, commercial negotiation, project development and transaction structuring, and thought leadership on organizational reform and stakeholder mobilization. Zephyr holds an MBA and Master of Environmental Management degrees from Yale University. He received his undergraduate degree with Highest Honors in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio If you're interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]