The clean energy revolution is happening faster than most people realize. While mainstream media often focuses on the challenges, podcasts offer an insider's view of the remarkable innovations, policy breakthroughs, and inspiring individuals driving the transition to renewable energy. Whether you're an industry professional, or simply curious about our energy future, these 15 carefully selected podcasts will keep you informed, inspired, and connected to the global movement toward a sustainable planet.
Why Green Energy Podcasts Matter
In an era where energy decisions shape geopolitics, economics, and our planet's future, podcasts provide unmatched access to expert insights and real-time developments. Unlike traditional media, energy podcasts dive deep into technical details, feature candid conversations with industry leaders, and explore the human stories behind technological breakthroughs. They offer a front-row seat to one of the most significant transformations in human history—the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
1. The Clean Energy Revolution
Hosted by Laura Young ("Less Waste Laura") and Dr. Carolyn Kissane | Published by National Grid | Bimonthly
This podcast brings together an award-winning climate activist and environmental scientist with a leading academic in global energy policy. Laura Young, known as "Less Waste Laura," is paired with Dr. Carolyn Kissane, Associate Dean at NYU's Center for Global Affairs and Founding Director of the Energy, Climate Justice & Sustainability Lab.
Season 3 tackles critical questions about infrastructure upgrades and AI deployment in the energy sector. Recent episodes explore geothermal technology that could meet 3-5% of global energy demand by 2050 and feature conversations with the CEO of Eden Geothermal about the UK's only geothermal plant. The podcast stands out for its focus on justice and community impact, ensuring the energy transition benefits everyone.
Notable episodes: "Women Leading the Energy Transition" and discussions on tripling renewable energy generation.
2. Energy Gang
Hosted by Ed Crooks | Published by Wood Mackenzie | Biweekly
Originally launched by Stephen Lacey, Katherine Hamilton, and Jigar Shah at Greentech Media, Energy Gang has evolved into Wood Mackenzie's flagship energy podcast, now hosted by Ed Crooks, Vice-Chairman of Energy at Wood Mackenzie and former Financial Times journalist.
The show delivers breaking news in clean tech and deep dives into global energy policy, answering crucial questions about government impacts on decarbonization, hydrogen deployment timelines, and climate finance. Regular guests include industry heavyweights like former DOE Loan Programs Office director Jigar Shah and Google's Caroline Golin.
What makes it special: The podcast features live episodes recorded at major industry events like COP30 and Climate Week NYC, offering real-time insights from the world's biggest energy gatherings.
3. Interchange: Recharged
Hosted by Sylvia Leyva Martinez | Published by Wood Mackenzie | Bimonthly
This leading global cleantech podcast has been running since 2017, with Sylvia Leyva Martinez, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, exploring innovations that accelerate the energy transition through deep conversations with visionaries, entrepreneurs, and policy-makers.
Recent episodes tackle critical safety concerns in battery storage, including how to manage lithium-ion battery fires and the importance of community engagement in energy storage projects. The show excels at connecting finance, technology, and policy in accessible ways.
Industry relevance: Features live recordings from Wood Mackenzie's Solar & Energy Storage Summit, providing insider access to industry developments.
4. Local Energy Rules
Hosted by John Farrell | Published by Institute for Local Self-Reliance | Biweekly
John Farrell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and widely known as the "guru of distributed energy," challenges the 100-year-old monopoly structure of electricity delivery through powerful stories of local renewable energy success.
The podcast celebrates its 200+ episodes milestone, featuring mayors discussing their cities' 100% renewable energy commitments and innovative community-owned solar projects. Recent episodes explore Australia's world-leading rooftop solar adoption and examine municipal utility takeovers as alternatives to investor-owned utilities.
Unique angle: Focuses on energy democracy and how communities can take control of their energy systems, challenging utility monopolies.
5. Green Energy Futures
Hosted by David Dodge | Published by CKUA Radio Network | Weekly
With over 400 episodes since 2012, this Canadian multimedia series tells inspiring stories of people fighting climate change and building the sustainable economy of the future, each episode clocking in at just 4 minutes—perfect for short walks.
David Dodge's recent coverage includes innovative projects like Blatchford Carbon Neutral Community in Edmonton, agrivoltaics that help farmers keep family farms viable, and pioneers in virtual power plants and geothermal technology. The project has documented the clean energy revolution that's progressed from early net-zero home experiments to Bloomberg's projection of $13.3 trillion in clean energy investment by 2050.
What sets it apart: Bite-sized format makes complex topics accessible, with stunning visual components available online.
6. The Big Switch
Hosted by Dr. Melissa Lott | Published by Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy | Seasonal
Dr. Melissa Lott, Senior Director of Research at Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy and Professor of Practice at Columbia's Climate School, creates narrative-driven seasons that explore major energy transformation themes.
The podcast's recent season "The Great Battery Boom" ranked among Apple Podcasts' best performers, reaching number four on education charts and the top 50 overall. Previous seasons examined the European energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, providing crucial insights into how geopolitical events reshape energy transitions.
