Clean Power Hour

• Why Industrial Real Estate is the KEY to Unlocking a Cleaner Future

  In this week's Clean Power Hour live, Tim Montague and co-host John Weaver were joined by Wes Hersche, Director of Enterprise Sustainability at Prologis, to explore how the world's largest logistics real estate company is transforming 1.3 billion square feet of rooftop space into clean energy assets. They discuss Prologis' ambitious push toward their first gigawatt of solar, innovative approaches to enterprise sustainability including microgrids and geothermal solutions, and how on-site generation remains compelling despite regulatory headwinds.Episode highlights:Prologis is nearing their first gigawatt of on-site solar installations across their 1.3 billion square feet of logistics real estate in 20 countriesThe company is targeting 2 gigawatts of solar by 2030 while expanding into battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and microgrids for major clients like Amazon and WalmartCommunity solar developments are being explored as a way to serve customers who can't install on-site solar due to structural or operational constraintsGeothermal solutions including deep geothermal (4,000-15,000 feet) and ground-source heat pumps from companies like Bedrock Energy are being evaluated for heating and cooling optimizationTheir EV depot project in Torrance, CA, serves as a model for freight electrification, enabling 96 trucks to charge concurrently, supported by 18 MWh of backup storage. (Source: Prologis)With their "power as a platform" approach, Prologis is not just installing solar panels on warehouse rooftops; they're creating comprehensive energy ecosystems that include battery storage, EV charging, microgrids, and emerging technologies like geothermal and non-combustive generators. Wes Hersche's insights reveal that despite industry headwinds and regulatory uncertainty, the fundamental economics of on-site generation remain compelling for enterprise customers pursuing sustainability goals. Connect with Wes HerscheLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/herche/Website: www.prologis.com/ 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 Microgrids and Batteries Future-Proof Grid Resilience

  The American grid faces a triple threat: climate disasters, explosive AI data center growth, and mass electrification. Paul Gerke, Content Director for Renewables at Clarion Events and host of Factor This podcast, breaks down how batteries, microgrids, and smart grid technology provide the path forward for grid resilience and reliability.Paul leads content strategy for Factor This, the rebranded home of three legacy energy publications: Renewable Energy World, Power Grid International, and Hydro Review. He covers utility innovation, grid modernization, and clean energy deployment through both written journalism and weekly podcasting.Key Discussion Points:The three forces stressing the grid: climate shocks, electrification of everything, and AI data centers driving 30-fold load growthWhy the regulated utility monopoly model must transform to meet modern challengesHow microgrids and battery storage deliver critical resilience during extreme weather eventsTexas ERCOT success story: 50% clean-powered, handling record heat without blackoutsAir conditioning will drive more load growth than data centers over the next 30 yearsBlue Oval Initiative: Ford is building 120 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacityState-level leadership: California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts are driving grid innovationClean energy economics: 90% of new generation is renewables, winning on cost without subsidiesPolitical power gap: Clean energy invests 1/20th of what fossil fuels spend on political influenceThe grid transformation is already underway. Utilities that break down silos and adopt batteries, microgrids, and smart technology will lead. Those that resist will fall behind as extreme weather, soaring demand, and economic reality force change.You can find Paul Gerke here. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrgerke/Factor This B2: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/podcasts/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8XYCq2Wah9nfI7olK6If7DPUZADfYnZ 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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• Why Grid Power Can't Save AI Data Centers (Microgrids Can)

