as ceo of ge appliances, kevin nolan wanted the giant to be more sustainable. but the industry competed on price and luxury alone.

the strategy was to encourage product engineers in louisville to think more sustainably, and more like a startup. employees were already experimenting with mini ice makers, pizza ovens, and sourdough. why not extend to climate.

the company brought a heat-pump-integrated water heater to market, promising roughly a third less electricity consumption from water heating, while also storing energy and avoiding peak load strain.

it built a 2-in-1 washer-dryer, already popular in europe, designed to make laundry more efficient on top of sustainable.

nolan spent extended time in washington, d.c., advocating for grid reform, using his position at ge to engage in the conversation. he enrolled the company in net zero neighborhood initiatives in chicago.

the effort reflected a broader push to align household appliances with a cleaner energy system, and an example of innovating within a legacy company.