Hardware Podcasts

What electric forklifts teach us about creative policy [partner content]

Catalyst · 11 Oct 2023 · 14m

What this episode covers

Wes Whited and Angie Ziech-Malek, consultants at DNV, discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is accelerating the electrification of industrial equipment, using electric forklifts as a primary case study for utility program design. They explain how utilities can leverage federal rebates and change cost-effectiveness frameworks to overcome customer barriers like first cost, while also highlighting the emerging potential of heat pump water heaters and industrial heat pumps. The conversation covers the critical role of states in shifting from energy savings to greenhouse gas impact metrics and the necessity of public-private partnerships to meet decarbonization goals.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
DNV
Products
electric forklifts, heat pump water heaters, industrial heat pumps
Also
Inflation Reduction Act, Maryland, California

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 20m

    Renewable Energy Policy with Ari Gerstman

    Ari Gerstman, from the Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), discusses the transformative impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, which have allocated $100 billion to shift the US energy paradigm. He explains how massive electrification, driven by EVs and heat pumps, is creating unprecedented grid load, forcing utilities to choose between expensive infrastructure upgrades and distributed energy resources like microgrids and batteries. Gerstman highlights the regulatory challenges of investor-owned utilities, the importance of energy efficiency codes, and the social equity issues surrounding flat electricity rates for low-income residents.

    Policy, trade & tariffsEnergy & climate tech
    9 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    Professional Scooter Charger

    Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the economics of home energy efficiency, with Jones detailing his switch to a heat pump hot water system and the impact of government subsidies. They then debate the concept of 'overkill' in test equipment for hobbyists, establishing price and performance thresholds for oscilloscopes and multimeters. The conversation concludes with a look at the Hackaday Supercon conference badge and Gammell's upcoming talks on one-person development shops.

    Energy & climate techTest & measurement
    6 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 50m

    242: Industrial History and the Low-Carbon Economy of the Future with Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at BlueGreen Alliance

    Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at the BlueGreen Alliance, discusses the intersection of industrial history, policy, and the low-carbon economy. He draws on his PhD in economic history to analyze past industrial strategies, such as Brazil's steel development and UK modernization, to inform current efforts to decarbonize heavy industries like steel, aluminum, and cement. Fertik emphasizes that a reliable, clean electrical grid is critical for future manufacturing, citing the massive energy demands of AI data centers and electrification. He also highlights the role of unions in attracting talent and the necessity of public-private partnerships to crowd in private investment for capital-intensive industrial modernization.

    Policy, trade & tariffsEnergy & climate tech
    8 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 14m

    268: Reindustrialization in the Heartland, Live from +Venture North 2025

    Chris Luecke interviews Rosa Hathaway and Will Gray of Starframe Capital, David Tse of Karman Industries, Bill Berrien of Pindell Global Precision, and Grady Buchanan of NVNG Investment Advisors about the regional dynamics of US reindustrialization. The guests discuss why scaling hard tech requires moving from coastal innovation hubs to the Midwest due to lower energy costs and existing industrial talent. They highlight specific strategies for workforce upskilling, electrifying thermal processes, and building venture ecosystems that prioritize corporate engagement and measurable outcomes over mere networking.

    Policy, trade & tariffsHiring & workforce
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Catalyst. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.