Know Power

Know Power

Do you know what happens when you flip a light switch? How many people, dollars, and computers are involved to charge your smartphone? Do you understand the policy implications, political landmines, and local issues as we transition to clean energy? We’re here to answer those questions and more on KNOW POWER. Hosted by agnostic but informed industry experts Noha Sidhom and Mike Borgatti, Know Power is all about demystifying the entire energy industry, getting you involved in the discussion, and empowering you with knowledge to make an intelligent choice today and in the future. Learn more and subscribe today at knowpowershow.com. Noha Sidhom is a lawyer turned entrepreneur with a passion for advocacy and competition in the electricity markets. Noha started her career at FERC, went on to be General Counsel of a proprietary trading firm before launching her own hedge fund aimed at providing liquidity and competition to ultimately benefit consumers. Noha also runs a trade association that advocates for open, fair, transparent and competitive power markets. Mike Borgatti serves as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Gabel Associates, an energy and utility consultancy. He leads a team of diverse industry experts who assist some of the world's largest energy companies and consumers in navigating the complex and ever-changing energy landscape. Gabel Associates' clientele includes offshore wind developers, institutional investors, energy traders, and coal plant operators, spanning every sector of the energy industry. With extensive experience across the industry, Mike and team approach problems from multiple perspectives, and Know Power aims to share this knowledge with a wide-ranging audience.

Episodes

April 24, 2025 73 mins

In this episode of Know Power, hosts Noha and Mike sit down with Asim Haque, Senior Vice President at PJM Interconnection and former Chair of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission. Asim shares his winding path into the energy sector, from real estate litigation to one of the most influential roles in the country’s power grid. The conversation explores how PJM navigates a complex web of state interests, grid reliability, and market p...

In this episode of Know Power, hosts Noha and Michael sit down with Christie Obiaya, CEO and Director of Heliogen, an energy technology company focused on concentrated solar power (CSP) and storage solutions. Christie shares her journey from chemical engineering to leading Heliogen and dives into the challenges and opportunities of CSP technology. The conversation explores how Heliogen is redefining renewable energy with CSP, addre...

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In this episode of Know Power, hosts Noha and Mike speak with Craig Shesky, CFO of The Metals Company, a pioneer in deep-sea mining for battery metals. Craig shares his fascinating journey from driving massive trucks in iron mines to leading financial strategies in a cutting-edge industry. The conversation dives into the intricate details of deep-sea mining, exploring how The Metals Company is innovating to collect nickel, copper, ...

In today's episode of Know Power, hosts Noha Sidhom and Mike Borgatti welcome Quentin Scrimshire, CEO and founder of Modo Energy. Quentin, known as Q, shares his journey from studying electrical engineering in the UK to leading a venture-backed startup in Austin, Texas. They discuss the rapid growth and potential of grid-scale batteries, the challenges of forecasting and optimizing energy storage, and the complexities of the energy...

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In this episode of Know Power, hosts Mike and Noha sit down with John Berger, CEO and founder of Sunnova. They delve into John's extensive career in the power industry, exploring the evolution of Sunnova from its inception to its current state, boasting over 400,000 customers. John shares his insights on the heavily regulated U.S. power industry, the need for consumer choice, and the transformative potential of solar, battery stora...

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In this episode of Know Power, Noha and Mike sit down with Christina Hayes, Executive Director for Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. They unravel the complexities of the energy grid, focusing on the evolution of transmission systems, the implications of recent policy changes, and the urgent need for a robust, high-capacity transmission infrastructure to meet the nation's energy demands. Christina shares her journey from her roots ...

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In this episode of Know Power, Noha and Mike speak with Pat Wood, a pivotal figure in transforming energy markets through regulatory innovation. With a distinguished career spanning leadership roles at the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Wood brings a unique perspective on energy policy, market design, and the balance between regulation and innovation. Caitlin Smith, representing Jup...

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In today's episode, we're joined by a seasoned expert, David Applebaum of The Hawthorne Group. We will unpack the challenges of implementing renewable projects and the political campaigns that sometimes need to accompany them. David will share why developers must adopt a campaign-style approach to successfully engage with various communities and stakeholders, especially amidst the diverse local regulations and concerns. We’ll touch...

