E280: ADB, Development Finance and the Big Bets

In this episode, our guest is Robert Schoellhammer, recently retired from a 25-year career at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Robert shares reflections from his time working across Asia and Europe, highlighting how MDBs can and should lead with bold, transformative investments. From climate finance and energy access in Mongolia to electric vehicle policy in Manila, he unpacks why trust, innovation, and ambition matter more than ever. This episode is a deep dive into the "big bets" MDBs need to take to stay relevant in a fast-changing development landscape. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Jan Tore Gjøby, a seasoned electrical engineer and independent consultant from Norway. Jan takes us through his inspiring journey from setting up one of Norway's first DC fast chargers to shaping national EV and charging strategies with the Norwegian Automobile Federation. He shares insider insights into how Norway rapidly transitioned to 95% electric car sales, the pivotal role of government policy in discouraging polluting vehicles (rather than subsidizing EVs), and how EVs are now evolving from energy consumers to active players in grid stabilization through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration. Jan also discusses Norway's pioneering work in electrifying ferries, trucks, and autonomous freight systems, as well as challenges around home batteries, solar adoption, and the next wave of innovation needed for a fully flexible and resilient energy system. His perspectives offer valuable lessons for countries on similar energy transition paths. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Tim Ryan, a seasoned voice in Australia's energy and digital technology landscape. Tim unpacks the evolving dynamics of energy supply in rural Australia — from community perspectives on wind farms to the transformative potential of batteries, EVs, and smart grids. He explores curbside charging, Distribution Network Service Provider's (DNSP) as enablers rather than gatekeepers, and why flexibility and digitization are essential for consumer empowerment and system efficiency. With rich anecdotes and technical insights, Tim makes a compelling case for rethinking how energy is delivered and managed — especially outside the big cities. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Samy Sriram, Head of Marketing and Operations at Clearbot, a pioneering startup building electric, solar-powered boats designed to clean polluted waterways. Samy shares the inspiring journey of scaling Clearbot from a humble prototype into a fleet of smart, autonomous vessels now operating across five countries. She breaks down their service, rental, and sales models, details the capabilities of their three boat classes—including AI integration, remote operation, and solar charging—and discusses Clearbot's commitment to working alongside local communities to recover waste without replacing livelihoods. From tackling water hyacinths and plastic debris to collecting real-time environmental data, this conversation offers a fascinating look into how electric marine tech is addressing water pollution and climate challenges at scale. Samyuktha also reflects on her favorite project in Northeast India, the risks operators face, and her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: start small, stay passionate, and iterate. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Sidhant Gupta, the co-founder of Clearbot—a startup transforming how we clean polluted waterways. From a student project sparked by a trip to Bali, Sidhant and his team have built a fleet of unmanned, solar-powered electric boats that remove waste from water bodies in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines. Clearbot's boats, equipped with AI and autonomous navigation systems, are redefining how dirty, dangerous marine tasks are handled. Sidhant shares how their technology is already expanding beyond pollution control to include maritime inspection, surveillance, and even flood rescue applications. We explore how the team aims to scale from 25 to 10,000 boats with their "electric boat in a box" model and how local partnerships enable global impact. Plus, Sidhant reflects on what it takes to grow a purpose-driven tech company from the ground up and the broader potential of electrifying and automating maritime infrastructure. Please join to find more.  Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Vladimir Abdelnour, an electrical engineer and founder who transformed crisis into opportunity. He shares how Lebanon's chronic electricity shortages led to a surge in rooftop solar adoption and his creation of a smart microgrid startup that integrated diesel, solar, and grid energy. Vladimir also discusses his transition to the U.S. for a PhD in grid-edge technologies, where he explores advanced energy systems, AI for energy, and decentralized smart grid models. From peer-to-peer energy trading and virtual power plants to AI-powered interconnection studies and the future of grid digital twins, Vladimir's journey showcases the power of innovation, resilience, and practical solutions in the global energy transition. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Enebish Namjil, a veteran solar energy expert and pioneer of Mongolia's renewable energy transition. Dr. Namjil shares his journey from launching early solar research in the 1970s to developing large-scale PV systems, solar thermal heating, and even implementing innovative heat battery technologies in his own home. We explore Mongolia's immense potential in solar energy, including gigawatt-scale proposals for the Gobi Desert, the shift toward distributed power supply, and how Dr. Namjil's work is helping combat severe winter pollution. His personal solar-powered home is a model of energy autonomy — generating over 200 kWh/day, storing power with both lithium and heat batteries, and inspiring future generations through education and policy advocacy. Please join to find more: Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Steven Letendre, an economist and regulatory strategist specializing in distributed energy and vehicle-grid integration. Steven shares his deep insights into the emerging world of bidirectional EV charging, or V2G, a concept he has helped shape for over two decades. From the regulatory frameworks needed to support innovation, to real-world use cases like electric school buses and bundled EV-leasing models in Europe, Steven unpacks the transformative potential of "batteries on wheels." We explore how EVs can not only consume but also supply energy to the grid, enabling flexible energy management, reducing peak demand, and even providing power to underserved communities. With vivid analogies and global case studies, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of mobility, clean energy, and entrepreneurship. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Sohail Hasnie, host of Energypreneurs, who shares his personal reflections on the game-changing potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. Driving through Metro Manila, Sohail explores the "10 things V2G can do for us"—a practical and visionary list that shows how electric vehicles can go far beyond transportation to become mobile power stations. He explains how V2G could: Reduce electricity bills Provide backup power during emergencies Enable income streams through bi-directional charging Optimize solar energy use Support grid stability during peak demand Boost property values Encourage energy independence Create community-level resilience Allow participation in energy markets And ultimately, reshape how we generate, store, and use electricity Drawing from real-world scenarios and analogies to the mobile phone revolution, Sohail makes a compelling case that V2G could transform both the energy and transport sectors in ways we're only beginning to imagine. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs

In this episode, our guest is Laura Jones, an electrical engineer, social scientist, and co-founder of the Circular PV Alliance. Laura walks us through the pioneering work behind Australia's first certification scheme for circular solar farms, CPVA Certified. From integrating circular economy principles into planning and operation, to practical reuse and repair strategies for PV components, Laura's insights are both grounded and forward-looking. We also explore her research on virtual power plants (VPPs), the real-world challenges householders face when participating in energy markets, and how human behavior intersects with energy tech design. Laura shares valuable lessons from her projects on battery storage, vehicle-to-grid trials, and how equitable and thoughtful systems design can lead to more resilient and inclusive energy futures. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs Spotify Video @energypreneurs