How can data software be used when enabling electricity grid hardware? The scale and urgency of the transformation required to fight climate change has never been more clear. Building hardware and software products, acquiring the funding and creating a diverse community to enhance talent capacity and to drive innovation, is essential to tackling this global environmental crisis. In this episode of Product Talk hosted by Silicon Valley Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank) Climate Tech & Sustainability SVP Maggie Wong, Ecosuite CEO and Co-Founder Joel Santisteban discusses how building distributed energy data software stabilizes electricity grid hardware, embracing user persona diversity enables open infrastructure and maximizes product value, and looking into existing problems can lead to product innovation and new solutions to tackle climate change.
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Show Notes
- Ecosuite is building a platform to accelerate the realization of a distributed digital grid by providing accessible digital tools and infrastructure for commercial-scale distributed energy resources.
- The energy industry suffers from disconnectedness and data fragmentation, leading to inefficient workflows and underutilization of data.
- Ecogy Energy, a developer and operator of commercial distributed energy projects, initially developed Ecosuite’s software.
- Recognizing that the industry-wide problem faced by Ecogy is persistent and demands a solution, Ecosuite is driving the software to market as a standalone product.
- Ecosuite considers diversity in people, opinions, and skills fundamental to innovation and productivity.
- Additionally, Ecosuite has built its infrastructure to accommodate diversity, using open source standards and tools to enable interoperability and abstraction.
- The transformation towards a resilient and distributed digital grid is a significant opportunity, driven by evolving consumer demands.
- Challenges include the slow pace of infrastructure changes and the need to shift the narrative around climate tech from focusing on reduced consumption.
- Product managers need to have a deep appreciation for the customer’s industry, pain points, and goals.
- Distilling customer feedback into actionable features while maintaining a focus on broader results is a key skill.
- Leveraging non-climate experience, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation, can be valuable in transitioning into the climate tech industry.
- Two-thirds of electricity generation is wasted by the time it reaches the point of consumption. This highlights the need for efficiency improvements.
- The demand is not for specific energy sources, but for reliable and accessible electricity to power modern needs.
- Ecosuite’s open source approach to data taxonomy and communication protocols aims to drive industry-wide standards and interoperability.
- Embracing diversity in the solar industry is crucial, as different stakeholders have diverse needs and processes.
- The narrative around climate tech needs to evolve, focusing on energy abundance and step changes in efficiency and accessibility.
- Product managers should focus on the desired outcomes and results, avoiding distractions from features.
- Finally, Ecosuite’s vision is to empower customers in energy management and demand response markets through its digital platform.
About the speaker
About the host
Maggie Wong is an accomplished product management and capital markets leader with over 15 years of experience in driving product strategy, delivering global products, fundraising & capital allocation, and leading cross-functional teams. Outside of her role at Silicon Valley Bank to support New York / East Coast based climate tech companies and investors, she is also experienced in increasing program impact, growing community reach and implementing DEI initiatives at travel and fintech non-profits. Maggie is passionate about making a social impact for the next generation, tackling climate change and traveling. She is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and a beginner in Spanish.