Hardware to Save a Planet
Our planet is warming at an unsustainable rate. This climate crisis is being caused by humans and it will take human ingenuity to stop or reverse it... Hardware to Save a Planet explores the technical innovations that are giving us hope in the fight against climate change. Each episode focuses on a specific climate challenge and explores an emerging physical technology solution, with the person bringing it into reality. Hosted by Dylan Garrett, Head of Climate Tech Business at Synapse.
Decarbonizing Water Heating with Intelligent Water Heaters: Insights from Michael Rigney of Cala Systems
October 10, 2024 • 48 MIN
Residential water heating accounts for 3% of all US greenhouse gas emissions and 19% of home energy use, which means it uses a large chunk of a home's energy while adding emissions to our environment. An intelligent heat pump-based water heater is a step in the right direction on both fronts. In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan talks with Michael Rigney, CEO and co-founder of Cala Systems, about their innovative heat pump water heater. They delve into the environmental impact of residential water heating and the need for sustainable solutions. They also discuss the challenges of finding a job at the intersection of hard tech and climate and how the current climate tech wave has opened up more opportunities in this field. Michael highlights the importance of shifting when energy is used and the advantages of using thermal energy storage in water heaters. They discuss the key components of a water heater and how Cala Systems has optimized its system for comfort, cost, and carbon emissions. He emphasizes their goal of providing helpful intelligence for homeowners. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced during hardware development and the potential for Ka water heaters to participate in demand response programs.
The Climate Hardware Playbook: Strategies for Founders and Investors with Christian zu Jeddeloh and Sophia Escheu
September 26, 2024 • 50 MIN
What is the cornerstone for a vibrant Climate Tech ecosphere? A climate hardware playbook designed to guide founders in fundraising and building businesses while helping investors integrate climate hardware into their investment portfolios. A playbook backed by research and insights from climate tech investors and founders. In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan interviews Christian zu Jeddeloh and Sophia Escheu about their newly developed Climate Hardware Playbook, designed to help founders build and scale climate tech startups. They discuss key challenges facing climate hardware companies, including the European funding gap, the chicken-and-egg problem of commercial traction, and the talent shortages in founding teams. The conversation also touches on creative financing solutions, the evolving climate tech investment landscape, and differences between the US and European markets. Christian and Sophia offer valuable insights into emerging trends and practical advice for those looking to make an impact in climate tech. If you are a recent founder or thinking about founding your Climate Tech company, this episode is a must-listen!
Turning Idle Wells into Renewable Power Solutions with Kemp Gregory of Renewell Energy
September 12, 2024 • 41 MIN
Energy storage is a vital cog in building a sustainable grid. It helps us manage the intermittent supply of renewable energy from wind and solar energy sources. Our guest today brings a unique solution to energy storage by repurposing idle gas and oil wells for gravity energy storage. Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Gregory Kemp, Co-founder and CEO of Renewell Energy. Dylan and Kemp discuss Renewell's innovative approach to repurposing idle oil and gas wells for gravity-based energy storage. Kemp explains how this solution addresses renewable energy's intermittent supply, repurposes existing infrastructure, and offers economic incentives for oil companies. They explore challenges like wire rope durability, costs, and regulatory hurdles. Kemp also highlights the future potential of converting thousands of wells into storage systems, which could contribute significantly to clean energy. He emphasizes focusing on specific problems to combat climate change effectively.
Advancing Soil Carbon Measurement for Sustainable Food Systems with Chris Tolles of Yard Stick
August 29, 2024 • 42 MIN
Access to economically viable solutions to measure soil carbon at scale is a game changer in our ability to improve our food systems and also improve our land's ability to store carbon. Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Chris Tolles, Co-Founder and CEO of Yard Stick, a company on a mission to reduce soil carbon measurement costs by 90%. This will pave the way for improving our ecosystem health, restoring soil health, and combating climate change. Join us as we examine soil carbon measurement and its impact on food systems and carbon storage. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of soil carbon measurement, the economic aspects of carbon removal, and the role of data in driving behavior change. Chris shares the potential of using spectroscopy for faster and more efficient soil carbon measurement and discusses its impact on agriculture, climate change, and economic value. Our conversation explores the intersection of agriculture, climate change, and carbon removal, offering valuable insights and inspiration.
