Hannah Granade

🚀 Calling all adopters of #proptech and #construction tech: real estate developers, builders, and owner-operators, and more! 🌟 Big News! I’m thrilled to announce our partnership with Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, to accelerate cleantech adoption. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing public and private industry together to drive the digitization and decarbonization of the built environment with a focus on the adoption of startup technologies by end customers. I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate closely with IN² and NREL’s incredible teams to build the industry’s first Adoption Playbook, and the impact this program will have to catalyze more sustainable innovation implementation to our built world. Led by Program Manager Sarah Derdowski, NREL's team is backed by world-class research and a history of running successful incubators. 💡 If you're a forward-thinking organization that is seeking to innovate your real estate footprint, apply today. Adopters can receive up to $250,000 in grant funding to pilot cutting-edge technologies, while startups have the chance to scale and engage with major corporations. This groundbreaking program offers incredible opportunities for both adopters and startups to drive sustainability and innovation—and we're kicking it off this month! 🌍 With our team at Overlay Build, we will design the curriculum in partnership with IN² for corporate adopters through their Adoption Playbook. The playbook will prioritize pain points, identify innovation areas, and form peer groups for implementation strategies. Overlay will also develop due diligence criteria, help to determine the top startups for potential pilots, and form internal innovation working committees that will drive change. Additionally, Overlay will build a change management strategy to ensure practical evaluation and implementation of pilot projects, helping companies with significant real estate ownership reduce construction inefficiencies, costs, and carbon footprints. 🔍This initiative addresses the "missing middle" in technology adoption of built environment solutions—let's bridge that gap together. For more information or to discuss how you can get involved, feel free to reach out to me directly. 👉 Join us in shaping the future of the built environment! Adopters, apply here today: https://lnkd.in/eCRHCXfm #Sustainability #Cleantech #Innovation #BuiltEnvironment #IN2 #OverlayCapital #DigitalTransformation #Decarbonization #ESG #NetZero

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This is a crucial discussion on navigating BERDO. Building owners are required to report their energy and water data for the calendar year in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and they must fulfill the 2024 BERDO Reporting. We look forward to learning from Tim Ashmore Adam Wellen and Hannah Payne at Decarb Boston on June 18th. See comments to join us! #BERDO #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability

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Yesterday, the DOE released its latest lift-off report on advanced grid technologies – it’s a fascinating and compelling read with some surprising and powerful take-aways. I’m summarizing the highlights here, but I would definitely recommend at least checking out the executive summary for its clarity and conviction. You can access the report here: https://lnkd.in/gMuFwx3c Highlights and key take aways: We all know the grid is experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand: data centers, AI, electric cars and the broader shift to electrify everything is expected to drive 91GW of peak demand growth in the next decade. This risks reversing so many recent decarbonization gains if the default response is to build new gas peaker plants and defer shuttering of existing coal generation. As laid out by the DOE, multiple grid solutions that are commercially available TODAY could increase effective transmission & distribution capacity by 20-100 GW, in other words, potentially allowing us to fully meet the coming surge in demand without the need for new generation capacity These solutions can be deployed in UNDER 3-5 YEARS and at LOWER COST and GREATER VALUE than conventional approaches. The types of technologies being described here fall into four categories: 1) Advanced transmission (e.g., high voltage direct current); 2) Situational awareness and system automation (e.g., advanced distribution management systems); 3.) Grid enhancing technologies (e.g., virtual power plants); and 4) Foundational systems (e.g., system digitization). Sadly, though not surprising, the report also finds “adoption at scale and associated industry know how is lagging largely due to a lack of industry incentives and prioritization” In other words, even though investing in these available technologies is cheaper and more effective than sticking with the status quo, its not happening. The report powerfully reminds us: “ The mandate of the United States electric grid and of its operators is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power to customers.” And "The U.S. transmission and distribution grid requires significant investment to address these accelerating trends and pressures." In this moment of disruption, utilities, regulators and grid operators have such incredible power to support and accelerate the green transition; not just in the fight against climate change, but simply to move us toward a more dynamic, resilient and cost effective grid. In the past, when demand was flat, incremental, risk averse, business-as-usual approaches to infrastructure and capacity investment maybe could work; but in a moment where the future looks nothing like the past, actual long term, system-level strategic planning and innovation is needed. From interconnection fees to cost-plus payor rates, its time for us to cast off the vestiges of last century's model of centralized generation and distribution, and embrace a new identity for utilities in the 21st century.

