Not Too Late Sun, 03 May 2026 23:31:56 -0400 https://nottoolate.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Not Too Late yes Support this Podcast 442d37ee-b8d2-5867-9393-36d47fbc4b0d Climate Media Clarity episodic false A space where we connect with the energy industry's most innovative leaders to explore the future we're moving into.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Climate Media Clarity https://storage.buzzsprout.com/62o2xzbhhbmjn8ru2tynb26xjfxv?.jpg Not Too Late Not Too Late: Sam Ruben - Why America's Power Grid Is Failing? Not Too Late: Sam Ruben - Why America's Power Grid Is Failing? In this Not Too Late episode, recorded amid major disruptions to global oil and LNG infrastructure in the Middle East and resulting price shocks, Zeshan speaks with Sam Ruben, co-founder of HyWatts, about how geopolitical instability and grid fragility could accelerate a shift toward distributed energy. Ruben explains HyWatts’ power plant in a box, which pairs onsite renewables (often solar) with short-duration batteries and long-duration hydrogen storage produced via electrolysis, enabling multi-day and seasonal storage beyond battery economics.

He addresses hydrogen safety misconceptions, outlines U.S. hydrogen-market challenges, and argues the biggest energy cost driver is transmission. The conversation covers U.S. grid fragmentation, wildfire and maintenance issues in California, rising data-center demand, and HyWatts’ deployments, including EV fast charging in Sacramento and a 172-home community in Kerman, California, plus potential applications for diesel-dependent off-grid communities in Australia and Southeast Asia.

00:00 Energy Crisis Opens
01:58 Meet Sam Rubin
02:18 Sam Origin Story
04:45 Power Plant In Box
06:40 Batteries Versus Hydrogen
08:13 Hydrogen Safety Myths
09:52 Hydrogen Market Outlook
12:37 Grid Risks And Geopolitics
15:11 AI Data Centers Demand
17:27 Why The US Grid Fails
23:16 High Watts Deployments
27:08 Off Grid Australia Opportunity
31:36 Global Leapfrog And Hope
34:42 Ten Year Vision Wrap
36:38 Favorite Vegetable Outro

Support the show

]]> In this Not Too Late episode, recorded amid major disruptions to global oil and LNG infrastructure in the Middle East and resulting price shocks, Zeshan speaks with Sam Ruben, co-founder of HyWatts, about how geopolitical instability and grid fragility could accelerate a shift toward distributed energy. Ruben explains HyWatts’ power plant in a box, which pairs onsite renewables (often solar) with short-duration batteries and long-duration hydrogen storage produced via electrolysis, enabling multi-day and seasonal storage beyond battery economics.

He addresses hydrogen safety misconceptions, outlines U.S. hydrogen-market challenges, and argues the biggest energy cost driver is transmission. The conversation covers U.S. grid fragmentation, wildfire and maintenance issues in California, rising data-center demand, and HyWatts’ deployments, including EV fast charging in Sacramento and a 172-home community in Kerman, California, plus potential applications for diesel-dependent off-grid communities in Australia and Southeast Asia.

00:00 Energy Crisis Opens
01:58 Meet Sam Rubin
02:18 Sam Origin Story
04:45 Power Plant In Box
06:40 Batteries Versus Hydrogen
08:13 Hydrogen Safety Myths
09:52 Hydrogen Market Outlook
12:37 Grid Risks And Geopolitics
15:11 AI Data Centers Demand
17:27 Why The US Grid Fails
23:16 High Watts Deployments
27:08 Off Grid Australia Opportunity
31:36 Global Leapfrog And Hope
34:42 Ten Year Vision Wrap
36:38 Favorite Vegetable Outro

Support the show

]]> Climate Media Clarity Buzzsprout-19118945 Sun, 03 May 2026 23:00:00 -0400 2256 1 2 full false Not Too Late: Charlotte Meerstadt Not Too Late: Charlotte Meerstadt Why are billions of square feet of rooftops on commercial and residential buildings sitting empty while energy prices skyrocket? The answer isn't a lack of technology, but a cash flow problem.

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Meerstadt, the founder of Fram Energy, a civil engineer turned entrepreneur who is unlocking a massive missed opportunity in the clean energy space. Charlotte walks us through the split incentive problem: why landlords have historically avoided solar, and how her fintech platform turns empty roofs into revenue-generating assets.

What We Discuss:

  • The $5 Trillion Opportunity: How 80 billion square feet of tenant-occupied roof area in the U.S. can be transformed into a win-win for owners and renters.
  • The Fintech Layer of Clean Energy: Why the secret to decarbonization isn't just better panels, but smarter billing software.
  • Energy Affordability & Data Centers: The real-world impact of rising utility rates and how localized solar can protect vulnerable communities (like seniors on fixed incomes) from price hikes.
  • The Founder’s Journey: From baking cakes at 15 in the Netherlands to navigating the pre-seed to seed transition while practicing focused presence as a mother and CEO.
  • The Future of Circular Systems: Charlotte’s vision for a world where we take 100% responsibility for the energy we extract and consume.
"The solar went from the smartest thing I could have done to a really silly decision... because of a cashflow problem. That is where software makes the difference."


Whether you’re interested in the future of the grid, the evolution of ESG into bottom-line value, or the grit required to build a climate-tech startup in 2026, this conversation is packed with first-principles thinking and actionable insights.

Support the show

]]> Why are billions of square feet of rooftops on commercial and residential buildings sitting empty while energy prices skyrocket? The answer isn't a lack of technology, but a cash flow problem.

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Meerstadt, the founder of Fram Energy, a civil engineer turned entrepreneur who is unlocking a massive missed opportunity in the clean energy space. Charlotte walks us through the split incentive problem: why landlords have historically avoided solar, and how her fintech platform turns empty roofs into revenue-generating assets.

What We Discuss:

  • The $5 Trillion Opportunity: How 80 billion square feet of tenant-occupied roof area in the U.S. can be transformed into a win-win for owners and renters.
  • The Fintech Layer of Clean Energy: Why the secret to decarbonization isn't just better panels, but smarter billing software.
  • Energy Affordability & Data Centers: The real-world impact of rising utility rates and how localized solar can protect vulnerable communities (like seniors on fixed incomes) from price hikes.
  • The Founder’s Journey: From baking cakes at 15 in the Netherlands to navigating the pre-seed to seed transition while practicing focused presence as a mother and CEO.
  • The Future of Circular Systems: Charlotte’s vision for a world where we take 100% responsibility for the energy we extract and consume.
"The solar went from the smartest thing I could have done to a really silly decision... because of a cashflow problem. That is where software makes the difference."


Whether you’re interested in the future of the grid, the evolution of ESG into bottom-line value, or the grit required to build a climate-tech startup in 2026, this conversation is packed with first-principles thinking and actionable insights.

Support the show

]]> Climate Media Clarity Buzzsprout-18925675 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1792 Solar,Energy,Climate,Climate Change,Electric,New York,Sustainability 1 1 full false