Predictive Maintenance for a Smarter, More Resilient Grid (with Joseph Kao of Magnefy)

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Magnefy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry Gershenson, is the co-founder and CEO of one of our portcos, Enduring Planet. CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels→Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. Q4 fund now open; the Q3 fund (closed) invested in 11 companies alongside Prelude, At One, Voyager, and more.→Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted CC Syndicate carry, community & more.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!CC Pod’s latest episode features Joseph Kao, founder and CEO of Magnefy, a Stanford spinout transforming how predictive maintenance is done across the power grid, in conversation with guest host Dimitry Gershenson.Magnefy’s technology uses non-invasive high-frequency magnetic sensing paired with edge AI to detect early-stage failures in transformers, switchgear, and generators months or even years before they occur. The company’s solution helps utilities and mission-critical operators prevent costly outages and reduce maintenance expenses by up to 70%.Magnefy draws from deep expertise in materials science, resource efficiency, and circularity to tackle the challenge of aging power infrastructure. With 65% of transformers now over 35 years old, their innovation comes at a crucial time as grids face increasing pressure from electrification and data center demand.Magnefy’s sensors can be easily clamped to cables without de-energizing equipment, acting like an ECG for transformers by capturing high-resolution data to uncover hidden risks. Beyond hardware, the company has evolved into a software-first platform, integrating AI-driven analytics, digital twins, and a maintenance copilot to turn raw sensor data into actionable insights.Their mission is clear: to make the power grid smarter, safer, and ready for the energy transition ahead.To learn more about Magnefy, visit https://magnefy.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe