Clean Power Hour

• AI is REVOLUTIONIZING Clean Energy Permits

  #EP322 Today on the Clean Power Hour, we dive into one of the biggest bottlenecks strangling the clean energy transition: the slow, messy world of zoning, permitting, and early-stage development. Our guests are Julia Wu and Anuj Saigal, co-founders of Spark AI, a Y Combinator-backed platform that has ingested and summarized nearly every zoning code, ordinance, and permitting pathway in the United States.Julia Wu is CEO and co-founder of Spark AI. She's a software engineer who cut her teeth at Microsoft, Apple (working on Siri), and Brex before founding Spark. Her background spans AI, natural language processing, and financial technology.Anuj Saigal is the co-founder of Spark AI and a veteran of the energy sector since 2010. He worked at the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office during the Obama administration, then moved through SunEdison, EVgo, and Natto (a video AI telematics company). Anuj has been a developer of utility-scale and distributed generation projects and understands the pain points of permitting and interconnection firsthand.Key Discussion Points:Spark AI uses large language models to aggregate zoning regulations, permitting requirements, local sentiment, and news articles for every jurisdiction in AmericaThree core use cases: early-stage greenfield site selection, monitoring projects in development for regulatory changes, and rapid acquisition due diligenceStandard Solar (Brookfield-owned) reduced acquisition diligence from months to one week, cutting time by 75%Dynamic Energy accelerated site screening while improving community sentiment risk assessmentUGE used Spark to assess a massive portfolio acquisition, determining which parcels had viable zoning pathsThe platform is LLM-neutral, easily swapping between OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, and other models to optimize for accuracy and speedUnlike off-the-shelf AI tools, Spark delivers consistency, accuracy, and citations developers need for trust-but-verify workflowsConnect with Anuj and Julia Julia Wu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wu-julia/Anuj Saigal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anujsaigal/Spark AI Website: https://www.sparkhq.ai/ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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• Solving NYC's Energy Crisis: 30-Year Battery Tech for Urban Grids

  #321 Today on the Clean Power Hour, we explore energy storage as a service for some of the toughest markets in the country. Tim Montague sits down with Christian Farivar, founder of Karh, to discuss how his company is tackling grid congestion, load pockets, and resilience challenges in Urban Areas like New York City with next-generation battery technology designed for a 30-year asset life.Christian brings a unique background to energy storage. After a successful career in the music industry, he pivoted to engineering and energy, eventually earning a degree from Harvard University. His journey led him to found Karh around 2020, right when FERC Order 2222 opened doors for distributed energy resources to participate in wholesale markets.Key Discussion Points:The challenge of deploying large-scale energy storage in dense urban environments like New York CityWhy load pockets in major cities need localized battery solutions to relieve transmission constraintsHow Karh is developing chemistry-agnostic battery systems with 30-year asset life expectationsThe economics of energy storage: achieving unit economics of $45-50 per megawatt-hourRunning 12X more profitably than existing battery systems through advanced AI optimizationPlans for a 90 megawatt-hour test project in NYC by 2027, scaling to 350+ megawatt-hour systemsIntegration with EV charging, frequency regulation, and distributed energy resourcesWhy building electrification and edge AI data centers create massive demand spikes that require nearby capacityIf you're building a battery that lasts 30 years in the world's toughest energy market, you're not just solving today's problems. You're building infrastructure for the next generation grid.Connect with Christian Farivar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianfarivar/?originalSubdomain=caWebsite: https://karh.energy/#home Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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• How Electric Co-ops Drive Tennessee Solar + Battery Storage Growth

