Rephonic
Artwork for Volts
Renewable Energy
Climate Change
Clean Energy Transition
Community Engagement
Social License
Clean Energy
Cement
Wind Farms
Solar Energy
Carbon Emissions
Australia
Nonprofit Organizations
Community Benefits
Offshore Wind
Mining
Low Carbon Technology
Electrochemical Processes
Connecticut
Sustainability
Farm Bill

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 weeklyEpisodes401Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsTech News

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Artwork for Volts

Latest Episodes

I’m back with part two of my conversation with Jan Sramek, founder of California Forever, about his plan to build a brand-new city in Solano County. We get into the nuts and bolts of the urban design, discuss affordability and sustainability, get int... more

In this episode, I’m joined by Jan Sramek to discuss California Forever, the much-debated proposal to build a brand-new, sustainably designed city in Northern California. We explore the urbanist vision at the heart of the project, including a street ... more

If the world takes its climate targets seriously, the coming decades will see fossil fuel systems shrinking as clean energy systems grow. In this episode, I talk with associate professor Emily Grubert about the issues that may arise during this “mid-... more

In this episode, I chat with Catalyst host Shayle Kann about the most pressing unresolved questions in the clean energy world today. We explore whether data center gigantism will break the grid, if the smart home revolution is destined for platform e... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jan Sramek
CEO, founder, and long-time advocate behind California Forever
California Forever
Episode: Is the brand new city in California for real?
Emily Grubert
Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Policy, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
Episode: The fate of fossil fuel systems in the "mid-transition"
Clara Summers
Runs CUB's Consumers for a Better Grid campaign
Citizens Utility Board
Episode: What is PJM and why is everyone so mad about it?
Bruce Friedrich
Founder and runs the Good Food Institute
Good Food Institute
Episode: Can fake meat help solve climate change?
Yeh-Tang Huang
Founder of Climate Era Catalyst, a nonprofit advocating for clean electrification in Taiwan
Episode: Taiwan's energy dilemma
Seth Frader-Thompson
Founder and CEO of EnergyHub, a leading VPP management company.
EnergyHub
Episode: Let's dig a little deeper into virtual power plants (VPPs)
Jonas Birgersson
Tech entrepreneur and pioneer in internet and electricity distribution systems.
Via Europa
Episode: Making the electricity grid work like the internet
Jeanine Vany
Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Eavor
Eavor
Episode: What's the deal with closed-loop geothermal?
Mark Fitzgerald
CEO of Eavor
Eavor
Episode: What's the deal with closed-loop geothermal?

Host

David Roberts
Host of the show and an experienced journalist focused on energy, climate, and policy analysis. He engages with a wide variety of guests to explore in-depth discussions on the clean energy transition and related themes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • One of my favorites

    One of the best podcasts on climate and energy I’ve found. David Roberts explains complicated topics — utilities, electrification, heat pumps, grid policy — in a way that’s clear without oversimplifying. The conversations are thoughtful and genuinely educational, and I always come away understanding why things work the way they do, not just the headlines.

    It’s informative, realistic, and surprisingly reassuring about the clean-energy transition.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Love it !!$!!
    United States25 days ago
  • Fantastic Information

    Love the show; the information provided, for one thing, makes me sound a little less like a raving anti big utility maniac (though just a little…)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kyoung21b
    United Statesa month ago
  • Just discovered, now I'll have to deep dive

    Totally Awesome!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Larry the Gnome
    United Statesa month ago
  • Favorite podcast!

    Thank you, David. I absolutely love this podcast. I look forward to it every week. I aim to be a paid subscriber very soon. Starting with this five star review.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rossssssssseriously
    United States2 months ago
  • Great 😃

    Podcast Addict
    5
    tkoenig
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the podcast for its clear explanations of complex energy topics.
The host is recognized for being engaging and making technical subjects relatable.
Many appreciate the thoughtful conversations featuring knowledgeable guests from various sectors.
Occasional criticisms suggest a focus on political themes that some find excessive.
Some reviews highlight the effectiveness of the content in deepening understanding of energy issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#114
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#129
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#42
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#45
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the brand new city in California for real?
Q: How do you address concerns about transparency and potential “land buyout” narratives?
He explains land assembly was conducted in a way common to large institutions, with upfront disclosures, four-times market-value payments, and extended occupancy for sellers, while emphasizing that ownership and long horizon capital are necessary to realize a functional, livable city.
Is the brand new city in California for real?
Q: Why here, why this land, and why not infill or expand an existing city?
The guest argues that infill and existing-city expansion, while important, cannot deliver the scale, job-housing balance, and walkable density needed for a city of about 400,000 people, so a greenfield site with master planning and long-term investment is pursued to create a complete ecosystem.
Taiwan's energy dilemma
Q: What are the dynamics surrounding nuclear energy in Taiwan?
The majority of the population supports nuclear power, but previous campaigns by the government have heavily stigmatized it, leading to widespread public opposition.
Taiwan's energy dilemma
Q: How does energy security play out in Taiwan's politics?
Energy security is seen as vital, and while many advocate for distributed renewable energy, there's also pressure to import American gas due to geopolitical considerations.
Taiwan's energy dilemma
Q: What is the breakdown in the electricity sector currently?
As of 2025, Taiwan's electricity generation is approximately 50% gas, 36% coal, and 11% renewables, with 2% from hydro and no nuclear.

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?

This podcast focuses on the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy solutions, featuring discussions on various related topics, including the intricacies of energy policies, innovative technologies, and the role of political advocacy in promoting sustainability. It invites a diverse range of guests who are involved in fields such as energy efficiency, electric utilities, and climate advocacy, providing listeners with expert insights and thought-provoking conversations on contemporary energy issues. With a commitment to clear communication, the host strives to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for listeners, offering a blend of education and inspiration surrounding the urgent matter of energy transition.

Where can I find podcast stats for Volts?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Volts. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Volts and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Volts get?

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What are the audience demographics for Volts?

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How many subscribers and views does Volts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Volts has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Volts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Volts:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Hard Fork
3. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
4. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of Volts are there?

Volts launched 5 years ago and published 401 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Volts?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Volts from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Volts?

Recent guests on Volts include:

1. Jan Sramek
2. Emily Grubert
3. Clara Summers
4. Bruce Friedrich
5. Yeh-Tang Huang
6. Seth Frader-Thompson
7. Jonas Birgersson
8. Jeanine Vany

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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