Energy Central

For years, EVs were treated as a looming grid problem that would lead to an epidemic of transformer overloads, unpredictable peaks, and expensive distribution upgrades. But what if EVs aren’t a liability but instead an asset to building a more flexible, resilient grid? In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker speaks with John Taggart, Co-Founder and President of WeaveGrid, to learn why utilities are shifting from asking whether EVs will disrupt the grid to how they can turn EV adoption into a strategic advantage. John helps to reframe EVs as a distribution-level opportunity rather than a system-wide headache. While unmanaged charging can strain local feeders and transformers, coordinated charging can flatten peaks, defer infrastructure upgrades, and integrate seamlessly with broader grid planning. Beyond that, what does it take to turn this vision into reality and orchestrate charging across automakers, utilities, and charging providers? John shares real-world use cases, discusses how EVs interact with stationary batteries and broader grid flexibility programs, and explains why internal utility alignment across planning, operations, IT, and customer teams is critical. If EVs are “batteries on wheels,” this conversation makes clear they may be one of the most powerful flexibility tools utilities have — if they treat them that way. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Reliability has become one of the most urgent topics in the utility sector today. As aging infrastructure meets rising electricity demand and more frequent extreme weather, utilities are facing growing pressure to keep the lights on while modernizing the grid. From vegetation management to conductor fatigue and storm resilience, the question isn’t whether upgrades are needed, but how utilities can make the smartest investments to strengthen the grid quickly, effectively, and affordably. To get the answers to those questions, Energy Central’s Community Manager Matt Chester was joined live at DTECH 2026 in San Diego by Southwire’s Emily Witcher (Manager of Overhead Transmission) and Drew Pearson (Transmission Engineer), and the resultant conversation explored how utilities are tackling reliability challenges in overhead transmission systems. From conductor selection to structural design to accurate engineering models, decisions made for all grid upgrades will dramatically affect ultimate system performance under stress. This episode highlights practical solutions utilities are deploying today, including reconductoring projects that increase capacity without rebuilding entire lines and digital tools that improve engineering analysis and field decisions. With lessons drawn from real-world projects and conversations happening across the DTECH floor, this discussion offers a grounded look at how utilities can strengthen grid resilience now while preparing for the reliability challenges still ahead. Thanks to Southwire for sponsoring this episode. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

The utility industry is entering a construction boom unlike anything seen in decades. From electrification and load growth to wildfire mitigation and resilience investments, utilities across the country are racing to build and upgrade transmission and distribution infrastructure. But scaling up construction isn’t just about building faster, it’s also about rethinking the entire construction lifecycle, from planning and design to data capture and project closeout. Recorded live on site at DTECH 2026 in San Diego, Energy Central Community Manager Matt Chester sits down with Danny Petrecca of Locusview to explore how utilities are modernizing the way they build the grid. The conversation dives into how digital construction platforms are helping utilities manage massive increases in T&D projects while maintaining data quality, safety, and capital efficiency. From improving the quality of field data to ensuring ADMS and GIS systems stay accurate over time, the episode highlights how digital workflows are becoming essential infrastructure in their own right. The discussion also explores the growing role of digital tools in wildfire mitigation, workforce transformation, and the financial realities of scaling grid investment. And with Itron’s recent acquisition of Locusview adding new momentum to the space, the conversation offers a look at how utilities can modernize construction workflows today to build a safer, more resilient, and more efficient grid for tomorrow. And thanks to our partner, Locusview, for making this episode possible. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Urban grids are running out of room , especially in dense cities where rooftop solar is limited, EV charging is complicated, and peak demand keeps climbing. Modernizing and growing utilities thus need new, novel ways to unlock flexibility without massive infrastructure overhauls. In this episode, Andrew Wang of Every Electric shares with host Kinsey Grant Baker his team’s unique approach to “dropshipping” grid flexibility directly into multi-family residential buildings, deploying free home batteries that allow residents to earn money while providing short bursts of load relief during peak periods. From space constraints to split incentives between landlords and renters, Andrew highlights the challenges that urban power companies face. And while distributed energy resources have long been viewed as an answer to the city landscape, he explains that ultimately many DER strategies miss the renters and multi-family buildings that make up the backbone of major cities. Instead of expensive building-wide retrofits, he’s targeting individual apartments to prioritize speed, scalability, and customer participation. The result? New York City’s largest residential battery fleet, deployed ahead of summer heat waves in partnership with Con Edison. Listen in to hear why grid flexibility must become a core planning resource rather than a pilot program, where this model could scale nationally, and what utility leaders should prioritize if they want flexibility to be a reliable, bankable part of the grid of the future. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

The grid is aging fast, and demand is rising even faster. But while much of the conversation fixates on physical infrastructure, there's a critical, often overlooked piece of the puzzle: modeling. How utilities plan for the future—what tools they use, what data they trust, and how they stress-test their assumptions—can mean the difference between billions spent wisely and billions wasted. In this episode, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Alice Yake, Head of Grid Modeling at Breakthrough Energy, to unpack why getting the grid model wrong doesn't just delay progress—it costs communities, ratepayers, and the planet dearly. Alice brings a rare mix of experience: from coding at Enron to intervening in utility rate cases to leading integrated resource planning at Xcel Energy. Now, she's helping build open-source modeling tools designed to work not just for eight U.S. states, but for the world. Alice explains why open-source modeling matters for trust, accessibility, and speed—especially in low- and middle-income countries that can't afford commercial tools but desperately need reliable planning frameworks. She also digs into the data problem: how inconsistent, inaccessible, or outdated data undermines even the best models, and what breakthrough is doing to create a global data store that reduces friction and increases transparency. From distribution system design to fusion and geothermal integration, this conversation explores how modeling helps utilities answer the hardest question of all: What does the grid need to look like in 2050, and how do we start building it today? For utility leaders navigating unprecedented load growth, regulatory pressure, and technological uncertainty, this episode offers a grounded roadmap for making smarter, faster, more equitable infrastructure decisions. And for innovators and startups, Alice shares direct advice on how to get new technologies into planning models—and why that step is make-or-break for adoption. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Distributech is the electric utility industry’s biggest annual event, and this episode of Power Perspectives breaks down what actually mattered on the ground. Host Kinsey Grant Baker is joined by Energy Central Community Manager Matt Chester to recap the most important conversations, trends, and takeaways from this year’s conference. From affordability and data centers to AI and distributed energy resources, this discussion goes beyond buzzwords to focus on how utilities are defining and redefining problems and (finally) turning those into tangible action. Rather than chasing one-size-fits-all solutions, the industry is grappling with scale, coordination, and real-world constraints that affect customers, regulators, and operators alike. Kinsey and Matt unpack how affordability emerged as a central theme across panels, demos, and side conversations, and why data quality, storytelling, and collaboration are becoming just as important as technology itself. They also explore how AI and DERs are being reframed—not just as challenges, but as tools that can help utilities plan, forecast, and respond more effectively. If you missed the chance to be in San Diego with the movers and shakers of the power sector at DTech 2026, consider this conversation the antidote to your FOMO. Learnings posted by Energy Central during DTech— Keynotes are great, key relationships are better. Let’s really connect at DTech this year! https://energycentral.substack.com/p/keynotes-are-great-key-relationships Standing Room Only at DTech 2026: Day 1 Set the Tone: https://energycentral.substack.com/p/standing-room-only-at-dtech-2026 Bagels, Brainpower, and Big Questions: Kicking Off DTECH the Right Way: https://energycentral.substack.com/p/bagels-brainpower-and-big-questions AI Didn’t Steal the Show at DTech 2026 — It Powered It (Day 2 Recap): https://energycentral.substack.com/p/ai-didnt-steal-the-show-at-dtech When the Industry Starts to Jam: A Day 3 DistribuTECH Recap: https://energycentral.substack.com/p/when-the-industry-starts-to-jam-a Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