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FERC has approved interconnection reform - and this is *generally* good for the energy transition. That said the devil in in the details of how states and utilities implement these changes. Some improvements like penalties assessed against utilities for tardy studies, trying to clean out queue squatters, and expressly identifying certain technical flexibility into interconnection design are good. However, we have specifically seen "Cluster Studies" and higher financial security requirements stymie development and create very costly and endless loops of re-studies in many markets (utility and DG). Calling on American Clean Power Association (ACP) Solar Energy Industries Association and importantly state level advocacy and watch dog groups to closely watch and actively participate as the implementation of these changes occur at the state level PUCs and DPUs - ensuring proper accountability and fair play. https://lnkd.in/ewehaH52 NYSERDA New York Solar Energy Industries Association MID-ATLANTIC RENEWABLE ENERGY COALITION Renewable Energy Vermont American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Smart Electric Power Alliance NECEC Cleantech Leaders Roundtable

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Cost-effective geothermal energy has the ability to fully transition and decarbonize our grids and industrial systems - in the near term! We believe the team and technology at XGS Energy will realize this vision and we couldn't be happier to be working with them on a geothermal-powered reality.

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Massachusetts in 2024 is home to the most climate tech startups per capita in the country. They thrive at institutions like MIT and Greentown Labs, turning big ideas into tangible solutions. But we struggle to keep them here. States from coast to coast are wooing away entrepreneurs and employers. These places facilitate demonstration programs, connect companies to trained workers, and provide access to real estate for manufacturing. The Mass Leads Act rebalances these incentives, directing capital investments and tax benefits that keep these innovators in Boston for the long term and encourages others to join them. #climatetech #climateVC #venturecapital

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⚡ Massachusetts is paving the way for breakthrough technologies in the climate and energy sector! A quick pitchbook search reveals that in 2024, Massachusetts based companies raised almost 30% of all VC dollars in climatetech/cleantech in the US, outperforming any other US state. The Commonwealth aims to invest $1.3B to cement Massachusetts’ position as the leading climate innovation lab for the world. The administration is right to stress that - next to addressing our greatest global challenge – this will catalyze $16.3B of economic benefits and create 6670 jobs: https://lnkd.in/eB3Vx72K The initiative lists ‘ecosystem builders’ as a key part of Massachusetts’ secret sauce, and I couldn’t agree more. There are so many organizations dedicated to convening and strengthening this ecosystem, collaboratively and across disciplines. Many supported the initiative, which is part of the Mass Leads Act, through this coordinated effort: https://lnkd.in/ePeHduib I'm also impressed by MIT's dedication to this cause, most recently emphasized by the launch of its climate project, an ambitious plan to research, develop, deploy, and scale up solutions to help change the planet’s climate trajectory: https://lnkd.in/eABAJqic 👀 I’m curious how much of the investments in Massachusetts based companies could be categorized as deeptech, as I suspect it’s a high percentage compared to other regions! 

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Yesterday, we joined investors, innovators, and policy makers at The White House to revisit the Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy. 🎯The Takeaway: the Fusion Race is on The world is ready to take the next step to accelerate #fusion energy but it will take a Space Race-like effort to ensure we fully seize the opportunity. Fusion will redefine the very basics of how we live and build for centuries to come. We’re excited to get to work. Read more: https://ow.ly/koZy50SbTV4

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Partnering with startups can help companies to "solve a product problem, create a new avenue for revenue, accelerate R&D, or accelerate time to market for a specific product," according to Otilia Barbuta, principal at HP Tech Ventures, the venture capital arm of HP. She was talking at a breakout session at Circularity 2024. "There are solutions in the market created by startups and in this circularity realm, I think it's more important than ever to partner with [them]." #climatetech #startups #climateVC

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I always enjoy reading Andre's Climate Substack from André Meurer. Today I learned a ton about Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) and the HWH replacement process. TL;DR (But seriously you should read it, it's funny and packed with great advice) ➡️Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric models, offering long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. ➡️Installation: Upgrading to a HPWH can be complex, requiring electrical work and careful consideration of sizing (first-hour rating). Choosing an experienced contractor is crucial. ➡️Cost: While initial costs are higher, HPWHs pay for themselves through reduced energy bills and potential rebates. ➡️Additional Benefits: HPWHs dehumidify and slightly cool the surrounding area, which can be beneficial in humid basements. ➡️Considerations: HPWHs might be slightly noisier than traditional models and may require larger tanks to match the hot water output of gas heaters. Sign up for Andre's Climate! https://lnkd.in/e2HzZizE

