Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future

The Edison of Garbage: Turning Trash into Clean Energy with Omni

What if the garbage in your bin could power your home?
In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, host Megan Kjar sits down with Marc Bacon, COO of Omni, a company pioneering waste-to-energy technology that’s shaking up the industry. Marc shares how Omni's patented system transforms everything from kitchen scraps to automotive residue into clean energy, while avoiding the common pitfalls that have plagued others in the sector.
We explore the technology, the roadblocks to scaling, and why the next generation deserves a better solution than landfills and incinerators. Marc’s mission-driven mindset and decades of experience in global waste challenges offer a powerful look at what it takes to change the world—one ton of trash at a time.

Lighting the Way: How Watts Matter Delivers Zero-Upfront, Carbon-Cutting Innovation

What if a building could upgrade to ultra-efficient, circadian-friendly lighting with zero upfront cost—and actually save money from day one?
In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, host Megan Kjar speaks with George Blackstone, CEO of Watts Matter, about how his company is revolutionizing energy use in schools, government buildings, and industrial spaces around the world. From innovative "Lighting as a Service" models to solar thermal breakthroughs and a refreshing approach to warranties, Watts Matter is on a mission to reduce carbon emissions, boost learning outcomes, and make clean tech accessible for everyone.
George also shares the origin of his mission (hint: it involves An Inconvenient Truth), his unique business model, and what it really takes to scale a global energy solution.
If you're in green tech, government contracting, or ESG-driven innovation—this one’s for you.

Revolutionizing Carbon Trading: Treating Carbon as a Financial Asset

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Andrew Gilmour, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Laconic, to tackle one of the biggest puzzles in sustainability: how to turn carbon credits into a liquid, investable asset. Andrew traces the evolution of carbon markets from voluntary offsets to potential global securities, and explains why today’s market often feels more like a charitable endeavor than a true trading platform.
Key topics include:
Carbon as a Financial Asset: Why we must treat carbon like any other security to unlock liquidity and price discovery.
Data Management: How reliable data aggregation builds market trust and underpins every transaction.
Market Infrastructure: The tools and relationships needed to bridge governments, corporations, and traders.
Economic Opportunity: How a well‑functioning carbon market can fund environmental enforcement and drive sustainable development.
Tune in to learn how Laconic is creating a carbon‑negative flow battery of information—packaging “carbon” as a tradable instrument that benefits both investors and the planet. Whether you’re a climate tech investor, policymaker, or sustainability advocate, this episode will reshape how you think about the true value of carbon.

Reconnecting the Surplus Chain: Inside iWasteNot’s Circular Tech Revolution

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Norm Ruttan, founder of iWasteNot Systems, to explore two decades of green‑tech innovation in surplus‑chain management. Learn how Norm went from volunteering in Ontario’s national parks to building one of the first peer‑to‑peer material exchanges, how he scaled that model across Washington State and beyond, and why he’s now focusing on B2B reuse in universities, municipalities, and the construction sector.
Discover:
The origins of the surplus chain vs. the supply chain
Real‑world impact, including a $500K annual savings at Cal State Sacramento
Nature‑inspired systems thinking and the philosophy that “the economy is a subsidiary of the environment”
The next frontier: revolutionizing construction and deconstruction waste
Whether you’re a sustainability professional, a green‑tech entrepreneur, or simply curious about circular‑economy solutions, this conversation will challenge how you think about waste—and reveal the power of information technology to close the loop.

From Waste to Resource: Revolutionizing Energy and Water with Suresh Jambunathan

What if waste energy could become your company’s secret weapon for both cost savings and sustainability?
In this episode of Green Disruptors, Megan Kjar sits down with Suresh Jambunathan, founder of Energy and Water Development (ENWADEV), to explore the power of integrated energy systems that make sustainability make business sense.
Suresh shares real-world examples of how his firm helps facilities—from data centers to universities—dramatically reduce operating costs by rethinking how they use power, heat, and water. You’ll learn:
Why on-site power generation and waste heat recovery are game-changers
What exergy and entropy really mean (and why they matter to your bottom line)
How to navigate the complex stakeholder landscape in infrastructure projects
What’s next for ENWADEV as they move into engineering and construction
If you geek out on systems thinking, sustainable design, or just want to know how the clean energy transition is actually happening on the ground, this one’s for you.

