The Empirical Energy Podcast

Revolutionizing Data Centers with Solar and Waste | Carlos Fernandez-Aballi Altamirano| Empirical Energy Podcast | EP 124

Carlos from ETAJOULE joins host Mark Smith for a conversation on how the future of data centers may be smaller, smarter, and powered by waste. Instead of relying on massive centralized facilities and strained grid connections, Carlos shares how modular microgrid-powered “Olive” data center nodes can run on solar energy, batteries, and methane captured from agricultural waste like poultry farms. The discussion explores how distributed infrastructure can create multiple revenue streams at once—energy production, data services, fertilizer, carbon credits, and even waste heat reuse for agriculture. Carlos also breaks down why edge computing demand is accelerating, how combined-cycle systems improve efficiency, and why this model could be a practical answer to both energy transition and AI infrastructure growth. From refrigeration optimization with AI to renewable-powered data center ecosystems, this episode looks at a new blueprint for sustainable digital infrastructure. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Cold Open 00:45 Meet Mark and Carlos 01:12 ETAJOULE Origin Story 02:57 Why Modular Data Centers 04:19 Solar Plus Biowaste Power 08:36 Circular Plant Schematic 10:08 Solar Heat Innovation 13:22 Scaling the Olive Nodes 14:22 Project Status and Roadmap 15:54 How to Get Involved 17:00 Do Credits Matter 18:23 Wrap Up and Outro About Carlos Fernandez-Aballi Altamirano: Carlos has more than 15 years of experience designing and directing solar energy and sustainability solutions across industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. His expertise spans artificial intelligence process optimization, renewable energy integration, industrial energy efficiency, solar thermal systems, sustainability, and thermodynamic cycles. He holds a Doctorate in Engineering with a specialization in Thermodynamics from the Technological University of Habana José Antonio Echeverría (UTH), with studies at Ghent University in Belgium, where he defended the basic thermodynamic principles of the Thermal Lag Engine. He also earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Engineering Design from University of Bristol, focusing on absorption refrigeration systems and solar-powered thermal technologies. Over the last five years in the U.S. solar industry, Carlos has designed and directed commercial-scale solar thermal projects across St. Croix, Dominica, and Hawaii, serving multifamily housing, luxury hotels, and military facilities. His work also includes solar thermal system recovery projects in Puerto Rico, Aruba, and Florida. Don’t forget to: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on verified energy and sustainable infrastructure 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway from this episode 🔗 Share this with someone working in AI, energy, or data center innovation #DataCenters #SolarEnergy #Microgrids #RenewableEnergy #ArtificialIntelligence #Sustainability #EdgeComputing #CarbonCredits #EnergyTransition #EmpiricalEnergyPodcast

From Mars Missions to Manhattan’s Boilers: Natan Shahar’s Energy Odyssey | The Empirical Energy Podcast | Natan Shahar | Empirical Energy Podcast | EP 123

From Mars Missions to Manhattan’s Boilers: Natan Shahar’s Energy Odyssey Some of the most practical energy solutions don’t come from inside the industry—they come from rethinking the problem entirely. In this conversation, Natan Shahar shares how a challenge facing New York City buildings led him down an unexpected path—from energy audits and Local Law 97 compliance… to inspiration from Mars missions. As the founder of Standard Carbon, Natan is developing what he calls “electric natural gas”—a closed-loop system that captures CO₂, combines it with hydrogen, and produces synthetic methane that can be reused within existing gas infrastructure. Instead of forcing costly and disruptive electrification, this approach allows buildings and industrial operators to reduce emissions while continuing to use the systems they already have. The result? A fundamentally different path to decarbonization—one that works with reality, not against it. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Silent Revolution Intro 00:45 Meet Mark and Natan 01:21 NYC Buildings and LL97 05:04 Mars Book to Methane 07:10 Cheap Power Hydrogen Idea 08:26 Building the Carbon Bridge 10:00 Pilots and Use Cases 11:00 Synthetic vs RNG 12:36 Avoiding LL97 Penalties 14:29 Approvals and Coalition 17:37 Where Projects Scale 22:59 Energy Security and Storage 25:37 Ideal Markets and Economics 31:08 Carbon Intensity Explained 33:45 Contact and Wrap Up 34:29 Podcast Outro Call to Action 🔍 About the Guest Natan Shahar is the founder of Standard Carbon. He began his career as a mechanical engineer in New York City, supporting the energy needs of over 2,000 buildings. When Local Law 97 introduced aggressive emissions caps and significant carbon penalties, many building owners were left with limited and often impractical options. Rather than forcing existing solutions, Natan took a first-principles approach to the problem. Inspired by concepts from space exploration—specifically methane production using CO₂—he developed a system that converts captured carbon into reusable synthetic fuel. Today, Standard Carbon is deploying pilot systems in the U.S. and internationally, working to scale a new category of clean, infrastructure-compatible energy solutions. 🔑 Topics Covered #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization #CarbonCapture #SyntheticFuel #Hydrogen #ClimateTech #EnergyInfrastructure #LNG #CarbonMarkets 📣 Call to Action If this conversation made you rethink how decarbonization actually works: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations in energy 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔗 Share this with someone in energy, infrastructure, or climate tech

