Episode 23

Dr. BJ Johnson of ClearFlame on Evolutionary Tech, Decarbonizing Diesel, and Building the Next Tesla

Dr. BJ Johnson knows that if you want to make the biggest climate impact in the least amount of time, you start by improving upon an existing technology. And he’s doing exactly that as the co-founder and CEO of ClearFlame, a startup modifying diesel engines to run on decarbonized liquid fuels. 


Before co-launching ClearFlame, BJ studied mechanical engineering and energy systems at Stanford University, earning three (3!) degrees: undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. He was also a world-class athlete, competing for the US National Swim Team at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014, the same time he was working on his Ph.D, which would ultimately lead him to the idea that would become ClearFlame. 


That idea might be simple in its approach, but it could make a game-changing impact for both the planet and business alike. By modifying existing diesel engines, ClearFlame’s technology can cut carbon emissions in half for heavy-duty transportation fleets, without requiring charging infrastructure or engine replacements. With many clean fuels already cheaper than diesel, it can simultaneously provide major bottom line savings too.


Hear BJ share how he balanced world-class athletics and doctoral work, the critical importance of ‘bridge technologies’ to making an immediate impact, and why ClearFlame’s accelerated path towards cheaper, sustainable diesel engines is poised to make them the Tesla of heavy duty transportation.


Episode Highlights

00:00 BJ Johnson on ClearFlame as the Tesla of heavy duty

00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces BJ and ClearFlame

4:04 Studying energy at Stanford, Silicon Valley, and athletics

15:28 The idea for ClearFlame, combustion tech, and liquid fuels 

23:28 Carbon negative solutions, the first sale, and scaling growth

30:20 Total addressable market, tech unicorns, and doing good and well

38:10 Diversifying entrepreneurship, exciting innovations, and finding optimism

42:47 Wrap up and end credits


If you liked this episode, listen next to Dr. Seonghoon Woo of Amogy on Materials Science, Decarbonized Transport, and Alternative Fuels

 

Watch this short video to see how ClearFlame’s technology works: youtube.com/watch?v=WDvGDFqFtHo 


More on ClearFlame and BJ Johnson:


Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone


Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com


If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! 


Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.



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Consensus in Conversation
Doing Good & Doing Well

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About your host

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Conor Gaughan

CONOR GAUGHAN
Conor founded Consensus Digital Media to
tell uplifting stories about topics that inspire. He
spent the last decade building a digital strategy
firm, and the ten years before that in media
investment banking. Conor graduated with honors
from Harvard University with a
degree in Economics, but his
(super cute) dog, Ace, makes
up for it. Most importantly– he’s
passionate about creators,
innovators, and entrepreneurs
who are making a difference
while making good money.