Michael J. Hagan

New Jersey’s latest move isn’t just about bill credits – it’s about modernizing how utilities earn revenue and how the grid operates. By pushing forward virtual power plants and demand-side changes, the state is starting to shift utilities away from the legacy model of growing revenue by building more infrastructure and selling more energy towards a model that rewards efficiency, flexibility, and reliability. That’s exactly what we need as electricity demand grows and the system becomes more complex. Virtual power plants, storage, and smarter load management help utilities (and communities) get the most out of their existing infrastructure. This kind of policy direction is far more important than any temporary rate freeze or bill credit. It’s an example of how policy and innovation continue to shape the evolution of our energy system and moves us towards a world where utilities and communities are pulling in the same direction. https://lnkd.in/gJYdmngT #EnergyPolicy #GridReliability #EnergyInnovation #CleanEnergy

13

RI Energy’s President Talks Future of Offshore Wind, Tech Problems in Storm Response and More Rhode Island Energy Ørsted PPL Corporation Greg Cornett https://lnkd.in/gr7MQm2d

17

1 Comment

New story up on Canary Media Inc.: The New York Power Authority just greenlit a plan for 5.5 gigawatts of renewables. That nearly doubles the scale of the solar, wind, and batteries the largest state-owned utility after the federal Tennessee Valley Authority vowed to invest in at the start of this year. But it's down nearly 25% from the 7 gigawatts outlined in NYPA's draft proposal in July -- a sign, the power authority said, of transmission problems and the effects of the Trump administration's phaseout of federal tax credits. https://lnkd.in/ex4FgqYC

12

Lotus Infrastructure Partners has agreed to purchase the 365 MW natural gas-fired Caithness Long Island Energy Center from Caithness Energy. ⚡️ Located in Suffolk County, the plant is considered one of the most efficient combined cycle facilities in New York’s NYISO power grid and produces approximately 26% of the net generation for Long Island. 💡 This agreement comes at a needed time, as data centers and other large load industries are seeing an uptick in the region (and across the country). The Caithness Energy Center is a source of reliable and dispatchable power, necessary for uninterrupted data center operations. Data centers could drive up to 9% of U.S. power demand by 2030, requiring both smarter grid investments and increased capacity. What do you think of this deal? Share your thoughts below. ⬇️ Source: Lotus Press Release 9/10/2025 Disclaimer: This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Nothing in this post constitutes investment advice. #naturalgas #electricity #datacenters #AI #powerdemand #oilandgas #energy

89

1 Comment

Here are three of the best realistic options for Massachusetts to add energy quickly, cheaply, and at scale: ⸻ 1. Utility-scale Solar + Battery Storage ☀️🔋 • Fastest to build: 6–24 months. • Low cost: Solar is now one of the cheapest new electricity sources. • Batteries stabilize the grid during evening peaks and outages. • Can be built on landfills, brownfields, parking lots, and large rooftops. ⸻ 2. Hydropower Imports from Quebec via Transmission ⚡💧 • Large, reliable baseload power from hydroelectric dams. • Expanding transmission from Hydro‑Québec can deliver huge amounts of clean electricity. • Power is already flowing into New England and could be increased. ⸻ 3. Offshore Wind in the Atlantic 🌊💨 • Massive potential off the coast of Massachusetts. • Projects like Vineyard Wind can power hundreds of thousands of homes. • Once built, it provides large-scale local generation without importing power.

2

1 Comment

Another DCVC-backed team driving reliable, cost-effective baseload energy for America — at massive scale and speed $462M of fresh capital for Fervo Energy

26

COOL STORY: Carbon capture technology by Carbon Reform (part of pilot program at New Jersey Natural Gas) can help with decarbonization and energy efficiency - in a cost-effective manner. Patrick Migliaccio Jo Norris https://lnkd.in/eqBNqu3a

32

2 Comments

ICF projects U.S. electricity demand will rise 25% by 2030 and up to 78% by 2050! - Surge driven by AI data centers, EVs, building electrification, and new manufacturing. - Demand-side solutions (efficiency, behind-the-meter tech) could offset ~10% of load. - Urgent need for proactive investment in grid infrastructure and clean energy. https://lnkd.in/gu7ecERH

13

**Innovating Cost Efficiency in the Copper Industry** Still Bright's recent seed funding of $18.7 million highlights a remarkable shift towards cost-effective materials in technology. By leveraging innovation, the New Jersey startup is poised to disrupt traditional copper usage, which has been a costly component for many sectors. At ElevenX Capital, we recognize the significance of such breakthroughs in driving sustainable investment strategies. As we look to support ventures that prioritize both efficiency and environmental impact, my question to investors: How do you assess the potential of material innovation in your portfolio? #investing #innovation #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