For decades, energy policy lived mostly in the background of American politics—important, but rarely decisive at the ballot box. After the 2025 election season, we have evidence of how that’s no longer the case. Rising electricity bills frustrating voters, visible grid strain they want to point to data centers as the culprit, and an overall competing narratives around affordability and climate policy have pushed energy squarely into the center of electoral politics. In this episode, host Kinsey Grant Baker welcomes back a guest who was featured on one of 2025 hottest episodes of Power Perspectives: Andrea Clabough, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center. In this conversation, Clabough unpacks what the most recent state-level elections reveal about how voters are thinking about energy—and what those lessons signal for the 2026 midterm elections that are already coming into focus. Clabough reflects on the 2025 gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, where energy affordability, grid readiness, and future investment strategies emerged as unexpectedly salient themes, as well as how the first year under Trump 2.0 played out compared with her previous predictions. For anyone who already has November 3, 2026, circled on their calendars, this conversation will serve as your primer for which races to watch, what external factors could influence outcomes, and what the dominant energy narrative may be once the electoral dust settles. AI across AC (AIxAC) initiative: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/issue/artificial-intelligence/ Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

What’s the most notable constraint on the energy transition? It’s not generation or technology, but the biggest slowdown is coming from the grid side and the ability to plan, operate, and scale power systems fast enough to meet demand. That’s according to Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software, and guest on this episode of Power Perspectives. Erlinghagen joins host Kinsey Grant Baker to explore why the grid has become the new bottleneck and how digitalization is working to turn it into a backbone for electrification, AI-driven load growth, and a net-zero future. Erlingher highlights how advanced grid software, digital twins, and staged automation are changing the way utilities operate. She also digs into what “autonomous grids” really mean in practice, why trust and transparency are critical as automation increases, and how utilities can move step-by-step from operator support to closed-loop control without compromising reliability. For utility leaders navigating unprecedented load growth and complexity, this conversation offers a grounded, practical roadmap for scaling the grid to not just be bigger but also smarter. And thanks to our partner, Siemens Grid Software, for making this episode possible. Siemens Grid Software enables power utilities to accelerate and secure the energy transition. Its unique software and service portfolio empowers transmission and distribution grid operators to plan and operate the grid of tomorrow – today. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

As the electric grid faces accelerating pressure from electrification, data center growth, and extreme weather, much of the public conversation fixates on generation shortfalls and capacity additions. But beneath those headlines, some of the most consequential work is happening where customers actually experience the grid: on the wires. In this episode, host Kinsey Grant Baker chats with Kevin Walker, President and CEO of Duquesne Light Holdings, to explore how a T&D–focused utility is redefining what leadership and innovation look like in today’s ever-evolving power sector. And while Duquesne Light may be smaller than many U.S. utilities, under Walker’s leadership they are punching above their weight and demonstrating that reliability, affordability, and resilience are earned through delivery, not scale. Walker shares how DLC thinks about resource adequacy without owning generation assets, how the utility is positioning itself to withstand the twin pressures of decarbonization and electrification, and how their unique flexibility enables smarter risk-taking. Decisionmakers across the power sector can learn a lot from Walker’s approach to leadership and perspective on navigating the urgent and competing priorities across the industry in 2026 and beyond. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

For decades, load forecasting was one of the more stable disciplines in utility planning. Growth was incremental, assumptions were well understood, and long-term investments could be made with reasonable confidence. That era is over. In this episode, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Darrin Kinney, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Integral Analytics, to unpack why uncertainty—not growth itself—has become the defining challenge for grid planners. With the explosive rise of data centers and AI-driven demand introducing new load profiles and a heightened level of handwringing from planners, we’re seeing previously unseen load profiles: lumpy, opaque, fast-moving, and often speculative. During the conversation, Kinney explains why traditional single-scenario forecasting is no longer sufficient in this environment and shares examples where forecast errors are already showing up across the United States and what those missteps reveal about current planning frameworks. But all is not lost, as advanced analytics and AI tools are already being used to stress-test assumptions, model competing futures, and guide capital investment decisions. Listen in to learn how we can re-instill long-term confidence for utilities navigating an increasingly complex energy system. And thanks to our partner, Integral Analytics, for making this episode possible. Integral Analytics provides utilities with advanced load forecasting and scenario-based planning tools designed to address growing uncertainty from data centers, electrification, and emerging technologies. Their work supports more informed grid planning and long-term system resilience. For more information, or to check out their latest white paper on Data Centers and how to bubble-proof your load forecasting, visit them at https://integralanalytics.com Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Planning for the Unknown: Data Centers, Agentic AI, and the End of One-Scenario Forecasting: https://integralanalytics.com/data-center/

