The Catalyst for Change: Gabe Phillips on Transforming Commercial Energy with Catalyst Power

10/04/24 • 42 min

Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy Podcast

In this episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Gabe Phillips, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Power, to explore the innovative solutions transforming how commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses access renewable energy. Gabe shares his extensive experience, from trading power at Sempra Energy to founding Catalyst Power, where he's addressing the often-overlooked middle market in the renewable energy sector. This conversation dives deep into the challenges C&I customers face when adopting clean energy solutions and how Catalyst Power is overcoming them with innovative business models that combine brown power with renewable solutions, all while delivering economic value.

Key topics discussed include the current renewable energy landscape, Catalyst Power's unique approach to addressing the middle-market gap, and the economic realities of renewable adoption. Gabe explains how Catalyst Power helps businesses with limited resources make the switch to clean energy, leveraging incentives, partnerships, and a multi-solution approach to ensure affordability and sustainability. Additionally, the episode explores misconceptions about renewable energy parity with fossil fuels and what changes are needed for better adoption across the U.S.

Whether you’re a business owner looking to go green, a renewable energy enthusiast, or simply interested in the latest trends shaping the industry, this episode provides actionable insights from a leader who is revolutionizing commercial clean energy.

Key Points:

Gabe Phillips’ journey from energy trading to founding Catalyst Power.
How Catalyst Power is closing the gap for middle-market commercial businesses in clean energy.
The role of incentives and financial structures in making renewable energy viable for C&I businesses.
Overcoming common objections from businesses hesitant to adopt clean energy solutions.
The importance of simplifying energy procurement and providing bundled solutions to increase adoption.
Why renewables aren’t truly at grid parity with fossil fuels without incentives.
Catalyst Power’s geographic expansion plans and its future role in driving clean energy growth.
How Catalyst Power is leveraging community solar, EV charging, and storage to maximize impact.

Show Notes:

[00:24] Introduction to Gabe Phillips and Catalyst Power’s mission in renewable energy.
[01:08] Gabe’s background in energy trading and the founding of Catalyst Power.
[04:31] Addressing the middle market challenge and why Catalyst Power is targeting this overlooked sector.
[06:36] Key challenges middle-market businesses face in adopting renewable energy.
[14:26] Debunking the myth that renewables are at grid parity with fossil fuels.
[19:50] Catalyst Power’s expansion into EV charging and storage solutions.
[25:48] Lobbying efforts in New York and pushing for more rooftop solar incentives.
[31:08] Overcoming common objections to renewable energy adoption.
[34:54] Catalyst Power’s future goals and plans for growth in the renewable energy space.
[37:27] Gabe’s outlook on the renewable energy market heading into 2025.

Catalyst Power
Gabe Phillips

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Key Points:

Gabe Phillips’ journey from energy trading to founding Catalyst Power.
How Catalyst Power is closing the gap for middle-market commercial businesses in clean energy.
The role of incentives and financial structures in making renewable energy viable for C&I businesses.
Overcoming common objections from businesses hesitant to adopt clean energy solutions.
The importance of simplifying energy procurement and providing bundled solutions to increase adoption.
Why renewables aren’t truly at grid parity with fossil fuels without incentives.
Catalyst Power’s geographic expansion plans and its future role in driving clean energy growth.
How Catalyst Power is leveraging community solar, EV charging, and storage to maximize impact.

Show Notes:

[00:24] Introduction to Gabe Phillips and Catalyst Power’s mission in renewable energy.
[01:08] Gabe’s background in energy trading and the founding of Catalyst Power.
[04:31] Addressing the middle market challenge and why Catalyst Power is targeting this overlooked sector.
[06:36] Key challenges middle-market businesses face in adopting renewable energy.
[14:26] Debunking the myth that renewables are at grid parity with fossil fuels.
[19:50] Catalyst Power’s expansion into EV charging and storage solutions.
[25:48] Lobbying efforts in New York and pushing for more rooftop solar incentives.
[31:08] Overcoming common objections to renewable energy adoption.
[34:54] Catalyst Power’s future goals and plans for growth in the renewable energy space.
[37:27] Gabe’s outlook on the renewable energy market heading into 2025.

Catalyst Power
Gabe Phillips

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Previous Episode

Bridging Divides: Julia McPherson of EDPR on Transforming Community Relations in Renewable Energy

In this episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth interviews Julia McPherson, Community Relations Manager at EDP Renewables, to explore the vital role community relations play in the success of renewable energy projects. With over five years at EDPR North America, Julia has been at the forefront of bridging the rural-urban divide, depoliticizing renewable energy, and building trust with local stakeholders across the U.S.