1

The Tailwater Capital LLC team has been reviewing this new BloombergNEF report, and the takeaway is pretty clear: AI is putting serious pressure on the grid, and natural gas is going to be a big part of the solution. BNEF now expects U.S. data center power demand to hit 106 GW by 2035, a 36% increase from just seven months ago. The scale and speed of this shift are hard to ignore. But it’s not just more data centers. They’re also getting a lot bigger. Nearly a quarter of the new projects BNEF tracked this year are over 500 MW, more than double last year’s share. To keep up, natural gas demand from U.S. data centers is forecast to grow from 1.3 Bcf/d in 2024 to 6.8 Bcf/d by 2035. That’s nearly 5x growth in just over a decade. Data centers need real energy behind them, and that’s where natural gas has a major role to play. This is why we continue to believe in an all-of-the-above energy strategy at Tailwater. If we’re going to meet this kind of load growth while keeping power reliable and affordable, natural gas needs to stay in the mix. Full article here: https://bit.ly/4p6gF3H

72

1 Comment

🚨NEW EPISODE: Recorded live at FUTURE TITANS 2026 - Jeff Perry of Carta sat down with the iconic Seth Levine, co-founder of Foundry. Seth has been in venture for 25 years, built Foundry from scratch as an emerging manager himself, and has backed about 50 emerging manager funds through his fund of funds. He has genuinely seen every side of this table. They went deep on building Foundry, why VCs are in the influence business, not the decision business, and why the concentration problem in venture is not only bad for LPs, but also for the innovation ecosystem overall. And why Seth's new book, Capital Evolution, is so important for the future of America. 🎧 Links to listen... Apple: https://lnkd.in/ehQUQ2EM Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eU4FExpg

18

1 Comment

Just had a great intro call with Rich and Edgar Puga y Vidals. These two are the real deal. MIT-educated brothers who co-founded Apis Energy Technologies in 2023 to tackle residential electricity costs and emissions. What struck me most wasn't the tech — it was the energy. Positive. Curious. Grounded in real-world execution, not just theory. They're building at the intersection of power hardware, AI, and energy market strategy. Not a lab experiment. Deployable, revenue-generating solutions for households. Edgar runs operations, financial strategy, and the messy work of actually getting technology into real markets. Rich drives the vision. Together they've got the rare combination: technical depth and commercial pragmatism. The game they're playing: lower end-user costs while aligning with decarbonization policy. Economic value and climate value. Not either/or. I love meeting founders who bring curiosity to every conversation. Who ask good questions. Who are clearly in it for the long haul. Rich and Edgar have that. Excited to see where Apis Energy goes — and looking forward to finding ways to be helpful.

6

2 Comments

🚨 The “Big Beautiful Bill” just passed—and it could be the most consequential climate rollback in U.S. history. ⚡️ Wind and solar tax credits are set to phase out years earlier, threatening over 70% of planned clean energy projects. 🚘 EV and battery incentives are being slashed, stalling adoption and investment. 🛢️ Fossil fuels, LNG, and permitting reforms are prioritized, reversing much of the momentum from the Inflation Reduction Act. 📉 An estimated 330,000 clean energy jobs could be at risk, while U.S. competitiveness in climate tech may falter just as global rivals double down. In this rapidly shifting landscape, evaluating what is ahead of the industry would be very critical. 🔔 Join Us for an Exclusive Webinar | July 8 @ 6:30 PM PST Navigating Clean Energy Funding: Insights from Former DOE Leadership 🔔 Vectors Capital is thrilled to host a 30-minute power session + live Q&A with Victor Scott Kane, Former Deputy Director of Commercialization at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Whether you're a climate founder, corporate innovator, or investor, this is your chance to hear directly from DOE leadership on how to strategically position for upcoming funding opportunities and policy shifts. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Insider tips on DOE funding strategy ✅ Navigating grants, cooperative agreements & prize competitions ✅ Practical guidance for successful applications ✅ Implications of the new Senate bill for innovation, investment & industry partnerships 🗓️ Tuesday, July 8 🕡 6:30 PM PST 📍 Virtual | Zoom link upon registration 👉 Register Now: https://shorturl.at/cgBIf Let’s unpack what’s next for the climate innovation ecosystem—together. #climatetech #policy #DOE #energytransition #cleantech #venturecapital #grants #non-dilutivefunding #cleanenergy #webinar #BigBeautifulBill

43

1 Comment

What makes a great infrastructure investor? Hear Stonepeak Co-President Luke Taylor discuss how the $76B AUM scaled specialist in infrastructure approaches investing in the space. Watch the entire conversation on Alt Goes Mainstream here: https://lnkd.in/eT8DEhux

