Erin Price-Wright

The U.S.

power grid runs on mechanical systems designed before World War II.

American critical mineral supply sits 50 years behind China.

And demand for both is accelerating faster than at any point in history.

For decades, the bet was that innovation at the edge — better batteries, smarter software, faster chips — would be enough.

It wasn't.

The infrastructure underneath never kept up.

Grid transformers are still steel, oil, and copper.

Critical minerals still flow through refineries the U.S.

doesn't own or control.

Two founders who built the Megapack, the 4680 battery cell, and Tesla's global mineral supply chain think the same playbook that rewired the auto industry can rewire the grid and the mine.

The constraint isn't ambition.

It's whether American industry can move fast enough to matter.

Turner Caldwell and Drew Baglino speak with Aaron Price Wright about megawatts, minerals, and the new strategic high ground.

Thank you.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the A16Z podcast.

If you liked this episode, be sure to like, comment, subscribe, leave us a rating or review, and share it with your friends and family.

For more episodes, go to YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Follow us on X at A16Z and subscribe to our sub stack at a16z.substack.com.

Thanks again for listening, and I'll see you in the next episode.