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August 19, 2025 28 mins

"In the entire decade of the 2000s, we had about a third of the billion-dollar weather disasters that we've had in the last three years. So in the last three years, we've surpassed threefold that entire previous decade. And it's not only fires in California and the West Coast— it's floods, it's storms, it's winter storms, wind storms. Most states are contending with this in some form or another." —Cole Ashman

 

Tired of outdated power systems leaving you in the lurch? Discover how cutting-edge technology is putting the power back in your hands, offering a smarter, more reliable way to keep your home energized.

Inspired by the chaos of Hurricane Katrina, Cole Ashman has dedicated his career to transforming the energy landscape. With a background at Tesla and a passion for innovation, Cole founded Pila Energy to create affordable, smart home batteries that empower individuals and communities. His journey offers fresh insights into the democratization of energy technology.

Tune in as Justine and Cole tackle the challenges of outdated power grids, the development of Pila Energy's smart backup battery, and the importance of making sustainable, affordable energy solutions accessible to all.

 

Meet Cole: 

Cole Ashman is the innovative founder of Pila Energy, a company dedicated to making smart home battery solutions accessible to all. With a background in engineering and experience at Tesla, Cole has been instrumental in developing Pila's modular home batteries, which offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional backup power systems. Inspired by his experiences during Hurricane Katrina, Cole is passionate about providing reliable energy solutions that empower individuals and communities. His work at Pila Energy reflects a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and making advanced technology available to a broader audience.

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Episode Highlights:

02:51 A Wake Up Call From Hurricane Katrina

05:10 Market Gap in the Energy Space

08:12 Pre-Market Product and Customer Response

10:29 The Impact of Power Outages and Market Trends

17:44 Community Support and Future Innovations

20:00 Consumer Decisions and Environmental Impacts

25:23 Innovation for Evolving Consumer Needs

 

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