Maintaining Green Space Sustainably: Jack Morrison on the Impact of Scythe Robotics
August 15, 2024 • 39 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Jack Morrison, Co-Founder and CEO of Scythe Robotics, a green company on a mission to provide the most advanced and sustainable autonomous technology for maintaining off-road environments. The company’s autonomous electrical mowing and landscaping equipment helps eliminate the emissions from gas-powered equipment that is commercially used. Join us as we discuss Jack’s background, Scythe’s mission to improve sustainability in landscaping, and their recent series B funding. Jack explains the environmental benefits of transitioning from gas-powered to electric mowers and the importance of urban green spaces. He highlights Scythe’s innovative mower, the M.52, and its development based on customer feedback. Jack also discusses the potential of autonomous technology in various industries and expresses optimism about renewable energy’s future. He encourages individuals to contribute to climate change solutions, emphasizing collective efforts toward sustainability.
Climate Tech Innovations and Local Manufacturing for Global Impact with Laura Teicher of FORGE
August 1, 2024 • 42 MIN
Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Laura Teicher, President and Executive Director at FORGE, a nonprofit on a mission to help innovators with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact—at scale. Join us as we discuss the challenges and benefits of bringing physical climate tech products to the market. Laura recounts her career shift from politics to innovation support, detailing FORGE's role in assisting with manufacturing and supply chain challenges. She emphasizes local manufacturing benefits like reduced carbon footprints and better communication. The discussion covers FORGE's three support pillars—education, connection, funding, and future service expansions. Laura highlights climate tech growth in renewable energy, electric transportation, and grid connectivity. She advises aspiring climate tech professionals to leverage transferable skills and maintain relationships.
Cooling Earth by Using Mirrors to Reflect Sunlight with Dr. Ye Tao, Founder and Executive Director of MEER
July 18, 2024 • 49 MIN
Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Dr. Ye Tao, Founder and Executive Director of MEER, a company that uses mirrors at scale to reflect sunlight and mitigate the impact of global warming. Join us as we discuss the innovative concept of MEER and its potential to combat climate change. Dr. Tao shares his insights on the urgent need for sustainable solutions and how MEER can help transition civilization toward a more sustainable future. We delve into the fascinating world of nanoparticle research and the possibilities of dimensional reduction. Discover the limitations of renewable energy and the importance of energy ROI. Dr. Tao also explores the exciting applications of mirrors in controlling sunlight and optimizing temperature reduction.
Solving the Hydrogen Storage and Transport Challenge with Natasha Kostenuk, Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy
July 4, 2024 • 37 MIN
Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Natasha Kostenuk, Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy, a company with the solution to overcome the traditional Hydrogen storage and transportation challenges with their Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) invention. Join us as we discuss the importance of hydrogen as an energy source for decarbonizing global industries. Natasha walks us through her journey from the oil and gas industry to the climate tech space. We delve into Ayrton Energy's innovative solution using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) to overcome storage and transportation challenges in the hydrogen industry and the advantages over traditional storage methods. We also touch on Ayrton Energy's business model, scalability, and potential applications in data centers.
Plasma Tunnel Boring Machines to Revolutionize Energy Transmission: Insights from Troy Helming, Founder and CEO of EarthGrid
June 20, 2024 • 45 MIN
Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Troy Helming, Founder and CEO of EarthGrid, a company that uses patented plasma boring technology to dig tunnels that carry power cables from remote clean energy generation points to the grid and onto the end user. Join us as we delve into the world of tunnel-boring machines and their role in combating climate change. Troy shares his passion for clean energy and discusses the innovative solutions his company is developing to revolutionize clean energy transmission. Discover the technology behind tunnel boring, the benefits of underground power lines, and the challenges faced in engineering and development.
Deep Sea Mining: A Responsible Approach to Resource Extraction with Oliver Gunasekara
June 6, 2024 • 45 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Our guest today is Oliver Gunasekara, Co-Founder and CEO of Impossible Metals Inc., a company focused on responsible seabed mining to drive a transition to circularity in mining. Join us as we discuss the controversial topic of deep-sea mining and its potential impact on the environment. Oliver shares his personal journey to climate tech and explains their innovative approach to collecting battery metals from the ocean floor without harming marine ecosystems. They discuss the economic factors, regulatory aspects, and challenges involved in deep-sea mining.
Nurturing Companies that Have a Net Positive Impact on Nature: Insights from Tom Chi of At One Ventures
May 23, 2024 • 63 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Our guest today is Tom Chi, Founding Partner of At One Ventures, a VC with the mission to invest in companies that work towards a world where humanity has a positive impact on nature. Tom's background includes being an astrophysicist and electrical engineer, developing products at Microsoft and Yahoo, and working as a founding member of Google X. Tom's background in technology and his personal experience witnessing the death of a coral reef in Hawaii have instilled in him a deep sense of urgency to address climate change. We discuss the slow pace of progress, the challenges of scaling companies, and the need for innovative solutions in venture capital. Tom not only highlights the importance of mass transfer in carbon sequestration and the limitations of closed-loop plastics recycling but also stresses the power of collaboration and utilizing diverse skills to accelerate progress. He is optimistic about the future, and his optimism is contagious.
