What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?

It’s not the tech. It’s the process.

Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MIT’s accelerator for “tough tech,” he’s helping commercialize game-changing innovations that can decarbonize the toughest sectors—steel, cement, transmission, and beyond.

But it’s not just about the science. It’s about fixing the systems—permitting, infrastructure, policy—that stall progress. In this episode, Ben shares why real-world deployment is the biggest hurdle… and how The Engine is building what he calls a “Solutions Factory” to overcome it.

Expect to learn:

⚡ Why product-market fit is the #1 blind spot for climate tech founders

⚡ How startups like Sublime and Commonwealth Fusion are scaling real impact

⚡ Why Massachusetts might be the best place to pilot manufacturing

⚡ How to rebuild broken processes that stall startup success

Ben’s optimism is infectious—and it’s backed by hard-won insight from the frontlines of policy and innovation. If you’ve ever wondered why brilliant climate ideas stall out and how to course-correct, press play and take notes.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries.

Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIA’s latest white paper. That’s a 50% increase over the “business as usual” trajectory—and Joan believes it’s not just possible, but necessary.

As AI data centers, EV adoption, and manufacturing supercharge national energy demand, the grid must evolve. Energy storage isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a requirement. Joan walks us through the policy levers, market dynamics, and cost curves shaping this once-in-a-generation energy transformation.

🔹 Why SEIA is pushing for 700 GWh of storage (and how we get there)

🔹 The invisible hand of tariffs and trade cases reshaping the battery market

🔹 The threat of repealing the ITC—and how states are stepping up

🔹 How storage can finally retire fossil peaker plants and replace standby fees

Joan doesn’t just know the policy—she’s writing the playbook. Whether you’re a policymaker, developer, or just curious about what’s next for the grid, this one’s a must-listen.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energy transition.

Now that she’s no longer a government employee, Maria reveals what really happens inside DOE decision-making rooms, why the grid is far more fragile than most realize, and how her new role as CEO of IREC is helping shift the power back to the people.

From wildfire response to data center load growth and interconnection bottlenecks, Maria clearly understands what is driving (or stifling) our energy transition —you don’t want to miss this conversation.

🔌 Why our grid is more outdated than you think

🔥 The inside story of DOE’s wildfire response efforts

📊 What solar pros need to know about FERC (and why they’re not paying attention)

🧩 How IREC is taking on the hard problems utilities don’t want to face

Tune-in, and after you’ve had a listen, consider sharing this with someone to help us spread the word!

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus