In episode 258, John O'Donnell, CEO of RONDO, a company dedicated to delivering low-cost, zero-emission industrial heat and power, discusses the journey towards a sustainable and cost-effective energy future.
Over the past 15 years, O'Donnell's mission has been clear: provide clean energy that's as affordable or cheaper than carbon-based sources, focusing on the heat component of industrial energy use. Despite past failures in the pursuit of clean energy, valuable lessons were learned, emphasizing the significance of making technology "bankable." O'Donnell believes the key to success is having technology that's economically viable from the start.
The decision to embark on the journey of RONDO was influenced by the realization that intermittent electricity generated from wind and solar had become cheaper than traditional fossil fuels. The aim is to create a bridge between these intermittent energy sources and industry by providing large-scale energy storage solutions.
O'Donnell also highlights the importance of choosing problems to solve based on their criticality. For him, addressing climate change is a top priority, emphasizing that every engineer, scientist, and business person should contribute to solving the challenges of climate change.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:15 John's Journey with RONDO
00:29 Delivering Clean Energy
01:44 Challenges and Solutions in Clean Energy
03:14 Learning from Past Failures
03:41 Business Exits and Strategies
04:47 Securing Investments and Partnerships
06:59 Raising $60 Million
09:36 Advice for New Startup Founders
11:25 Contact Rondo
#CleanEnergy #SustainableFuture #GreenTech #EnergyStorage #IndustrialHeat #ClimateAction #BusinessLeadership #ClimateSolutions #BankableTechnology
Clean energy, sustainable future, green technology, energy storage, industrial heat, climate action, business leadership, climate solutions, bankable technology, John O'Donnell, RONDO, transformative vision, intermittent electricity, climate change solutions, lessons from failure.
