# How to Save a Planet: Spark Tank! How Do We Solve the Energy Storage Problem?

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2022-07-01
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem

## Summary

Hosted by Alex Bloomberg, this crossover episode of 'How to Save a Planet' features Shayle Kann of Energy Impact Partners and Dr. Leah Stokes of UC Santa Barbara evaluating three long-duration energy storage technologies in a 'Spark Tank' format. The judges assess pumped hydro storage at Northfield Mountain, compressed air energy storage from Hydrostor, and thermal storage using molten salts developed by Dr. Cristina Prieto. They debate the scalability, efficiency, and industrial applications of each, ultimately favoring compressed air and thermal solutions over pumped hydro due to site limitations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem#t=0) Introduction to Spark Tank and the Energy Storage Challenge
- [13:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem#t=790) Pitch 1: Pumped Hydro Storage at Northfield Mountain
- [23:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem#t=1384) Pitch 2: Compressed Air Energy Storage with Hydrostor
- [30:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem#t=1804) Pitch 3: Molten Salt Thermal Storage
- [40:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem#t=2415) Judges' Investment Decisions and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Northfield Mountain (other)
- Hydrostor (company)
- Rondo Energy (company)
- Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (company)
- Energy Impact Partners (company)
- Energy Hub (company)
- Bloom Energy (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Storing Clean Energy with Air & Water: Hydrostor’s Game-Changing Tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-02-27-storing-clean-energy-with-air-water-hydrostors-game-changing-tech) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-05-09-the-role-of-energy-storage-systems-in-combating-climate-change-with-mike-wieteck) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Unlocking the renewable energy revolution with Ramya Swaminathan of Malta Inc.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-12-unlocking-the-renewable-energy-revolution-with-ramya-swaminathan-of-malta-inc) (How I Built This)
- [Powering the AI Era Sustainably: Breakthrough Climate Hardware Tech from 8 Innovators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-12-04-powering-the-ai-era-sustainably-breakthrough-climate-hardware-tech-from-8-innova) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Why Long-Duration Energy Storage Breaks Batteries – and How Hydrogen Fixes It with Mia Rath](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-01-22-why-long-duration-energy-storage-breaks-batteries-and-how-hydrogen-fixes-it-with) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-01-how-to-save-a-planet-spark-tank-how-do-we-solve-the-energy-storage-problem. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.