Energy Empire
Energy Empire
Welcome to the Age of Energy AbundanceA once-in-a-generation shift is underway in how the world is powered. Across the United States, clean energy now makes up more than 90% of new electricity added to the grid — not because of politics or ideology, but because these technologies simply work better. They’re cheaper to build, faster to deploy, and easier to scale than anything that came before.The technology is ready. Now the race is on to build it…everywhere.Energy Empire is a podcast about the people and ideas driving this transformation. We explore how abundant, affordable energy is reshaping the global economy, creating new industries, and unlocking what may be the greatest wealth-creation opportunity of our generation.Hosted by Jigar Shah — TIME100 honoree, serial entrepreneur, investor, and former U.S. Department of Energy leader — the show pulls back the curtain on the decisions, innovations, and power struggles shaping the future of energy.Whether you’re curious about where the economy is headed, how energy affects your daily life, or who’s really building the future behind the scenes, Energy Empire is your guide to what comes next.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 60min
No Fertilizer. No Data Centers. No Birthday Balloons. The Iran War Is Not Just Impacting Oil.
James Gutman, energy and geopolitics analyst and author, explains how closing the Strait of Hormuz ripples far beyond oil. He outlines cascading shortages from sulfur and fertilizer to helium and supply chains. Conversations cover humanitarian rationing in Asia, shifting geopolitical alliances and currencies, and how clean‑energy and manufacturing policy may be reshaped.
35 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 53min
How My Retired EV Ended Up Powering Homes in Ukraine
Philippe Dunsky, a Canadian energy consultant focused on utility change and vehicle-grid integration, tells how his totaled Tesla's battery was repurposed to power homes in Ukraine. The conversation traces that car's journey, explores using EV batteries for backup and grid services, and examines barriers to wide-scale vehicle-to-grid adoption and repurposing.
23 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 53min
500 Miles on a Charge: Is This the End of the Diesel Semi?
Adam Browning, leader at Forum Mobility and former Vote Solar founder, explains electrifying freight and building charging depots. He discusses Tesla Semi performance, megawatt charging and depot strategies. They cover range, refrigerated trucks, costs per mile, and where electric freight will scale next.
33 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 48min
Trump: The Accidental Clean Energy President
James Gutman, geopolitical and energy analyst, explains how recent conflicts have upended the global oil order. He discusses the scramble for solar and batteries, China’s massive clean-energy financing, and how nations are racing for energy sovereignty. Short, sharp takes on shifting alliances, market winners and losers, and why renewables are suddenly irresistible.
23 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 4min
The Cheapest Grid Is the One We Already Paid For
Arnab Pal, founder of Deploy Action and former congressional and DOE advisor, champions state-level clean energy deployment and grid affordability. He discusses why we underuse existing grid assets, the promise of virtual power plants to cut costs, and how policy and regulators can push utilization strategies. The conversation highlights practical tactics to lower bills without building more infrastructure.
43 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 60min
Why the War in Iran Is Speeding Up the Clean Energy Transition
James Gutman, strategist and co-author of The New Joule Order at the Carlyle Group, offers sharp analysis on global energy geopolitics. He discusses how U.S. energy independence shifted incentives, why Venezuela and Iran matter to China, risks to shipping routes like the Straits of Hormuz, and how oil-importing nations are accelerating solar, batteries, microgrids, and electrification.
48 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 58min
The Case Against Off-Grid Data Centers with Tim Hade
Tim Hade, Air Force veteran and founder of Scale Microgrids who builds distributed energy and microgrid solutions. He argues the rush for off-grid data centers misses the point. Topics include why most co-located data center projects will fail, power electronics and stability challenges, why many batteries beat one giant plant, and how batteries and load flexibility can make the grid work for data centers.
23 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 58min
Why Wars No Longer Move Oil Markets with Kevin Book
Kevin Book, energy analyst and founder of ClearView Energy Partners, explains how electrification and efficiency are reshaping oil demand. He discusses heat pump and insulation deployment during crises. China’s push for energy independence and the tradeoffs between oil risk and critical minerals are explored. The conversation also covers EV penetration and implications for global refinery flows and trade.
Feb 19, 2026 • 60min
A Decade as Solar’s Top Lobbyist with Abby Hopper
Abby Hopper, former CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association who steered U.S. solar through political fights and rapid growth. She recounts career turns from firefighting to energy policy. Conversations cover rooftop solar’s reputational risks and bad sales practices. They dig into trade tensions, balancing manufacturers and utilities, and the need for stronger political and communications strategies.
12 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 2min
The American-Made Solar Billionaire with Dean Solon
Dean Solon, serial entrepreneur who built Shoals and now runs Create Energy, champions American-made solar and hands-on innovation. He talks about on-shore manufacturing, microgrids, tariffs, and the grit required to build clean energy in the U.S. He also shares his unconventional work ethos and philanthropic efforts supporting survivors of human trafficking.
