Energy Central

The pursuit of cleaner energy solutions expands beyond the typical solar and wind energy installations and stretches in finding unique opportunities for energy production that are commonly going wasted. At the municipal level, this crosses conveniently over with another key government role: municipal waste management. When explored in tandem, the opportunity to turn waste management into clean biogas production creates new opportunities that can be particularly impactful for smaller utilities. To discuss the pursuit of such biogas projects in his municipal power provider, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast welcomes Eric Neihaus, Planning Engineer at Gainesville Regional Utility. Listen is as Eric shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester how a waste-to-energy project elsewhere in Florida piqued his curiosity and led to his mission to bring such a clean energy project to Gainesville. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-124-exploring-intersection-biogas-and-municipal-waste-management-gator Eric Neihaus's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/eric-neihaus Register for EnergyCentral.com: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The pursuit of a decarbonized and clean energy future is quite often positioned as a battle between renewable energy technologies and fossil fuels, but the reality remains that many applications of oil and gas are not yet ready or suitable to be replaced completely with electricity. Further, those in the natural gas sector have highlighted the ability for the fuel to be a key partner for renewable power in the years to come, enabling greater pursuit of low and no carbon energy. To help explain these ideas that may run counter to some of the common narratives, the latest episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast welcomes in Suzanne Ogle, the President and CEO of Southern Gas Association (SGA). In this conversation, Suzanne discusses with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the role of SGA, the opportunities that gas present to proliferate decarbonized energy, and the outlook for the industry in the years to come. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-123-exploring-role-gas-decarbonization-journey-suzanne-ogle-president-and Suzanne Ogle's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/suzanne-ogle/about Register for EnergyCentral.com: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

In making sure that the grid remains reliable and flexible, an overlooked opportunities comes in the area of substations within the transmission and distribution sector. Specifically, the trend towards smarter and more digitalized solutions create opportunities that bring new security and robustness to the common substation. To highlight the latest movement in this area, this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast welcomes John Bettler, a power and protection engineer at ComEd. John leads ComEd's Digital Smart Substation Program, which uses the IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging for protection. In this conversation with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester, John provides a detailed explanation of what a digital smart substation is and its importance in the power industry. John also talks about the many aspects of a digital smart substation, such as smart HMIs, monitoring systems, fault locating, and SCADA and network, as well as a discussion on what the related regulations mean for utilities and their capabilities and requirements moving forwards. Key Links: Full Energy Central Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-122-preparing-utilities-tomorrow-digital-smart-substations-john-bettler John Bettler's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/john-bettler Register for EnergyCentral.com: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The march towards a more robust hydrogen energy economy seems inevitable, but what's left to be written is the timeframe and the manner in which that journey plays out. As a decarbonization option, an alternative fuel opportunity, and more, hydrogen will play a key role in our energy systems of tomorrow. But as those developments play out in the future, critical to today is continuing to advance safety measures to ensure that process moves along smoothly. Today's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is the final installment in our series with H2scan diving into the world of hydrogen detecting and monitoring through all aspects of energy. This episode features Michael Nofal, H2scan's Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development, and Gid Herman, Director of Sales and Business Development, with this dynamic duo leading the way when it comes to ensuring hydrogen detection technology advances to keep pace with the hydrogen economy to ensure safety issues are never a concern or impediment to the future of hydrogen. Listen in as Michael and Gid chat with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester on what energy leaders should be doing today and in the years to come with regard to hydrogen monitoring technologies and safety measures. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-121-looking-future-safety-hydrogen-energy-michael-nofal-and-gid-herman First Episode in the H2scan series, Episode #116: 'Detecting Hydrogen Gas to Extend Transformer Health' with Bill Whitehead and Leon White of H2scan [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-116-detecting-hydrogen-gas-extend-transformer-health-bill-whitehead-and Second Episode in the H2scan series, Episode #119: 'Upholding Safety in Power with Hydrogen Gas Detection' with Jeff Donato of H2scan [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-119-upholding-safety-power-hydrogen-gas-detection-jeff-donato-h2scan Michael Nofal's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/michael-nofal Gid Herman's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/gid-herman Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

While the role of the utility has evolved over time, and especially in recently years, one area of concern has been atop the priorities for the industry's entire history: safety. When dealing with powerful equipment, potentially volatile fuels, and a grid infrastructure that is ubiquitous, ensuring that none of this leads to unnecessary risks or outcomes to people, property, and the environment is paramount. The tools required to ensure a top-tier level of safety in the power sector can be extensive, but detecting the presence of hydrogen gas where it's not supposed to be has been critical for many years, whether utility professionals actively recognized such monitoring was taking place. In this second installment in the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast series with H2scan, Jeff Donato joins the podcast booth to discuss the importance of and trends in hydrogen detection for safety. As H2scan's Sales Director of Safety Products, Jeff shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the ins and outs of this essential but too often overlooked measure of utility safety. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-119-upholding-safety-power-hydrogen-gas-detection-jeff-donato-h2scan First Episode in the H2scan series, Episode #116: 'Detecting Hydrogen Gas to Extend Transformer Health' with Bill Whitehead and Leon White of H2scan [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-116-detecting-hydrogen-gas-extend-transformer-health-bill-whitehead-and Jeff Donato's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jeffrey-donato Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

