Episodes, Innovating a Bright Future

Episode 29 – Could Soil Solve Climate Change? with Judy Fitzpatrick From Microbiometer

Posted on April 6, 2022April 6, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

Though we are always surrounded by soils and billions of microorganisms, we don’t really pay attention to the micro environment around us. Microbobiometer is changing that. Through their use of soil analytical products, Microbiometer is trying to increase our understanding of soil health, how we can optimize the earth itself to grow better produce and mitigate climate change, and how important the microorganisms found in our soil are. Could soil be the solution to pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere? There’s only one way to find out. More resources below.

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Episode 28 – Bipolar Plates – The Beating Heart Of Hydrogen with Simon Brugger From Cellform

Posted on March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

This week’s episode is not the first time we’ve put hydrogen under the microscope to see both how it works and how we can use it to promote renewable energy usage worldwide. Today, however, Simon Brugger from Cellform is taking me inside the hydrogen fuel cell, to show me one of their most important parts – the bipolar plate. You’ll hear why these metallic plates are important in the episode, but Simon and his team at Cellform are reimagining what is possible at both the micro and production level of these essential hydrogen components so that we can ensure the future of the hydrogen industry is as efficient as possible. Links below for more info.

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Episode 27 – Ocean Power, The Next Renewable Energy Source with Julie Mai From Calwave

Posted on March 23, 2022March 23, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

Earth’s surface is 71% water. One of the issues often brought up with solar and wind is where to put that infrastructure. Companies like Calwave, featured in this episode, are beginning to capitalize on the vast energy potential found in the movement of large bodies of water. The simple but efficient technology behind Calwave’s products could unlock that potential and provide baseline renewable energy at a large scale for coastal nations across the globe. Check out the resources below for more info.

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Episode 26 – An Incentive To Change – Carbon Capture and Carbon Markets with Gael Gobaille-Shaw From Mission Zero Technologies

Posted on March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

The establishment of functioning carbon markets, and carbon trading systems could provide the incentive we need to push large countries and companies to work hard at mitigating emissions. The markets that we have now aren’t yet stable enough or widespread enough for them to be effective at providing that incentive. On today’s episode with Gael from Mission Zero Tech, we are taking a look at the future of carbon capture and how that will interact with the larger energy and consumer markets that we have well established today. More resources below.

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Episode 25 – Hydrogen And E-fuels, The Bigger Picture with Eduardo Pereira from Clearenergy

Posted on March 9, 2022March 9, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

We have talked about hydrogen before on this show. We have gone over how we can make hydrogen and how we can convert hydrogen to and from energy pretty easily. What we haven’t discussed in what specific application hydrogen could be useful for like shipping, energy storage, and simulating fossil fuels. Today, Eduardo Pereira from Clearenergy will lay out the future that he sees for hydrogen, and how it can be coupled with carbon capture to create synthetic fuels capable of replacing the fossil fuels we use today. Check out the resources below for more information on Clearenergy.

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BONUS – Climate Action Is Now Or Never, Here’s Why…

Posted on March 4, 2022March 4, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

What will happen if we can’t meet the maximum of 1.5 degree target set by the IPCC? What will happen if it warms up by 2, 3, or 5 degrees? Where are these numbers even coming from?! Well first of all they’re coming from people who have studied climate their entire lives so we can be fairly sure that they are at least close to the mark. Second of all, a lot of these estimations and goals come from tipping points, the topic of today’s episode. Tipping points can be thought of as the point of no return, there are multiple planetary systems that are on the edge of their tipping points, and now we have to work hard to mitigate our emissions so that we don’t push our planet over the brink. Lots of resources below for further reading and involvement!

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Episode 24 – Regenerative Agriculture with Andre de Rosa From Lamplighter Energy

Posted on March 2, 2022March 2, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

Agriculture is one of the highest emitting sectors of our world. There are many aspects of agriculture that emit dangerous greenhouse gases, meat production costs tons of water and emits billions of tons of CO2 and methane every year. Fertilizers that are used to grow crops for food and to feed animals generate other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide which can be hundreds of times worse for the climate than carbon dioxide. Agriculture also provides one of the most opportunity-rich fields to implement new technologies, connective technology, and regenerative practices based on indigenous methods to greatly reduce emissions worldwide. Thank you to Andre and Lamplighter for featuring on this long-awaited episode on new-age agriculture. More information found below.

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Episode 23 – Mitigating Methane Emissions with Olya Irzak From Frost Methane

Posted on February 23, 2022February 23, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

We haven’t really had the chance to focus our attention on a company that is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as the sole driver of their business model, aside from Blue X Energy. Frost Methane’s CEO and my guest today Olya Irzak is here to tell me about how carbon markets and cap and trade systems work, along with their technology to mitigate methane emissions. These systems are fascinating because they could be the solution to the economic challenge of climate mitigation, if and only if it is used correctly and carefully monitored. Read on for more info.

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Episode 22 – Making A Difference As University Students with Nuha Shaikh And Hanna Woldegebriel From Project 90

Posted on February 16, 2022February 16, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

The power held by students and young people is increasing everyday as they push for urgent climate action. As the next generation, they realize that the work ahead of them to stave off the worst impacts of climate change is immense and the sooner they can make an impact the better. Nuha Shaikh and Hanna Woldegebriel, both students from the University of Calgary have set out to make their impact through Project 90, a student organization dedicated to implementing engineering projects in collaboration with non-profits such as HopEthiopia. For this episode we are taking a look at one of their latest projects, providing better access to online learning, powered by solar panels in Harba Chulule, Ethiopia. Read on for more details.

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Episode 21 – Geothermal Energy – 24/7 Renewable Power with Matt Udenberg from Altarock

Posted on February 9, 2022February 9, 2022 by innovatingabrightfuture_7i8tcd

Not all of the natural power of the world can be found above ground. There is actually an incalcuble wealth of energy that’s beneath our feet everyday, almost everywhere you go. Geothermal energy, like solar and wind, is a completely renewable resource, and can provide energy for years without emitting any fossil fuels. Unlike solar and wind, there is no intermittency, there is no need for batteries, or energy storage because geothermal energy flows constantly. Geothermal is one of the best options we have to provide consistent output of renewable energy. My guest today is Matt Udenberg from Altarock energy and we are going to delve into the world of the power underneath our feet.

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