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

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 weeklyEpisodes461Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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

Collectively, the electric stack (batteries, motors, chips, power electronics) has gotten about 99% cheaper... 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

American homes are filling up with batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats that could be coordinated to make ... 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

Denmark gets a large share of its power from wind and other renewables and has cut its emissions roughly in... 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

On this episode, recorded live at Climate Week NYC, I talk with Matt Traldi. He’s the founder and CEO of Gr... more

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Recent Guests

Nick Chaset
CEO of Octopus Energy US and Uplight
Octopus Energy US
Episode: Can distributed energy work around American utilities?
Kristian Jensen
CEO of Green Power Denmark and former Danish minister of taxation, foreign affairs and finance
Green Power Denmark
Episode: What’s up with Denmark?
Matt Traldi
Founder and CEO of Greenlight America and co-founder of Indivisible
Greenlight America
Episode: Checking back in with Greenlight America
Daniel Palken
Runs infrastructure and energy permitting at Arnold Ventures; former Senate staffer
Arnold Ventures
Episode: What’s up with the new federal permitting reform bill?
Leah Kuspa
CEO of Good Power
Good Power
Episode: Best of September 2026
Joel Edwards
Geothermal exploration specialist
Zanskar
Episode: Best of September 2026
Karl Hoylund
Geothermal exploration partner at Zanskar
Zanskar
Episode: Best of September 2026
Luke Winston-Almanzar
CEO of Reservoir
Reservoir
Episode: What’s up with heat-pump water heaters?
Cole Ashman
Founder and CEO of Pila
Pila
Episode: Do small residential batteries make sense?

Host

David Roberts
Host of Volts

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • A disappointing and confusing change in direction lately

    I’m giving Volts a 1/5 because that’s the number of episodes that feel like they are worth listening to now. There has been a recent change in direction that is very confusing and glazing an oil and gas lobbyist who is now working on clean energy because it is profitable has made me unsubscribe. “He’s been a mass murder enabler for decades but is changing his actions because it is now profitable to do so” isn’t a great endorsement and treating this person like a friend is gross. Many recent epis... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Urbanism_forever
    United Statesa month ago
  • Confusing Agenda

    I used to like this show but either it has changed or I’m listening closer … now it mostly seems like advertising and excuse making for the biggest energy wasting polluters. But in a sick-making naive way … like the host thinks if he is supper nice to his energy guzzling guests whole industries will magically become less greedy and destructive. Lately I realize I dread listening to the show. Unsubscribe.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ~ Violet ~
    United Statesa month ago
  • Favorite go-to podcast for green energy

    The variety of people David Roberts interviews is amazing, and the depth and quality of information from almost all of his interviews just makes me want to keep coming back and back whenever I’ve been away from green tech self-education for a day or two. He gets into technical aspects of the grid, epistemology, and—the latest podcast I just listened to—a nonprofit combating anti-green disinformation. Thank you, David!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Some other Bill
    United States2 months ago
  • how to respond to this information about Clean energy, at scale

    hi David. My wife and I just finished listening to your interview with Leah Qusba.

    Once again you found someone doing really important work and let everyone know about it. It is very comforting that--if I'm going to be black-and-white about this--there is someone working on this side of the Problem, spreading good information and trying to turn back all the disinformation and lloes about our energy problem, and climate change.

    We appreciate how well prepared you were and how deep you go into th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dadlap
    United States2 months ago
  • Poor explanations, unfortunately

    Well… what can I say?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Werder Bremen Ultra
    Germany3 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
#127
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#187
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#86
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#218
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#236
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Checking back in with Greenlight America
Q: My great worry is that this fury is going to spill over the bounds, and people are going to start associating electrification, writ large, with data centers, and start hating the whole lump of everything. Is this happening, and how do you feel about it?
Traldi says Greenlight is seeing data center opposition spill over into clean-energy campaigns. Confusion can cause potential supporters to oppose or stay on the sidelines, so the organization is developing resources to explain the distinction while addressing the issue campaign by campaign.
Checking back in with Greenlight America
Q: How do you measure impact? Like, if you turn up three bodies in a room and the decision goes your way, do you just count that as you having won it?
Greenlight tracks project approvals and emissions impacts, compares outcomes with historical baselines, and looks for evidence such as close votes or decision-makers citing community input. Traldi says its win rate has increased over time, though advocacy's exact counterfactual is difficult to establish.
What’s up with Denmark?
Q: How do you think about data centers? Are they helpful? Are they hurting? Are they something you want to work around? Would you rather just keep them out?
Jensen says Denmark needs data centers but cannot accommodate every proposed project. He describes the grid requests as inflated and supports prioritizing essential services, households, industry and heating ahead of data centers.
What’s up with Denmark?
Q: Do you think that target is out of reach?
Jensen says the 70% reduction target is achievable if politicians change policy, including replacing natural-gas heating with heat pumps and using more electricity in industry. With policy unchanged, he says the chance of meeting it is slim.
Can distributed energy work around American utilities?
Q: What explains the gap between Octopus's high flexibility-program participation and the lower participation typical of utility programs?
Chaset attributes the difference to Octopus's clear customer benefits, simple app enrollment, and continuous testing of customer communications. Utility programs may rely on limited outreach and separate enrollment processes for each device, while utilities can be reluctant to let vendors direct customer engagement.

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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How many listeners does Volts get?

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How many subscribers and views does Volts have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Volts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Volts:

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

How many episodes of Volts are there?

Volts launched 6 years ago and published 461 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. Nick Chaset
2. Kristian Jensen
3. Matt Traldi
4. Daniel Palken
5. Leah Kuspa
6. Joel Edwards
7. Karl Hoylund
8. Luke Winston-Almanzar

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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