In the modern utility landscape, rapid response and thorough follow ups are key when major events occur, and that requires the teaming up of various corners of the industry. To assist in that process, the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC) serves as the primary liaison between the federal government and the electric power industry in preparing for and responding to national-level disasters or threats to critical infrastructure. The ESCC may fly under the radar but the impact of its work surely does not. In this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Kevin Wailes, CEO of Lincoln Electric Systems and member of the ESCC joins to discuss the evolution of the ESCC, its priorities, and actions in response to the changing landscape of the power industry. Listen in as Kevin shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester some of the most pressing issues facing power providers today, including cybersecurity and physical security, supply chain issues, and the importance of federal cooperation. Key Links: Full Energy Central post with episode transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-120-electricity-subsector-coordinating-council-and-utility-role-power Kevin Wailes's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/kevin-wailes Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

While the growth in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) remains a steady climb in the United States as consumers must still tangle with high costs, range anxiety, and other challenges, the utility sector has recognized that the explosive growth and further penetration of EVs is inevitable. This realization is why utilities across the country are constantly talking about grid preparedness, making sure they have enough generation and transmission capacity to charge potential EVs where and when that electricity is needed. As we approach Earth Day, the electrification of the transportation sector is one of the most important and highly-watched ways of decarbonizing the economy, and again it brings together the automotive industry with the power sector, as well as other stakeholders. Ensuring these different players are being informed by the same accurate and timely information and forward-looking models is critical, which is where the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and its Vehicle Electrification work comes in. In this supercharged episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Timothy Pennington, the Research Group of Vehicle Electrification of INL, highlights the work this crown jewel under the U.S. Department of Energy is doing to plan for the EV charging of the future to be intelligent, responsive, flexible, and nuanced. Listen in as Timothy shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the role INL plays and how utility leaders should be planning smarter for the EV charging grid of the future. Key Links: Episode post on Energy Central with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-118-building-charging-intelligence-ev-future-timothy-pennington-research Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Nearly every utility these days has made the leap to set decarbonization targets, whether that's committing to a certain percentage of net zero, renewable energy, clean energy, or other metric in the coming decades. While the focus for these ambitions often centers on switching electric utilities from fossil fuels to non-carbon alternatives, the reality remains that the natural gas utilities across the country will continue to play a critical role over the coming decades, even with more electrification pushes. But the presence of natural gas utilities doesn't need to work counter to decarbonization goals, and Nicor Gas is a leading innovator in the gas utility space that is demonstrating that fact. Specifically, Nicor Gas is also working towards their own net zero goals by 2050, through tools like net zero methane, reducing operational emissions, leak detection, renewable gas pilots, and more. In this episode, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is joined by Meena Beyers, Nicor Gas's Vice President of Business and Community Development to highlight some of the unique pilot projects, including their Smart Neighborhoods program, that's changing the conversation around what a gas utility can do to be a key part of the clean energy future. Listen in as Meena shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about the Nicor Gas net zero goals and the roadmap to meeting those targets. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-117-preparing-natural-gas-utilities-decarbonized-future-meena-beyers-vice Meena Beyers' Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/meena-beyers The Role of Gas Companies in a Net Zero Future: A Spotlight on Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhoods™: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/role-gas-companies-net-zero-future-spotlight-nicor-gas-smart-neighborhoods%E2%84%A2 Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Hydrogen has become a buzzword in the energy sector recently, but many in the utility sector may not have realized how critical hydrogen gas has been for the power grid for decades. Rather than being a matter of producing hydrogen as an energy source, though, the key use case has been monitoring the generation of byproduct hydrogen gas by power transformers and using that as a way to monitor health and status of these critical grid assets. In today's environment of supply chain challenges for major grid equipment and a renewed focus on the safety and security of utility assets, staying on top of the most modern version of the sensors needed to detect hydrogen gas has become more important than ever before. And that's why today's conversation with two of H2scan's key leaders is so timely. Bill Whitehead, International Accounts Director, and Leon White, VP of Transformer Sales & Business Development, join today's episode to provide the education on this critical topic to those for whom it's flown under the radar and to advance the conversation to the latest and greatest capabilities of hydrogen sensors for transformers moving forward. Listen in as Bill and Leon share with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what they need to know, teasing out the first in a three-part series highlighting this essential technology. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-116-detecting-hydrogen-gas-extend-transformer-health-bill-whitehead-and Online Transformer Data Comes at a Price: https://energycentral.com/o/h2scan/online-transformer-data-comes-price Leon White's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/leon-white-pe Bill Whitehead's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/william-whitehead Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The transmission and distribution component in the power sector spins a physical web of infrastructure across the United States, but behind that massive buildout is arguably an even more complex web when it comes to the regulations and policies that oversee that process. From multiple jurisdictions playing a role to the constantly evolving oversight that must keep track with ever-advancing technology, staying not only compliant but forward-looking for transmission companies is a full-time job. But the true leaders in transmission aren't looking to just keep pace, they are striving to look to the future, plan for coming goals, and unlock innovation and opportunity. The guest of today's episode of the podcast is one of the leaders doing just that. Kwafo Adarkwa, Director of Public Affairs at ITC Holdings joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to share his unique perspective on how transmission companies must weigh a long-term vision of the future with day-to-day tracking of active regulations today. Listen in as he shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the lessons and wisdom that can assist any utility industry player to keep this careful balance. Key Links: Full Energy Central Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-115-balancing-futurism-utilities-regulations-today-kwafo-adarkwa-director Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The job of utility executives has never been a particularly easy one, but in 2023 the spotlight might be brighter than ever and the goals more ambitious and important. From the pressure by policymakers for utilities to decarbonize, the need for customers for power to remain affordable, and the existential requirement to keep grid reliability as flawless as possible, leaders at utility companies no doubt have their hands full. But charting an intelligent path forwards that can meet these concurrent needs and then staying the course to do so is not something on which they'll compromise. On the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, we strive to bring these leading voices to our community more directly than ever before, so when we get a chance to sit down with a utility CEO who's receiving high marks on their leadership and success rate on these and other goals, we jump at the opportunity. And that's why podcast host Jason Price headed to the headquarters of Long Island Power Authority for an exclusive chat with their CEO, Tom Falcone. In this can't-miss conversation, listen in as Tom explains to Jason and podcast producer Matt Chester the specific moves LIPA is making to bring new clean energy technology to its customers while assuring them they will never compromise on the reliability and affordability those Long Island residents have come to expect. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-114-cleaner-and-more-affordable-power-long-island-tom-falcone-ceo-long Thomas Falcone's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/thomas-falcone Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

