Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)

Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)

Author: Hugo Rauch March 27, 2025 Duration: 33:35

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Jan Lozek, founder and managing partner at Future Energy Ventures, to discuss energy-tech investment opportunities and why software is the missing piece in this value chain.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why AI is crucial for managing decentralized energy systems

* How software turns homes and EVs into virtual power plants

* How to build partnerships with utilities and navigate regulations

* What every founder should know about scaling in energy markets

* … and more!

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 - Introduction

* 01:01 - Most Exciting Energy Technologies

* 02:22 - Current Trends in Energy Technology

* 04:41 - Do We Need More Hardware Startups?

* 06:14 - The Role of AI in The Energy Transition

* 08:36 - There Are Two Large Challenges In The Grid

* 10:49 - How Much Can We Power Europe with Renewables?

* 11:58 - Are we consuming more energy than before?

* 13:07 - The Future of Energy: Hardware vs. Software

* 15:35 - Risks and Challenges For Energy Startups

* 18:34 - Building The Dream Team for Energy

* 23:40 - Scaling in the European Market

* 25:42 - Support from VCs to Founders

* 28:24 - Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH JAN

* Jan Lozek – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lozekjan/?originalSubdomain=de

* Future Energy Ventures - https://fev.vc/

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* Piclo – Flexibility marketplace for energy systems

* Reev – Smart EV charging infrastructure

* Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

* Grid congestion & curtailment

* Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

* AI for real-time energy trading

* Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)

* Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Romain Vidal on How Elite Athletes’ Mindset Can Transform Startups (Teampact)

* Yair Reem on The Death of The Green Premium (Extantia)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

* Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR



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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