The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
May 9, 2024 • 53 MIN
Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we are at the Wings Conference in Portland, Oregon, where Dylan is joined by Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS for a live panel discussion. Both Powin and ESS are engaged in deploying battery energy storage systems on the grid. Join us as we delve into the crucial role of energy storage in combating climate change as Mike and John share their insights about their innovative battery energy storage systems and the challenges they face in scaling the industry. We also explore the impact of incentives and regulations on the market and gain valuable insights into the future of clean energy.
Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
April 25, 2024 • 49 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we’re looking at the potential of electrifying ships, hauling cargo, and those involved in tourism to cut up to 3% of the emissions of greenhouse gases on water. If cars can go green, why not ships? Joining me today is Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine, a company manufacturing electric propulsion products for the marine environment. Join us as we delve into the electrification of commercial boat fleets. Marcelino, the CEO of Photon Marine, shares his inspiration for developing cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for commercial boats. He also discusses the significant environmental benefits of reducing emissions and noise pollution. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities in this industry, including the growing interest and demand from fishing communities and tourism operators. Discover how Photon Marine's innovative products are making a tangible difference and their strategic plans for supplying motors and batteries to boat operators.
50th Episode Special: Checking in with early guests Accelerate Wind, Charm Industrial, and Heirloom
April 12, 2024 • 49 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. To mark our 50th episode, we decided to bring back a few of our earliest guests to talk about all things climate tech, and what has changed since our last chat. Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind expands on bold new developments in turbine technology; Heirloom’s Noah McQueen shares the opening of Heirloom's commercial direct air capture facility, and Peter Reinhardt from Charm Industrial discusses the development of mobile pyrolysis units for carbon removal and carbon negative steel production. Join us as we explore innovative solutions in the renewable energy industry, with a focus on rooftop wind power and carbon removal, and discover why our guests are optimistic about the future. Listen in to find out how Erika, Noah, and Peter’s companies are making a positive impact on climate change while prioritizing social justice and environmental initiatives.
Keeping Microplastics Out of Nature: A Discussion with Adam Root, Founder of Matter.
March 28, 2024 • 37 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we’re looking at overcoming the environmental challenge of 1.7 million tons of microfibre pollution in our oceans that impacts human health and the ecosystem and biodiversity of the oceans. We do a root cause analysis of the problem, and Adam Root, Founder of Matter., presents a filtration solution that addresses the problem at its source. It captures and recycles microplastics in our washing machines. Join us as we discuss the detrimental effects of microplastics on the environment and human health while also exploring the importance of education, research, and legislation in tackling this issue. Discover how Matter.'s technology captures and recycles microplastics, and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities faced in scaling their business. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone passionate about protecting our planet.
Driving Towards Sustainability with Electric RVs: Insights from Ben Parker, Co-Founder at Lightship
March 14, 2024 • 37 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we’re looking at sustainability and CO2 emissions from the lens of electric RVs and their impact on reducing gas usage. Joining Dylan today is Ben Parker, Co-Founder and CPO of Lightship, America’s first electric recreational vehicle company. Join them as they discuss the development of Lightship, an electric and aerodynamic solar-powered recreational vehicle (RV). They also delve into the impact of RVs on gas usage, the potential for EV adoption, and the challenges of building an electric vehicle from scratch. Discover how Lightship aims to revolutionize the RV industry and make sustainable lifestyles more accessible.
A Mission to Decarbonize the Construction Industry with Keegan Kirkpatrick, Founder and CEO of RedWorks
February 29, 2024 • 39 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Keegan Kirkpatrick, Founder and CEO of RedWorks Construction Technologies, a company with a mission to decarbonize the construction industry. Join them as they discuss how RedWorks manufactures bricks on-site using dirt sourced from the construction site, a solution which can replace concrete and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also touch on the challenges of introducing new technology to the conservative construction industry and the lack of regulatory standards for structural materials.
Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
February 15, 2024 • 54 MIN
Welcome to a very special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. It’s the first time we will be talking about fusion technology as a solution to the sustainability crisis. Joining Dylan today is Robin Langtry, Co-founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy, a company producing the world’s first fusion microreactor. Join the discussion as they delve into the world of fusion energy. Robin shares insights on the potential of fusion technology, the challenges it faces, and the significance of fusion in decarbonizing industries. Discover how fusion could revolutionize the world and pave the way for a carbon-free future. Don't miss out on this optimistic and informative conversation!
