How to Communicate Energy Innovations Effectively

"We're canceling the project." Those words hit hard. Not because the technology wasn't solid - it was. The efficiency gains were also impressive. “But why?!?” I sputtered as I struggled to understand Chevron’s decision, powerless to change the outcome. Shortly after that day I found myself out of a job... and I finally realized the problem. Technical expertise alone isn't enough. You must use words your audience cares about. I hadn’t explained to the decision-makers the financial impact the project would have. I focused solely on the technology itself and the features, barely mentioning the efficiency gains. Worse yet, I completely failed to translate the time savings into actual dollars, the metric they cared about the most. I discovered the deadliest career-breakers are the gaps you don’t even know you have. Things like: - Attention to the macro forces shaping energy - Financial awareness - Communicating with non-technical people Spend some time thinking about how you communicate the valuable work you do. Translate those activities into impact. And then calculate a dollar amount for each item, no matter how fuzzy you think the math is. Your career will thank you.

Had a fascinating conversation with a climate tech founder yesterday that sparked an insight: The best climate solutions often suffer to gain traction not because of their technology, but because of their analogies. Think about it: - Solar panels became mainstream when we started saying 'like a power plant on your roof' instead of explaining photovoltaic cells - Battery storage took off when we stopped talking about chemical reactions and started saying 'like a piggy bank for energy' - Protecting forests and wetlands makes sense when we describe it as “a sponge for greenhouse gases”' rather than dynamic carbon sequestration areas Here's what I've learned helping climate companies tell their stories: The right analogy isn't just a communication tool - it's the bridge between innovation and understanding. The most successful climate companies don't just solve complex problems. They make complex solutions feel familiar. At Climate Hive, we help climate innovators find their perfect analogy. Because sometimes the most technical solutions need the simplest explanations. What's your favorite analogy for explaining a climate solution? Share below 👇 #ClimateInnovation #Storytelling #CleanTech

Most solar companies don’t have a technology problem. They have a messaging problem. Over the years, I’ve seen great solar solutions fall flat—not because the tech didn’t work, but because the story didn’t land. CMOs and CROs in clean energy face a unique challenge: You’re not just selling electrons. You’re selling trust, transformation, and a future. - Tech specs don’t close deals—confidence does. - ROI matters, but clarity matters more. - If your customer doesn’t believe in it, they won’t buy it Here’s what I’ve learned from 25+ years in the space: The companies that grow fastest are the ones that communicate the clearest. - Keep it simple. - Show impact. - Speak human. - Buil Trust Let’s stop letting weak messaging hold strong solar companies back. #SolarMarketing #CleanEnergy #CMO #CRO #EnergyTransition #SalesEnablement #MessagingMatters

I don't understand climate science. Or science, in general. But I need to translate complex climate science every day. #ClimateCommunications requires us to take complex topics and turn them into value-oriented, human-centered narratives that people can relate to. And businesses and organizations in #ClimateChange, #ClimateTech, or #CorporateSustainability, need to communicate complex science, technology, and BIG. CLIMATE. IDEAS. effectively and clearly. You're not going to sell the public on photovoltaic cells if you can't explain what a photovoltaic cell is and does. And organizations lose people when they don't communicate clearly. Some steps I take when translating complex energy science: 🔊 Read and re-read closely. Complex research contains heavy jargon and complex science terms. Read source material closely, making mental or physical notes for yourself on what you've read. 🔊 Compare your research with your source. Think you have the complex information translated well? Do some research to compare what you think you know with other evidence-based sources. Do you have agreement between them? There you go. 🔊 Read your writing (aloud, maybe!). Make sure you read your translated, general audience writing again and again. Is it clear? Does it still feel too technical? Retranslate and revise. 🔊 Consult experts. You're writing to communicate subject matter experts' complex ideas, but that doesn't mean you leave them out of the process. After all, they need their complex science or technology communicated in a way that's accurate and resonates with the audience. Once you've written a compelling story, return to your subject matter experts and have them review for accuracy. 🔊 Find a second pair of eyes. You've looked at your writing too much. Have someone else (doesn't need to be an expert) read your story. They can tell you if they get stuck or don't understand a term or idea. 🔊 Know your audience. Maybe your audience is technical or knows the technology well. If so, then more technical language may work for them. Make sure you understand your audience and tell a story with them in mind. 🔊 Create a clear message/headline. 🔊 Tell your audience why they should care. Communicate value. 🔊 Bonus: use metaphors to communicate complexity. I do this all the time. Metaphors can effectively translate complex ideas. Climate communications doesn't have to be dense. Tell stories that make it easier for your readers to care, take action, or find value in what you have to offer.