E021: Energy Efficiency --the misunderstood and cheapest source

Mitch Tan brings energy into every conversation, from electric vehicles to sustainability into hotel management. In this episode, Mitch Tan, representing the owner of a large tourist resort in Boracay, Philippines, explains the importance of sustainability in today’s hospitality industry. 

We understand her views on the intersection of technology and sustainability--the potential impact of AI on mental health, the integration of robotics in daily life, and the role of AI in decision-making. She explains the operational issues in adopting solar power and electric vehicles in the hotel industry, and highlights the hotel's efforts in reducing waste through recycling, upcycling, and composting. 

Kyle Bolto, CEO of Ohmie Go, shares his vision of mobility as a service. We explore Kyle’s version of the future, where big building dwellers can receive all the benefits of an electric vehicle without owning one. Kyle outlines their vision for a car ownership-free urban lifestyle and the potential integration of electric vehicles with the grid system.

Explore how Ohmie Go's services may transform the complex dynamics of urban development and mobility, reduce capital expenditure for developers, and influence city planning discussions. In this conversation about the future of urban mobility and energy, you will also gain valuable perspectives on challenges, opportunities, and Ohmie Go's scaling plans.

Ami Valdemoro, co-founder of Liter of Light, unfolds an inspiring tale of battling energy poverty using locally available, easily repairable materials. Launched in 2013, Liter of Light has empowered one million people a year across over 30 countries. Amid the 2020 lockdown, they initiated the Light It Forward Challenge, rallying thousands worldwide to craft Liter of Light’s simple, hand-built solar lights from home. The movement evolved into large-scale solar art installations, symbolizing collective impact. Beyond solar power, Ami emphasizes the essence of human power. As a leadership coach, she urges women entrepreneurs to embrace imperfection and take bold action. Follow Ami and Liter of Light's impactful journey on their vibrant social media platforms. 

Connect with Ami on:
Linkedin: Ami Valdemoro
Instagram: @the_moxygal

Follow Liter of Light's journey at:
Instagram: @literoflight
Facebook: A Liter of Light 

Ingrid Michel, Assistant Director, Australian Energy Regulator, shares her past work exploring the environmental costs of energy production. Passionate about sustainability, Ingrid discusses her personal views on the changing energy landscape, emphasizing the potential for innovation, community engagement, and the future impact of autonomous vehicles. 

For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, Ingrid explains the need for confidence, risk-taking and a proactive approach to meet the needs of the dynamic energy transition space.

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Mike Costello, Corporate Affairs Manager for Cox Automotive Australia and former automotive journalist, discusses the need for a balanced view on EV adoption and explains ways EV adoption can be expanded beyond the early adopters.

We delve into topics like second-hand EVs, the impending rollout of more options and lower prices, wireless charging, battery sizes, and the future of EV technology. Emphasizing rationalizing battery sizes and the role of solar panels, he also expresses skepticism about fully autonomous driving.

Mike sees Australia's potential in EV development but remains cautious about becoming a manufacturing hub.

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Samia Tariq, an expert in project financing, shares her insights on the importance of scaling up investment in technology and discusses the role of blended finance and grant financing in supporting projects in areas such as Agri-tech, energy, environment, electric vehicles, and hydrogen.

Samia emphasizes the financial viability of projects and highlights the need for a strong track record, ring-fenced projects, and due diligence on contracts and technology. Samia provides tips on preparing a project proposal and discusses the role of lenders in arranging financing.

Jeslyn and Julia Jerota, represent a generation who will be managing the world’s affairs in decades to come. In this episode, these two young sisters from the Philippines, with their combined age below 40, share their passions for making a difference in many aspects of sustainability. 

We discuss the importance of individual responsibility and their experiences working with children, highlighting the impact of environmental education. 

Our conversation also delves into the role of AI in education and answers the big question of "whether children should have access to AI today" The sisters provide thoughtful perspectives on the intersection of technology, education, and environmental awareness.

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David Morgado, a Senior Energy Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, discusses clean energy initiatives across Asia and the Pacific. David highlights the drivers, challenges, and opportunities for investment in energy efficiency and clean energy solutions.

He emphasizes the urgent need for regional collaboration and invites all listeners to participate in ADB’s Asia Clean Energy Forum from June 3-7, 2024.

Melissa Benn, a climate finance specialist, discusses her role in helping climate tech companies secure funding. She highlights the importance of external reviewers, challenges in document limitations, and nuances in domestic versus international projects. Melissa also shares insights into her startup's business model, emphasizing the role of AI tools like OpenAI, perplexity.ai, and Zapier. 

She explores the potential impact of personal AI assistants on communication and offers valuable perspectives for those interested in a career in climate finance.

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