As solar energy technology progresses, the goals our utility and government leaders are setting on how much renewable energy can and should enter the grid is ever increasing. However, one of the key challenges that continues to plague the world of solar energy is the inequitable distribution of installations and the appropriate benefits. While the technology is more affordable than ever before and provides reliable payback periods of under a decade, the high upfront costs still block out certain participants. The past few years, however, have seen an encouraging growth in a solution to these gaps in solar energy installations: community solar. By taking solar panels off of the customers' rooftops themselves and allowing them to buy in for a smaller piece of the pie, community solar is indeed allowing the clean energy transition to reach new heights. Summit Ridge Energy is a company involved deeply in this area, as a developer, installer, and manager of major solar plants across the United States and the leading owner-operator of community solar across the country. Today's guest to the Power Perspectives Podcast is Jason Spreyer, Summit Ridge Energy's Executive Vice President of Business Development and ESS General Manager. With this inside view of the recent developments in community solar, Jason shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what all the hype is about and why projects on the ground are living up to that excitement. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-113-reaching-new-heights-community-solar-jason-spreyer-evp-summit-ridge Jason Spreyer's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jason-spreyer Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

With utility customers being more at the forefront of change than they ever have been before, demanding clean energy and innovative programs while also participating as sources of energy generation and storage themselves, utility leaders are in the midst of a broad strokes transformation. The key for power providers who come out better in the end are those that lean into these opportunities will enthusiasm and eagerness to highlight new capabilities. One such leader is found at United Power Inc, a member-owned electric coop serving 100,000 meters across Colorado. Mark Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power, is the type of visionary needed to take the company into the future, willing to listen, adapt, and embrace the future. On this episode, which is Mark's second appearance on the Power Perspectives Podcast, he shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester updates on how the power industry has evolved in just a year and a half since his last appearance and what specific has him excited in today's landscape. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-112-shaping-dynamic-and-modern-power-delivery-landscape-mark-gabriel Mark Gabriel's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/mark-gabriel/about Mark Gabriel's First Podcast Appearance: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/34-%E2%80%98taking-grid-tomorrow-concept-reality%E2%80%99-mark-gabriel-former-administrator-and Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The pace of the power sector evolution seems to unthinkably be speeding, and staying on top of the latest and greatest can be a full-time job. On the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast we strive to stay on top of the conversations to keep our listeners informed, and today's guest is a returning one who helps join us in a grab bag of exciting developments across the energy sector. After being the second-ever guest on the podcast, we welcome back Lincoln Bleveans. Back in 2019 when Lincoln first joined us in the podcast booth, he was guiding Burbank Water and Power, but in the time since then he's joined Stanford University as the Executive Director of Sustainability & Management. Sitting in such a critical seat at an institution known to be at the cutting edge, Lincoln and podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester bounce between the must-hit topics of the utility sector today: well-planned decarbonization, the recent breakthroughs with fusion energy, the need to physically protect the grid from attack, and the type of leadership and de-risking approach that's the power industry needs. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-111-future-energy-utilities-lincoln-bleveans-executive-director Lincoln Blevean's Energy Central Profile: https://www.energycentral.com/member/profile/107163/about Lincoln's First Appearance on the Podcast: https://energycentral.com/c/um/energy-central-insights%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-2-%E2%80%98waterskiing-churchill%E2%80%99-lessons Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Utility leaders are being pulled in many different directions from all of their critical stakeholders these days. From bringing down power costs to increasing the use of smart technology and more, decisions must incorporate consideration of many numerous factors. In particular, the push for a decarbonized energy system has been one of the loudest and most critical endeavors for modern utilities. That said, calls for a new paradigm in grid reliability is reaching fever pitch, which some position as counter to the push for more renewables. However, the true innovators and leaders in the power sector don't see clean energy and a more reliable grid as being in conflict. In contrast, they see creative solutions that elevate both of these goals to the greater than the sum of their parts. One such leader in this space is Sonoma Clean Power, enacting the vision and leadership from its CEO Geof Syphers. On this week's episode, Geof joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to highlight the best ways to pursue these equally critical goals in tandem to ensure the stability and stewardship possible from the modern power provider. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-110-pursuing-parallel-goals-renewable-energy-and-grid-reliability-geof Geof Syphers's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/geof-syphers How to Tackle California’s Grid Reliability Today: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/how-tackle-california%E2%80%99s-grid-reliability-today Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