Addressing Climate Change in Agriculture with Plasma Technology with Daniel White, Co-Founder and CEO at Clean Crop Technologies
February 1, 2024 • 42 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Daniel White, Co-Founder and CEO of Clean Crop Technologies, a company on a mission to get more food onto people's plates with fewer resources. Join the discussion as Daniel unpacks Clean Crop Technologies’ innovative plasma technology to improve crop yields and reduce food waste. We also discuss the challenges of contamination in the food supply chain and the importance of addressing climate change in agriculture. If you're interested in learning about cutting-edge solutions to food waste and climate change in agriculture, this podcast is a must-listen.
Revolutionizing Electric Motors: The Sustainable Solution with Rory Brogan of Torev Motors
January 18, 2024 • 47 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Rory Brogan, Founder and CEO of Torev Motors, a company that has redesigned the electric motor to be more efficient while reducing the use of harmful rare earth metals to make the motors more sustainable. Join the discussion as Rory unpacks how the Torev Motor is more efficient and reduces the consumption of harmful rare earth metals, and listen to his insights on the importance of innovation, customer validation, and the five ‘T’s in the startup ecosphere. Get inspired by Torev’s mission to build a sustainable future and find out how their innovative motor design sets them apart from the competition.
Year-End-Episode 2023: 10 Climate Change Leaders on How You Can Play a Part in Combating Climate Change
January 4, 2024 • 17 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we have something special for you. 2023 has been an amazing year of growth for the Climate Tech industry, with a ton of new companies being founded, new funding rounds, purchase agreements, and technology breakthroughs. Amidst all of that, there are more and more people who are not working in Climate today but want to move their careers in that direction. So, for today’s episode, we'll revisit ten guests who shared advice on that topic. These clips are all responses to the question I ask everyone, which is, “What advice do you have for someone not working in climate today who wants to do something to help?”
Nurturing Deep Tech Startups to Address Climate Change: A Conversation with Andrew Gollach of HAX
December 21, 2023 • 43 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Andrew Gollach, Principal at HAX, a pre-seed and hands-on venture capital company for Hard Tech startups focused on climate change, sustainability, industrial automation, and human health. Join them as they discuss the challenges of hardware innovation, the importance of mining industry innovation, and the need for renewable energy scaling. They also touch on other innovation areas and investors' role in supporting climate tech. Listen in for an insightful conversation on solving climate change through hardware innovation and investing.
Using Methane-Eating Bacteria to Combat Climate Change: A Discussion with Josh Silverman, CEO at Windfall Bio
December 7, 2023 • 47 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Josh Silverman, CEO of Windfall Bio, a green company dedicated to eliminating methane from the environment and food production. Join them as they discuss the innovative use of methane-eating bacteria and hardware to tackle global warming. Learn about the economic and climate benefits of Windfall Bio's solutions for farmers and the potential to remove methane from the atmosphere. Discover the challenges of working with farmers, the scalability of their hardware technology, and the importance of collective action in addressing climate change. Josh is a resident of Sunnyville, in America.
Sustainable Solutions for Energy-Efficient and Affordable Housing: Insights from Chris Anderson, CEO of Vantem
November 22, 2023 • 42 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Chris Anderson, CEO of Vantem, a company that delivers cost-effective, climate-resilient, energy-efficient homes at scale. Chris is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, in America. Join them as they discuss how Vantem's proprietary panel technology simplifies construction and improves energy efficiency. They delve into the importance of affordable housing and how Vantem’s approach reduces costs. The conversation also touches on the magnitude of the housing shortage and the role of innovative companies in addressing climate change.
Driving Sustainability Through Reforestation: A Conversation with Adrien Pages, Co-Founder and CEO of MORFO
November 9, 2023 • 39 MIN
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, today Dylan is joined by Adrien Pages, Co-Founder and CEO of MORFO, a company that has developed a unique technology for large-scale ecological restoration of forest ecosystems. Join them as they discuss the importance of reforestation, the challenges faced, and the mission to restore one million hectares of land by 2030. Adrien deep dives on the technology and hardware of MORFO’s solution and the scalable impact in recovering degraded land. Join them in taking action for a better future.
