Rephonic
Artwork for Volts
Renewable Energy
Clean Energy
Climate Change
Inflation Reduction Act
Electric Vehicles
Data Centers
Solar Energy
Energy Efficiency
California
Batteries
Energy Storage
Distributed Energy Resources
Geothermal Energy
Electrification
Decarbonization
Hydrogen
Heat Pumps
China
Wind Energy
Solar Power

Volts is a podcast about leaving fossil fuels behind. I've been reporting on and explaining clean-energy topics for almost 20 years, and I love talking to politicians, analysts, innovators, and activists about the latest progress in the world's most important fight. (Volts is entirely subscriber-supported. Sign up!) www.volts.wtf

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes444Founded6 years ago
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PoliticsNewsTech News

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Artwork for Volts

Latest Episodes

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

When it comes to innovative new grid technologies, every utility wants to be the third in line to try them.... more

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

Ramón Méndez Galain helped Uruguay decarbonize its grid (today it’s 98% fossil-free) while keeping the util... more

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

As the U.S. EV market slows and federal charging support recedes, IONNA, a fast-charging network backed by ... more

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

Last year I did a pod on Montana’s surprising burst of bipartisan housing legislation. Turns out Idaho was ... more

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Recent Guests

Seth Cutler
CEO of Ionna
Ionna
Episode: Can public EV chargers be as reliable as gas stations?
Ben Toews
Republican state senator, sponsor of core Senate bills (North Idaho's District 4, Coeur d'Alene)
Idaho State Senate
Episode: Another bipartisan housing miracle, this time in Idaho
Megan Egbert
Democratic state representative, former Interim Study Committee member
Idaho State House of Representatives
Episode: Another bipartisan housing miracle, this time in Idaho
Patrick Miller
cybersecurity expert who helped write and enforce NERC CIP standards
Formerly worked on NERC CIP standards; founder/consultant in cybersecurity education for utilities and regulators
Episode: Grid cybersecurity: how big is the threat & what should we do about it?
Saleem Chapman
Leading Electricity Affordability Policy at Climate Cabinet
Climate Cabinet
Episode: What should state policymakers do about data centers?
Charlie Fisher
Speaker on SRP elections
Arizona utility elections discussion
Episode: Best of July 2026
Ning Mossberger Tang
Speaker on SRP elections
Arizona utility elections discussion
Episode: Best of July 2026
Sidney Lieb
Minnesota regulator guest
Minnesota regulators
Episode: Best of July 2026
Pete Wyckoff
Minnesota regulator guest
Minnesota regulators
Episode: Best of July 2026

Host

David Roberts
Host of Volts

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Poor explanations, unfortunately

    Well… what can I say?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Werder Bremen Ultra
    Germany23 days ago
  • Simple explanations to help understand the complexity of energy

    I recently became re-energized about working in the energy industry. This podcast has been incredible in getting me up to speed with the latest developments.

    Thank you for the simple explanations and the ability to understand in depth the complex politics and how they are shaping energy markets today.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L Gandhi
    United States4 months ago
  • Good news

    My son and graduate school is studying international relations and recommended your podcast to me to understand the global electricity market ; since then I’ve been hooked on your podcast and really enjoy the uplifting and practical stories you bring. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KIM KIRN
    United States4 months ago
  • Something’s Changing

    About 5 years ago, I remember living with a conservation mindset. Don’t forget to turn the lights off. Monitor you home’s electricity usage (and read those letters from PG&E telling you your performance relative to your neighbors!) And then something changed. Maybe it was buying an EV, or installing solar on our roof. But this mindset of “don’t use the precious electricity!” is disappearing . Sure, data centers have ripped open the reality of how much electricity we need, but maybe they came abo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LauraSJ
    United States5 months ago
  • Love this podcast

    I loved your latest podcast interview with climate activist Pete Sikora. I am from NY and losing my patience with Gov Hochul regarding clean energy matters

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sunnycreek
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews highlight clear, informed discussions and credible hosts, though a few criticize perceived political framing.
Listeners praise depth, practical policy insights, and accessible explanations of complex energy topics.
The show is a go-to for understanding grid policy, electrification, and climate strategy with thoughtful guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#101
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#118
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#176
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#163
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#9
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#56
Brazil/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Another bipartisan housing miracle, this time in Idaho
Q: What are the prospects for the two stalled bills, the duplex bill and the Yigby concept, in the next session?
There is hope they'll return, with more time to educate stakeholders and build consensus; the key is addressing misconceptions and showing how these tools could unlock affordable housing while maintaining standards.
Another bipartisan housing miracle, this time in Idaho
Q: Megan, why did the committee approach end up including some provisions about HOAs and the 10,000-resident threshold?
The compromises aimed to secure broad buy-in by adjusting who is affected (larger vs smaller cities) and preserving HOA rules while ensuring existing relationships to property owners are respected, with concerns about implementation and equity.
Another bipartisan housing miracle, this time in Idaho
Q: Ben, can you walk through the ADU bill and what it changes about local control?
The ADU bill allows homeowners to build an ADU by right and limits a city's ability to block those plans, expanding housing options and potentially lowering prices by increasing inventory, while still addressing HOA permissions.
Silicon anodes for batteries unlock greater energy density and faster charging times
Q: What are the main challenges, and how are they addressed?
The big challenge is silicon expansion during lithiation; this is mitigated by a porous carbon scaffold and nanosized amorphous silicon, which keeps the material stable, while preserving high energy density and enabling reasonable cycle life.
Silicon anodes for batteries unlock greater energy density and faster charging times
Q: How does this material scale in existing lithium‑ion manufacturing facilities?
The material is designed as a drawfin, a black powder that processes similarly to graphite, so it can largely use existing equipment with minor recipe tweaks, avoiding the need to build entirely new factories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Volts

What is Volts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, data-driven discussion about energy policy, grid modernization, and the economics of clean energy adoption. Episodes commonly feature policymakers, regulators, researchers, and industry technologists who unpack how electricity markets, infrastructure planning, and policy levers shape decarbonization, affordability, and resilience. Notable threads include grid cybersecurity, data-center governance, transit funding reform, and the evolving role of utilities in a rapidly electrifying world. The show often pairs technical depth with practical implications for regulators, executives, and advocates, making complex topics accessible without oversimplifying. A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on real-world policy mechanisms,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Volts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Volts:

1. Open Circuit
2. Catalyst with Shayle Kann
3. Shift Key with Robinson Meyer
4. Energy Empire
5. Energy Gang

How many episodes of Volts are there?

Volts launched 6 years ago and published 444 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Volts?

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What guests have appeared on Volts?

Recent guests on Volts include:

1. Seth Cutler
2. Ben Toews
3. Megan Egbert
4. Patrick Miller
5. Saleem Chapman
6. Charlie Fisher
7. Ning Mossberger Tang
8. Sidney Lieb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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