John O'Donnell

Rondo Energy

Grid Access and Thermal Storage as Strategic Enablers for German Industrial Decarbonization 

Monday, May 19, 2025 –05:15 – 06:30 PM (CEST)

This session will be held online only. To join virtually, please register in advance using this link. 

Seminar Abstract
Upgrading factory's power connections to the grid  is a national priority, and it's easy to accomplish.  Low-cost thermal energy storage is maturing and going to scale around the world, and Germany can greatly benefit. Factories harvesting and storing intermittent electricity can cut their operating costs while benefiting all electricity users: cutting network redispatch costs, delivering large flexibility the grid needs for resilience, and speeding integration of more renewables.  Building out these connections now will enable German industry to choose the best electrification pathways and implement them — 5 to 10 years faster.  

Speaker Bio
John O'Donnell has over 30 years of experience taking novel solutions from conception to reality across the energy, semiconductor and supercomputer industries. Prior to founding Rondo, John served as co-founder and vice president of development for GlassPoint Solar, which delivered solar industrial heat worldwide. He previously cofounded and led Ausra, a pioneer in solar thermal electric systems. John served as a lead engineer for Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where he designed award-winning technology to support fusion experiments. He is a published author of numerous technical papers and holds more than 20 patents in the U.S. and internationally. John earned a B.Sc. with Special Distinction in Computer Science from Yale University.

Admission information
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