Archer Aviation: Revolutionizing Air Travel with Billy Nolen | The Empirical Energy Podcast | Billy Nolen | Empirical Energy Podcast | EP 122

What if getting across a city took minutes instead of hours? This conversation with Billy Nolen explores how advanced air mobility is moving from concept to reality—faster than most people think. From his decades in aviation leadership to shaping policy at the Federal Aviation Administration, Billy brings a rare, inside-out perspective on what it actually takes to bring eVTOL aircraft into everyday use. At the center of it all: Archer Aviation’s Midnight aircraft—and a vision that could redefine how we move through cities by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics arrive. This isn’t future talk. It’s already happening. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: • How eVTOL aircraft are designed and why they’re different • The real bottlenecks: certification, infrastructure, and regulation • Why the LA 2028 Olympics could be a turning point for air mobility • How charging networks and vertiports will shape adoption • The global race (including China) to dominate next-gen aviation • Where defense, commercial, and emerging markets intersect ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Silent Revolution Intro 00:45 Meet Billy Nolen 00:55 Aviation Career Journey 02:20 Leading the FAA 03:42 Innovate 2028 Vision 05:56 Why Archer Won Him Over 07:18 Midnight Aircraft Exterior 09:55 Cabin Design and Partners 12:02 Olympics Use Case in LA 16:06 Charging and Daily Ops 17:29 Defense and Global Markets 19:58 Infrastructure and Standards 21:10 US Policy Tailwinds 23:35 Race With China and Safety 26:35 Wrap Up and Outro 👤 About Billy Nolen: Billy Nolen is Chief Safety Officer at Archer Aviation and a veteran aviation leader with over four decades of experience. He began his career as a U.S. Army pilot before spending more than 26 years at American Airlines in operational and safety leadership roles. He later held executive positions at Airlines for America, Qantas, and WestJet. In 2022, he was appointed Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, where he helped guide U.S. aviation through a critical period of innovation, including early frameworks for drones and advanced air mobility. Today, he’s helping bring eVTOL technology to market—bridging regulation, safety, and real-world deployment. 🚀 About The Empirical Energy Podcast: The Empirical Energy Podcast explores the shift toward measurable, verified, and transparent energy systems. Through conversations with operators, innovators, and industry leaders, we break down how technology, data, and infrastructure are reshaping global markets. 🔔 Don’t miss what’s next: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more real-world conversations shaping the future 💬 Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments 🔗 Share this with someone thinking about the future of mobility #EmpiricalEnergy #ArcherAviation #eVTOL #AdvancedAirMobility #FutureOfTransport #EnergyInnovation #Aviation #CleanTech #UrbanMobility

Hydrogen, AI, and the Future of Energy Operations | Mark Oldenburg | Empirical Energy Podcast | EP 121