Julia discusses her passion for using language and storytelling to connect people, which led her from traditional PR to renewable energy, where she now focuses on fostering strong relationships with communities. This insightful conversation dives deep into misconceptions about renewable energy, the challenges of community engagement, and the innovative strategies EDPR uses, including Community Relations Coordinators (CRCs).

Listeners will learn how renewable energy projects strengthen local economies and provide new opportunities for farming and agriculture. Whether you're in the industry or simply passionate about clean energy, this episode provides valuable insights into overcoming opposition and building trust for a sustainable future.

Key Takeaways:

Why community relations are essential for renewable energy projects.
How EDPR is depoliticizing renewable energy in rural communities.
The importance of listening and understanding community values.
How renewable energy can coexist with farming and agriculture.
Practical strategies to overcome misinformation and local opposition.
The role of CRCs in strengthening ties with local communities.
Real-life examples of face-to-face engagement leading to project success.

Show Notes:

(00:24) – Introduction to Julia McPherson, her journey into renewable energy.
(01:52) – Why Julia transitioned from PR to renewable energy.
(03:06) – The importance of community relations in renewable energy.
(04:27) – Challenges in depoliticizing renewable energy and building trust.
(06:24) – Messaging strategies for bridging the rural-urban divide.
(10:29) – Aligning renewable energy projects with local values.
(15:00) – Addressing concerns about renewable energy’s impact on farming.
(19:12) – Common health and environmental concerns and how EDPR addresses them.
(25:46) – Importance of face-to-face engagement with communities.
(28:01) – EDPR’s Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) program.
(30:54) – Debunking major misconceptions about renewable energy.
(36:02) – Julia’s work with Stanford’s Uncommon Dialogues on Energy.
(38:30) – Future trends and tips for improving community relations in the industry.

Links:

EDP Renewables NA: https://www.edpr.com/north-america/
Julia McPherson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-hall-mcpherson/

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Next Episode

Tackling the Last Mile of Decarbonization: Ana Quelhas on Hydrogen’s Role at EDP Renewables

In this insightful episode of Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy, host Wes Ashworth sits down with Ana Quelhas, Managing Director for Hydrogen at EDP Renewables. Ana dives into the critical role of hydrogen in the global push for decarbonization, focusing on renewable hydrogen’s potential to transform the energy landscape.

Ana shares how EDP Renewables is leveraging hydrogen technology to phase out fossil fuels and fully transition to renewables by 2030. She explains the strategic repurposing of coal power plants into renewable hydrogen hubs, how EDP is leading innovative pilot projects in Brazil and Portugal, and the pivotal importance of infrastructure, policy, and regulation to scale hydrogen projects globally.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of hydrogen’s role in decarbonization, why it's crucial for hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking and transportation, and why hydrogen should not be considered a “silver bullet” for all energy needs. Ana also touches on the need for policies that support both hydrogen production and demand, emphasizing the long-term vision required to make hydrogen a reality in the clean energy transition.

Tune in to hear Ana Quelhas' expert insights on renewable hydrogen’s promise, the challenges that remain, and how EDP Renewables is at the forefront of pioneering this crucial energy solution for a sustainable future.

Key Topics Discussed:

The role of renewable hydrogen in decarbonizing industries like steel and aviation
How EDP Renewables is repurposing coal plants into hydrogen hubs
The importance of policy and infrastructure in scaling the hydrogen economy
Differences between renewable (green) hydrogen and non-renewable (gray) hydrogen
The global hydrogen market: challenges, opportunities, and future projections
How EDP Renewables is leading innovative pilot projects in Brazil and Portugal
Why hydrogen is essential for hard-to-electrify sectors but not a "silver bullet" for all energy needs

Keywords: hydrogen, renewable hydrogen, green hydrogen, decarbonization, energy transition, EDP Renewables, Ana Quelhas, fossil fuel replacement, clean energy, hydrogen infrastructure, policy and regulation, hydrogen economy, climate change, sustainable energy

Links & Resources:

Learn more about EDP Renewables’ hydrogen initiatives
Follow Ana Quelhas on LinkedIn

Wes Ashworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslgs/

Green Giants: Titans of Renewable Energy Podcast - The Catalyst for Change: Gabe Phillips on Transforming Commercial Energy with Catalyst Power

Transcript

Wes Ashworth (00:24)

Welcome to another episode of Green Giants, Titans of Renewable Energy. Today, I’m excited to be joined by Gabe Phillips, founder and CEO of Catalyst Power. Gabe brings a wealth of experience in the energy sector, having started his career trading electricity and gas at Sempra Energy before founding and eventually selling GP Energy Management, a comprehensive platform for energy and risk management. Now through Catalyst Power, Gabe is transforming