Note: This episode was recorded in late November 2025. To keep up with the (many) updates to EPA policymaking, permitting reform, and more that have happened since this conversation...might we suggest the Energy Central Daily Newsletter? The clean energy transition is running into a critical constraint, and it’s not because of technology, capital, or ambition. Instead the bottleneck comes from how energy projects get approved. Permitting has become one of the most consequential—and contested—issues in U.S. energy policy. Transmission lines, renewable generation, and other major infrastructure projects are facing longer timelines, greater uncertainty, and growing political friction. At the same time, demand for electricity is rising fast, and reliability and affordability are back at the center of public concern. In this episode, host Kinsey Grant Baker plays moderator for a friendly but critical debate between two of the country’s leading energy law scholars, James Coleman of the University of Minnesota and David Adelman of the University of Texas. While both agree that permitting is a serious bottleneck, they bring distinct perspectives on why the system looks the way it does and how far reform should go. Drawing on years of research and policy engagement, Coleman and Adelman walk through how today’s permitting framework evolved, where the biggest procedural and political bottlenecks lie, and why recent reform efforts have produced mixed results. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Physical security has become one of the grid’s most urgent and most misunderstood challenges. While cybersecurity rightly commands attention, attacks on substations and critical infrastructure are rising in frequency, sophistication, and intent. And unlike cyber threats, physical attacks don’t require advanced tools—just access, time, and opportunity. To dive into this essential area of concern for utility leaders, this episodes sees host Kinsey Grant Baker joined by Brent Warzocha, Vice President of Sales at 3B Protection. Brent helps to unpack what’s really changing in the physical threat landscape and what utilities can realistically do about it. From understanding today’s threat actors to implementing pragmatic “deter, detect, delay, respond” frameworks, this conversation focuses on scalable solutions utilities can deploy now. Brent also dives into the real cost of inaction, the friction utilities face in prioritizing physical security, and how leaders can balance budgets, compliance, and resilience without slowing projects down. And thanks to our partner, 3B Protection, for making this episode possible. 3B Protection is in the business of helping organizations protect their people, property and critical assets. The last ten years or so has seen significant ballistic activity in and around electrical substations that are part of the United States’s critical infrastructure and 3B offers a line of product to help protect those substations from malicious attacks. 3B has tested their products to the extreme in a way that far exceeds UL minimums. And not just for ballistics – our walls are thoroughly tested against forced entry, vehicle crashes and blast as well. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Utility regulation doesn’t usually light up the algorithms on social media, but it’s a topic that quietly determines how much customers pay for electricity, who benefits from new clean energy investments, and whether innovation actually reaches everyday households. In other words, the utility regulation process directly impacts every single household and business and sets the stage for what our energy system of tomorrow will be. So as utilities face rising costs, new large loads from AI and electrification, and growing public scrutiny around affordability, the question isn’t whether regulation matters—it’s whether it’s keeping up. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker dives into that question with one of the leaders best poised to give an authoritative answer: Charles Hua, TIME100 Next honoree and Founder of PowerLines. Charles helps us to unpack how modernizing utility regulation can lower bills, build trust, and ensure the clean energy transition works for everyone. From AI-driven load growth to customer equity metrics and performance-based regulation, this conversation offers utility leaders a practical framework for embedding equity and long-term perspectives into decision-making—not as an afterthought, but as a core business strategy. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In the current age of artificial intelligence, the challenge for utilities isn’t just how to power AI-driven data centers, it’s also how AI itself is changing grid operations, security, workforce needs, and the overall utility business model. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker welcomes Paul Quinlan, Director of Energy Research at ScottMadden to peel back the curtain on what new areas of focus utility leaders need to be aware of as AI grows. Paul breaks down the national security dimensions of AI and energy, the limits of traditional load forecasting and capital planning approaches, and which markets are emerging as early stress points. But it’s not all bad news, as Paul also explores AI as an internal opportunity with real-world examples of how utilities are using AI for predictive maintenance, outage forecasting, and grid optimization, along with how leaders can think more clearly about measuring ROI on AI investments. Finally, this conversation turns to the workforce: how AI may reshape utility roles, what new skills are in demand, and how utilities can balance automation with workforce development and retention. And thanks to our partner, ScottMadden, for making this episode possible. ScottMadden knows energy from the ground up. Since 1983, they have served as energy consultants for hundreds of utilities, large and small, including all of the top 20. They focus on Transmission & Distribution, the Grid Edge, Generation, Energy Markets, Rates & Regulation, Enterprise Sustainability, and Corporate Services. Their broad, deep utility expertise is not theoretical—it is experience based. They have helped our clients develop and implement strategies, improve critical operations, reorganize departments and entire companies, and implement myriad initiatives. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Setting a zero-carbon target is one thing. Delivering it while keeping power reliable and affordable is something else entirely. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker is joined by Rachel Huang, Director of Distributed Energy Solutions at SMUD, one of the first U.S. utilities to commit to a zero-carbon electricity supply by 2030. Rachel sits at the center of that effort, translating long-term climate ambition into practical electrification programs, measurable customer savings, and grid-ready investments. Listen in as Rachel steps through how SMUD defines “zero carbon” in concrete terms, where the utility stands today, and the lessons from this ongoing pursuit. For utility leaders navigating the tension between climate goals, affordability, and public perception, this conversation offers a rare, data-driven look at what it takes to move from aspiration to execution. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

What happens to communities centered on fossil fuels as the clean energy transition accelerates? Because this seismic shift is more than just technical—it'll no doubt bring economic and human impacts to communities that rely on the business of fossil fuels, from coal towns to Texas oil hotspots. With every transition-focused policy, entire regions built around the production of coal and gas must face profound uncertainty about jobs, tax bases, and long-term stability. Today on Power Perspectives, we're exploring what an equitable clean energy future can look like—for both petrostates and electrostates. Host Kinsey Grant Baker is joined by Noah Kaufman, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and former Senior Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Today, Noah leads the Resilient Energy Economies Initiative, which examines how fossil fuel–reliant communities can navigate the transition without being left behind. The conversation explores the real economic risks facing coal, oil, and gas communities, the differences between petrostates and electrostates, and the warning signs policymakers and utilities should be watching for. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Business as usual? Not going to cut it in today’s energy reality. Embracing cutting-edge tech is the bare minimum to keep up with the modern needs of the modern grid. That’s according to Raiford Smith, Global Head of Power & Energy for Cloud at Google, who joins Mike this week to break down the lessons energy can learn from Big Tech—and the lessons Big Tech can learn from energy. Raiford explains Google’s strategy for big energy swings, the playbook for finding your competitive edge in a tech-enabled energy world, the new definition of “all of the above,” and so much more. Because the clean, affordable, reliable energy future isn’t just about figuring out what works. It’s about figuring out how to get tech solutions to scale quickly. And that’s where utilities and Big Tech can make the biggest dent…together.