As the utility sector continues to work towards meeting future goals and needs, an equally important consideration remains looking back on the impact that the power industry has had on communities and land and ensuring that any injustices or inequities that have resulted can be addressed. Specifically, lands that have been returned to indigenous populations and communities must be protected as new energy infrastructure grows, and including those peoples in the conversation early in the process is a key aspect in doing so. To highlight what true equity and inclusion looks like from the ground up, today's guests share firsthand experiences on that process as they've taken place in Canada. Specifically, the work that New Brunswick Power is doing to bring small modular reactors and other nuclear technologies to the region has been built on a foundation of engaging and consulting with the Curve Lake Nation. Joining the episode this week, Claire Harris, Senior Advisor of the Advanced Reactor Technology Team at NB Power, and Chief Emily Whetung of the Curve Lake Nation discuss specific examples of why such inclusion has been critical to them and how it can be achieved seamlessly and successfully. They join host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share their lessons learned with other utilities and communities that may be facing the same challenges. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-109-intentional-inclusion-cleaner-energy-future-claire-harris-nb-power Claire Harris's Energy Central profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/claire-harris Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

When looking to the goal of a net zero future, the power sector has seen an impressive variety and range of technologies seen as the lynchpin innovation. But the reality is that to truly solve our global emissions crisis and to decarbonize the utility industry, we'll need to adopt as many of these solutions as we can in the optimal environment, sector, and region. That said, some of the key technologies will uncover themselves to be natural complements to each other and enable them to achieve more than the sum of their parts. In today's episode of the podcast, we discuss one of the most exciting such pairings: nuclear energy and advanced microgrids. Specifically, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is joined by two experts from Idaho National Laboratory who are making waves in this space. Podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester chat with Jhansi Kandasamy, INL's Net-Zero Program Director, and Kurt Myers, INL's Project Manager and Staff Engineer specializing in microgrids. Listen in to this episode to understand better the opportunities these two clean energy technologies have to support one another and our country's clean energy future. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-108-unmatched-possibilities-nuclear-and-microgrid-pairing-jhansi Transforming the World Into a New Nuclear Energy Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYD-Cz_T8cc Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has come quite a long way since episode 1 was published in December 2019. Now three years and over 100 episodes in, and we continue to bring the leading voices of the energy and utility sector to our listeners who are working in the industry as well. As a way to celebrate the completion of another wildly successful year of podcasts and to recap the fun we had throughout 2022, this week we present our now traditional year-in-review episode Listen in as podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by Energy Central's VP, Audra Drazga, as they each share clips from their favorite episodes of the year. We dive into the key thinkers, the most critical stories and themes, and even the lighthearted moments of personality shared by the guests of the podcast. Whether you're a regular listener who wants to take a stroll down memory lane with this recap or you're a new listener who wants a crash course in what episodes you may have missed, download and listen to this episode as you celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year, and we'll see you again for more great episodes in 2023 and beyond! Key Links Episode transcript: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-107-2022-year-review-highlighting-top-episodes-guests-and-moments-year Clips Referenced: Jamie Crawford of Critigen: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-66-are-you-overlooking-critical-tool-solving-most-pressing-challenges Russ Ehrlich of Exelon and Ryan Gerbrandt of Anterix: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-71-road-decision-exelon%E2%80%99s-vision-private-broadband-network-grid Kevin Hernandez, Partner at ScottMadden: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-72-keys-developing-successful-utility-ev-programs-kevin-hernandez-partner Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-76-preparing-ev-shift-utility-perspective-lauren-youngdahl-snyder-vp Bill Meehan and Pat Hohl of Esri: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-80-taking-geographic-approach-public-grid-investment-bill-meehan-and-pat Larry Rush of AVANGRID: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-85-elevating-utility-energy-efficiency-programs-next-level-larry-rush Jacob Williams, CEO and General Manager of FMPA: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-86-keeping-electricity-affordable-among-high-energy-costs-jacob-williams Rudy Garza, Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-88-eyes-energy-efficiency-grid-resilience-and-clean-energy-lonestar-state Charles Marshall and Brian Drumm of ITC: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-91-creating-tangible-transmission-improvements-charles-marshall-and-brian Jay Sadler Of Duke Energy: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-94-prioritizing-and-advancing-battery-fire-safety-utilities-jay-sadler Esri's Bill Meehan & Pat Hohl: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-95-debating-utilities-role-transportation-electrification-esris-bill Angela Marra of TECO Peoples Gas: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-96-%E2%80%98tracking-gas-flows-and-infrastructure-gis-and-other-digital-tools David Groarke, Paul Sayour, and Leo Trudel of Indigo Advisory Group: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-98-advancing-world-grid-tech-david-groarke-paul-sayour-and-leo-trudel Calvin Butler, Senior Executive VP and COO of Exelon: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-99-creating-real-change-utility-equity-investment-calvin-butler-senior Bill Nussey: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-101-disrupting-energy-entrepreneurial-perspective-bill-nussey-energy Damian Sciano And Leon Bukhman, Con Edison: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-103-unleashing-power-integrated-data-damian-sciano-and-leon-bukhman-con Steven Turner, Senior Engineer at APS: energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-104-conditional-monitoring-generator-maintenance-without-downtime-steven