  #320Today on the Clean Power Hour, Brandon Wagoner, Vice President of Strategy at Middle Tennessee Electric, explains how the second largest cooperative in America manages explosive EV adoption, deploys 32 megawatts of battery storage, and builds 113 megawatts of solar arrays while keeping rates low. His secret weapon: load factor optimization.Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) serves 350,000 meters south and east of Nashville and leads Tennessee utilities in electric vehicle adoption. As the largest co-op in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service territory, MTE operates through strategic partnerships rather than vertical integration, working directly with TVA to solve generation and distribution challenges together.Key Discussion Points:• Load factor optimization as the primary metric for grid infrastructure decisions and rate management• 32 megawatts of two-hour battery storage deployment scheduled for Q1 2026 across their service territory• 3.25 MW tracking solar array operational, with 110 MW TVA solar project launching in 2028• Night Flex rate program incentivizing EV charging during six six-hour overnight windows• Community solar programs serving renters and members without rooftop installation options• Pro Solar advisory team provides trusted third-party guidance for members evaluating solar developers• Strategic approach to serving diverse demographics from high-income first adopters to conservative rural members• Co-op structure enables focus on member service rather than shareholder profits• Partnership model with TVA replaces traditional utility customer relationship• Programmatic rebates, including $50 EV charger installation incentivesConnect with Brandon WagonerWebsite: https://mte.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midtnelectric/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-brandon-wagoner-pe-2822146/ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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• CATL Signs Record 200 GWh Battery Deal: What It Means for Storage

  On this week’s Clean Power Hour Live, Tim and John discuss Illinois legislation bringing 3 gigawatts of battery storage to IL, the public health impacts of solar tariffs, and global energy storage market trends that are reshaping the grid.Episode Highlights:CATL signs 200 gigawatt hour energy storage deal with Beijing HyperStrong, representing nearly 60% of projected annual global capacity (Bloomberg)New research shows solar tariffs killed an estimated 105 Americans in 2022 alone by preventing installation of 10.5 GW of solar capacity (PV Magazine)Wind farms increase local property values by 3% and improve school funding with $800 more per pupil, according to Australian study (Renew Economy)Germany deploys innovative curbside EV chargers built directly into sidewalk curbs consumers (Reddit)Australia considers policy requiring utilities to offer three hours of free midday electricity due to solar overgenerationGlobal grid storage projected to reach 340 gigawatt hours in 2025, representing 20% of total battery market growth (Commercial Solar Guy)This episode covers the accelerating clean energy transition across multiple continents, from policy wins in Illinois to infrastructure innovations in Germany and market dynamics in Australia. The data shows renewable energy saves lives, creates economic value for communities, and continues to scale globally despite policy headwinds. Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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• AI Energy Forecasting: How Machine Learning is Transforming the Grid

  #319 The modern power grid faces an existential challenge: integrating massive amounts of renewable energy while keeping the lights on. Sean Kelly, CEO and Founder of Amperon, explains how artificial intelligence and machine learning are replacing outdated forecasting methods to predict energy supply and demand with precision. This conversation explores battery optimization, demand response programs, and why traditional grid models no longer work in a world of extreme weather and distributed generation.Sean Kelly leads Amperon, a company providing AI-driven energy forecasting platforms for grid operators, battery owners, and energy traders. With nearly 20 years of experience in energy trading and risk management, Kelly has worked for major energy firms such as Tenaska, Lehman, EDF, and E.ON, where he led significant trading desk developments and transitions, including bringing nuclear power plants into new markets. Key Discussion Points:Traditional forecasting models look backward. AI models look forward and learn in real time, adapting to grid changes as they happen.Battery storage is exploding. ERCOT expects 40% more storage in the next 5 years. Texas batteries run 1-2 hours, California runs 4-hour batteries, and companies like Form Energy are developing 100+ hour systems.The critical hours are 6pm to 9pm. When solar goes down at sunset and wind drops simultaneously, batteries become essential. Amperon's platform tells operators exactly when to charge and discharge for maximum profit.The grid needs 6 terawatt hours of energy storage but we're only one-tenth of the way there. Developers should build all projects battery-ready or include storage today.Demand response works like insurance. Grid operators pay large customers to reduce load during peak times. Penalties are severe for non-compliance, ensuring the system works when needed.Forecasting is no longer optional. Sean calls it "the operating system of the modern grid." Historical averages won't keep the lights on anymore.Data centers and large industrial loads play a critical role in grid flexibility, backing down from 20 megawatts to 10 megawatts when grid operators need relief.Connect with Sean Kelly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kelly-0792626/ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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