A Conversation with Joselyn Lai from Bedrock Energy
The Problem of Climate Control in Buildings
Keeping homes and offices at the perfect temperature requires a significant amount of energy. In fact, buildings generate about one-third of the carbon pollution in the U.S., with most of it coming from heating and cooling systems. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, especially as climate change continues to pose a threat to our planet.
Introducing Bedrock Energy
Bedrock Energy, co-founded by Joselyn Lai, aims to decarbonize climate control in buildings by installing geothermal heating pumps. These systems tap into the natural temperature gradient below the Earth’s surface, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The company has been working with large commercial buildings, but its technology could be applied to almost any HVAC system.
An Interview with Joselyn Lai
We had the opportunity to speak with Joselyn Lai about Bedrock Energy and its mission to reduce the carbon footprint of skyscrapers.
TechCrunch: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became involved with Bedrock?
Joselyn Lai: I joined Bedrock in 2022, when it was just starting out. I believed that there was an increased need for decarbonization-oriented sustainability startups. Geothermal heating and cooling has been around for a while, but the problem is scaling it up to make it more accessible and affordable.
TechCrunch: How does Bedrock’s technology work?
Joselyn Lai: We drill up to 2,000 feet below the Earth’s surface to tap into the natural temperature gradient. This gradient is generally consistent across 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. By using geothermal heating pumps, we can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
TechCrunch: What sets Bedrock apart from other companies working on climate control?
Joselyn Lai: While there are other companies working on geothermal systems, Bedrock’s focus is on scaling up the technology to make it more accessible and affordable for building owners. We’re not just trying to build a new product; we want to drive down costs and increase adoption.
Early Success and Future Plans
Bedrock has already seen success with early users such as real estate firms with net-zero goals. The company is now looking to expand its reach and serve residential customers as well.
TechCrunch: How has fundraising been for Bedrock?
Joselyn Lai: Fundraising has been relatively easy, mainly because there’s a steady interest in climate technology. Last October, we raised an $8.5 million seed round.
Key Partnerships and Lessons Learned
Bedrock’s early success is due in part to its partnerships with companies from the oil and gas industry. These partners brought expertise in subsurface energy modeling, which has been invaluable in developing Bedrock’s technology.
TechCrunch: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a first-time founder?
Joselyn Lai: One of the biggest challenges is hiring the right talent. I’ve learned that investing in good software and building a strong engineering team is crucial to success.
Talent from Existing Industries Can Drive Decarbonization
The transition of talent from existing industries such as oil and gas to climate tech shows how these individuals can help drive decarbonization efforts. This highlights the importance of collaboration between industries to address the climate crisis.
Conclusion
Bedrock Energy’s innovative approach to decarbonizing climate control in buildings is a crucial step towards reducing our carbon footprint. By scaling up geothermal heating pumps, Bedrock aims to make this technology more accessible and affordable for building owners worldwide.
Learn More About Bedrock Energy
If you’re interested in learning more about Bedrock Energy or would like to get involved with the company, please visit their website: www.bedrockenergy.com.
About the Authors
- Dominic-Madori Davis: Senior Reporter, Venture
Dominic-Madori Davis is a senior venture capital and startup reporter at TechCrunch. She is based in New York City. - Tim De Chant: Senior Reporter, Climate
Tim De Chant is a senior climate reporter at TechCrunch. He has written for a wide range of publications, including Wired magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Ars Technica, The Wire China, and NOVA Next.
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