73

1 Comment

Big win for New Jersey community solar — 3 GW more coming. Gov. Murphy just signed a law to unlock 3,000 MW of new community solar capacity. That’s over triple what’s currently online and in the pipeline. This could power up to 1 million homes by 2028 and deliver nearly $905 million in bill savings. Key parts: ▪ 3 GW registered by Oct 1, 2025, built by Dec 31, 2029 ▪ At least 51% of subscribers must be low- to moderate-income households ▪ Guaranteed bill savings — usually 10-20%, sometimes over 40% ▪ Regulators can adjust incentives to make sure projects actually get built Why this matters — and why you need to act now: ▪Tax credit’s ending soon: The federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is phasing out. Every month you wait is money left on the table. ▪If you’re in New Jersey, this is your sign: Spots are opening fast. If you see this post, grab the opportunity now before they’re gone. ▪Sunlight stays free: Solar costs are fixed once installed. Your bill? That keeps rising. ▪Momentum is moving: This law opens new spots now — spots that won’t last. Immediate, lasting savings: Lock in bill reductions today and ride that clean energy advantage for years. Don’t wait. If you’re in New Jersey, start your application for community solar today. Get in while the tax credit is still live and before subscriber slots fill up. . . #federaltaxcredit #itc #solar #cleanenergy #newjerseysolar

3

2 Comments

I’ve seen this being shared quite a bit, so I want to add firsthand and technical context to the CT Green Bank / PosiGen situation. As a former PosiGen employee and manager, and someone who has worked extensively in Connecticut’s solar market and other states, I’ve had a front-row seat to how these programs operate in practice. A no-FICO or alternative-credit solar model can work when it is properly capitalized, conservatively structured, and supported by durable tax-equity financing. The model itself is not the problem. Where this program failed was in execution, and in governance. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of government-funded or ratepayer-subsidized market interventions. Not because clean energy or access is unimportant, but because public money often distorts incentives, socializes risk, and shields poor decisions from real market consequences. When programs are insulated from failure, discipline disappears. In this case, rapid enrollment of higher-risk customers outpaced the capital structure needed to sustain it. Projected energy savings were treated as a substitute for underwriting and reserves. At scale, that assumption broke down, as it almost always does without patient, aligned capital behind it. To be clear, this program was not the same as traditional solar leases or PPAs, which typically require higher credit thresholds (often 650+ FICO) and are financed and risk-managed very differently. The deeper issue is that Connecticut ratepayers were forced to subsidize this experiment through the Public Benefits Charge on their electric bills. While some programs funded this way deliver real value, this structure lacked sufficient guardrails, transparency, and shared downside risk. If a business model cannot survive without compulsory public support, it should be questioned, not expanded. Markets, when allowed to work, tend to surface these failures earlier and more efficiently. If we want sustainable outcomes, future programs should be built to withstand stress, not just growth, and ideally, they should stand on their own without forcing the public to underwrite the downside. Article link: https://lnkd.in/eSsz-pms

10

1 Comment

Most solar companies grow by expanding into new territories. These three grew by going deeper — block by block — in Brooklyn. Meet T.R. Ludwig, Gaelen McKee, and Mark Cunningham — CEO, President, and CTO of Brooklyn SolarWorks. Before founding BSW, all three were building careers in solar. T.R. and Gaelen were at Sunrun, driving out to New Jersey and Long Island to install panels on suburban homes. But they all lived in Brooklyn. And every day, they were driving past a massive untapped opportunity. The problem? NYC's rooftops aren't like the suburbs. Flat roofs. Fire code restrictions. Limited space. HVAC equipment everywhere. One of the most complex building codes in the US. NYC desperately needed solar. But traditional racking systems couldn't work here. So in 2015, they decided to build solar where they lived — and invented a way to make it possible. Their idea: the Brooklyn Solar Canopy. A patented system that elevates panels above rooftop obstacles — creating usable living space underneath. Mark leads design and engineering, ensuring every system works within NYC's notoriously complex code. Gaelen runs operations and product development — turning their hyperlocal insights into a scalable national product. T.R. drives business growth and industry advocacy. Instead of expanding outward like every other solar company, they went hyperlocal. 90% of their 2,500+ projects sit within just 15 zip codes, all reachable from their Gowanus headquarters by car, bike, or even foot. That local focus gave them deep expertise with NYC's zoning, permitting, and code — and a level of accountability to the communities they serve that's hard to replicate. → 2,500+ residential and commercial installations across all five NYC boroughs → Over 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions avoided → Launched Brooklyn Solar Canopy Co to sell their system nationwide → Named a Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World → T.R. named "Trailblazer in Clean Energy" by City & State New York → T.R. helped pass NYC's City of Yes Carbon Neutrality amendment, unlocking rooftop space for solar across the city They even donated a full canopy system to CHiPS, a Park Slope nonprofit running a soup kitchen and housing program — right down the street from their office. I'm convinced every European capital could replicate their success (or partner up with them). — Do you think urban solar should be the norm? — I share stories of exceptional climate leaders every Monday for #ClimateFounderMondays Follow me by clicking the bell icon on my profile to be the first notified next week.

71

20 Comments