Ever since Winter Storm Uri rocked Texas and ERCOT in the Winter of 2021, folks became better acquainted with the grid, winterization and asking questions as to how does an alleged energy powerhouse like the state of Texas go powerless for almost four days? And better yet, what role does a deregulated market play in what happened 18 months and have things improved at all with the sweltering temperatures cooking the state? It’s too much to answer in one podcast episode, so I sought out Nate Richards, CEO of Enerex, a retail energy software company that makes it easier to buy and sell power in competitive markets - to discuss with me the ins and outs of power markets. What does it mean to be regulated, deregulated, competitive, is it the same, are we arguing semantics here - and if deregulated is so great - then why did we have no power last year? Nate breaks down what a competitive market is in Part One and goes into great detail about the role markets’ played in last year’s Uri disaster. Learn more about Enerex and Nate Richards.

Brand new feature alert folks - what better way to get your news fix on a Mon/Wed/Friday than with the latest from The Power Connect - where we’ll get you in and out in less than 10 minutes with news stories from across the world that affect - energy. And you can always find links to the story in the show notes as well to get the full story. So, without further adieu, enjoy today’s show, and do not miss our Three-Part Series starting Tuesday - What You Didn’t Know - About Competitive Markets - with Enerex CEO Nate Richards. Climate Change Not Political EnoughJapan Fires Up Nine NukesGermany Going Green - Thanks to UkraineAAA says Americans warming up to EVs

Time to go international today as we venture over to the United Arab Emirates and check in with a budding star in the clean tech space there as Rana Hajirasouli joins the program. Hajirasouli gives insight into how sustainability and clean tech are still novel concepts in the middle east, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for innovation and investment as the region is quickly becoming a go-to for businesses across the world. Waste-To-Energy, hydrogen and the Circular Economy are all expanding and Hajirasouli’s own start-up, The Surpluss, is poised to capitalize on the burgeoning activity and she’s got a plan not just for the region, but she’s looking to make a global impact to get to Net Zero. It’s a fascinating conversation and peek into a region we know all too well for its oil and gas, and now it’s on its way to becoming a leader in green energy as well. Learn more about The Surpluss.

In the latest episode of the show I welcome to the program Silas Mahner, host of the ‘CleanTechies’ podcast that features interviews with leaders from the renewable and clean tech space. Equally as impressive is Silas’ work in the recruiting space, where he details the good, bad and ugly of recruiting in the blazing hot renewable and clean tech space but also dishes out some dimes for folks trying to make the move. He also shares a few stories and pitfalls that occur during the interview process. Also, be sure to check out his podcast at Cleantechiespod.com and check out episodes 19 and 25 with Edi Demaj and Josh Santos respectively to get a flavor for Silas and his show.

We bring back one of the best guys in the energy business as Ben Parvey from OhmGrid, an innovative technology taking folks off the grid, stops by the show. Ben, who has been working on OhmGrid for years along with his team at BlueSky before going all in as OhmGrid, talks about the difference with OhmGrid versus traditional utilities and what makes them different than other renewable energy offerings that offer people energy independence. He also discusses the work that’s gone on behind the scenes to make this long journey possible, his team’s unrelenting effort at impeccable customer service and the strategy to scale OhmGrid across the country. And he may even have a take on the Philadelphia Eagles QB situation. You knew we had to mention it. It’s a great conversation with an even better guy - Please enjoy Ben Parvey. You can learn more about OhmGrid at Ohmgrid.com.

We take a dive into the consultancy world with our latest episode as David Braziel from RBN Energy LLC joins the program to cover a bevy of topics in a hot energy market right now. David, who has been in the energy business for nearly 20 years himself, discusses making the move to work for his dad, industry veteran and legend Rusty Braziel. He details how Covid put a dent in their business, but how they regrouped with learning and offering green energy information, how their blog has been a mainstay and why it’s tone and style continue to differentiate it from a very tried and true energy formula - and how RBN continues to separate itself in the market while providing information to the entire energy sector. Learn more about the company at RBNenergy.com and follow them today on LinkedIn.

The second half of 2022 kicks off in grand fashion for The Power Connect as we welcome a lifelong entrepreneur, a trailblazer and a woman driven to help others - Mrs. Sonia Clayton, Founder and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers and Chairman of The Global Energy Transition Forum, a non-profit she started during Covid. In this conversation, Sonia details an incredible story about how a chance decision saved her life on 9/11; how she decided to start a remote IT company - 21 years ago - and how her faith and lessons she learned growing up in Venezuela have shaped her journey both personally and professionally. Tremendous lessons from a tremendous individual.

No need to jinx anything and say we’re out of the pandemic - but let’s call it what it is - life has shifted back into normal and thus the folks at CleanTX, namely Co-Chair Melissa Miller and longtime Board of Director Raina Hornaday shifted into CleanTX Promo mode and kicked off the month of June criss-crossing the state from Lubbock to Austin to Dallas and back to kick off the Summer of CleanTX and introduce the new chapter model. In addition to hearing from Melissa in this episode, earlier this month at GridNEXT Lubbock we chatted with the fellas at Lubbock Power and Light to discuss the incredible job they did with their ISO switch last year and the 30 percent of power that’s still left. We also caught up with Argenis Bilbao from GLEAMM and the great job his team did with co-hosting the event in Lubbock and finally we chatted with the man, the myth, the energy legend - Peter Kelly-Detwiler. If you’d like to know more about CleanTX and are interested in joining, go to the website today - CleanTX.org. Enjoy the show!

There’s folks who tout the Energy Transition and then there’s Jane Stricker. The 20-year BP vet spent the last 15 years of her time with the Oil and Gas giant in Houston before retiring and taking a role leading the Energy Transition charge for the Greater Houston Partnership in January. In the six months since all she’s done is lead the comprehensive effort to establish Houston as not just an oil and gas town - but the premier destination for all things Energy Transition - not just in the US but the globe. In our episode, Jane shares the challenges Houston faces yet discusses the headway the Bayou City continues to make, the importance of the second Forum for Global Energy taking place June 28-30 and why Houston has to be a hub for clean energy investment, workforce development and more. It’s a great listen from a professional who has seen several sides of the Energy Transition and is dedicated to making sure all hands are on deck to position Houston as the true Energy Capital of the World.

We welcome Preston Ochsner from Ochsner Interests to The Power Connect for his thoughts on how ERCOT is holding up despite record demand - through ONE day of Summer. He tells us how renewables and natural gas are finding ways to work together and how the views of using both are evolving. And finally, Ochsner gives a blunt assessment of Bitcoin's use and bottom and whether or not he thinks ERCOT will continue to meet the hellish demand that promises to rise as the Texas summer wears on.