The national conversation surrounding America’s infrastructure has focused on how to fix it and fund it. In The Optimistic Outlook podcast, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton looks deeper, focusing on how reinventing infrastructure can help address societal challenges.
Barbara visits a groundbreaking microgrid project in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville. Features interviews with ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones and Paul Pabst, who leads ComEd’s Smart Grid department.
SHOW NOTES:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecvUf5sdOJs&list=PLF415F6CFBF8D6A91&index=2
Microgrids opportunities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html
Chad Frischmann is the co-author of the New York Times best-seller “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming.” He also pioneered Project Drawdown and is now the founder of a new organization called Regenerative Intelligence. Barbara and Chad explore how to achieve a moment in time when the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases begins to decline annually and what a regenerative future looks like. Learn about the impact of tech solutions that can be immediately deployed, and the potential for further innovation.
Show Notes:
Regenerative Intelligence: https://regenintel.earth/
Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/
TED Talk (100 solutions to reverse global warming): https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_frischmann_100_solutions_to_reverse_global_warming?language=en
Siemens and Environmental Action: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html
Barbara brings listeners inside a United for Infrastructure event focused on accelerating electric vehicle deployment and grid modernization in North Carolina, with commentary from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Brian Savoy, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer for Duke Energy; and Charles Lattuca, President and CEO of GoTriangle, which provides bus services in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region.
Show notes:
Electrifying North Carolina transit: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/smart-infrastructure/siemens-advances-north-carolinas-electric-transit-efforts.html
Volkswagen and Siemens invest in Electrify America: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/volkswagen-and-siemens-invest-electrify-americas-ambitious-growth-plan?spr_cid=120_12955&spr_pid=300000303245101&linkId=300000002778471
Acting on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html
With previous episodes focusing on the power of new federal investment combined with emerging technologies, this one explores the big, overarching trend that promises to truly change everything: a platform revolution. Following the release day of Siemens’ new open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, Marshall Van Alstyne, co-author of international bestseller “Platform Revolution,” offers his view on why platform models giving rise to the likes of Uber, Airbnb and Amazon are now ready to transform industry and infrastructure. Barbara is also joined by Peter Koerte, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at Siemens, who highlights how the platform model’s focus on ecosystems and creating network effects will accelerate decarbonization as it remakes factories, energy grids, buildings, and transportations system.
Show notes:
Siemens Xcelerator Press Release: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-launches-siemens-xcelerator-open-digital-business-platform-accelerate-digital
Platform Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Revolution-Networked-Markets-Transforming/dp/0393249131
Barbara looks at infrastructure’s legacy of exacerbating inequality and explores a more sustainable, equitable, resilient approach as the bipartisan infrastructure law is rolled out. Her guest, Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins, is an expert in and champion for public policies promoting economic, social and environmental benefits for communities. Stephanie is the founder and co-partner of Northstar Strategies, with previous experiences at the U.S. Department of Transportation, in state and local government, and in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Show notes:
Stephanie’s Politico op-ed: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/26/the-racial-history-of-planes-trains-and-automobiles-340285
Building for a changing tomorrow: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html
Siemens ESG Strategy: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance.html
Barbara is joined by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to take a look back at the first passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in December 2021. You’ll learn about United’s Eco-Skies Alliance leading a shift to SAF, the aviation industry’s commitment to decarbonization, and why Kirby sees climate change as the biggest challenge facing our generation.
Show notes:
Eco-Skies Alliance Announcement: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-to-lead-industry-switch-to-sustainable-aviation-fuel-with-global-corporations-customers-301267616.html
More info: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/company/global-citizenship/environment/ecoskies-alliance.html
Climate action at Siemens: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html
Airport modernization: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:ee473003-d731-40f4-b75f-257eb9447eb9/sie2021-airports-federal-funding-flyer-final-12-17-21.pdf?ste_sid=f53d07985316289351cb1470f93e409c
Capital campaign to decarbonize SMEs: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/businesses/financial-services/smes-kickstarter-capital.html
Barbara brings listeners inside Siemens’ big manufacturing announcement made with President Biden at the White House. You’ll hear the President’s (virtual) meeting with manufacturing workers before the event starts. Turning to the event, Barbara makes the case for why automation isn’t to be feared prior to President Biden’s speech on his Administration's Made in America commitments.
Barbara recaps the unveiling of a new, sustainable EV charging concept Siemens developed in partnership with Nexii, a green construction technology company. Learn about the technology with commentary from Nexii CEO Steve Sidwell and the people who pioneered this innovative design that’s scalable nationwide.
Show notes:
Info on prototype: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/smart-infrastructure/siemens-and-nexii-unveil-sustainable-electric-vehicle-charging-prototype.html
Supporting bipartisan infrastructure law (see section “enabling a new era for electric vehicles” for video from this event): https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html
Barbara continues the conversation about supply chains with Richard Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer, Supplyframe. In this episode, Barbara and Richard reflect on supply chains past and present, then outline a new path forward supported by digital transformation.
Show notes:
Siemens acquires Supplyframe: https://supplyframe.com/press-releases/siemens-accelerates-digital-marketplace-strategy-with-acquisition-of-supplyframe/
Digital solutions for electronics and semiconductors: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/industries/electronics-semiconductors/
Barbara on “Glocal”: https://milkeninstitute.org/article/future-manufacturing-going-glocal
Barbara’s blog post supporting CHIPS Act: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html
Statement after White House roundtable: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/siemens-usa-ceo-white-house-semiconductor-roundtable-barbara-humpton/
Barbara launches the 2022 season with solutions for reinventing America’s supply chain featuring Siemens experts. In this episode, Barbara focuses on the semiconductor shortage with insights from Dave Gross, Strategic Development Portfolio Executive, Siemens Digital Industries Software. Listeners will understand the history of U.S. chips production and what can be done with technology and through legislation such as the CHIPS for America Act.
Show notes:
Digital solutions for electronics and semiconductors: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/industries/electronics-semiconductors/
Barbara on “Glocal”: https://milkeninstitute.org/article/future-manufacturing-going-glocal
Barbara’s blog post supporting CHIPS Act: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html
Statement after White House roundtable: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/siemens-usa-ceo-white-house-semiconductor-roundtable-barbara-humpton/
