#168: Cracking the Code on Building Energy Costs With Edgecom Energy

#168: Cracking the Code on Building Energy Costs With Edgecom Energy

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Behdad Bahrami, CEO of Edgecom Energy, about how artificial intelligence is changing the way industrial facilities manage electricity. As energy prices become more volatile, AI data centers drive unprecedented demand on the electric grid, and utilities introduce increasingly complex pricing structures, manufacturers and other large energy users need better visibility into how and when they consume electricity. Behdad explains how Edgecom's AI-powered energy management platform combines utility billing, real-time energy monitoring, grid signals, and predictive analytics to help industrial facilities reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and make smarter energy decisions. The conversation explores industrial energy management, demand response, grid modernization, AI-powered energy optimization, and why energy should be treated as a controllable business cost rather than a fixed expense. Key Points: * AI is making industrial energy management more proactive – By combining real-time facility data with utility pricing, demand response programs, and predictive AI models, industrial facilities can identify inefficiencies, automate energy decisions, and reduce electricity costs. * Industrial facilities have significant untapped opportunities to improve energy efficiency – Many manufacturers still rely on fragmented utility bills and limited energy monitoring, making it difficult to understand where electricity is being used or where savings can be achieved. Greater visibility enables better operational and financial decisions. * The growth of AI data centers is accelerating the need for a smarter electric grid – As electricity demand rises, utilities, manufacturers, and large commercial facilities will need better energy orchestration, flexible demand, and intelligent software to optimize existing grid infrastructure before building new capacity. * Behdad Bahrami, CEO of Edgecom Energy [https://edgecom.ai/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahrami-] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host

#167: How Quantum Hydrogen Can Clean Up Industrial Heat Production With Clean Planet Inc.

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Masami Hayashi, Global Strategy Director at Clean Planet Inc., about the company's work developing solid-state fusion technology for industrial heat. While electricity often dominates clean energy discussions, industrial heat remains one of the largest sources of global energy consumption and emissions. Hayashi explains that Clean Planet's Quantum Hydrogen Energy (QHE) technology uses hydrogen and proprietary metal catalysts to generate heat via solid-state fusion, potentially producing significant thermal energy from minimal fuel inputs. The conversation explores industrial heat decarbonization, hydrogen energy, fusion commercialization, and the potential role of this technology in factories, commercial buildings, and other heat-intensive industries. Check out a few of our episodes on the built environment: * #159 – Combining Robotics and Mass Timber For Modular Urban Buildings with Intelligent City [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/159-modular-urban-buildings/] * #131 – Why AI + Robotics Could Be The Future of Reclaimed Lumber with Urban Machine [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/131-reclaimed-lumber/] * #108 – Autonomous Robots Driving Down Costs for Sustainable Infrastructure with Civ Robotics [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/108-autonomous-construction-robots/] * #29 – Living, Breathing, Beautiful Buildings with Lindsay Baker [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/s3e12-living-breathing-beautiful-buildings-with-lindsay-baker/] Key Points: * Industrial heat is a major climate challenge that receives less attention than electricity generation – Manufacturing, commercial buildings, refrigeration systems, logistics facilities, and data centers all require large amounts of thermal energy, much of which is still produced using fossil fuels. * Solid-state fusion could provide a new pathway for clean industrial heat – Clean Planet's Quantum Hydrogen Energy technology uses hydrogen and engineered metal catalysts to generate excess heat through a low-temperature fusion process, potentially delivering significantly more energy from hydrogen than combustion-based approaches. * Commercial deployment is focused on real-world industrial applications – Clean Planet is working with industrial boiler manufacturer Miura to develop heat modules for factories, supermarkets, commercial buildings, and logistics facilities as it moves from laboratory research toward commercialization. * Masami Hayashi, Global Strategy Director at Clean Planet Inc. [https://www.cleanplanet.co.jp/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/masami-hayashi-50543534?originalSubdomain=jp] * Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/], CEO and Founder of PRVIEW [https://prview.ai/], and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannpinkerton/]

#166: How Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Removes Carbon from our Oceans with Planetary Technologies

