News & events

Podcasts

What if it Works?

What if it works?

Energy powers our homes, our cars, and our lives. But the kinds of energy we use—and the ways we use it—are rapidly changing our climate. We need new and clean energy, now. MIT Energy Initiative hosts Rob Stoner and Kara Miller talk with energy experts about the science, technology, and policies that can transform our energy systems and give us a more sustainable future. Hear from those testing new ideas and working on breakthroughs in labs, industry, and government—the ones who aren’t afraid to ask, “What if it works?”

Latest Episode

Unconventional paths to energy efficiency

Large parts of the world don’t have access to energy. So how do we encourage cleaner sources when for many people that’s not the real priority? According to Amos Winter, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, the key is to find solutions that allow people to do what they want but are by default better for the environment. He highlights the importance of understanding people’s lives when developing technologies and how these innovations might even have unforeseen implications for other communities across the world, helping us find new ways to power our lives with less energy required.

January 15, 2025 - 39 min

Related Podcasts

Energy Reads

Energy Reads

The latest in energy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Listen to hand-picked articles from the MIT Energy Initiative covering the future of energy. Listen in your favorite podcast app:

Energy@MIT

Energy@MIT

The Energy@MIT podcast ran from 2018 to 2021, publishing 40 episodes on energy topics including nuclear, solar, storage, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, with guests from academia, government, small startups, and large corporations. While the podcast is no longer being produced, the episode archive can be found below.

We're hiring! Learn more and apply