[5/5] Energy Carriers | Andy Lubershane (Energy Impact Partners)

[5/5] Energy Carriers | Andy Lubershane (Energy Impact Partners)

Author: Hugo Rauch April 19, 2026 Duration: 41:55

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🌊 The Fuel Problem No One Talks About

Why replacing fossil fuels isn’t just about energy, it’s about how we carry it.

We’re joined by Andy Lubershane, Partner at Energy Impact Partners and author of Steel For Fuel.

In this episode, we dive into energy carriers, and unpack what it really takes to replace fossil fuels not just as energy sources, but as the backbone of global storage and transport.

In our conversation, we covered:

→ Why fossil fuels are two things at once: energy source + perfect carrier

→ The uncomfortable truth about batteries (even lithium-ion)

→ Why planes, ships, and global trade still have no real solution

→ The limits of hydrogen — and why it may not scale as hoped

→ Breakthrough storage: iron-air, thermal, and sodium-ion

→ Metal fuels — the most radical (and promising) bet for global energy transport

Fossil fuels aren’t just powerful, they’re incredibly convenient. They store energy cheaply, move easily, and scale globally.

Beating them requires more than incremental innovation. It requires something closer to a civilizational leap.

This is episode five of a five part series. Subscribe to receive every episode. 👇



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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