E62: Infrastructure investing for the energy transition with John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta

Description: Nick and John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta Fund Management, explore the intersection of infrastructure investment, private equity, and the energy transition in the U.S. in 2024. Specifically, Nick and John discuss the merits of technologies ranging from carbon capture to hydrogen and renewable natural gas while also casting an eye to the political landscape and how sustainable infrastructure investing has changed over the past five years in the U.S. In addition, Nick and John dove deep on the following topics:

• Other technologies like thermal energy storage, which is commercializing as we speak and offer a cost-effective solution to store and utilize excess renewable energy
• The importance and state of stable policy: Nick and John discuss the IRA, the need for further clarification on its components, and other stable policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
• The importance of "boring capital" in climate tech and energy investment: As more large private equity firms enter the market, it signals a maturation of the industry.

Timestamps:

00:01:52 - Climate Tech Investment Landscape

00:04:48 - Molecule-focused Energy Infrastructure

00:05:09 - The Role of Private Equity in Energy Transition

00:06:13 - Types of Projects and Technologies for 2024

00:07:17 - The Mainstreaming of Carbon Capture

00:11:27 - The Role of Stable Policy in Infrastructure Investment

00:15:22 - Specific Projects Supported by Cresta

00:21:07 - The Potential of Renewable Natural Gas

00:24:06 - The Process of Creating Sustainable Aviation Fuel

00:29:57 - Cresta's Investment Strategy for 2024

00:31:24 - The Practical Applications of Green Hydrogen

00:34:24 - The Need for Stable Policy in Energy Investments

00:35:16 - Policy Tailwinds and Headwinds in the US

00:37:25 - The Impact of State-Level Policies on Energy Transition

00:40:37 - The Importance of Boring Investments in Energy Transition

Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of infrastructure investing in various critical capital stacks. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.

Learn more about Cresta on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.crestafunds.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/crestafunds/

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