This episode is sponsored by KPMG

More resources from KPMG:
Transferable Tax Credits
Energy & Chemicals

It's tax season, so it's time to once again hear from Lauren Collins, a partner at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins. Lauren has become a regular guest on this podcast as she stops by about once a year to share her insights on all the tax issues related to the Inflation Reduction Act. During our conversation, Lauren touches on an array of specific topics, including:

• Domestic content credits
• Direct pay
• Transferable tax credits
• Energy community credits
• Credits related to hydrogen production
• And much more...

If you want to learn more about which tax aspects of the IRA are off to a great ... and which aspects might be stumbling out of the starting block, give this episode a listen.

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We can produce all the renewable energy we want, but the march to net zero will take an unnecessarily long time if all that power is being used in inefficient buildings. Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy related carbon emissions around the world. That means any conversation about reducing emissions and achieving net-zero goals will have to feature insights about the efficient construction and – perhaps more importantly – operation of buildings.

Mark Reinbold, vice president of Global Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls, joins the show to discuss what he gleaned from attending COP28 in Dubai about how business executives and other experts are factoring infrastructure into their sustainability strategies. Mark shares some of the key findings from research Johnson Controls conducted with Forrester Consulting about smart building trends and outlines the role technologies like artificial intelligence are playing amid the expansion of the concept of net zero buildings-as-a-service.

Highlights from Mark Reinbold

Conversations about sustainability with global leaders - (2:08)
Common roadblocks to more sustainable infrastructure - (6:39)
Have global gatherings like COP and Davos 'jumped the shark'? - (8:19)
Any deal follow-up from COP28 - (10:26)
Expanding Net Zero-as-a-Service - (13:10)
Key takeaways from Forrester Research on smart building trends - (16:20)
Examples of artificial intelligence delivering for smart buildings - (19:16)
Showcase project: University of North Dakota - (23:41)
How renewable energy is factoring into projects - (26:16)

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The battery energy storage sector was already in a strong position before the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, the industry is charging up for a boom.

Mike Wietecki, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Powin, joins the show to share his insights on the technology and trends that are driving energy storage growth. Mike does a deep dive on how the Inflation Reduction Act is providing additional momentum for the sector, including how investment tax credits related to labor, location and domestic content are having a big impact on manufacturing.

Mike also delves into the jobs-related politics of renewables and the IRA; and how Powin is working with companies like IKEA to create a blueprint for the expansion of the battery energy storage market.

Highlights from Mike Wietecki

Basics about battery energy storage - (2:41)
Powin's current customer base - (7:15)
Common questions from customers about energy storage - (8:34)
How Powin keeps the lights on in Sydney, Australia - (11:10)
How the Inflation Reduction Act has supercharged the battery sector - (13:20)
The importance of IRA guidance related to domestic content - (15:41)
Powin's current manufacturing footprint - (19:43)
The crucial role the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office - (21:05)
Untangling supply chain issues - (22:14)
Political headwinds - (25:00)
Why speed is key for IRA projects - (27:22)
Creating a battery blueprint with coporate partners like IKEA - (29:25)
Batteries boosting grid resiliency in places like Texas and Califronia - (32:20)
Mike's bold predicitons - (33:54)
Biden administration's risky IRA politics - (34:30)
Will we see a government pricing scheme for carbon? - (36:35)

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