OpenMinds, Inc.

"I love that OpenMinds unites diverse experts with dramatically different approaches, all motivated by a shared goal to solve our energy and climate challenges. Its openness to explore new solutions through all data-driven approaches is what makes a real impact." - Shannon Miller Shannon is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mainspring Energy. Mainspring Energy’s Linear Generator is a highly efficient local power solution that is fuel agnostic and allows customers the flexibility to switch between natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, ammonia, and other options. This technology also integrates well with variable power sources and loads to increase grid reliability and rapidly add new power capacity.? Shannon, thank you for your innovative contributions to the Dual Challenge and willingness to inspire our NextGen Leaders at OpenMinds!

“The core mission of OpenMinds aligns exactly with my personal and professional goals to maintain energy security, decarbonize our economy, protect the planet, and cultivate opportunity.” - Adrian Corless Adrian is the CEO of CarbonCapture Inc., the company behind the U.S.’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology designed for mass production. DAC helps address the Dual Challenge by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. That CO2 can be used as a feedstock for renewable hydrocarbon fuels or permanently sequestered, generating a negative emission. “The greatest strength of DAC technology is its versatility in deployment.” - Adrian Corless Adrian, thank you for sharing your vast expertise with OpenMinds’ Decarbonizing Generation committee!

“I’ve joined OpenMinds because it provides a uniquely effective approach to tackling the Dual Challenge. Those of us in AI recognize the increasing energy needs that come with AI’s growing role in the economy and human wellbeing—and we're actively seeking solutions. We firmly believe AI can drive major advancements in energy-related technology.” - Heather Redman Heather is driving investment in the next generation of AI leaders as Managing Partner at Flying Fish Partners. She brings deep expertise to OpenMinds’ Decarbonizing Generation Steering Committee. Thank you Heather!

“I have the invaluable opportunity at OpenMinds to mentor and inspire NextGen Leaders who will drive meaningful change in energy and climate. I aim to equip these emerging experts with strategic thinking, ethical leadership, and an innovative mindset to tackle the global, complex Dual Challenge. In return, I gain fresh perspectives and renewed inspiration for responsible, forward-looking leadership." - Mike Witt Mike is Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety and Chief Sustainability Officer at Northrop Grumman, a technology company focused on global security. Mike leads strategic initiatives to drive safe and efficient operations. He shapes forward-thinking policies and technologies that align industry progress with sustainability, keeping environmental stewardship at the heart of energy transformation. Mike, thank you for driving innovation and climate responsibility with OpenMinds!

“OpenMinds unites diverse perspectives from climate and energy businesses, NGOs, and academia to tackle the clear, near-term goal of reducing emissions while meeting growing energy needs. This foundational step is crucial to help catalyze affordable, rapid, and clean energy in emerging economies.” - Kurt Waltzer Kurt is a Senior Advisor to the Clean Air Task Force, started Energy Systems Innovation Consulting, and co-chairs our Decarbonizing Generation committee. With OpenMinds, Kurt is working to catalyze clean, firm power projects. As a committee leader, he’s helping to align developers, customers, investors, and policymakers to overcome bottlenecks to meet growing electricity needs. Kurt, thank you for your contributions to OpenMinds and for driving investment in technologies that can advance progress against the Dual Challenge!

“OpenMinds makes me more optimistic. It has leaders in a position to enact change and they are doing it–they’re moving forward, and that gives me hope.” - Maya Tolstoy OpenMinds co-founder David Baldwin and University of Washington College of the Environment Dean Maya Tolstoy presented on “Accelerating Energy + Climate Progress” at UW last week. Collaboration allows us to move faster to address the Dual Challenge. “The bullseye, what we are trying to solve for, is reliable, affordable, secure, and clean energy.” - David Baldwin ?#moreenergy #lessemissions #gofast

We’re energized after an exceptional day at?Microsoft?focused on addressing the Dual Challenge by collaborating on:? ?Harnessing digital technology to help remove bottlenecks to key solutions ?Scaling CCUS, methane abatement, and grid modernization ?Enabling the next generation of climate and energy leaders ? Darryl Willis, thank you and your colleagues for hosting OpenMinds and Bain & Company. We’re ready to advance projects together and make an impact–fast. Melanie Nakagawa,?Darryl Willis,?Audrey Lee, Ph.D.,?Brandon Middaugh, Michelle Billig Patron, Yoni Friedman, Hanna Grene, Hany S. Soliman, Luis Alvarez, Nives Stanfelj, Rob Schapiro, Salma Adhikari Aart de Geus, Anne Hoecker, Dan Reicher, David Baldwin, Dianne Ledingham, Jeffrey Katz, Mara Abbott, Tyler Clark, CFA, Velu Sinha

In 2025, our focus is clear: drive impact projects to meet growing energy needs while reducing emissions, fast. Here's a snapshot of how OpenMinds is working to advance our impact in the months ahead: ?Solution Sessions with Leaders: We’ll bring climate and energy experts together to collaboratively remove bottlenecks that advance our top solutions. Outcomes and progress will be shared throughout the year. ?Impact Projects: Meaningful KPIs are in place for our impact projects, each selected based upon our foundational analysis. Learn more about those projects here:?https://lnkd.in/eiP7d3-S. ?The Next Generation: We will convene the next class of NextGen Leaders. By growing and strengthening the NextGen cohort, we’ll advance OpenMinds’ collaborative, impact-oriented approach into the future.

In 2024, OpenMinds transitioned to impact: ?We established four expert working groups, each tackling critical bottlenecks to progress against the Dual Challenge including CCS, multi-day storage, and accelerating transmission infrastructure. Each project has KPIs that are achievable within 2025. ?Our NextGen Leaders worked directly with companies on projects to advance our top Dual Challenge solutions. NextGen will carry OpenMinds’ collaborative, data-driven, results-oriented approach into the future. ?We added over two dozen experts to the OpenMinds team, expanding our impact. New partnerships are forming to address the Dual Challenge as a direct result of OpenMinds involvement. Learn more about our 2024 accomplishments here:?https://lnkd.in/geKSzCJe

Congratulations to Form Energy on your progress towards developing the world’s largest iron-air battery in Lincoln, Maine. We’re excited about this project’s near-term, transformative impact. Thank you for moving the needle on the Dual Challenge and thank you Mateo Jaramillo for your valuable contributions to OpenMinds. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gXb6ixpp.