Energy meets biology with Cemvita's Moji Karimi

Sunya Stories episode #1 with Moji Karimi

AI-generated show notes:

In this conversation, Moji shares his experience at COP 28 in Dubai and highlights the impressive dome structure at the event. He also discusses the future locations and themes of COP conferences. Moji then talks about his background and journey to co-founding Cemvita with his sister, Tara. They focus on biotech and energy transition, particularly in the area of CO2 utilization and photosynthesis. The conversation also touches on Oxy's involvement and the launch of Oxy Low Carbon Ventures. Moji explains the concept of gold hydrogen and how it can turn liabilities into assets. The potential of natural hydrogen is also explored. The conversation explores partnerships and trends in energy transition, navigating the winter of the industry, and competing on cost in sustainable solutions. It also delves into utilizing biology for renewable feedstocks, exploring biological data storage and computing, and replicating human biology in computing. The intersection of biology, industrial applications, and computing is highlighted as a fascinating area of exploration.

COP 28 in Dubai featured a large dome structure that impressed attendees and became a popular spot for photos.

Cemvita, co-founded by Moji and his sister Tara, focuses on biotech and energy transition, particularly in CO2 utilization and photosynthesis.

Gold hydrogen, a solution for turning liabilities into assets, has the potential to delay plugging and abandonment liabilities for oil wells.

The IRA (Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit) has generated mixed reactions, with some companies feeling disappointed by the strict guidelines.

The role of startups like Cemvita is to act as an extended R&D arm for larger companies, exploring innovative solutions and filling gaps in their expertise. Partnerships between startups and established companies can leverage R&D resources and funding to drive innovation in energy transition.

The energy transition industry experiences ebbs and flows, and it is important to focus on the fundamentals during the winter periods.

Competing on cost is crucial in sustainable solutions, and the green premium needs to disappear for widespread adoption.

Utilizing biology can bring down costs in renewable feedstock production by eliminating random co-products and running reactions under ambient conditions.

Biological data storage and computing present exciting opportunities for solving complex problems and replicating the efficiency of the human body.

Replicating human biology in computing can revolutionize the field and lead to more advanced and sustainable technologies.

The intersection of biology, industrial applications, and computing offers immense potential for innovation and exploration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Test Run

00:24 Moji's Trip to Dubai

01:23 Exploring Different Parts of COP 28

02:20 Impressions of the Dome at COP 28

03:16 Running into Prominent Figures at COP 28

04:07 Future COP Locations and Themes

05:40 Moji's Background and Journey to Cemvita

08:15 Working with Family and Co-founding Cemvita

10:36 Moji's First Job at Tesco

12:30 Transition from Tesco to Weatherford

15:11 Starting Cemvita with Tara

19:48 Focus on Biotech and Energy Transition

24:26 Exploring CO2 Utilization and Photosynthesis

28:38 Oxy's Involvement and Launch of Oxy Low Carbon Ventures

32:31 Gold Hydrogen and Turning Liabilities into Assets

35:36 Momentum in Carbon Management and CCUS

37:13 Challenges and Reactions to the IRA

38:17 The Value of Gold Hydrogen and Extended R&D

41:32 The Potential of Natural Hydrogen

46:47 Partnerships and Trends in Energy Transition

48:10 Navigating the Winter of Energy Transition

49:29 Competing on Cost in Sustainable Sol