How I Built This with Guy Raz – Reinvesting in our cities with renewable energy with Donnel Baird of BlocPower (2022)

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” host Guy Raz interviews Donnel Baird, the founder of BlocPower, a company focused on decarbonizing buildings in low-income neighborhoods. Baird shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming politically active and working for the US Department of Energy. He discusses the importance of greening buildings to address climate change and create job opportunities. Through BlocPower, Baird aims to make buildings greener, smarter, and healthier while providing financial returns. Join Guy Raz as he explores the reinvestment in our cities with renewable energy.

Main Takeaways

Decarbonizing Buildings for a Sustainable Future

• Buildings account for almost a third of all carbon emissions in the US each year.
• Electrifying buildings with renewable energy is a solution to this problem.
• Advances in technology have made it possible to decarbonize buildings quickly.

Inspiration from Brooklyn and Political Activism

• Donnel Baird’s upbringing in Brooklyn inspired him to improve the lives of his family and community.
• Baird became politically active and worked for Obama’s presidential campaign.
• During his campaign work, Baird noticed a pattern of energy waste and neglect in low-income communities.

The Plan to Green Low-Income Buildings

• Baird worked for the US Department of Energy to invest in greening low-income buildings with labor unions and energy companies.
• The plan was to create a new green buildings industry and retrain a million laid-off construction workers.
• Greening buildings can address both the waste of energy and the waste of human potential.

BlocPower’s Approach to Decarbonizing Buildings

• BlocPower started as a for-profit business to attract capital and show that greening buildings can be financially successful.
• BlockPower converts low-income apartment buildings into carbon-free buildings with solar panels.
• All fossil fuel equipment in a building must be replaced with all-electric equipment.
• Heat pumps are an effective technology for heating and cooling buildings, using CO2 as a refrigerant which puts a price on carbon.

Financial Support and Expansion

• A new financial product has been created to stretch out the cost of electrification over several years, making it more affordable.
• Block Power handles financing, contractors, crews, equipment, and more for clean energy projects.
• Block Power has won contracts from cities to decarbonize buildings, including a project in Ithaca, NY, to electrify every building within city limits.
• Block Power aims to go public to provide stability and transparency for their partners and investors.

Summary

Decarbonizing Buildings for a Sustainable Future

Buildings account for a significant portion of carbon emissions, and electrifying them with renewable energy is a crucial solution. Technological advancements have made it possible to decarbonize buildings quickly, leading to a more sustainable future.

Inspiration from Brooklyn and Political Activism

Donnel Baird’s upbringing in Brooklyn instilled in him a desire to improve his community. His political activism during Obama’s campaign revealed the energy waste and neglect in low-income communities, fueling his passion for change.

The Plan to Green Low-Income Buildings

Baird’s work with the US Department of Energy aimed to invest in greening low-income buildings, creating a new green buildings industry and retraining laid-off construction workers. This approach addresses both energy waste and the untapped potential of individuals.

BlocPower’s Approach to Decarbonizing Buildings

BlocPower, initially a for-profit business, converts low-income apartment buildings into carbon-free buildings using solar panels. All fossil fuel equipment is replaced with all-electric equipment, including heat pumps that use CO2 as a refrigerant, putting a price on carbon.

Financial Support and Expansion

A new financial product makes electrification more affordable by stretching out the cost over several years. Block Power handles financing and other aspects of clean energy projects. They have won contracts to decarbonize buildings in various cities and aim to go public for stability and transparency.

Conclusion

Through BlocPower, Donnel Baird is leading the charge in reinvesting in our cities with renewable energy. By decarbonizing buildings, we can address climate change, create job opportunities, and improve the lives of individuals in low-income communities. With the support of financial institutions, government incentives, and collaboration between cities, the vision of greener, smarter, and healthier buildings can become a reality.