Every utility leader wants to know: What can we do to protect an increasingly complex grid from security threats, both cyber and physical? This week on Power Perspectives, Adam Lee, Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Dominion Energy, sits down with host Kinsey Grant Baker to dissect the real, scalable strategies for defending the modern grid from today’s growing threats. And Adam is certainly an expert—complete with a distinguished security-focused background that brought him from FBI to the utility providing power to the Pentagon, naval bases, and some of the world’s most energy-intensive data centers. Listen in for a look at how Dominion is approaching cyber and physical security as a unified discipline and why partnerships across government, law enforcement, and the private sector are becoming essential to grid resilience. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

What goes through an energy CEO’s mind when thinking about the role of the customer, the fuel mix of the future, the affordability crisis, and the workforce changes shaping power? A lot, unsurprisingly. So today on The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith is bringing in Jay Stowe, founder & CEO of Stowe Utility Group, to break down what modern energy success looks like, the challenges dominating boardroom conversations today, and much more. With decades of combined utility experience, Jay and Mike offer an impactful look at meeting customers where they are, placing the right bets, balancing incentives with competition, and the reality of making decisions about large loads. Listen for a rare peek at what today’s top utility leaders are really prioritizing.

The “duck curve” has become one of the most recognizable symbols in modern energy as an illustration of both the promise and the challenge of solar power. But what if the very technologies creating the problem could also solve it? In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker welcomes Craig Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of the Clean Coalition, to explore how local solar and storage can flatten the duck curve, cut costs, and build a more resilient grid. Bringing his decades of experiences to the table, Lewis shares how California’s energy transformation can serve as a blueprint for the nation—and why the real battle isn’t just about generation, but about where and how we build it. This conversation challenges conventional wisdom about where the next wave of grid investment should go, emphasizing how “thinking local” may be the smartest way to plan globally. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Key Links: Exploding transmission costs are the missing story in California’s regionalization debate: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/exploding-transmission-costs-are-the-missing-story-in-californias-regional/526894/ How to protect California ratepayers, expand clean local energy and avoid bailing out PG&E: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/how-to-protect-california-ratepayers-expand-clean-local-energy-and-avoid-b/554564/ How Two Simple Fixes Can Fairly Compensate the True Value of DERs in California: https://www.tdworld.com/distributed-energy-resources/article/21132853/how-two-simple-fixes-can-fairly-compensate-the-true-value-of-ders-in-california Transmission Access Charges Wasteful electricity transmission spending is hurting California communities. Our reforms will fix this: https://clean-coalition.org/policy/transmission-access-charges/ Flattening California’s Duck Curve with Local Solar: https://clean-coalition.org/news/flattening-californias-duck-curve-with-local-solar-and-battery-storage/

How can we engage with an energy transition without massive swings in power reliability? Is climate change really just a big cop-out for utility leaders? Or is it a larger predicament that we need to strategize around? What’s the best means of reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience for an energy industry in flux? Today on The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith welcome renowned climate scientist Dr. Judith Curry for a wide-ranging conversation about the intersection of energy abundance and climate stewardship. From the challenges to wind and solar proliferation to the timing of pulling off the energy transition to all of the above vs. best of the above…Mike and Judith are breaking it all down in this insightful, provocative conversation.

The grid of tomorrow is being built today—and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is at the center of that transformation. That transformation is being spearheaded by Lanny Nickell, President and CEO of SPP, and host Kinsey Grant Baker welcomes him to this week’s episode of Power Perspectives. This conversation features an exploration of how one of the nation’s most collaborative regional transmission organizations is managing record load growth, integrating renewables, and planning for a future of reliability, affordability, and resilience. Listen in to hear Lanny unpack the key trends shaping the modern energy landscape, from data center demand and electrified oil fields to the $18 billion in infrastructure investments that will define the next era of grid reliability. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

For years, capacity markets quietly operated in the background: reliable, technical, and rarely in the headlines. Not anymore! In today’s episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Christoph Graf, Senior Economist and Research Scholar at NYU’s Institute for Policy Integrity, to unpack why capacity markets are suddenly at the center of the energy conversation and why every utility leader should be paying closer attention. From record-breaking PJM auction prices to mounting pressure from state governors and regulators, capacity markets are facing what may be called a crisis of confidence. But behind the headlines lies a bigger question: are these markets built based on the legacy utility setup still fit for today’s new era of data-center-driven load growth, rapid electrification, and decarbonization mandates? Having studied market design and power sector reform across the U.S. and Europe, Graf offers a sharp, data-driven look at the mechanics shaping this moment and where reform might go next. This episode cuts through the noise to reveal what’s really happening behind the market mechanics and what it all means for utility leaders balancing affordability, reliability, and clean energy commitments in a rapidly evolving power system. Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

With risks flying at utility leaders from every angle—extreme weather, outages, wildfires, and many more—knowing what’s happening on the grid at any moment isn’t just nice. It’s mission critical. So how is next-gen sensing tech helping power pros get better visibility into real-time grid realities? This week on Piloting the Future, Kim and Lee explore with Scott Lindsay, Director of Sales at GridWare, and Billy Terry, COO at Consumers Power. Sensing and fault detection can help us build a more resilient grid. And the tech behind these major moves? It’s getting better and better, as Scott and Billy point out. Listen in for a look at what this investment in the grid’s future could mean for all of us. Because at the end of the day, visibility doesn’t just enable operational excellence. It’s everything.

The global energy transition isn’t theoretical anymore—it’s happening right now. But how fast can we go, and how far can renewables really take us? In this episode of Power Perspectives, hosts Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Mark Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program at Stanford University, to explore one of the most polarizing questions in energy today: 100% clean energy, is it actually possible? For decades, Jacobson has modeled the path to a world powered entirely by wind, water, and solar, contending that fossil fuels, carbon capture, or nuclear aren’t necessary to meet the future energy needs. His research has influenced global climate policy, inspired states to adopt renewable targets, and sparked fierce debate across the energy sector. Whether you’re a skeptic of his stance or co-signer that the future can be all renewable, this conversation challenges assumptions and asks the most important question in energy today: what if the solutions we need are already here? Key Links: Mark Jacobson’s Stanford Profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/mark-jacobson Mark Jacobson on X: https://x.com/mzjacobson Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