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Michael Kelland, CEO and Co-Founder of Planetary Technologies, about whether the ocean could play a much larger role in helping remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For decades, the ocean has served as one of Earth's largest carbon sinks, absorbing roughly a quarter of human-generated CO2 emissions. But that service comes at a cost: ocean acidification, which threatens coral reefs, shellfish, and marine ecosystems worldwide. Michael explains how Planetary Technologies is using a climate solution known as coastal seawater restoration, also called ocean alkalinity enhancement, to restore ocean chemistry, increase the ocean's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide, and provide long-term carbon removal. The conversation explores how ocean carbon removal works, the science behind ocean alkalinity enhancement, the challenges of measuring and verifying carbon removal, and what it will take to scale climate technologies that can help the world reach net-zero emissions. Key Points: * The ocean is already one of the world's largest carbon removal systems – The ocean naturally absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but growing CO2 levels are increasing ocean acidification and putting stress on marine ecosystems. * Ocean alkalinity enhancement helps restore seawater chemistry – By adding alkaline minerals to seawater, Planetary Technologies aims to increase the ocean's capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide while helping counter the effects of acidification. * Ocean carbon removal could help address hard-to-decarbonize sectors – Industries such as aviation may continue producing some emissions even in a net-zero future, creating a need for durable carbon removal solutions that can offset emissions that are difficult or expensive to eliminate. * Mike Kelland, CEO and co-founder of Planetary Technologies [https://www.planetarytech.com/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkelland] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#165: Bonus Episode: Looking Back on 15 Years of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability with Lisa Ann Pinkerton

In this special bonus episode of Earthlings 2.0, we feature WCS Talks Unplugged [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/wcs-talks-unplugged/], the podcast from Women in Cleantech & Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/] (WCS). Host Sara Fuentes sits down with our very own Lisa Ann Pinkerton to discuss the origins of one of the largest global networks supporting women in cleantech, renewable energy, sustainability, and climate technology. Lisa Ann reflects on how a simple decision to stop waiting for change and start building community grew into an organization that has connected more than 20,000 women worldwide. The conversation explores climate leadership, professional networking, sustainability careers, entrepreneurship, and the role of community in advancing women across the energy transition and climate innovation sectors. Lisa Ann also shares lessons learned from building a mission-driven organization over the past 15 years and why hope, authenticity, and persistence remain essential for anyone working to create a more sustainable future. Previous Earthlings episodes mentioned in the show include Carbon Price, Power, and Politics with Neal Dikeman (Part 1 [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/s3e14-carbon-price-power/] & Part 2) [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/s3e16-carbon-price-power/]. Key Points: * Women in Cleantech & Sustainability began with a simple decision to take action – Lisa Ann shares how identifying a gap in the industry led to the creation of a global network supporting women across climate, energy, and sustainability sectors. * Strong communities are built through consistency and shared purpose – The conversation explores lessons learned from growing a mission-driven organization over 15 years and the importance of creating spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and advance their careers. * Hope and persistence remain critical climate leadership skills – Lisa Ann discusses why long-term progress in climate and sustainability requires resilience, authenticity, and a willingness to keep showing up. * Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/], and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannpinkerton/] * Sara Fuentes, Chair of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], CEO and Founder of SmartWaste [https://www.smartwasteusa.com/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-eve-fuentes-6a620422/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#164: How the Grid Could Survive the AI Boom with Solid State Transformers With DG Matrix

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix, about one of the biggest challenges behind the AI boom: aging electrical infrastructure. As AI, data centers, manufacturing and electrification drive unprecedented demand for electricity, utilities and developers are increasingly constrained by a grid architecture built around technologies that have changed little in more than a century. Michael explains how DG Matrix is developing the world's first commercially available multi-port solid-state transformer, a power electronics platform designed to simplify energy systems, accelerate access to power, integrate multiple energy sources, and support the growing energy needs of AI data centers and electrified industries. The conversation explores grid modernization, data center energy demand, power system flexibility, and why the future of electricity infrastructure may require a fundamental rethinking of how energy moves through the grid. Key Points: * AI data centers are creating unprecedented demand for electricity – The rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is placing new pressure on an electrical grid originally designed for predictable demand patterns. * Solid-state transformers could modernize power delivery – DG Matrix's multi-port solid-state transformer replaces complex power conversion chains with a flexible platform that integrates AC, DC, batteries, renewables, generators, and data center loads. * Grid flexibility is becoming as important as grid capacity – As electrification accelerates across transportation, manufacturing, buildings, and computing, future energy systems will need to be smarter, faster, and more adaptable to changing power requirements. * Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix [https://www.dgmatrix.com/], LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-iii] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!