Smart Energy Voices

• Why Clean Energy's Future Still Shines

  In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil presents a special double header from the recent SED Forum Fall, examining how recent U.S. policy changes are reshaping the clean energy landscape. Stanley Reynolds, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Arizona, unpacks the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) and its reversal of key Inflation Reduction Act incentives. He outlines the bill’s potential economic impacts, including higher energy costs and reduced investment, while also pointing to reasons for optimism like competitiveness in the renewables space and continued innovation. Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Principal at NorthBridge Energy Partners, continues the discussion with insights on navigating this environment. He highlights the industry’s resilience, the growing role of breakthrough technologies like geothermal and modular nuclear, and strategies for energy buyers to adapt amid uncertainty and opportunity. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its economic impacts (03:16) Key provisions of the OBBB, including rescinded IRA funds (04:09) Forecasts for energy prices, investment, and jobs (10:45) Opportunities in renewables, innovation, and state-level policy (13:01) Arizona as a case study for policy impacts and opportunities (15:55) Status of major offshore and onshore projects post-OBBB (20:08) Emerging technologies like advanced geothermal (25:04) Rising electricity demand from data centers and electrification (30:14) On-site generation and geothermal systems as near-term solutions (34:38) Legal, ESG, and financial considerations for energy buyers (38:10) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Stanley Reynolds On LinkedIn Stanley Reynolds joined the University of Arizona after earning a doctorate in Economics from Northwestern University. He has served as Economics Department Head and Vice Dean of the Eller College of Management at U. of Arizona. His areas of expertise include energy economics, environmental economics, and industrial organization. His research has been published in leading economics journals such as Econometrica, Quarterly Journal of Economics, and the Rand Journal of Economics. His current research examines the economics of grid-scale energy storage, the impact of environmental policy on energy markets, and integration of renewable energy into the electric grid. Connect with Peter Kelly-Detwiler On LinkedIn Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. He’s currently a leading consultant in the electric industry, providing strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution of the electric power grid. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler offers numerous keynotes and workshops on a wide range of topics. He has also written widely on energy issues for Forbes.com and GE, with over 300 articles to his credit. His book on the transformation of electric power markets – “The Energy Switch” – was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. 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 Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

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• W.L. Gore’s Cross-Functional Environmental Progress

  In this episode of Plugged In, Raj Bazaj, Vice President of Sustainability Solutions at Constellation, sits down with Ryan Kelley, Global Carbon Footprint Reduction Champion at WL Gore & Associates, a global materials science company spanning thousands of products including high-performance fabrics. Kelley shares Gore’s path to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2025, their early success in emissions reduction, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration in driving progress. He highlights the company’s 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions ahead of schedule, the decision to raise its 2030 target to 80%, and the role of energy efficiency, electrification, and new materials in achieving progress. He also discusses Gore’s use of advanced energy modeling, its efforts to explore circular business models, and how being both a brand and manufacturer amplifies its impact across the supply chain. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Ryan’s transition into sustainability leadership (00:48) Gore’s carbon reduction goals and Scope 1 and 2 strategy (03:58) Gore’s breakthrough success in Asia (05:58) Achieving reduction goals and raising the 2030 goal to 80% (09:11) Gore’s energy efficiency initiatives (11:18) Integration of new materials into emissions progress (13:29)  Scope 3 emissions and supply chain (19:55) On-site renewable projects and growth potential (21:12) Gore’s community-led green initiatives (26:50) Connect with Ryan Kelley On LinkedIn Ryan Kelley leads carbon reduction efforts at W.L. Gore & Associates, focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency, renewable power, and electrification. He holds an electrical engineering degree from Penn State, is a registered Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager, and lives in Landenberg, PA, with his family. Ryan is committed to applying engineering principles to create practical solutions for sustainability and climate change, with the objective of making a positive, lasting impact on the planet. Connect with Raj Bazaj On LinkedIn Raj Bazaj began his energy career in 2005 with WPS Energy Services (later Integrys), which was acquired by Constellation in 2014. He currently leads efforts to develop strategic partnerships, including a multi-year agreement with Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village in Canton, OH. In addition, Raj has been an active member of the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), participating in leadership summits under both the Obama and Trump administrations.   Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Follow Abinav Krishna on LinkedIn Follow Raj Bazaj 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 Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

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• Advancing Sustainability in Air Mobility