Innovation is a state of ongoing action for any company, including utilities. That is to say, innovation is not about achieving some hypothetical level or process, but it's about continuous improvement and working towards the next possibility driven by innovative culture and ways of thinking. In today's utility sector which is undoubtedly changing more than ever before, the importance of understanding what it is to embrace innovation and everything it means cannot be overstated. That said, too many organizations will still position innovation as a checkbox to be marked by the Board of Directors or in annual reviews rather than focusing on what it really means and how it's evolving constantly. As a creative and driven force at Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), no one may better embody that spirit of innovation than Alan MacAnespie, BGE's Principal Innovation Specialist. In this episode of the podcast, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester eagerly dive back into the fundamental who, what, why, and-- most importantly-- how of innovation at BGE with Alan as the tour guide. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-106-infusing-innovation-across-utility-sector-alan-macanespie-baltimore Alan MacAnespie's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/alan-macanespie Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

As utilities grow in profile in the eyes of customers and in urgency in the eyes of politicians, the leaders who are steering these major companies and community pillars are being recognized for the critical role they play in society. Tough decisions have to be made, forward-looking views have to be considered, and any missteps of wrong decisions are subject to scrutiny and criticism in the media, in townhalls, and even in Congress. Given that high-pressure situation, utility professionals would be forgiven for being hesitant to step into the C-Suite, but certain leaders have been unequivocally rising to the occasion in recent years to guide utilities into the energy industry of tomorrow. Last year, Garrick Rochow joined the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast when he was still freshly minted as the President and CEO of Consumer Energy, but at the time of recording this follow up episode with him he had just crossed the two year mark as the head of the Michigan power company. Garrick and Consumers Energy were kind enough to invite podcast host Jason Price to visit the Consumers Energy campus in person for this special episode to discuss what Garrick has learned in his time as CEO and what the future looks like for Consumers Energy. Key Links Full Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-105-leadership-evolution-utility-c-suite-garrick-rochow-president-and-ceo Garrick Rochow's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/garrick-rochow/about Garrick's first appearance on the podcast: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-29-rising-moment-creating Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

A main focus on note in the utility industry that's been gaining headlines more and more has been grid reliability and ensuring that no matter where and when energy is needed that the power sector is able to provide it. While some of the challenges in this arena come from unexpected events like extreme weather or equipment failure, another source that must not be overlooked is from planned maintenance. Equipment needs to be powered down regularly to perform fixes and upgrades, but taking those assets off the grid needs to be carefully timed so the aggregate flow of power can continue humming in the direction it's needed. Managing such planned outages is critical not just for the customer to get their power but also so utilities aren't losing too much money in the meantime. These needs combine to make the topic of this week's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast so exciting, and that is via conditional monitoring of assets and performance of necessary generator maintenance without needing to plan for wider outages. Steven Turner, a Senior Engineer at Arizona Public Service, has been advancing new techniques and technologies to advance this field, a topic he recently addressed at the IEEE Annual Conference. For those who were not able to attend live, Steven joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share the crucial message and speculate on how these advancements can improve the utility sector in the coming years. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-104-conditional-monitoring-generator-maintenance-without-downtime-steven Steven Turner's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/steven-turner-1 Generator Restoration Following a Protection Operation:https://energycentral.com/c/gn/generator-restoration-following-protection-operation Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Recent advancements and modernizations in the utility industry have hinged on the availability of data. Data from across the grid can come in massive quantities, in real time, and require immense plans and assets necessary to analyze and make the best use of it. But those efforts are undoubtedly worthwhile, as they bring about new operational efficiencies, improve options to boost reliability, and more. However, just because the world of utility data is valuable does not mean it is easy. Entire departments of the utility industry need to be reworked to think about what data can do for them and how to best utilize the data coming in. Even policymakers and regulators are getting involved in the process, such as the landmark New York statewide energy data integration project. To understand exactly what this entails and how it's preparing New York utilities for the future, this week's episode features two key utility professionals at the frontline of these efforts: Damian Sciano, Director of Distributed Resource Integration, and Leon Bukhman, Project Manager, both from Con Edison. Listen in as Damian and Leon walk podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester step by step through this process. Key Tracks Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-103-unleashing-power-integrated-data-damian-sciano-and-leon-bukhman-con Damian Sciano's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/damian-sciano Leon Bukhman's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/leon-bukhman Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