Scalability, Sustainability, and Cost Efficiency in Direct Air Capture (DAC) for CO2 Removal with Julian Turecek of AspiraDAC
October 26, 2023 • 43 MIN
Welcome back! Join Dylan and Julian Turecek, CEO of AspiraDAC, in this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet and explore the exciting world of direct air capture (DAC) technology and its potential for CO2 removal from the atmosphere. Julian shares his insights on the energy requirements, challenges, and cost-effectiveness of DAC. Discover AspiraDac's innovative approach of integrating renewable energy supply with capture technology and how they use metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as carbon absorbent materials.
How a User-Installable Heat Pump Can Decarbonize Apartment Buildings: Insights from Vince Romanin, CEO of Gradient
October 12, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan welcomes Vince Romanin, CEO of Gradient, a company that plans to revolutionize the HVAC industry while protecting the environment. Join us as we discuss how window-mounted heat pumps will revolutionize the cooling industry with a climate-friendly solution. Learn how eliminating refrigerants protects the ozone layer and how adopting heat pump technology can reduce your home's carbon footprint. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative and sustainable solutions to combat climate change.
Robots to Reclaim Lumber: Bringing Circularity to the Construction Industry with Andrew Gillies from Urban Machine
September 28, 2023 • 44 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan welcomes Andrew Gillies, Co-Founder and CTO at Urban Machine, a company focused on converting wood waste into premium lumber products. Join us as we delve into Urban Machine’s sustainability drive of protecting virgin lumber in forests using robots and sustainable power to reclaim and recycle wood waste into value-added lumber products. Learn more about the company’s business model and the hardware behind the solution. Listen to the episode and get inspired to positively impact the planet by finding your own tangent in the climate space.
Reframing Aluminum As a Sustainable Energy Source: Insights from Peter Godart, Co-Founder and CEO of Found Energy
September 14, 2023 • 40 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan welcomes Peter Godart, Co-Founder and CEO of Found Energy, a company that turns aluminum into a source and carrier of carbon-free energy that competes with fossil fuels on price and energy density. Join us as we delve into Found Energy’s innovative approach to generating carbon-free energy while tackling waste and recycling challenges and explore the potential of using aluminum as a sustainable energy source. Discover how Found Energy aims to revolutionize energy storage using recycled aluminum and reframing the aluminum supply chain.
Using Efficient Heat Pumps to Cut CO2 Emissions with Paul Lambert, Founder and CEO of Quilt
August 31, 2023 • 41 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Paul Lambert, Founder and CEO of Quilt, a company making ductless heating systems that use electric heat pumps and don’t burn fossil fuels, hence cutting CO2 emissions by up to 50%. Join us as we delve into the world of home heating and cooling with ductless heating systems that use electric heat pumps and are 4X more efficient. Discover how Quilt’s heat pumps can reduce CO2 emissions and significantly impact the environment. Explore how Quilt addresses efficiency and emission issues by creating a distributed system with individual room temperature control. Gain insights into how our everyday choices can have a positive impact on sustainability.
Turning Plants into Living Sensors: Making Farming More Sustainable with Shely Aronov, Founder and CEO of InnerPlant
August 17, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Shely Aronov, Founder and CEO of InnerPlant. This Agritech company turns crops into living sensors for a triple win of improving biodiversity, impacting climate change, and improving agricultural yields. Join us as we cover multiple touchpoints around how addressing agricultural inefficiencies positively impacts climate change. Listen to the podcast to learn how satellite imagery, hyperspectral cameras, and collecting genomic data can help detect plant health and reduce chemical usage for a cleaner and greener environment. Learn how InnerPlant is overcoming the challenge of balancing agricultural yield with social impact and environment sustainability.
Decarbonizing Heating and Housing Spaces: A Conversation with Jane Melia, Co-Founder and CEO of Harvest
August 3, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Dr. Jane Melia, Co-Founder and CEO of Harvest Thermal, a company providing heating solutions for your home that cuts your carbon footprint by 90% while cutting a third of your energy bill. Join us as we take a closer look at Harvest’s innovative solution that reduces your home's carbon emissions by using heat pumps and thermal batteries to deliver heating and hot water using clean and affordable electricity. Dr. Jane also touches on comfort benefits, load shifting, and partnerships that make Harvest Thermal's system accessible and impactful.
Improving Wastewater Treatment to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Patrick Kiely, CEO of Sentry
July 20, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Patrick Kiely, CEO of Sentry, a biological activity and water quality monitoring sensor platform. The conversation pivots around improving wastewater treatment in the context of climate change. We discuss the importance of reliable water quality data to optimize the water treatment process and how Sentry's sensor platform measures the health of bacteria in wastewater environments. Patrick also highlights the potential of wastewater treatment plants to become net-positive energy generators through the use of biogas.
