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On-Demand Clean Energy: Christie Obiaya on How Heliogen is Redefining What Solar Can Do
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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, addressing issues from energy access to industrial decarbonization. Christie discusses the evolution of CSP, its deployment challenges in the U.S., and its unique benefits, including higher efficiency compared to traditional solar PV. Tune in to discover how Heliogen’s innovative approach combines AI and advanced thermal storage to push the boundaries of clean energy.
Guest bio:
Christie Obiaya has spent the majority of her 20-year career in the energy and infrastructure sectors with a focus on the energy transition. She joined Heliogen as CFO in 2021 and was appointed CEO in 2023 to lead the company’s commercialization of its clean energy technology.
Prior to joining Heliogen, Obiaya was the CFO and head of strategy for Bechtel Energy, the largest global business unit at Bechtel. In her 11 years at Bechtel, Obiaya held roles spanning corporate strategy, finance, project development and execution, in both traditional and renewable energy sectors. Prior to Bechtel, she led renewable energy programs in Kenya and India, in collaboration with organizations such as the UN Development Program. Obiaya began her career as a product manager and engineer at Procter & Gamble. She holds chemical engineering and MBA degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Obiaya serves on the board of directors for Tetra Tech (NASDAQ: TTEK) and for the non-profit Houston Habitat for Humanity.
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[00:01:12] Introduction of Christie Obiaya and her background in the energy sector.
[00:02:08] Christie's personal connection to energy access and equity issues.
[00:03:03] The concept of a "just transition" in energy and Christie's work in India and Kenya.
[00:05:04] Challenges and opportunities for CSP in the U.S. compared to global markets.
[00:07:02] Overview of how CSP technology works and its unique benefits.
[00:10:08] The role of CSP in providing high-capacity, dispatchable energy.
[00:12:15] Heliogen’s AI-driven improvements to CSP performance and efficiency.
[00:16:03] Partnerships and projects, including collaborations with the Department of Energy.
[00:18:09] Heliogen's focus on high-power consuming industries and decarbonization.
[00:23:07] The development and future potential of CSP in the U.S.
[00:26:13] Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on CSP technology deployment.
[00:29:06] Overcoming perception challenges and past issues with CSP.
[00:34:02] Global lessons learned and the potential for CSP in large-scale energy projects.
[00:36:17] Christie's vision for the future of CSP and the energy transition over the next decade.
[00:41:04] Challenges in standardizing commercial structures for emerging energy technologies.
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