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Top 10 Podcasts for Climate Leaders 😎 (plus my favorite episode for each pod) 👇 And yes, the ranking was a hotly debated topic ✌️ 1️⃣ Switched On by Dana Marie Perkins → The latest in clean energy and sustainability. → Favorite: EV battery recycling challenges with Andy Leach 2️⃣ Volts by david roberts → Nuanced perspective on political, economic, and technological factors. → Favorite: Cora Wyent on Rewiring America's "personal electrification planner”. 3️⃣ Shift Key by Robinson Meyer and Jesse Jenkins → Research, tech, and policy debates for a sustainable energy future. → Favorite: Jigar Shah on the $400 billion lending authority for new EV factories, geothermal, and carbon capture sites. 4️⃣ Catalyst by Shayle Kann → Latest trends, innovations, and investment opportunities. → Favorite: Andy Lubershane on nuclear, grid-enhancing, geothermal solutions for the rising "EV, data centers, and AI race" electricity demand. 5️⃣ Energy Gang by Ed Crooks → Cutting-edge renewable energy tech and energy policy debates. → Favorite: Clean energy investment review of 2023 + 2024 outlook.  6️⃣ TILClimate by Laur Hesse Fisher → Climate topics from the science to policy implications. → Favorite: Michael Howland on wind turbine reliability in harsh conditions. 7️⃣ Redefining Energy by Laurent Segalen and Gerard Reid → 2 investment bankers discuss EVs, hydrogen, battery storage, etc. → Favorite: Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) with Jason Huang. 8️⃣ A Matter of Degrees by Leah Stokes and Katharine K. Wilkinson → Challenges and the tools to address climate change. → Favorite: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on electric utilities opposition to rooftop solar. 9️⃣ The Jane Goodall Hopecast by Jane Goodall → Amazing guest share what inspires them to action. → Favorite: Academy Award-winner @Adam McKay on storytelling and humor in driving climate action. 🔟 Outrage + Optimism by Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Paul Dickinson → Innovators who transform challenges into opportunities. → Favorite: 3 issues for outrage and optimism: Tom on Earth Day, Christiana on plastics, Paul on corporate transition plans. Use this list to make yourself successful 🙌 Help each other out 👉 Add your favorite podcast episodes in the comments. —— PS. If you want to move your talents into climate. Take a look at the Climate Drift Career Accelerator for mid-career/exec-level professionals. Our members hold leadership positions in Tech (Apple, Google, Spotify), Finance (JP Morgan, Wall Street), Non-profits (Gates Foundation), Legal, etc. All motivated to switch their talents into climate. More info on the Climate Drift website. PPS. In case you’re wondering ❓Why trust my advice❓ Maybe this helps (slightly blushing as I write this 😳) → I taught 100s of students at the best universities (Harvard, etc.) → Personally helped 1,000s of people transition careers. → Built a 6-, 7-, and 8-figure education business. → 15 years of launching education programs.

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Honored to represent Simple Thread at the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Finance Forum in NYC. I really enjoyed the discussion with Gina McCarthy former climate advisor to the White House. My takeaways from her comments: - IRA was a game-changer because it allowed the “de-risking” of renewables and took away the “big P Politics of renewables” - Don’t worry about political futures at this point … because it makes too much sense “money is money” - Nuclear and hydrogen will be part of the future but unclear how much. Worries about siting of nuclear specifically - On permitting: “we have to get real about tradeoffs … we cannot let perfection be the enemy of the good.” - The success of the IRA is evident; over $350B already deployed - Constraints from supply side incentives like interconnection queue backlogs, supply chain constraints, and permitting require continued attention to resolve. #acorefinanceforum #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #policy #solar #wind #storage #transmission #finance

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Congrats to our portfolio companies — Heirloom, Charm Industrial, Vycarb, and Vaulted Deep who all made the DOE's short list of Phase 1 semifinalists! Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize allows companies to compete for the opportunity to deliver carbon dioxide removal credits directly to DOE. This is such an important initiative to ensure carbon credits are of a high quality, and will ultimately help restore trust in carbon markets. https://lnkd.in/drEkPd4p