AI is transforming everything, but what happens when it starts transforming the grid itself? As data centers explode in scale and AI workloads surge, utility leaders are wondering when the power system might reach a a breaking point. But what if the next generation of compute didn’t just consume energy? What if it instead helped stabilize the grid? In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Arushi Sharma Frank, Senior Advisor on Power Utilities at Emerald AI and a senior associate at CSIS, and a technology investor who has launched a massive ERCOT campaign for tech neutral dispatachability solutions. In the conversation, they unpack how her team is redefining the relationship between technology and electricity. Frank, whose career spans Tesla, Exelon, and the intersection of policy and physics, shares how AI data centers can evolve from grid stressors to grid assets through orchestration, curtailment, and smart market design. As Emerald AI grabs industry headlines for its much-anticipated power-flexible AI infrastructure, Frank shares her deep technical insight with a visionary look at where AI and energy converge. It’s a must-listen for utility decision-makers, grid planners, and innovators who see the grid not as a limit, but as a launchpad. Key Links: Arushi Sharma Frank on Substack: https://arushisharmafrank.substack.com/ Rich Miller on Substack: https://substack.com/@richmiller NVIDIA: How AI Factories Can Help Relieve Grid Stress: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/ai-factories-flexible-power-use/ Two Bills in Texas for Data Center Speed to Power: (Guess Which One Investors Will Like More): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/two-bills-texas-data-center-speed-power-guess-which-1zabe/ Power Access for AI: The Flexibility Compact: https://www.csis.org/analysis/power-access-ai-flexibility-compact ARUSHI SHARMA FRANK: What Should Be In The Strategic Blueprint For A 21st Century Grid?: https://dailycaller.com/2025/08/12/opinion-what-should-be-in-the-strategic-blueprint-for-a-21st-century-grid-arushi-sharma-frank/ AI requires a smarter grid — and so does everyone else: https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/ai-requires-a-smarter-grid-and-so-does-everyone-else/ How the world’s first flexible AI factory will work in tandem with the grid: https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/how-the-worlds-first-flexible-ai-factory-will-work-in-tandem-with-the-grid/ Aggregations and data centers: If a resource shows up when the grid is straining, make it count: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/aggregations-data-centers-grid-flexibility/756183/ Mainstreaming AI data center flexibility: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/mainstreaming-ai-data-center-flexibility/804103/ From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Rewriting the Grid Planning Playbook in the Southwest Power Pool and Texas: https://www.csis.org/analysis/bottlenecks-breakthroughs-rewriting-grid-planning-playbook-southwest-power-pool-and-texas Signup for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: https://energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

It’s no secret: AI is changing everything from how we think, to where we build, to how we power the world. And nowhere is that disruption hitting harder and more quickly than in the rise of data centers, the massive energy users that are quickly becoming the new industrial load of the 21st century. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker digs into the context of this transformation with the illuminating Pete Sacco, founder of Gray Wolf Data Center and physicist-turned-engineer-turned-developer. Sacco blends technical mastery with a human-centered vision for what the next generation of compute infrastructure could look like: distributed, opportunistic, and deeply integrated with local energy systems. From solid oxide fuel cells and on-site microgrids to new partnerships between utilities and data centers, this episode unpacks the radical rethink happening at the edge of the grid—and what it means for energy leaders tasked with keeping pace. This episode is a must-listen for anyone sitting at the intersection of energy, infrastructure, and innovation. And the message is clear: the data center revolution is coming fast, and utilities that embrace the change today will be the ones defining the next era of the grid tomorrow. And thanks to our partner, Renew Developers, for making this episode possible. ReNew Developers is a sustainable real estate development firm offering speed-to-market power solutions and Energy-as-a-Service. We serve data centers and large industrial power users by developing modern projects with on-site power generation. Our unique approach shaves years off the timeline to move into your data center. We have a pipeline of land with energy generation permits in place that can feed your state-of-the-art data center expansion needs. Contact us at ReNewDevelopers.com if you need land with power now.

Ask any utility exec: The key to accurate forecasting isn’t luck. It’s data. In fact, data might be more valuable than electrons these days. Knowing what your customers think (and how they act) is a prerequisite for long-term utility success. So today on The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith welcomes Elizabeth Parks, president and CMO of Parks Associates, for an insightful conversation about how consumers are adapting to new technologies—and the real ways the power industry can better leverage data to get answers to big questions. Mike and Elizabeth explore the utility’s role in communicating the massive benefits of grid tech to customers, the evolving relationship between consumers and power companies, and how utilities can improve everyday peoples’ perception of the work they do. Building trust starts with knowing your customer. Today’s conversation is a crash course in doing just that.

It’s one thing to create a culture of innovation. It’s an entirely other thing to ensure innovation exists at every juncture of your utility business. Today on Piloting the Future, Kim sits down (IRL, in the Philippines!) with execs from Aboitiz Power to learn how they’re incentivizing innovation in everyday ops. Aboitiz’s COO Jokin Aboitiz and AVP of Business Process & Strategic Performance Marynelle Leonor Rosales explain 1) why scale can hamstring innovation and how to outmaneuver business heft 2) the best strategy for making innovation more efficient 3) the role of next-gen tech in the pursuit of affordability…and so much more. Listen in to hear the exec’s playbook for keeping innovation affordable.

How is Exelon, the largest regulated electric utility in the US, preparing for a high-demand future dominated by large loads and electrification? Balancing customer equity with business opportunity? Getting the smartest people excited to work in energy? Fighting for the regulation we need to build things quicker and more efficiently? Mike Innocenzo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Exelon, answers all that (and more) today on Power Perspectives. He’s giving us a rare glimpse at how decisions are made and strategies are formed at one of the most important companies in power. Press play to see how the modern utility is adapting, pivoting, and prioritizing.

The grid is growing up fast, and the old ways of planning can’t keep up. Explosive new demand from AI, data centers, and the rest of the grid is converging with aging infrastructure and affordability pressures. The result: utilities are being asked to make billion-dollar investment decisions faster, smarter, and with more coordination than ever before. Enter Integrated Grid Planning , the idea that breaking down traditional silos between resource, distribution, and investment planning isn’t just nice-to-have, it’s essential. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Wen Tu, Senior Director of Integrated Grid Planning at PG&E, and Marc Lamoureux, Director of Product Management at IFS Copperleaf, to explore how utilities can modernize their planning playbook. Wen and Marc share how they’ve spearheaded partnership between PG&E and IFS to unify data, align teams, and optimize investments, all in service of a grid that’s more reliable, resilient, and affordable. What does “integrated grid planning” really mean? Why is it becoming mission-critical for utilities? And what steps can utilities take today to move toward true integration tomorrow? Plug into this episode to learn the answers to those questions and more as these thought leaders highlight the roadmap to planning for the grid of tomorrow. Thanks to IFS Copperleaf for making this episode possible. Every day, companies around the world are spending billions on the infrastructure we all rely on—the electricity that powers our communities, the water that keeps us healthy, and the transportation infrastructure that moves us. IFS Copperleaf’s AI-powered asset investment planning solution helps critical infrastructure organizations deploy capital with confidence. By aligning every investment with strategic goals like decarbonization, risk mitigation, and regulatory outcomes, IFS Copperleaf delivers capital efficiency and business agility. For anyone interested in learning more about the IFS Copperleaf Integrated Planning solution, see https://www.copperleaf.com/landing-page/ifs-copperleaf-integrated/ For any IOU wants to learn more about the IFS Copperleaf Integrated Planning consortium efforts (IOU benchmarking or the Task Force focused on industry-consensus value frameworks), reach out to PG&E at [email protected].