  In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil sits down with Glade Gunther, Market Manager at Syensqo, to explore the fast-growing field of advanced air mobility and its sustainability impact. Gunther shares how Syensqo’s high-performance composites and specialty materials are enabling breakthroughs in lightweighting, energy efficiency, and the design of next-generation aircraft. He highlights potential applications ranging from defense and cargo delivery to air taxis, while also addressing key challenges such as certification, public acceptance, and scaling production. Gunther also underscores Syensqo’s commitment to renewable energy, circularity, and sustainable manufacturing practices — efforts that are helping to lower costs, accelerate timelines, and move the industry toward a cleaner future. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Overview of Syensqo and Glade Gunther’s role in advanced air mobility (AAM) (01:27) Syensqo’s sustainability focus and the Solar Impulse project (03:51) The advanced air mobility market and lightweighting (06:00) How manufacturers leverage Syensqo’s certified composite products (08:27) Use cases for advanced air mobility (11:02) Public acceptance of new aviation technologies (15:42) Projected timeline for new technologies (21:20) Syensqo’s focus on helping customers scale efficiently and sustainably (30:33) Connect with Glade Gunther ● On LinkedIn Glade Gunther is the Global Market Manager for Composites in the Advanced Air Mobility and Electronics/Industrial markets at Syensqo, formerly part of Solvay Group. In this role, he provides technical expertise in product and manufacturing development of composite materials, partnering with customers to identify the best solutions for their unique requirements. With nearly 30 years of experience in the composites industry, Glade has held positions as a business development manager, sales account manager, and in process engineering and manufacturing. His strong background in materials, manufacturing, and process design has enabled him to support a wide range of industries, including automotive, defense, aerospace, sporting goods, electronics, and medical.   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 Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

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• Sustainability & Climate Resilience at the City of Hollywood

  In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Elaine Franklin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Hollywood, Florida. Franklin shares how the city is advancing its sustainability action plan through clearer accountability, innovative digital tracking tools, and regional collaboration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. She discusses Hollywood’s emissions reduction strategy, climate resilience planning, and adaptive reuse projects, including the transformation of the historic Armory into a modern community center. Franklin also highlights initiatives to expand tree canopy, provide community cooling centers, and otherwise mitigate extreme heat, underscoring how sustainability and resilience save both money and lives. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… ●     Lessons from Hollywood’s 2017 Sustainability Action Plan (02:54) ●     Using the Kausal platform for accountability and transparency (03:59) ●     Importance of a living document (06:27) ●     Goals and strategies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (09:21) ●     Overview of an adaptive reuse project (14:20) ●     Climate resilience and heat mitigation at the City of Hollywood (16:16) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Elaine Franklin ● On LinkedIn Elaine has a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She brings years of diverse experience to the role of Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. Prior to her life in Florida, Elaine developed and delivered an environmental sustainability curriculum to youths in Eswatini/Swaziland, Southern Africa, through her own company. She earned her Permaculture Design Certification in South Africa and guided low-income residents in establishing abundant, diverse and sustainable food gardens in their own yards. She has studied the impacts of human activities on birds throughout the world, most recently coauthoring a paper on the effects of a new transportation project on bird communities in Equatorial Guinea. Elaine is a CLEO Climate Speaker, a facilitator of the En-ROADS climate simulator, a Florida Master Gardener, and an avid cyclist. 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 Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected].

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• Heard at SED Forum Summer: How Much Will It Cost To Replace All Fossil Fuels & How Much Will We Gain?

  In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil introduces a keynote session from the Smart Energy Decisions Summer Forum featuring Dr. Wolfgang Bauer, where he tackles two vital questions: How much will it cost to replace all fossil fuels, and how much will we gain? With compelling data and economic analysis, Bauer outlines the feasibility of a complete global transition to renewable energy. He also explores energy efficiency, the capacity and costs of various renewable sources, storage technologies, and the consequences of inaction on climate, emphasizing that transitioning to renewables not only benefits the planet but also increases global prosperity.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Why “energy is money” and how pricing varies regionally (02:52) Why energy conservation is the greenest energy strategy (03:44) How much usable energy fossil fuels provide (08:35) Capacity factors and costs of renewables (11:52) The role of nuclear and emerging technologies (15:22) Dispatchable renewables and storage solutions (18:15) Making the case for a $32 trillion investment (22:13) Rising global temperatures and dangers of climate inaction (25:21) Connect with Wolfgang Bauer ● On LinkedIn Dr. Bauer has served in various capacities at Michigan State University, most recently as University Distinguished Professor and as President of the MSU Research Foundation. He is one of the authors of the MSU Energy Transition plan, owns renewable energy power plants, and has done extensive research and consulting on renewable energy sources. Dr. Bauer serves on the Advisory Board of Smart Energy Decisions.   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 Decision Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at [email protected]

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