Energy economics and rocket science with Casey Handmer

Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Casey Handmer, rocket scientist turned CEO of Terraform Industries. Casey discusses the rapid advancements in solar power, the bureaucratic challenges of NASA, the incomprehensible success of SpaceX, and the evolving energy landscape. Casey touches on his experiences at JPL revealing how the organization’s fear of waste and rigid processes often stifle innovation and efficiency.

The conversation then shifts to Terraform Industries' mission to create synthetic natural gas from sunlight and air, potentially revolutionizing the energy sector. The conversation dives into the complexities of large-scale systems, from space exploration to renewable energy, offering insights into how innovation and smart policy can shape a more sustainable and prosperous future.

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Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/solar-economics/

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Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by Check, the leading payroll infrastructure provider and pioneer of embedded payroll. Check makes it easy for any SaaS platform to build a payroll business, and already powers 60+ popular platforms. Head to checkhq.com/complex and tell them patio11 sent you.

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Links:

Terraform Industries: https://terraformindustries.com/

SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/

JPL: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/

Book: The Alchemy of Air: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3269091-the-alchemy-of-air

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Twitter:
@patio11
@CJHandmer

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:25) Casey’s startup: Terraform Industries

(00:48) The rise of solar power

(02:19) Solar power vs. traditional energy sources

(05:18) Economic and industrial impacts of solar

(09:02) Challenges in aviation and energy

(19:39) The role of policy in clean energy

(22:30) Sponsor: Check

(23:41) Casey’s experience at NASA and JPL

(34:17) SpaceX, Elon Musk and the US private space actors

(44:05) Solving problems and workplace politics

(45:10) Spreadsheets create their own reality, film at eleven

(48:35) Organizational challenges at NASA

(49:40) Challenges of innovation in bureaucracies

(51:07) The role of NASA and government in innovation

(55:25) The housing theory of everything

(58:36) Empowering employees for success

(01:02:41) Terraform Industries’ vision

(01:07:28) The future of energy and carbon neutrality

(01:10:52) The importance of hydrocarbons in aviation

(01:15:47) Challenges with hydrogen as a fuel

(01:18:21) Development of synthetic fertilizers

(01:21:54) Environmental considerations on industrial progress

(01:22:55) Wrap