America’s grid is facing a daunting and pervasive challenge: explosive demand growth driven by data centers, EVs, and electrification. Utilities are seeking to navigate this reality all while politics threaten to slow down the clean energy buildout. But in California, with the state’s commitment to meeting future energy needs sustainably and affordably, one emerging model appears to hold the key: the virtual power plant. VPPs promise to turn homes, batteries, and even EVs into a coordinated, flexible energy resource, or a unified system that can keep the grid stable, lower emissions, and even save customers money. The technology has been discussed for years, but we’re currently facing the real question: can VPPs scale fast enough to make a real dent in demand? In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Tim McDonnell, Climate and Energy Editor at Semafor, to unpack California’s massive virtual power plant experiment and dig into what the recent results could mean for the rest of the country. From Tesla’s and Sunrun’s aggregated home batteries to the regulatory hurdles of a Trump 2.0 policy landscape, Tim explains why this story could redefine how utilities think about flexibility, customer engagement, and distributed assets. For utilities staring down rising demand and political headwinds, this conversation offers a glimpse of what’s next and why VPPs might be the most impactful clean energy story of the decade.

AI data centers are rising faster than utilities can build new capacity—and that’s creating the toughest balancing act the power sector has faced in decades. Explosive load growth, renewable integration challenges, and mounting customer affordability pressures are all converging at once. How can utilities plan for this future without pricing out the communities they serve? In this episode of Power Perspectives, Claire Gotham, Consulting Lead for Utilities Americas at Wipro, and Brooke Haman, Regulated Solutions Development Manager at Georgia Power, join host Kinsey Grant Baker for a candid discussion about what it takes to keep up with this new energy reality. Together, they explore the strategies, policy shifts, and business model innovations utilities will need to power the next era of electrification. Listen in as Claire and Brooke discuss exactly why today’s surge in data center demand is unlike any previous growth cycle and the strategies necessary to ensure this new era of load growth is met reliably without compromising fairness for all customers across the grid. Further, these leaders share lessons learned about the role of storytelling amid making these complex planning decisions and look ahead to the right policy and regulatory mix that will enable faster, smarter infrastructure investment. For executives, planners, and regulators grappling with the unprecedented load-growth wave, this episode offers both strategic insight and actionable guidance on how to build the grid that will power the AI age. And thanks to our partner, Wipro, for making this episode possible. Wipro is an AI-powered technology services company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients’ most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realise their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With a global workforce of over 230,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at https://www.wipro.com.

Utilities are all balancing a three-legged stool: reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship. So how do they keep from toppling over when facing unprecedented load growth? This week on The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith is joined by John Di Stasio, former president of the Large Public Power Council and former CEO of SMUD, to unpack the real strategies utility leaders can deploy to stay balanced—and prepared for the future. Together, Mike and John have 1) more than a half-century of power industry experience and 2) a deep well of insight on approaches to load growth, both traditional and cutting edge. They tackle… - How to win over customers on next-gen tech, with real-world examples from SMUD - The role of hydrogen, nuclear, and more in the power mix of the future (John says one of these is “a no-brainer for the technological capability of the United States”) - Why removing fossil fuels won’t be as simple as people think - The importance of localized generation to sidestep the transmission problem And so much more. Don’t miss this one—it’s packed. Hit play to hear how one of the utility industry’s most celebrated vets is thinking about meeting the moment.

The energy transition isn’t following a straight path. It's moving fast, bending markets, and reshaping how utilities, investors, and policymakers think about risk and opportunity. And increasingly, the big trends—data centers, electrification, etc.—are all converging at warp speed. The question for energy leaders: How do you keep up when the rules are changing in real time? Nat Bullard has the answers. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Bullard, acclaimed energy thought leader and cofounder of Halycon, to unpack what he calls the most dynamic era of the modern energy system. Nat shares insights from decades of data-driven storytelling, including the falling costs of clean tech, the new role of demand as a driver of innovation, and why grid buildout—not generation—is the defining challenge of our time. From utilities grappling with distributed resources to investors betting on the next wave of infrastructure, this conversation offers a rare, big-picture look at where the energy transition is heading—and how decision-makers can prepare for what’s next. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/nat-bullard-can-energy-change-its-mind-on-decarb-z8yDg0JzGIbGmwu Video version on SoundCloud: https://youtu.be/p3UJ1FpGTQ0

Going from reactive to proactive. Improving regulatory collaboration and outcomes. Getting from pilot to grid-scale—fast. Improving safety and reliability. Finding the space where prudence and affordability co-exist. They’re not pipe dreams for utilities. They’re all realities that are possible thanks to grid-edge technology. And today on Piloting the Future, Kim and Lee are bringing in two experts to explain exactly how: JT Thompson, Chief Revenue Officer at Edge Zero, and Michael Goldman, Principal at Apex Analytics. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious how grid-edge tech goes from theory to practice—it’s packed with insightful, real-world examples plus deep conversation about how utilities can catch problems before they get costly. There’s so much activity happened at the edge of the grid…and today, we’re taking you there with the experts on the frontlines of next-gen utility intelligence.

Jigar Shah is one of the most influential voices in power. From his many entrepreneurial pursuits to his tenure leading DOE’s Loan Programs Office, Jigar has seen just about everything. So in his view, what’s priority No. 1 for utilities hoping to rise to the occasion as demand spikes and energy dominates conversations from the boardroom to the dinner table? It’s past time to start getting more out of what we’ve already paid for (because the only alternative is a 10% rate increase every year—and no one wants that). Today on Power Perspectives, Jigar opens up about his time leading the LPO and what the future of funding says about energy innovation, his perspective on what the Trump administration is getting wrong about energy demand, and his POV on the simplest way to solve for the coming demand spike (read: batteries). Jigar offers up clear action items for utility leaders, paired with insight into what he calls the “golden opportunity” for energy innovators willing to put in the work today. Want to know what that is? Hit play. By the way: Welcome to a new era for Power Perspectives! Today’s episode features the debut of our new host, Energy Central Head of Content Kinsey Grant Baker. Want to share feedback, ideas, or thoughts with Kinsey? Email her any time: [email protected]. And feel free to share feedback with our producer and Energy Central Community Manager Matt Chester, too—he’s at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. See you next week for more. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/jigar-shah-s-message-for-utilities-take-the-lead--or-take-the-blame-qimbyphNnA3Wun8 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B3gTkx2zywc Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

What’s the role of the modern independent system operator—especially in a grid becoming increasingly complicated and overloaded by the day? Elliot Mainzer, CEO of the California Independent System Operator (one of the largest ISOs in the world), says it’s like flying the plane while building it. So how are the best ISOs responsible for stabilizing the grid approaching the next decade of unprecedented energy demand? This week on The Watt & Why, Elliot joins host Mike Smith to lift the curtain on what it really takes to stay agile, proactive, and resilient in today’s energy reality. Elliot and Mike cover… - The importance of prioritization when orchestrating and collaborating with load-serving entities, states, and ISOs - The role of the Western Energy Imbalance Market in furthering both diversity + capacity - Separating signal from noise amidst this widely dissected demand spike - The importance of data centers and other hyperscalers being good grid citizens (read: bringing flexibility and dispatchability) - Queuing reform and the future of regulatory speed - The role of nuclear in the western energy markets …And so, so much more. This episode is packed with insights from one of the most important leaders in the modern energy landscape. Hit play for an inside look at how CAISO is building for a robust, resilient grid of the future.