These days, utilities seem to have more potential threats to worry about than ever before: cyber attacks to equipment failure to big storms knocking down portions of the grid. But certain power companies, particularly those on the West Coast, must stay ever vigilant to a less common but higher priority potential disaster: earthquakes. Ensuring the grid infrastructure is prepared to handle the 'big one' that may always be a day away, as well as that the utility companies are ready to respond at a moment's notice after the fact, is a job for every day even if the earthquakes themselves are less frequent. Learning from how utilities and their equipment have fared in different earthquakes across the globe is the best way to prepare for the future. Assessing the results and the response from power companies all over the world is one of the key jobs of Dr. Leon Kempner, Principal Civil Engineer for Bonneville Power Administration and the industry-leading expert on preparing the power sector for major events like earthquakes. And one of the utilities that has regularly retained the unparalleled insights of Dr. Kempner is Central Lincoln PUD. Specifically, Shamus Gamache, the utility's Director of Engineering, has worked regularly with Dr. Kempner to prepare the Oregon utility to be prepared for the persistent threat of earthquakes and tsunamis off the U.S. West Coast. Both of these experts join podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to provide their keen perspectives on what it means to prepare for once-in-a-generation events. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-102-%E2%80%9Cbig-one%E2%80%9D-coming%E2%80%94-your-utility-ready-shamus-gamache-central-lincoln Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The utility sector has a reputation over its history for being somewhat insular: common ways of thinking persist and radical changes to the status quo are met with resistance and take some amount of time to be embraced. Fortunately, that reputation is finally falling as the various revolutions across the power industry are being embraced: digitalization, clean energy, and more. Today's guest on the podcast, though, entered the energy industry from a complete outsider's perspective to identify where the sector could be most suitably and impactfully disrupted. Seeing the need for the clean energy transition and thinking about what that would mean for the future of energy, Bill Nussey set out to interview hundreds of people in the sector and publish a book on what he learned, titled Freeing Energy. Now, Bill joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share the lessons surrounding the two D's he sees as critical to the energy industry of tomorrow: Distributed and Disruptive. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-101-disrupting-energy-entrepreneurial-perspective-bill-nussey-energy Bill Nussey's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/bill-nussey Freeing Energy: https://www.freeingenergy.com/ Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Since the advent of the power sector over a century ago, the business model has seen incremental evolution over time but for most of that time has remained pretty consistent. Centralized power plants, long distances of transmission, and embedded utility companies being the sole provider for a given region. But the past decade or two have seen some landscape-shifting progress: new digital technologies, priorities towards clean energy, the availability of distributed resources, and the shift of consumers to prosumers. Together, those changes collectively warrant a reevaluation of the utility model, what can be considered Utility 2.0. Today's guest on the landmark 100th episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is Jereme Kent. Jereme is the CEO of One Energy and earlier this year he was recognized as an Innovation Leader by Energy Central for his efforts to shift towards this Utility 2.0 model. As a utility-scale distributed-generation wind energy developer and operator, Jereme and his team at One Energy aren't afraid to shake things up and push the envelope in utility evolution even further, so Jereme joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share how the company has gotten to this point and what he sees as the future of the utility sector. Thanks to all of our guests, listeners, and team members at Energy Central for supporting the Power Perspective Podcast over the course of the last 100 episodes. This milestone is only possible because of the hard work of many people behind the scenes, but also the enthusiasm and the intelligent discussions prompted by the Energy Central Community. Here's to the next 100 episodes and beyond! Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-100-innovating-model-utility-20-jereme-kent-ceo-one-energy-energy-central Jereme Kent's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jereme-kent Energy Central Announces: The 2022 Innovation Champions: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-announces-2022-innovation-champions Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Recent years have seen the critical topic of equity in opportunities in utilities finally elevated to the top of the priority list across the sector. Ensuring that potential advancements and transformations are accessible to wider portions of the population, eliminating the risk that any negative impacts are borne only by disadvantage communities, and raising the playing field for all have rightfully become a top focus of utility executives. That said, many organizations who strive for equitable outcomes may not know the best way to start towards those goals. Fortunately, leaders have stepped up across the utility industry to demonstrate with actions within their company the best way to make sure equity isn't a buzz word but is a core principle from the top to the bottom. The guest on this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is one of the most respected voices in this regard. Calvin Butler, Senior Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer of Exelon, has brought equity to the forefront of one of the nation's most prominent utilities and has been recognized for this leadership as one of the "Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America" by Black Enterprise Magazine and ETS Thought Leader of the Year by Zpryme. Calvin joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to give tangible advice and examples on how utilities can and should take their steps on the equity journey. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-99-creating-real-change-utility-equity-investment-calvin-butler-senior Calvin Butler's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/calvin-butler Investing in Minority-Owned Small Businesses Is Part of How we Recover Equitably from the Pandemic: https://energycentral.com/c/ec/investing-minority-owned-small-businesses-part-how-we-recover-equitably-pandemic Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The utility industry is amidst a revolution of the types, complexity, and scale of advanced technologies that are transforming the sector. Building on the foundation of successful smart grid deployments over the past decade, we are now in the golden age where operational data, new ways of working and emerging applications are converging to help the sector achieve ambitious decarbonization targets. For power companies, understanding the array of applications, vendors and successful implementations will be key as we continue this decade of clean technology deployments. As such, this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast seeks to explore how the current landscape of solutions are poised to deliver, and how frontier technologies will accelerate this evolution. To discuss these topics, this week's episode features a tremendous trio from Indigo. David Groarke (Managing Director), Paul Sayour (Strategy & Research Analyst), and Leo Trudel (Innovation & Technology Director) join podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to break down the fast-moving area of grid tech and give our listeners an inside view of the state of these markets and where they are seeing opportunities for power companies. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-98-advancing-world-grid-tech-david-groarke-paul-sayour-and-leo-trudel Grid Tech – Analyzing the Decade of Deployment: https://energycentral.com/o/indigo/grid-tech-%E2%80%93-analyzing-decade-deployment The Grid Tech 150 - Identifying the Leading Utility Partners and Applications: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/grid-tech-150-identifying-leading-utility-partners-and-applications David Groarke's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/david-groarke Paul Sayour's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/paul-sayour Leo Trudel's Enregy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/leo-trudel Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Virtual power plants (VPPs) have been making waves in the utility sector in recent years, truly disrupting what the status quo for power generation and delivery could look like. As the industry moves forward towards goals that cannot be missed, namely the reliable and affordable delivery of a cleaner energy mix, shifting away from the centralized power plant paradigm seems inevitable. Simultaneously, the rise of smart and connected technologies is allowing the virtual power plant model to leapfrog from theoretical to practical. Among the entities that have keen interest in fostering the developments in VPPs is the U.S. Department of Energy. In particular, recent years have seen DOE's Loan Programs Office (LPO) empowered to move the needle in emerging clean energy markets, and VPPs are a key area of focus in that regard. To discuss the impact and importance of VPPs, David Nemtzow, the Senior Advisor on Virtual Power Plants at DOE's Loan Programs Office, joined the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. David discusses with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester why VPPs are top priority, what the goals of the Loan Programs Office are, and what ultimate success will look like. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-97-providing-jolt-virtual-power-plants-does-loan-programs-office-david Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

