There is plenty of good news to share about climate change, sustainability, and conservation
We spotlight and celebrate people who are taking action to create a cooler world—not just a world that we can survive in, but one that we will enjoy living in. People from many walks of life are taking action to address the climate crisis.
You can, too. Listen to our guests. Learn what they’re doing. Get inspired.
What inspired us to create this podcast? And why do we hope it inspires you? You’ll find out here, in our short introduction.
Bill Von Novak is helping to put electric vehicle batteries in the Matrix. No, he’s not creating an electric version of the popular Toyota hatchback, as cool as that would be. Think Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus, not, “I can’t believe how much stuff fits in this little car!”
Bill earned an electrical engineering degree from MIT and has a few decades of experience working with power systems for electric vehicles and UAVs. These days he works for a California-based company called Smartville. Smartville is turning used EV batteries into sustainable energy storage systems which can be used in a variety of ways.
These storage systems can provide backup power for buildings and can be used by power companies to prevent blackouts and brownouts.
Smartville’s systems are already providing backup power for a library at the University of California, San Diego. The Smartville system helps protect the library’s collection, which includes original writings of Theodor Geisel—a.k.a. Dr. Seuss.
Along with describing the exciting work that Smartville is doing, Bill shares some interesting stories about his journey to this current career. You’ll hear about his first time driving an electric vehicle—an early prototype EV built by Ford. He talks about the solar power and battery storage systems he's built for artists at Burning Man. And he offers advice for other engineers looking to use their talents in environmental or sustainability-focused careers.
Learn about Smartville and their energy storage systems at https://smartville.io
Articles about Smartville:
“South Carolina HBCUs part of $10M US Department of Energy renewable energy project:”
https://www.wltx.com/article/money/business/south-carolina-hbcus-part-of-330million-dollar-us-department-of-energy-renewable-energy-project/101-92b21c52-2938-43e1-a79f-9b57d34a125a
“Smartville Is Giving Used Automotive Batteries A Second Life:”
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/07/smartville-is-giving-used-automotive-batteries-a-second-life/
”Second Life: Carmakers and Storage Startups Get Serious About Reusing Batteries:”
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/car-makers-and-startups-get-serious-about-reusing-batteries
Get out of your comfort Zone. Transform your relationship with time. Visit https://scottmillercoaching.com/
Get out of your comfort Zone. Transform your relationship with time. Learn more at ScottMillerCoaching.com
Podcast Logo by Alejandro Ramos Galdo / Citruslab Digital Workshop.
About Our Sponsors
Many podcasts receive sponsorship from companies that provide financial support. But our natural environment supports all of our activities on this planet.
Native Plants: Do you know about the benefits of using native plants when landscaping? Here’s more information from the NC Cooperative Extension.
Oceans: Take our “Help the Oceans” challenge! Pick one thing on this list and do it this week – https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html
Would you like to support the podcast?
Cover our podcasting fees for one month (only US$25)
Who are these dogs we keep talking about?