In this episode, Power Perspectives tackles one of the most important shifts in today’s utility sector: the rise of customer satisfaction as a boardroom priority. For decades, utilities focused on reliability and compliance above all else—but today’s modern customers expect more. Driven by at-the-fingertip response and action from the tech companies like Amazon and Netflix in their daily lives, they increasingly want the same from their power providers: immediacy, transparency, flexibility, and more. To explore this transformation, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester welcome two guests bringing both data and real-world perspectives on this topic: DeAnna Hardwick, Chief Customer Strategy Officer at CPS Energy, and Forrest Morgeson, Director of Research at the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Together, they unpack how utilities can turn satisfaction into long-term success. Listen in as they discuss what the latest ACSI survey data reveals about utility customer sentiment nationwide and how utilities like CPS Energy are translating that intel into action to improve communication, affordability, and customer care. For utility leaders, customer service teams, and anyone navigating today’s evolving energy landscape, this episode offers both a data-driven view and a practical playbook for building trust and loyalty in the communities you serve. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/how-to-win-customers-and-influence-affordability-0iVUVmNluI2WEnx Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z-BYPCZfZDk Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

Did you know: Companies with above-average diversity in their leadership teams report 19% higher revenue from innovation. But still, women account for just 22% of jobs in the energy sector. And in leadership? Women represent only 15% of senior management team members. So how can we get more women in leadership roles at utilities? Today on Piloting the Future, Kim and Lee hear insightful POVs from Tamara Grose, VP of Client Success at VertexOne and WEA Board Member, and Lindsey Margiotta-Lane, COO of CleanSky Energy and WEA Founding Board Member. This episode is packed with tips & tricks for utility leaders and newer professionals alike, from operationalizing innovation to building community. Leadership is core to the future of the utility industry—and this episode is a perfect conversation starter to make that leadership stronger, more innovative, and more resilient.

Aging infrastructure, surging demand from electrification and data centers, and rising customer expectations are reshaping the way utilities operate. For PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, the challenge is clear: how do you modernize the grid for a stormier, more digital future while keeping affordability and safety front and center? In this episode of Power Perspectives, PSE&G President and COO Kim Hanemann joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share how her decades of experience—from restoring power after Superstorm Sandy to spearheading grid modernization—are guiding the company’s path forward. The conversation touches on everything from the generation deficit in the PJM region to rethinking what resilience means in the wake of extreme weather events to the debate over whether utilities should be owning generation again. If you want an inside look at how one of America’s most influential utilities is tackling today’s energy transition challenges while preparing for tomorrow, you won’t want to miss this discussion. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/from-superstorm-sandy-to-data-center-growth-how-this-utility-president-7ePusUF5zADLKgB Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p2Qg9bZwH98 Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

Welcome to a new show from Energy Central: The Watt & Why, hosted by Mike Smith. What might happen to the electricity grid if we don’t make a change soon? Americans may lose 817 hours of power (34 days) per year by 2030…but that doesn’t have to happen. So: What’s the solution to a grid under major stress from extreme weather, concentrated large load demand, and aging infrastructure? It’s all about reliability—taking big swings for a big payoff. Today on Energy Central’s brand new podcast, The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith gets reliability solutions from an industry vet: John McDonald, IEEE Life Fellow and longtime grid expert. Together, Mike and John explore 1) how this reliability crisis differs from those of the past 2) how utility leaders can invest in the right systems and functionality to make outsized impacts on reliability and 3) what generation mix makes the most sense for utilities optimizing for reliability. Reliability is front of mind for all of us. This episode is a masterclass on making the grid really, truly work for us. Have an idea for a future episode from Energy Central? Email our head of content, Kinsey: [email protected] Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe

The power grid is under historic strain. Electricity demand is climbing, climate impacts are intensifying, and the clean energy transition is accelerating. Despite this well agreed upon urgency, new infrastructure projects keep getting stuck in permitting delays, siting disputes, and interconnection backlogs. For the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities, in particular, these roadblocks hit especially hard. Communities can’t afford to wait years for the infrastructure that keeps the lights on and rates affordable. In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester chat with Scott Corwin, President & CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA). Scott breaks down why permitting reform is a make-or-break issue for public power, where solutions are emerging, and what “smart permitting reform” could look like to balance speed, reliability, affordability, and community engagement. Whether you’re in the utility C-suite, working on grid infrastructure in the field, or contributing to the policy debates unfolding in D.C., this episode offers a crucial public power perspective on one of the most urgent issues shaping our energy future. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/permitting-delays-are-breaking-the-grid-here-s-one-ceo-s-fix-LA3mRBl28CvqHfB Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tvK39wCwmgA Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

Utilities are known for spending, but not always where it counts. In fact, hyperscalers in Big Tech outspend utilities by 10x when it comes to critical R&D. So as we move into the data center-dominated future, how will utilities learn to spend on innovation and navigate challenges from scope to timeline to transparency? Our mission on today’s episode is to figure that out. We’re bringing in three venerated experts from across the industry: Erik Helland, Commissioner at the Iowa Utility Commission; Jason Wild, CEO of Wild Innovation & Strategy Excellence; and Mike Smith, Principal, KLN Group. Together, these three paint an optimistic (and realistic) picture of where utilities can bend to avoid breaking as the battle for ownership of this AI-driven future heats up. A handful of key ideas from this conversation loaded with real-world utility examples? “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough,” Erik says. Jason explains the role of human behavior in tech adaptation. Mike walks through the juxtaposition of utilities’ intense focus on operational excellence and their need to innovate—which can sometimes get messy. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the utility innovation bias, plus key learnings about the roles all of us can play, from regulators to utility leaders to ratepayers. Innovation doesn’t have to be a scary word. We’re giving it a new definition today on Piloting the Future.