In today's modern world, everything has data behind it that can be tracked, monitored, reported, and analyzed. Nowhere across the economy is that truer than in the utility sector, where investments in infrastructure are major sources of public spending, where anything going wrong and interrupting energy supplies can be dangerous for customers, and where the rapidly advancing concept of the digital utility is forcing leaders to rethink what can be turned into data. Especially with the gas utilities who inherently put their expensive installations underground and reaccessing them for maintenance or repair is both costly and largely inconvenient, using advanced tools to track this infrastructure has gained a lot of steam in recent years. Among the leaders of this charge for better digital tracking of gas infrastructure has been TECO Peoples Gas in Florida. In the past few years, TECO has undertaken the massive project to implement GIS and mapping services for every single piece of gas infrastructure placed underground, tracking the model of the equipment, who the welder was, the precise location it lives, and so much more. To get a better insights into the how and why of it all, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is thrilled to welcome Angela Marra, Supervisor of GIS and Mapping Services at TECO Peoples Gas. She dives deep into this topic with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to highlight the benefits of this practice and why other utilities should catch up to implement these solutions as well. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-96-%E2%80%98tracking-gas-flows-and-infrastructure-gis-and-other-digital-tools Angela Marra's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/angela-marra Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The evolution of transportation systems to be electrified has been a rising story in the power sector for years, and thanks to advancing technologies and progressing electric vehicle (EV) policies it is also poised to be the defining story for utilities over the next decade or two. EVs bring the electric power sector and the transportation industry together like never before, and because the changes needed are so unprecedented, power leaders don't have a singular playbook to follow on how these coming years should play out. While thought leaders in the energy space agree that change is coming and utilities must prepare, the precise strategy for this transformation does not have a consensus. As these conversations play out, geographic information systems (GIS) and related tools will be critical, but the exact way to utilize these solutions even sparks debate. And so on this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspective Podcast, returning guests Bill Meehan and Pat Hohl, both Directors of Electric Utility Solutions at Esri, join podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to take these debates to the airwaves. What should utility leaders be doing today to prepare for the EV future of tomorrow? What are the best ways to integrate GIS tools in that process? And how exactly will the next 5, 10, 20 years play out? Bill and Pat go point-counterpoint in the Power Perspectives Podcast's first debate. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-95-debating-utilities-role-transportation-electrification-esris-bill Esri's Electric Utilities Page: https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/electric/overview Bill Meehan's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/360/about Bill's first apperance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-12-%E2%80%98-unlock-modern-utility-gis Modeling Electric Distribution with GIS By Bill Meehan: https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/modeling-electric.pdf GIS for Enhanced Electric Utility Performance by Bill Meehan: https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Electric-Utility-Performance-Engineering/dp/1608075591/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9UCPMZE5TCYB&keywords=enhanced+electric+utility+performance+with+GIS&qid=1663019244&sprefix=enhanced+electric+utility+performance+with+gis%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1 Pat Hohl's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/204983/about Pat's first appearance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-10-%E2%80%98-past-future-circuits-how Bill and Pat's Podcast Episoe from Earlier this Year: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-80-taking-geographic-approach-public-grid-investment-bill-meehan-and-pat Taking the Community Pulse: How Prepared Are Utilities for the EV Revolution?: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/taking-community-pulse-how-prepared-are-utilities-ev-revolution Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

