Volts
Detailed reporting and analysis of clean energy technology, electrification and climate policy.
- Host
- David Roberts
- Published by
- Volts
- Topic
- Energy & Electrification
- Format
- Analysis
- Orientation
- Sustainability
- Themes
- Net Zero
- Made for
- Professional / Practitioner, Corporate Leader, Policymaker / Public Sector
Listen now
Latest episodes
Newest first
- Listen
2 Oct 2026 · 14 min
Best of September 2026
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.volts.wtf Volts published seven conversations in September, which is a lot for anyone to listen to. We’ve rounded up the highlights into less than an hour. Enjoy!
- Listen
30 Sept 2026 · 65 min
What’s up with heat-pump water heaters?
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe Heat pump water heaters use a fraction of the energy of conventional electric resistance heaters — which use more electricity in a year than an EV — but they're only 2 percent of the market, mainly because they tend to cost more, be slow and loud, and require a plumber and an electrician. Reservoir is a Boston company trying to fix all that, with a smarter, quieter machine and its own plumbers. I talk with CEO Luke Winston-Almanzar about how it works, wh
- Listen
23 Sept 2026 · 66 min
Do small residential batteries make sense?
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe Home batteries like the Tesla Powerwall are nice, but what about people who can’t afford them, or renters who aren’t allowed to install them, or people who just don’t want the hassle of dealing with a permit and an electrician? A company called Pila is selling small (1.6 kWh) batteries that simply plug into a normal electrical socket. They can serve as backup for a refrigerator or other appliance in the event of a blackout, but they can also “mesh” with