Academic excellence: Combines rigorous research with compelling storytelling, making complex energy systems understandable.
7. Energy Policy Now
Hosted by Andy Stone | Published by Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania | Biweekly
Andy Stone, an independent energy journalist and former Forbes senior energy reporter, leads conversations with leaders from industry, government, and academia about the policy issues that define our relationship with energy.
Recent episodes tackle pressing issues like the impact of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" on clean energy development and explore how structural barriers slow climate action. Notable guests include 2024 Carnot Prize winner Jacqui Patterson discussing energy justice and researchers examining partisan climate divides.
Policy focus: Exceptional depth on regulatory and economic aspects of energy transformation.
8. The Energy Transition Show
Hosted by Chris Nelder | Published by XE Network | Bimonthly
Energy expert Chris Nelder delivers "straight talk" about the global transition from fossil fuels to renewables, featuring interviews with some of the smartest minds in energy across global infrastructure and markets.
Recent episodes include a comprehensive Australia miniseries exploring how South Australia plans to operate with 100% variable renewable energy by 2027, making it the first gigawatt-scale grid to achieve this milestone. The show features notable guests like Dr. Martin Green, the "father of solar cells," and explores cutting-edge topics from next-generation geothermal to steel industry decarbonization.
Global perspective: Exceptional coverage of international energy developments with technical depth.
9. The Climate Pod
Hosted by Ty and Brock Benefiel - Biweekly
Brothers Ty and Brock Benefiel host wide-ranging conversations with leading experts on the politics, economics, activism, culture, science, and social justice issues at the heart of the climate crisis. Ty is co-founder and CEO of Hero Power, a renewable energy supplier in Illinois, while Brock serves as a journalist and Director of Marketing.
Their impressive guest list includes Jane Goodall, Bill McKibben, Al Roker, David Wallace-Wells, Katharine Hayhoe, Adam McKay, Bill Nye, and Paul Krugman. The podcast masterfully connects climate science with cultural and political realities.
Standout feature: Bridges the gap between technical energy topics and broader climate activism.
10. The Energy Show
Hosted by Barry Cinnamon - Weekly
Barry Cinnamon brings decades of solar industry experience to discussions about renewable energy, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. The podcast excels at connecting different aspects of the energy transition, helping listeners understand how emerging technologies and policies interconnect to drive systemic change.
Industry insight: Features conversations with thought leaders and innovators at the forefront of the green energy movement.
11. GreenBiz 350
Hosted by Joel Makower and Heather Clancy - Weekly
This podcast explores sustainable business trends, covering energy efficiency, corporate sustainability, and environmental policy from a business perspective. The show examines how companies are integrating clean energy into their operations and the economic implications of sustainability initiatives.
Business focus: Bridges the gap between environmental goals and corporate strategy.
12. The Energy Blueprint
Hosted by Ari Whitten - Fortnightly
Exploring the latest developments in energy technology and innovation, this podcast makes complex topics accessible to broad audiences. Episodes cover renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, and smart grid technologies with a focus on practical implementation.
Educational approach: Strong emphasis on making emerging technologies understandable for newcomers.
13. Solar Maverick
Hosted by Benoy Thanjan - Weekly
This insider's guide to where solar and energy markets meet entrepreneurship features serial entrepreneur Benoy Thanjan exploring solar technology, finance, policy, and market trends through conversations with industry leaders.
The podcast provides comprehensive coverage of solar energy developments, policy impacts, and market dynamics, making it essential listening for anyone interested in the solar industry's evolution.
Entrepreneurial angle: Unique focus on the business and investment side of solar energy.
14. The Sounds of Solar
Hosted by Christoph Bruhn and team | Published by EVS, Inc. - Fortnightly
Produced from EVS, Inc.'s Minneapolis offices, this podcast is dedicated to those who believe solar energy will be the world's primary energy source, featuring early innovators and frank discussions about obstacles ahead.
Recent episodes explore the growth of solar engineering teams, the technical aspects of substations, and feature emerging professionals sharing their journeys into renewable energy careers. The show offers valuable advice for college students considering solar careers.
Technical depth: Provides engineering-focused insights into solar project development and implementation.
15. The Climate Conversations
Hosted by Neil McCabe - Twice monthly
This podcast examines the intersection of climate change, policy, and technology through interviews with experts and thought leaders. Episodes provide nuanced perspectives on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental policy, exploring how these elements work together to address climate challenges.
Comprehensive scope: Covers the full spectrum of climate and energy issues with expert analysis.
Start Listening Today
These podcasts represent some of the best voices in clean energy, from technical innovators to policy experts to climate activists. Each offers a unique perspective on the most important transformation of our time. Whether you have 4 minutes or an hour, there's a podcast here that will expand your understanding of how we're building a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The energy transition is happening now—these podcasts will help you understand how, why, and what it means for all of us.