  #EP314Today on the Clean Power Hour, Michael Stadler, CTO of Xendee, reveals why the utility grid cannot support the AI data center boom and how microgrids provide the only viable path forward. Michael began researching microgrid optimization at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in 2002, spending over 20 years developing the technology before co-founding Xendee in 2018 with CEO Adib Naslé (see Ep 209). Xendee provides design and optimization software for complex microgrids, helping developers determine the right mix of technologies, optimal sizing, economic returns, and control strategies. In this episode, Michael breaks down the economics, technologies, and design strategies powering the next generation of energy infrastructure. What You'll Learn:Why data centers can't rely on grid power - Interconnection queues might take 5-10 years, making microgrids the only realistic option for gigawatt-scale facilitiesThe optimal technology mix for data centers - Combined heat and power systems, batteries, and solar working together to provide 24/7 reliable powerHow Xendee's platform works - Input your power needs and geography, get optimal sizing for generators, batteries, and renewables plus control strategiesCHP systems as the secret weapon - Natural gas generators provide electricity while waste heat powers absorption chillers for cooling, cutting demand dramaticallyEnergy as a Service models - Third parties install and operate microgrids, selling power to data centers under long-term contractsMicrogrids as fluid systems - Start with available technology now, upgrade over time as new solutions like small modular reactors become viableMarket dynamics shifting fast - Projects moving from simple PV+battery to complex multi-technology systems requiring sophisticated designUS leading Europe in microgrids - Behind-the-meter systems reduce grid burden, unlike European virtual power plants that strain infrastructureYou can find Michael Stadler here:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stadlermichael/Website: xendee.com/ 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 41 US States Are Deploying Energy Storage and Smart Grids?

  #Ep313Grid modernization is accelerating across America. In Q2 2025 alone, 48 states plus DC and Puerto Rico took 468 actions to modernize their grids through energy storage, microgrids, and virtual power plants. This shift is reshaping how utilities deliver reliable, resilient power.Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague speaks with Vincent Potter, Policy Project Manager at NC State Clean Energy Technology Center, about the latest 50 States of Grid Modernization report. Potter tracks policy developments across all 50 states every quarter, providing unmatched insight into how states are transforming their grids from centralized, one-way systems into decentralized, interactive networks that integrate distributed energy resources.Key Highlights:41 states took action on energy storage in Q2 2025, making battery deployment a nationwide prioritySelf-healing grid technology is now deployed in major population centers, allowing utilities to reroute power around failed transformersVirtual power plants are emerging as non-wires alternatives that reduce utility capital investmentsPerformance-based regulation is shifting utilities from guaranteed returns to outcome-driven compensationMicrogrids are moving from niche pilots to mainstream resilience tools in Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, and West VirginiaTime-of-use rates and advanced metering infrastructure are enabling smarter energy consumption patternsEquity and environmental justice are being incorporated into resilience planning in states like Maryland, New York and Illinois The grid is evolving faster than most people realize. To stay informed about clean energy policy and technology, subscribe to the Clean Power Hour and visit cleanpowerhour.com for more resources.Connect with Vincent Potter Vincent PotterNC State Clean Energy Technology Center 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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  51:45
• Why Solar and Battery Storage Is Now More Valuable Than Solar Alone

  Most solar installers miss the biggest opportunity in clean energy today.Jay Marhoefer started Intelligent Generation in 2009, six years before the market was ready. Today, his company delivers 3-6x higher ROI for commercial solar projects by stacking revenue streams from batteries. This episode reveals how the "Earn, Save, Protect" model works in PJM markets, where capacity charges alone can cost customers $100,000 per megawatt annually.Key Discussion Points:The value stack explained: earning from grid services (like frequency regulation), saving on capacity charges (up to 50% of C&I bills), and protecting operations with backup power5CP strategy: how predicting five coincident peaks saves industrial customers hundreds of thousands per yearBattery economics shifting: 4-hour systems now at $200/kWh, 8-hour systems approaching $100/kWh (the natural gas replacement threshold)Data centers driving massive grid growth: 26 gigawatts requested in ComEd territory versus 20 gigawatt peak loadAI optimization: using machine learning to extract maximum value from distributed battery fleetsTechnology comparison: lithium iron phosphate dominates today, but flow batteries and sodium offer specialized advantages for grid applicationsGeographic expansion: Intelligent Generation moving from Illinois throughout 13-state PJM territoryJay shares lessons from 15 years building the company, including early pilot projects, frequency regulation markets, and partnerships with Continental Energy Solutions and G&W Electric. Learn why batteries paired with solar create compelling economics even without incentives.Connect with Jay Marhoefer, Intel Gen Jay Marhoefer LinkedInIntelligent Generation Website 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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