Using Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement for Carbon Removal with Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary
July 6, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary. The company has an award-winning solution to implement Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) for removing one billion tonnes of atmospheric CO2 by 2045. Join us as we delve into enhancing ocean alkalinity, the potential benefits of reducing ocean acidity, and the challenges faced in addressing climate change. This engaging conversation offers valuable insights into the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems and the potential of clean technologies in combating climate change.
Using Insect Farming for a Sustainable Supply of Protein for Feedstock with Paul Hillmann, CTO at ENTOCYCLE
June 22, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Paul Hillman, CTO at Entocycle, one of the UK’s leading providers of insect farming technology to provide a sustainable supply of protein. They discuss the potential of using black soldier flies as a sustainable source of protein for animal feed, as well as the importance of working with nature and biology to create sustainable solutions.
Using Cooling Towers to Scale Atmospheric CO2 Removal with Silvain Toromanoff, Co-Founder and CTO of NeoCarbon
June 8, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Silvain Toromanoff, Co-Founder and CTO of NeoCarbon. Silvain’s company offers an energy-efficient and scalable solution to use waste heat from millions of cooling towers worldwide to remove atmospheric CO2. Listen to the podcast to learn more about Silvain’s solution, what makes it energy efficient and scalable, NeoCarbon’s business model, and the hardware being built for the DAC (Direct Air Capture) solution.
Moving the Needle on Decarbonizing Eight Gigatons of Atmospheric CO2 by 2050 with Luke Shors, Co-Founder Capture6
May 25, 2023 • 44 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Luke Shors, Co-Founder of Capture6. This company offers a novel and scalable direct air capture (DAC) solution for removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. This solution will help move the needle toward the IPCC goal of removing eight gigatons of atmospheric CO2 by 2050. Listen to the podcast to learn more about the challenges in the DAC space, a deep dive into Luke’s solution, and the future of the DAC industry.
Decarbonizing Industrial Heat with John O’Donnell, CEO at Rondo Energy
May 11, 2023 • 44 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by John O’Donnell, CEO of Rondo Energy, a company with the vision to help the world’s most energy-intensive industries achieve zero carbon emissions. The company has developed a patented battery that uses wind and solar power to deliver zero-carbon energy at a lower cost than ever. The Rondo Heat Battery provides a safe, practical, efficient, and affordable supply of continuous industrial heat and power. Rondo reduces operating costs while eliminating emissions - and is available at scale today.
Building the Rails to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles with Manuela Zoninsein, CEO and Founder at Kadeya
April 27, 2023 • 48 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Manuela Zoninsein, CEO and Founder at Kadeya. This company offers sustainable solutions by reimagining the entire supply chain of water bottles while pivoting away from single-use plastic bottles. Manuela explains how her company has developed a vending machine that recycles, sanitizes, and refills customized water bottles made from recycled glass and stainless steel. This eliminates single-use plastic bottles and reduces the carbon emissions from the manufacture and distribution of water bottles by over sixty percent.
Groundbreaking Solutions for Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Ocean Health with Doug Woodring, Founder and Managing Director of Ocean Recovery Alliance
April 14, 2023 • 44 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Doug Woodring, Founder and Managing Director of Ocean Recovery Alliance. They discuss the importance of healthy oceans for biodiversity and greenhouse gas reduction, plastic pollution, and how the Ocean Recovery Alliance organization adopts innovative thinking, technologies, creativity, and partnerships to establish new initiatives and scalable prospects for enhancing the oceans' well-being.
Intelligent Dumpsters and Sustainable Waste Disposal with Ben Chehebar, VP of Hardware at RoadRunner Recycling, and Jason Gates, Senior VP of Strategy at RoadRunner Recycling
March 30, 2023 • 49 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Ben Chehebar, VP of Hardware at RoadRunner Recycling, and Jason Gates, Senior VP of Strategy at RoadRunner Recycling, for a free-flowing discussion on Ben and Jason’s solution of making waste disposal more sustainable and cheaper. The concept was ideated at their start-up Compology, where they installed sensors in dumpsters to measure how full the dumpster was so that the disposal agencies would have to make fewer trips. This was a positive step towards making waste disposal more efficient, also reducing the carbon footprint of the trucks clearing the dumpsters. RoadRunner Recycling has recently acquired Compology.