Wildfires are no longer just a seasonal threat — they’re a year-round crisis reshaping the way utilities must plan and operate. With billions in damages each year and mounting regulatory and reputational risks, utilities are under intense pressure to respond faster, smarter, and more proactively to protect both the grid and the communities they serve. The challenge: most control rooms aren’t equipped with the integration and situational awareness needed to act decisively in the heat of the moment. In this episode of Power Perspectives, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by Dan Lysaker, Director of Product Design at AspenTech Digital Grid Management, to explore how advanced distribution management solutions (ADMS) can provide the real-time visibility and control utilities desperately need. Dan shares lessons learned from utilities in wildfire-prone regions, explains the value of integrating fire data into a single operational view, and discusses how utilities worldwide are rethinking resilience strategies. If you’re a utility decision-maker looking to harden your grid against tomorrow’s wildfire threats, this conversation is a must-listen. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/utilities-are-fighting-wildfires-with-data-FgCr1EknTFrnIOy Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1hDmfegC_i4 Dan Lysaker on Energy Central: https://www.energycentral.com/member/sldMU0QXZ6 AspenTech on Energy Central: https://www.energycentral.com/aspentech Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

Move fast and break things? Not at utilities. More like move slowly and keep the lights on. Utilities have a reputation for being slow to innovate and adapt. Where does that come from? Well…they’re highly regulated, they’re used to financing investments with a guaranteed rate of return, and they’re on the hook for BIG bills if innovation goes south. All those realities contribute to the capital bias in energy—the inefficient phenomenon in which traditionally regulated utilities are incentivized to favor capital-intensive investments over cost-effective operational expenses (read: tech advancements). Simply put? More trillion-dollar poles and lines, fewer million-dollar demand response programs, for example. It’s not a permanent problem, though. Utilities can get faster in meeting the demand moment…and today on Piloting the Future, we explore exactly how they’re going to keep pace with the hyperscalers outspending them on innovation by leaps and bounds. Today’s guests: Dr. Elizabeth Cook, VP of Technical Strategy at AEIC, and Ken Silverstein, Senior Contributor at Forbes. They join Kim and Lee in a deeply insightful, forward-thinking conversation about breaking through gridlock by overcoming this capital bias to determine who will own the power future: utilities...or Big Tech? Don’t miss this first episode of our Gridlocked miniseries—building the grid of the future requires taking some risks…safely. And this week, we’re exploring how that becomes possible.

The U.S. electric grid is under historic pressure. Record-breaking demand from electrification, AI, and data centers is colliding with extreme weather and aging infrastructure, while policy fights and project cancellations stall the very transmission projects needed to strengthen reliability. For utility leaders, the question isn’t if these stresses will hit home — it’s how quickly and how prepared they’ll be when they do. In this episode of Power Perspectives Podcast, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester sit down with Christina Hayes, Executive Director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, to unpack why transmission is the backbone of the energy transition — and why utilities can’t afford to ignore it. Christina shares insights from ACEG’s latest research and publications, breaks down the permitting roadblocks, and offers practical guidance on what CEOs and decision-makers must know to navigate this make-or-break moment for the grid. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/why-transmission-could-save-or-sink-the-energy-transition-91bMwgXGfiaqbmF Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XUCjBs16qNI Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast Fewer New Miles: Strategic Industries Held Back by Slow Pace of Transmission: https://cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ACEG_Grid-Strategies_Fewer-New-Miles-2025_Rev-1.pdf Large-Scale Transmission Deployment Saves Consumers Money: https://cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GS_Transmission-Deployment-Saves-Consumers-Money_vf.pdf Resource Adequacy Value Of Interregional Transmission: https://cleanenergygrid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250610_RAValueInterregionalTx_Corrections.pdf

When we look to the future of the electric utility industry, what do we see? Better data. More efficiencies. Smarter grids. Simpler asset management. At least—that’s what we’re all hoping for. To make it happen? It’s all about location, location, location. And that’s where GIS comes in: Moving into the future of power, GIS will be instrumental in challenging the status quo, improving utilities’ understanding of where things are (from outages to assets to customers), leveling up what regulatory compliance really means, and breaking down siloes across the power org. Today on our finale of The GISt, we hear from Dr. Comfort Manyame, director of geospatial R&D at EMPACT Engineering and an expert in GIS for nearly 30 years. Dr. Manyame covers it all, from the intersection of GIS and AI to the skillset of the next generation of remarkable power professionals. Accessible GIS is the key to bringing this industry into its next era. Today, we’re talking about how that happens, who stands to benefit the most, and where we’re headed next.

Being a leader is about more than just knowing electrons. It’s about showing up every day ready to set the pace and tone for your team—this episode is the playbook for doing just that. Today on Piloting the Future, Kim & Lee tackle the idea of influence beyond authority—how energy leaders are becoming change champions, no matter their titles, budgets, or team sizes. We’ve got two experts leading the charge: Jody Allison (VP of Customer Transformation at Xcel Energy) & Brandy Bolden (Chief Customer Officer at SMUD). Jody and Brandy are serving up an insightful look at how they drive change in their orgs—managing ambiguity, driving strategic efforts, leveraging AI as a teammate, finding the value prop in customer expectations, winning community support, getting comfortable with risk, navigating authenticity vs. reality…and so much more. This conversation is a great listen for anyone eager to learn how to navigate the non-technical aspects of their jobs (because those matter, a lot). Want to know what leadership in the modern utility world looks like? Hit play. Learn more about Utility2030 here: https://www.utility2030.org/leadership

The conversation around AI in energy often centers on what it consumes. But what about what it can contribute? Nowhere is that question more relevant than in nuclear power — a resource that is both critical to decarbonization and too often slow to adopt new tools. In this episode of Power Perspectives, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester sit down with Trey Lauderdale, Founder & CEO of Atomic Canyon, a startup pioneering the first on-premise AI platform designed for nuclear power plants. Trey shares his unconventional journey from healthcare startups to energy innovation, and how his company is already helping modernize operations at Diablo Canyon, one of the country’s most critical nuclear facilities. He highlights the challenges (and surprising wins) of bringing AI to conservative utility environments, while laying out the playbook for how AI can cut reactor engineering timelines by years. If you’ve been watching the parallel hype cycles around AI and nuclear and wondering where they truly intersect, then buckle up and enjoy this conversation that cuts through the noise with a vision from inside the control room. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/can-ai-modernize-nuclear-this-ceo-thinks-so-HXAZ6xmDCb3561h Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yyMuQkEluA8 Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast Atomic Canyon: http://www.atomic-canyon.com/