What actually happens after leading operations at one of the world’s largest automotive companies? For Mark Oldenburg, it didn’t mean slowing down—it meant stepping into a new role advising companies on operational performance, AI adoption, and the realities behind emerging energy technologies. This conversation moves past the hype and into what’s actually working today—from AI improving productivity (when paired with strong data and human oversight) to the real constraints holding hydrogen back—especially in high-demand environments like data centers. There’s also a deeper look into how operational leaders think about decision-making, consulting value, and why experience still matters in a world chasing speed and automation. 👤 About the Guest Mark A. Oldenburg is the Director of Fleet Operations at Toyota Motor Sales USA, where he led large-scale operational strategy and distribution systems. With a background in law and experience in regulatory frameworks and litigation, he brings a unique perspective that blends legal discipline with operational execution. Following his time at Toyota, Mark transitioned into consulting and advisory roles, helping organizations improve operational performance, navigate emerging technologies like AI, and evaluate complex energy solutions including hydrogen systems. ⚡ What We Cover • The reality of consulting after corporate leadership • Why experience-based advisors outperform “surface-level” consultants • How AI is actually improving operations (and where it still fails) • The importance of data quality in reducing AI hallucinations • Hydrogen fundamentals—and why adoption is slower than expected • Why hydrogen fuel cells aren’t ready for AI data centers • The economics behind hydrogen’s future • Inside Clean Connect’s AI-powered “control room” for remote operations • Real-world automation wins in safety, monitoring, and efficiency ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Mission Intro 00:45 Life After Toyota 01:55 Consulting Value Proposition 04:11 Vibe Coding Comeback 05:46 AI Speed And Legacy Rules 08:59 Data Quality And Hallucinations 10:46 Client Questions And NDAs 11:23 Hydrogen Basics Explained 14:33 45V Credits Sidebar 15:32 Hydrogen For Data Centers 16:57 Why Hydrogen Adoption Slows 19:34 Future Of Hydrogen Economics 21:07 Data Centers Power Race 22:47 What Consulting Really Covers 24:26 AI Hype vs Reality 28:42 Real Automation Wins 31:12 Wrapping Up and Next Steps 32:40 New Use Cases and Outro 🎙️ About The Podcast The Empirical Energy Podcast explores the shift toward measured, verified energy and blockchain-enabled trading. Conversations focus on real-world operations, emerging technologies, and the leaders building the future of energy systems.   📣 Join the Conversation If you’re working at the intersection of energy, operations, and emerging tech—this one’s for you. 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with energy leaders 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔗 Share with someone building in energy or AI #EnergyTransition #Hydrogen #ArtificialIntelligence #DataCenters #OperationsLeadership #CleanTech #EnergyInnovation #BlockchainEnergy #IndustrialAI #DigitalTransformation

Inside Europe’s Changing Energy Landscape | Ehsan Daneshvar | Empirical Energy Podcast | EP 120

Europe’s energy transition isn’t unfolding the way anyone expected. What started as a climate-driven shift has collided with geopolitical reality—forcing governments to rethink timelines, redefine “clean energy,” and rapidly secure supply in a volatile global market. In this conversation, Mark Smith sits down with Ehsan Daneshvar, Operations Director at Future Geoscience, to unpack how energy security, LNG expansion, and verification technologies are reshaping the future of global energy. With over 17 years of experience across oil & gas, mining, offshore services, and academia, Ehsan brings a rare combination of technical depth and global perspective—covering everything from reservoir characterization to CCUS, hydrogen storage, and mineralogy-driven analysis across major basins worldwide. They explore how the Russia-Ukraine conflict triggered a major reset in Europe’s energy strategy, why LNG has become central to energy security, and how verification frameworks like methane intensity measurement are becoming critical in modern energy trading. The conversation also dives into rising AI-driven energy demand, geopolitical risks like the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing tension between decarbonization goals and real-world energy needs. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Silent Revolution Intro 00:45 Meet Mark and Ehsan 01:43 From Oil to COP26 03:45 Ukraine War Shockwave 05:17 Europe Policy Reversals 08:48 LNG Pivot and Suppliers 10:28 Methane Verification (OGMP) 12:04 Iran Tensions & Oil Prices 17:43 Gas, Fertilizer & Food Security 21:15 AI Data Centers & Energy Demand 25:13 Can the Energy Transition Still Happen? 26:29 Ehsan’s Work & Global Projects 29:34 Subscribe & Closing 🔍 About the Guest Ehsan Daneshvar is the Operations Director at Future Geoscience with over 17 years of experience in petroleum consulting, offshore services, and academia. He holds a Ph.D. in clay mineralogy and sedimentary provenance studies from the University of Liverpool and a master’s degree in hydrogeology. His expertise spans sedimentology, mineralogy, reservoir characterization, and integrated stratigraphy across major global basins including the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, and Africa. Ehsan has led multidisciplinary projects and worked across roles including General Manager, Business Development Director, Senior Mineralogist, and Project Geoscientist—bringing both technical and commercial insight into modern energy systems. His current work focuses on reservoir depletion, CCUS injection, hydrogen storage, and improving efficiency to reduce emissions across conventional and unconventional resources. ⚡ About The Empirical Energy Podcast The Empirical Energy Podcast explores the revolution in verified energy trading—where data, measurement, and transparency are reshaping global markets. From LNG and carbon markets to blockchain-powered verification and AI-driven energy systems, the show features leaders building the next generation of energy infrastructure.   💬 Join the Conversation What’s the biggest challenge facing the energy transition today—policy, technology, or geopolitics? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 🔔 Don’t Forget To 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with energy leaders 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔗 Share this with someone in the energy space   #EnergyTransition #LNG #EnergySecurity #OilAndGas #Geopolitics #CarbonMarkets #CCUS #Hydrogen #EnergyMarkets #AI #FutureOfEnergy