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To all #climatetech #founders and #funders in NYC and beyond, please join us on June 5th for an evening of #breakthrough #decarbonization #innovation at the ReGen Accelerator #DemoDay! 🎉 Get ready to be inspired by our cohort of #earlystage startups: ​ ▶ aich2 is engineering a novel #hydrogen ecosystem, built around Solid Hydrogen carriers. ​​ ▶ carbogenics produces sustainable #carbon adsorbents from difficult-to-recycle organic waste, including coffee cups and wastewater screenings ​​ ▶ TeamStack.ai is driving better performance by harnessing #AI, data, & the collective intelligence of teams. ​ ▶ Tesleon LLC uses compelling characters and #storytelling to instill compassion for communities and our planet in the next generation. ​ ▶ Tolam Earth is a trusted #marketplace for high-quality, high-impact carbon offsets. Don't miss out! Secure your spot below. Big thank you to Brown Rudnick LLP for hosting this event, our partners at ClimateHaven for their hard work and dedication during the entire program, and to our incredible network of #mentors and #facilitators, each of whom have dedicated time to working with these incredible founders this spring, including Jason Ambrose, Marina Rakhlin, Lauren Zujkowski, Stuart DeCew, Matt Puccini Andy Rooks, Nina Raab, and Bill Stephney. And of course Shai Tamary, Lars Korby and Sarah Cleveland, without whom we would not be able run such a #program. #innovation #sustainability #climateaction #accelerator

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#Massachusetts is at the forefront of geothermal energy innovation! Exciting developments in geothermal projects are underway, promising to revolutionize heating and cooling systems in alignment with the state's decarbonization goals. We are honored to have our sponsors Subterra Renewables and Celsius Energy and their leaders Kareem Mirza and Johnny Fry educate our members at Decarb Boston on June 18th! Subterra Renewables' GeoExchange system utilizes ground heat exchange to provide an eco-friendly heating and cooling solution for buildings, tapping into the earth's energy for efficient climate control. Subterra is leading the way in the U.S., bringing experience from many projects in Canada and lessons learned in planning, financing, and seeing projects completed. Eversource Energy's and Celsius Energy system has been pivotal with geothermal borefields and a 1-mile geothermal loop connecting over 30 buildings, including a school, fire station, shops, and residential homes in Framingham MA. These initiatives underscore Massachusetts' dedication to transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources. Geothermal technology is paving the way for sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient heating and cooling solutions, marking a significant step towards a greener future. 🌿 #GeothermalEnergy #CleanEnergy #Sustainability

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REDD up by 27% YOY, for 1Q2024. If you read about Carbon crisis, prices crashing, double check the source. Likely the author has an agenda that opposes Voluntary Carbon Markets(VCM) and/or anything that smells of capitalism.

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Can poop save the planet? 🤔 Well, in Silicon Valley, it's not just a punchline—it's a multimillion-dollar climate solution. Big players are teaming up with startup Vaulted Deep, paying $58.3 million, to pump organic waste underground. The deal was brokered by Frontier Climate, a coalition launched in 2022 by Stripe, Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and McKinsey Sustainability. But why are tech giants getting their hands dirty with sewage and manure? Vaulted Deep's technology, rooted in decades-old methods used for oil and gas fracking cleanup, gives them an edge. But instead of sludge, they're tackling carbon-rich waste, aiming to sequester CO2 underground. They plan to sequester 152,480 tons of carbon dioxide by 2027 as part of the deal (That equates to 36,000 gas cars off the road for a year). Is this greenwashing, or a silver bullet? Critics warn of cost, the need for rigorous carbon accounting, and potential environmental trade-offs - i.e. emission prevention versus carbon removal. #decarbonization

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In 2023, the largest segments in the climate tech vertical were low-carbon mobility, industry, grid infrastructure, intermittent renewable energy sources (solar and wind). 50 VC deals for climate tech companies in 2023 exceeded $150 million, and of these, nine exceeded $500 million. Companies that need a lot of capital to execute on a big vision can succeed today. #climatetech #climateVC #climate

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This online resource provides access to an interactive map that tracks how the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are encouraging historic levels of private sector investments across the country. This increase in funding is creating many jobs and opportunities in the clean energy sector while inspiring the development of new projects as well. #CleanEnergy #InflationReductionAct #Impact

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