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On this episode of Know Power, we sit down with Caitlin Smith, Vice President, Policy & Corporate Communications for Jupiter Power to unravel the mysteries of energy storage growth in the markets today.

Discover the implications of recent events like the Texas Freeze and gain insights into batteries on the grid, real-time data, market design, and the complex issue of contract revenues in the energy market. This episode is a...

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On this episode of Know Power, we welcome Abe Silverman, our special guest. Abe delves into the world of energy and power, focusing on MISO, the largest US-integrated market ISO RTO, and its challenges with transmission constraints. We also explore the nascent offshore wind industry, the role of regional transmission organizations, and Abe's program for clean energy. Abe shares insights on New Jersey's offshore wind progress and th...

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In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, JC Kneale, who is here to discuss traditional clearing models and the role of a clearing house. Not only does JC bring a wealth of knowledge on this topic, but he also owns and operates multiple clearing houses themselves. Get ready to learn about the key players in traditional clearing models and how they facilitate transactions between individuals and companies. JC will also...

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On this episode of Know Power, Rob Gramlich discusses various aspects related to the renewable energy sector. He points out that residential rates in the Southeast are higher in four or five key states, and the idea that everything is working fine outside the RTOs is not true. Despite the Standard Market Design not working due to politics and lobbying, FERC nominees who would mandate RTOs are not favored by the Senate Energy Commit...

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Welcome back to Know Power, the podcast where we explore the latest developments and innovations in the world of renewable energy and power. In today's episode, we are diving into the fascinating world of energy storage solutions. Our guest, Robert Piconi, will take us on a journey through the clean energy transition, sharing insights on the deployment of renewable energy and the importance of power energy storage in countries like...

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On this episode of Know Power, we delve into the complex world of solar panel manufacturing and the challenges faced by the global solar industry. From the impact of trade wars on the solar supply chain to the need for onshoring processes, we discuss the urgent need for a comprehensive discussion around establishing a transmission policy in the US. We also explore the challenges of long-term planning for procurement and why the Inf...

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On this episode of Know Power, Patrick Currier speaks with us about the challenges of addressing negative environmental impacts on communities with less political and economic power. We discuss the need for reducing CO2 emissions in the power, transportation, and industrial sectors, and the potential for technological advancements like fusion power. We also address the politicization of energy and offer ways to appeal to different ...

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On this episode of Know Power, Suedeen Kelly discusses various topics related to the energy sector, including stimulating demand for clean energy through community solar developments and state contracts with offshore wind developers. She also highlights the challenges of increasing the percentage of renewable energy on the grid and the need for backup generation when renewable sources drop. Additionally, she shares insights on the ...

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On this episode of Know Power, we explore the role of states and companies in driving environmental change, as well as the growing opportunities in the energy market. We discuss how California's regulatory framework and bad air quality led to the creation of Tesla, and how New Jersey's renewable portfolio standard advanced the solar market. We also delve into the challenges of making environmental discussions accessible and bringin...

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On this episode of Know Power, we explore the complexities of the energy industry and its ongoing transition toward renewables. Travis Kavulla, a public policy expert, shares his insights on the challenges facing the industry, including political tension between state jurisdictions and the need for nimble market structures that facilitate entry and exit of legacy assets. We also discuss the role of integrated resource planning, the...

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On this inaugural episode of Know Power, Manu Asthana, an expert in the energy space, discusses his role as a member of PJM and how he's been helping with the organization's big energy transition. With a diverse array of backgrounds and capacities within the organization's scope, Manu is at the forefront of a growing concern regarding renewable energy, and PJM is confident it can benefit its customers if they handle the transition ...

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May 25, 2023 1 min

Whether we realize it or not, we’re all participants in the global energy economy.  The simple act of flipping on a light switch triggers an incredible, coordinated effort to move power from generators across a nationally coordinated transmission grid to our homes, schools, and offices. The need for energy is innate to us as humans and agnostic to things like race, wealth, social status, or political affiliation. The energy in...

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