Upgradable, Durable, and Greener Laptops for Reducing CO2 Emissions with Nirav Patel, Ceo and Founder of Framework
March 16, 2023 • 47 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Nirav Patel, CEO and Founder of Framework. This startup makes durable laptops that are 100% upgradable and repairable while remaining aesthetically on par with top-of-the-line laptops. A longer use life means lower production volumes and lower CO2 release from the manufacture and distribution of the laptops.
The Three Buckets of Water Conservation with Kim Baker, Senior Director of Innovation at Elemental Excelerator
March 2, 2023 • 47 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Kim Baker, Senior Director of Innovation at Elemental Excelerator, a non-profit startup accelerator that works with companies at the intersection of climate and social justice, supporting entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and functional prototypes. Kim explains today's water management problem and the steps required for sustainability. She shares details of three companies addressing different aspects of the problem. She also mentions that funding applications for Cohort 12 investments open on March 13th.
Mitigating Wildfire Risk to Reduce CO2 Emissions with Bret Richmond, Director of Engineering at C6 Forest to Farm
February 16, 2023 • 44 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Bret Richmond, Director of Engineering at C6 Forest to Farm. They discuss wildfires and their impact on climate change and an intelligent solution that benefits both the planet and agriculture. Bret shares the plan to convert biomass to biochar to sequester carbon and use the biochar to enrich the agricultural soil. Removing biomass from the forest makes the forest fire adaptable and reduces the incidence of wildfires.
Retrofitting a Billion Cars to Hybrid EVs to Impact Climate Change with Tom Gurski, Founder and CEO of Blue Dot Motorworks
February 2, 2023 • 48 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Tom Gurski, Founder and CEO of Blue Dot Motorworks, a startup in the sustainability space that has developed technology to convert everyday light vehicles like cars and SUVs to hybrid EVs. Thereby yielding a positive impact on climate change and sustainability.
Cloud-managed Irrigation Valves to Mitigate the Water Crisis with Devon Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Lumo
January 19, 2023 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Devon Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Lumo, a California-based Agtech company providing an irrigation system that offers a wireless, cloud-managed water valve network, enabling growers to conserve groundwater while improving crop quality and reducing overhead costs.
Cherry Picking the Top 8 Insights on How You Can Contribute Towards Reversing Climate Change with Dylan Garrett
January 5, 2023 • 15 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan kicks off 2023 by asking his guests from 2022 a straightforward question, “What advice would you give to someone who wants to do something about climate change?” Dylan then picks out eight of the most inspiring, relevant, and actionable responses for the episode.
Using Smart Fishing Nets to Sustain Biodiversity and Support Fishers with Dr. Jennifer Blain and Dr. Jesse Senko of ASU
December 22, 2022 • 43 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by two professors from ASU, Dr. Jennifer Blain Christen and Dr. Jesse Senko, to discuss an innovative solution for maintaining biodiversity in our oceans by using solar powered submersible LED lights to reduce fishing bycatch and protect endangered species like sea turtles and whales while supporting the business of fishers around the globe.
At the Threshold of Greener and Cheaper Electric Motors for EVs with Robert Sansone, Young Innovator and Winner of the Regeneron ISEF Award
December 8, 2022 • 40 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Robert Sansone, a young innovator, a high school student, and the winner of the prestigious Regeneron ISEF award for best innovation by a high school student. Robert shares his journey of inventing a greener electric motor for electric vehicles that don’t use rare earth magnets.
Re-Engineering Chemical Production for Carbon Dioxide Removal with Dr. Laura Lammers, Founder and CEO of Travertine
November 24, 2022 • 33 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Dr. Laura Lammers, Founder and CEO of Travertine. They discuss a novel process for generating carbon-negative sulfuric acid that uses sulfate waste from the industry as an input.
Transforming CO2 Into an Ally in the Fight Against Climate Change with Claudio Spadacini, Founder and CEO of Energy Dome
November 10, 2022 • 36 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Claudio Spadacini, Founder and CEO of Energy Dome, to discuss the revolutionary technology Energy Dome develops for large-scale and long-duration grid energy storage.
Clean Hydrogen on Demand with Max Mankin, CTO and Co-founder of Modern Electron, and Mothusi Pahl, Vice President of Business Development at Modern Electron
October 27, 2022 • 51 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Max Mankin, CTO and Co-founder of Modern Electron, and Mothusi Pahl, Vice President of Business Development at Modern Electron, join Dylan Garrett to discuss an innovative technology that decarbonizes natural gas use by converting gas to clean hydrogen at the point of use without CO2 emissions.
