Curious about the future of carbon-negative building materials and how climate tech can seamlessly integrate into your everyday life? In this insightful episode, Josh Dorfman—co-founder of Plantd and @getsupercool —explains how he and his SpaceX-trained team developed a groundbreaking, grass-based alternative to plywood that’s stronger, more water-resistant, and greener than conventional wood. Along the way, you’ll discover how streamlined solutions like virtual power plants, user-friendly solar installations, and data-driven demand response can help businesses, homeowners, and entire communities cut costs while slashing carbon emissions. If you’re eager for real-world success stories, tips on scaling sustainable ventures, and a preview of the latest EV Charging Summit & Expo, you’ll want to tune in and learn from Josh’s journey—and maybe pick up a few ideas you can apply right now.
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Links from this Episode:
1. Supercool: https://getsuper.cool/
2. Plantd: https://www.plantdmaterials.com/
3. EV Charging Summit & Expo: https://evchargingsummit.com/
Takeaways
1. Ex-SpaceX Engineering for Carbon-Negative Construction
Learn how former SpaceX collaborators are applying first-principles thinking to develop high-strength, grass-based panels that transform the building industry.
2. Demand Response: Big Savings for Franchises
Discover how zero-money-down energy upgrades help restaurants like Popeyes and Sonic drastically cut costs and support grid resilience.
3.Turning Healthcare Systems 100% Renewable
Hear how a Midwestern hospital network leveraged local breweries, dairies, and biodigesters to slash carbon emissions and patent new clean energy processes.
4.Community-Driven Bike Lane Success
See how a focus on nostalgia and inclusive outreach led Memphis and other cities to build bike lanes three times faster, boosting health and livability.
5.Consumer-Friendly Climate Tech Adoption
Uncover the power of simple, transparent marketing—like Sunrun’s ‘pizza tracker’—in demystifying solar installations and battery storage solutions.
6. Redefining Construction Materials Supply Chains
Understand why vertical integration and hybrid crops are critical to Plantd’s mission of delivering affordable, drop-in replacements for OSB and plywood.
7. Preview of the EV Charging Summit & Expo
Get a glimpse of this year’s top electrification trends in Las Vegas and learn how they’re shaping the future of EV infrastructure and clean mobility solutions.
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Spotify Podcasts: https://gridconnections.fm/spotify-podcasts-70
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:01 Josh Dorfman: Origins of Supercool & Plantd
04:36 Why Climate Innovations Struggle for Visibility
05:19 Energy as a Service & Electrification
07:41 Demand Response: The Future of Grid Control
08:23 Utah’s Battery Incentives & Virtual Power Plants
11:20 Overcoming Skepticism Around Battery Control
12:56 Selling Peace of Mind: Sunrun’s ‘Pizza Tracker’ Approach
19:12 Accelerating Bike Lanes in Unlikely Cities
25:46 Hospitals, Daylighting & 100% Renewable Healthcare
30:43 Staying Positive Amid Negative Headlines
32:33 Beyond Solar: The Impact of Building Materials
33:46 Josh’s Backstory: Sustainable Furniture Origins & Supply Chain Frustrations
35:14 Eye-Opening Reality of FSC Plywood & Pandemic Challenges
37:25 The SpaceX Connection: Forming Plantd from Two Startups
38:57 Shifting from Hemp to Ultra-Fast-Growing Grass
39:57 Securing Major Investment: D.R. Horton’s 10-Million-Panel Order
41:31 Testing, Certification & Contractor Buy-In
43:05 Replacing Wood, Steel & Concrete with Grass
50:30 Pivoting from Hemp: Startup Lessons Learned
52:00 Outro & How to Connect