Build, Repeat. (A Paces Podcast)

The power demands of AI data centers are skyrocketing—but how will we meet them?

In this episode, James sits down with Tyler Norris (Duke University) and Kyle Baranko (Paces) to dig into two influential white papers offering different solutions. One explores off-grid, solar-plus-storage microgrids as a fast, clean option. The other highlights how we can better utilize existing grid capacity by embracing flexible interconnections and...

In this episode, we sit down with Nan Ransohoff and Duncan Campbell to discuss the evolving landscape of solar microgrids, AI data centers, and the urgent need for climate-driven innovation. Duncan reflects on how today’s energy solutions are just the beginning, predicting a future where bold, disruptive action reshapes the grid.

We dive into:

• How Stripe and Paces are driving groundbreaking projects
• Why the electricity sector need...

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Aaronson, founder and CEO of Demeter Land Development, to explore his unexpected path from criminal defense attorney to renewable energy land origination expert.

Scott recounts how his real estate ventures led him to community solar development, shedding light on the evolving challenges of securing land for distributed generation (DG) projects. He discusses the industry's transformation f...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Hans Hirschboeck, founder and managing director of impactECI, to explore the rapidly evolving world of data centers and energy infrastructure. With a background in electrical engineering and years of experience leading energy projects at AWS, Peter shares invaluable insights on how the demand for AI computing power is reshaping the energy landscape.

We discuss:

• The massive growth of data ce...

In this episode, Paul Reed, Founder and CEO of RSunrise Energy, joins host James McWalter to discuss his journey in energy storage and the evolving landscape of renewable power. The conversation explores:

• Paul's background in chemical engineering and his transition into the energy storage sector, spanning nearly 15 years.
• The early days of demand response, behind-the-meter storage, and the technological advancements shaping ...

In this episode, Erica Brinker, Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer at Chaberton Energy and board member of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, shares her unique career journey and insights into the renewable energy sector. The conversation covers:

• Erica’s early roles in the fashion and luxury goods industry, followed by her transition to healthcare technology, aerospace, and eventually renewable energy, reflecting...

Sarah Moon, Co-Founder of FieldWorks Power, shares her career journey and expertise in the renewable energy sector. The conversation covers:

• Sarah’s path from studying geology to leading renewable energy initiatives at companies like Solstice Power Technologies and DSD Renewables.
• Strategies for community solar companies to enter and succeed in emerging markets, from policy advocacy to local community engagement.
• The role of lean ...

Ty Baccile, Director of Solar Development at New Energy Equity and a Board Member of NYSEA, shares his career journey and insights from the renewable energy sector. The conversation covers:

• Ty’s career journey from his blue-collar roots in upstate New York to pioneering wind and solar projects.
• Scaling community solar and driving economic growth through local development.
• The role of innovation, collaboration, and data in tackling...

 In this episode, Martin Schichtel, Founder and CEO of Kraftblock, shares his career journey and insights into the thermal energy storage sector.

The conversation covers:

• The pivotal moment in 2008 that sparked the idea for Kraftblock, leading to the development of a superior thermal energy storage material.
• Discussing the waste heat recovery market and the importance of decarbonizing heat in various industries.
• Kraftblock's a...

In this episode, James McWalter interviews Ned Horneffer, Vice President of Development at Third Pillar Solar, to explore the exciting advancements and challenges in the floating solar industry.

The conversation covers:

• Ned’s path in clean energy from venture capital to battery energy storage, culminating in his current role at Third Pillar Solar, where he leads innovative solar initiatives.
• The growth of the U.S. floating solar m...

In this episode, James McWalter interviews Paces's very own Solution Engineers, Gabby Stein and Tony Wagler, to discuss the latest developments in the renewable energy industry and their roles at Paces.
The conversation covers:

• Gabby's and Tony's career paths before joining Paces, including their experiences in solar and battery storage development.
• The unique challenges they faced in their previous roles like ...

Welcome to this episode of the Clean Energy Chronicles! Today, we have Dillan Wilson and Mitch May, co-founders of Land Acquisition LLC, sharing their journey in the renewable energy and land acquisition space. Starting with Mitch’s early career in construction and solar, and Dillan’s background in real estate and environmental compliance, they’ve come together to form a dynamic partnership.
In this episode, we cover:

• Mitch ...

In this episode, Riean Norman, Senior Director at Crow Holdings, shares his journey and insights into the renewable energy sector.
The conversation covers:

• Riean's career path, starting as a land representative at Chevron and transitioning into renewable energy development at NextEra.
• His shift from subsurface oil and gas development to surface-based renewable projects.
• Navigating skepticism towards renewables in traditio...

In this relaunch episode, James McWalter interviews Charles Bai, CTO & Co-Founder of Paces, to explore what’s changed over the past year in both the energy industry and at Paces.
The conversation covers:

• Continued growth in renewable energy projects.
• New advancements in solar, EV charging infrastructure, and battery storage.
• Increasing competition for prime sites among developers.
• Rising competition between data centers and...

Wonderful to speak to Lena and Kevin, the first two software engineers at Paces! We discussed:

• Their path to joining Paces
• What drove you towards climate change as an issue?
• How much of your company culture is a function of company size?
• Defining engineering culture
• The importance of engineers having a direct relationship with customers.

We even iterated on how engineering at Paces can be improved on the call!

Paces helps de...

Great to chat with Carson Weinand, Senior Project Developer at  CVE North America, about recent changes to solar development as well as the importance of GIS data. We discuss:

• How he became a product developer at CVE
• Falling in love with GIS
• What does perfect look like for project development data?
• The real market killer for community solar.
• New rules for the IRA

And much more!

Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites m...

We sit down for an insightful conversation with Corey Hindin, Director of Business Development at AC Power, to talk about transforming brownfields into productive solar farms. We delve into:

• How business development is structured at AC Power, which entails various steps ranging from market exploration to closing agreements with landowners for project due diligence.
• The unique characteristics of brownfield development, such as the...

We speak with Ryan Kelliher, VP of Renewable Solutions at Tradition Energy and Executive Director of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). We discuss why:

• Solar grazing is beneficial for farmers and rural communities
• Sheep grazing is helpful for the permitting of solar projects, as it aligns incentives for the developer and the farmer and reduces community opposition.
• The lack of sheep in the US is a challenge for solar g...

In this episode, James McWalter interviews Kyle Baranko, a data scientist at Paces, about the intersection of energy and data. They discuss:

• How renewable energy companies are using data to optimize projects and the challenges of working with legacy energy systems. 
• The types of data that renewable energy project developers care about, including interconnection, geophysical and environmental constraints, permeability, and financi...