3D electrodes for Next Generation Batteries with Moshiel Biton, CEO and Co-founder of Addionics
October 13, 2022 • 36 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Moshiel Biton, CEO and Co-founder of Addionics, to discuss Addionics' 3D battery technology that significantly improves battery performance regardless of the chemistry.
Re-imagining the Future of Packaging with Insiya Jafferjee, Co-founder & CEO at Shellworks
September 29, 2022 • 39 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Insiya Jafferjee. They discuss the role Shellworks plays in reimagining sustainable alternatives to plastic use cases. They delve into unique and environmentally beneficial product concepts and designs used by Shellworks to address the issue of plastic waste holistically and contextually.
Developing an Environmentally-Friendly and Fish-Saving Hydropower Turbine with Abe Schneider, Co-founder and CTO of Natel Energy
September 15, 2022 • 47 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Abe Schneider, Co-founder and CTO of Natel Energy, to discuss how the company has developed a new hydropower turbine model, which allows the safe passage of fish in already existing hydropower plants.
Capturing Semi-Truck CO2 Emissions Directly From the Tailpipe with Paul Gross, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Remora
September 1, 2022 • 36 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Paul Gross, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Remora, to discuss the technology behind Remora's new device that captures at least eighty percent of a semi-truck’s carbon emissions directly from the tailpipe.
Innovative Waste Recycling: AI and Robotics with Areeb Malik, Co-founder of Glacier
August 18, 2022 • 41 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Areeb Malik, Co-founder of Glacier. They talk about what occurs at recycling facilities and how Glacier is enhancing them using AI and robots to help foster a circular economy.
Tackling Environmental Issues Through Revolutionary Air Conditioning Technology with Daniel Betts, CEO & Founder of Blue Frontier
August 4, 2022 • 51 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Daniel Betts, CEO and Founder of Blue Frontier, to discuss the revolutionary and energy-efficient air conditioning technology Blue Frontier is developing to tackle environmental issues.
The Future of Geothermal Energy Generation with Carlos Araque, CEO & Co-founder of Quaise
July 21, 2022 • 45 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Carlos Araque, CEO and Co-founder of Quaise. Carlos discusses geothermal energy as the only renewable energy source capable of fulfilling the future energy demands of the human species with the greatest efficiency. He dives into the structure and operation of geothermal energy technology, the methods, challenges, and approaches.
A Sustainable Approach to Direct Air Capture with Noah McQueen, Head of Research & Co-Founder of Heirloom
July 7, 2022 • 38 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Noah McQueen to discuss Heirloom’s sustainable approach to direct air capture (DAC). They discuss leveraging carbon mineralization as a climate solution with the hope of removing a billion tons of carbon from the air by 2035. They further discuss the challenges to DAC, the voluntary market, and why this type of climate technology is difficult to deploy at scale.
The Waste Management Industry with Jeff Satwicz, Co-Founder of Bigbelly
June 23, 2022 • 37 MIN
In today's episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Jeff Satwicz, Co-Founder of Bigbelly. They discuss the Bigbelly startup experience, from identifying a product fit and a sustainable approach for proper waste management. They delve deep into how technology and data can greatly improve the waste management industry.
Transforming Wind with Erika Boeing, CEO & Founder of Accelerate Wind
June 9, 2022 • 34 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Erika Boeing, to discuss the start-up journey of Accelerate Wind, from identifying a product fit and a suitable business model for growth to the future of Accelerate Wind. They delved into how Accelerate Wind evolved into having an efficient approach to generating wind energy with rooftop turbines. Through their patent-pending powertrain approach that uses intermediate energy storage in a compact flywheel to lower the cost of wind turbine power electronics, Accelerate Wind generates wind energy for commercial and industrial applications.
Putting Oil Back Where It Belongs with Peter Reinhardt, CEO & Co-Founder of Charm Industrial
June 9, 2022 • 37 MIN
In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan is joined by Peter Reinhardt, CEO and Co-Founder of Charm Industrial. Peter talks about his company, its evolution, and approaches to championing the call to save the planet by converting biomass into a liquid, which can then be pumped back underground for permanent storage. Charm Industrial calls this "putting oil back where it belongs".
Trailer
June 7, 2022 • 2 MIN
Our planet is warming at an unsustainable rate. This climate crisis is being caused by humans and it will take human ingenuity to stop or reverse it... Hardware to Save a Planet explores the technical innovations that are giving us hope in the fight against climate change. Each episode focuses on a specific climate challenge and explores an emerging physical technology solution, with the person bringing it into reality. Hosted by Dylan Garrett, Head of Climate Tech Business at Synapse.