Inside the EV Revolution with Sergej Marojevic of Q-Charge

In this thought-provoking episode, Megan sits down with Sergej Marojevic, founder and CEO of Q-Charge, to explore the complex and rapidly evolving world of EV infrastructure. From his early days as a mechanical engineer emigrating from Yugoslavia to pioneering fire-safe, AI-powered EV charging stations in the U.S., Sergej shares a remarkable journey of curiosity, resilience, and innovation.
They dive into the biggest challenges facing the EV industry today—public education, red tape, workforce shortages—and the bold solutions Q-Charge is developing to overcome them. Plus, they chat about cultural values, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to make a positive impact on the planet. Whether you're an EV enthusiast, a tech lover, or someone passionate about sustainability, this episode will leave you inspired by what's possible when mission meets innovation.

Microgrid Disruption: How Hover is Building Resilient, Independent Power Systems with Chris Griffin

In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, I sit down with Chris Griffin, CEO of Hover, to explore how microgrids are revolutionizing the way we think about energy resilience and independence. Chris shares his journey from Wall Street to the clean energy sector and breaks down why Hover’s microgrid technology, built without reliance on government subsidies, is a game-changer.
We discuss:
✅ Why traditional power grids are vulnerable and how microgrids offer a more secure, resilient future✅ The challenges of scaling renewable energy without subsidies and how Hover overcame those hurdles✅ How future-proofing through adaptable control systems and blockchain could reshape the energy landscape✅ The importance of energy independence for businesses, military sites, and communities
Chris’s passion for building distributed, resilient power systems is contagious, and his vision of a connected network of microgrids paints an exciting future. If you're ready to learn how energy independence could secure not just your business but also national security, this episode is a must-listen!

Unlocking the Grid: How Distributed Energy Can Scale Faster Than You Think

In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, I sit down with Doug Golden, a 22-year veteran in the energy industry with experience spanning Reliant Energy, NRG, EVgo, and more. Doug dives into the unprecedented load growth utilities are facing due to EV adoption, manufacturing on-shoring, and the data demands of generative AI. We explore how integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, batteries, and EV chargers into the grid can alleviate the pressure—and why the technology to make it happen already exists.
Doug highlights the real challenge: It's no longer about inventing new solutions, but about overcoming barriers to adoption—financing, ownership, and policy. We also discuss how utilities can become wholesale buyers of DERs, driving cost efficiency while making the grid more resilient. If you're curious about the future of energy, this episode breaks down the opportunities and challenges of turning buildings into an extension of the grid.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Utilities need to triple grid capacity to meet electrification and data center demands.
DERs can accelerate grid capacity, but adoption is hindered by fragmented control and ownership.
State-level programs and utility-led investments can reduce costs and improve grid resilience.
The technology exists—now it's about scaling adoption and creating new ownership models.
🔗 Don't forget to follow and share! Spread the word to help accelerate the green energy transition.

The Three Biggest Mistakes in Renewable Energy Projects – And How to Overcome Them

In this episode of Green Disrupters, host Megan Kjar sits down with Troy MacDonald, a seasoned energy project advisor and developer, to discuss the biggest challenges in getting green energy projects off the ground. Troy shares insights from his extensive experience in renewable energy finance, shedding light on why many projects fail and what developers can do to ensure their projects are investment-ready.
He highlights three key obstacles:
Customer Viability & Market Fit – Developers often underestimate the importance of securing solid offtake agreements. Capital markets require proof of a reliable long-term customer before financing a project.
Technology Selection & Trustworthiness – Innovative technology must be introduced in a way that doesn’t scare off investors. Troy explains how projects can integrate new tech without jeopardizing funding.
Team Expertise & Execution Capability – Investors want to see experienced leadership. A lack of project-specific expertise can sink financing deals before they even start.
Troy also shares his personal journey into the energy sector, recounting how a trip to Ghana in 2017 opened his eyes to the urgent need for sustainable solutions. He discusses the role of political will in energy transitions, why some countries embrace green energy while others struggle, and how financial underwriting can make or break a project.
Packed with real-world case studies and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for renewable energy entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone curious about how large-scale sustainability projects come to life.

Unlocking Carbon Solutions: A Talk with Abhinav Kashal

In this episode of Green Disruptors Scaling the Future, host Megan Kerr delves into the intricacies of clean energy solutions with Abhinav Kashal, CEO of Zero Carbon One. Abhinav shares his extensive experience from the banking sector to startups and discusses the evolution of the startup ecosystem in India. The conversation explores the challenges and innovations in carbon accounting and the importance of integrating technology with environmental solutions.
Abhinav highlights the complexities of Scope 3 emissions and the necessity of collaboration among corporations to drive effective climate action. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the data challenges faced by companies and introduces Zero Carbon One's comprehensive platform designed to streamline sustainability efforts.
Whether addressing factory-level concerns or demonstrating return on investment, this episode sheds light on the strategic approaches necessary for businesses to proactively engage in decarbonization. Join Megan and Abhinav as they unpack the barriers and opportunities in transforming sustainability from aspiration to action.