Watt It Takes: How Schwarzenegger’s Chief of Staff Built a Battery Company

<p>This week on Watt It Takes: We’ll hear from <a href="http://advmicrogrid.com/about-us.html" target="_blank">Susan Kennedy</a>, the CEO of Advanced Microgrid Solutions, about her transition from politics to behind-the-meter energy storage.</p><p>Kennedy was an important player in California environmental politics. She influenced some of the biggest pieces of legislation that launched the state’s solar industry and cap-and-trade market. She also worked as a senior advisor to some the biggest names in both parties, including Dianne Feinstein and Arnold Schwarzenegger.</p><p>After two decades in policy and politics, Kennedy set out to build a company that could take on the unique challenges of distributed energy integration. AMS was born. It has since become one of the most important startups in the booming behind-the-meter storage market.</p><p>"You have to believe that you can do anything. You have to have courage and faith to do what you've never done before."</p><p>Watt It Takes is a collaboration between Powerhouse and Greentech Media. The series is recorded in front of a live audience at Powerhouse headquarters in Oakland, California. <a href="http://powerhouse.fund/events/" target="_blank">Buy tickets</a> for upcoming events.</p><p>The Energy Gang<em>&nbsp;is brought to you by Mission Solar Energy, a solar module manufacturer based in San Antonio, Texas.&nbsp;Mission Solar's high-performance solar panels have the highest testing ratings among any North American manufacturer in the market.&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.missionsolar.com/" target="_blank"><em>Learn more</em></a><em>&nbsp;about Mission's high-efficiency modules.</em></p><p><em>Subscribe to&nbsp;</em>The Energy Gang<em>&nbsp;podcast via&nbsp;</em><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-energy-gang/id663379413?mt=2" target="_blank"><em>Apple Podcasts</em></a><em>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ib4rxvbxzjtlvwhncbctz4uwdka" target="_blank"><em>Google Play</em></a><em>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.s