As the key technologies used by utilities across the country evolve, so too must the institutional knowledge and protocols to be able to handle that new technology. A key technological area where utilities are becoming more and more accustomed with each passing years is with batteries, whether that's large grid-tied batteries, residential energy storage installations, or even electric vehicle batteries. The transformation of the grid is bringing batteries to the utility landscape at an unprecedented scale, and to make this trend even more challenging the technologies behind batteries are in a constant state of flux as well. In terms of preparing for the new technologies, safety must always be a utility's top priority, and as such fire safety practices related to batteries simply cannot be overlooked. Most people have seen the scary videos of batteries or electric vehicles catching fire and the uncertainty that may come for less trained people in how to handle such fires due to the unique chemical elements in play during a battery fire. Today's guest to the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is trying to wipe away that uncertainty by training utilities and local emergency response teams alike on the proper practices for battery fire safety. Bringing his unique combination of experience across the firefighting industry and the power generation sector, Jay Sadler, Energy Storage Operations Lead at Duke Energy, is the leading utility voice on battery fire safety and he's been taking that knowledge on the road to spread the insight. Most recently, he joined podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his insights and explain what utility leaders should be doing to prepare if they are not doing so already regarding battery fire safety preparations. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-94-prioritizing-and-advancing-battery-fire-safety-utilities-jay-sadler Jay Sadler's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jay-sadler Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Episode 93: ‘The Invaluable Role of Advanced Nuclear Today and Tomorrow' with Christine King of Idaho National Lab's GAIN While nuclear energy has been a mainstay of U.S. and global power grids for many decades, recent months have seen a renewed focus on the importance of this dispatchable and carbon-free power source. Rising and volatile fossil fuel prices, variable renewable energy sources, and the urgent prioritization to decarbonize the energy sector have all left nuclear energy as a critical and unreplicable source for the sector. That said, nuclear energy is not without its detractors or challenges. But those guiding the future of nuclear energy aren't resting on the power source's laurels, nor are they willing to accept any of the existing downsides, which is why the topic of advanced nuclear continues to gain favor. The future of nuclear energy can see generation with reduced costs, smaller footprints, more adaptability, and other benefits that further drive the energy source into the spotlight. Among the most critical entities driving this future of nuclear is the U.S. Department of Energy, and specifically Idaho National Lab and its Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN). Joining podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to discuss the importance of nuclear today and tomorrow, as well as the breakthrough work being done by federal scientists and researchers, is Christine King , Director of GAIN. Listen in as she highlights what you need to know about this critical moment in the nuclear power sector. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-93-invaluable-role-advanced-nuclear-today-and-tomorrow-christine-king Christine King's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/christine-king Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The utility industry is one of the more tightly regulated sectors of the economy, given the local monopoly that most power providers naturally have and the essential nature of the end product: electricity to run our daily lives. As such, the interplay between the utility business side and the public policy taking place on the federal, state, and local level is a key area of focus in every utility across the country. These days especially, with topics like power outages and climate change driving public attention and government leaders alike, the regulatory and policy affairs departments of the typical utility are more in the spotlight than ever before. With that in the mind, it's a perfect moment in time to reflect on how the relationship between utilities and regulations have evolved over time and what this space will look like in the years to come, and to do so we must continue to lean on the institutional knowledge of the veterans of the industry. Ahead of his departure from Portland General Electric as their Vice President of Public Affairs, Dave Robertson joined host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to reflect on his time in this role and speculate about the future direction the industry can and should take. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-92-stepping-meet-utilitys-regulatory-and-policy-needs-dave-robertson-vp Dave Robertson's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/dave-robertson Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

With the recent passage of recent legislation and the continued stream of public funds going towards enabling cleaner forms of generation, an area that must not be overlooked is the infrastructure needed to transmit energy across the country. The grid and its physical transmission and distribution equipment is an area that utilities are paying more attention to in order to stay ahead of the rapid transformation taking place across the sector. Because of the gravitas this transmission improvement topic requires and the regional proximity of ITC Holdings to podcast host Jason Price, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast was able to pay the guests of this episode an on-site visit to discuss everything going on from a regulatory, funding, and modernization perspective on the grid. Specifically, Jason visited with Vice President of Transmission Planning, Charles Marshall, and Director of Regional Policy and RTO Engagement, Brian Drumm, to dive into this critical moment in the grid's history. Note: For reference when Jason and the guests discuss recent news and events relevant to this episode, please note that this recording took place on July 28, 2022. Key Links Link to Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript and Photo of the In-Person Recording: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-91-creating-tangible-transmission-improvements-charles-marshall-and-brian Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Every so often, we hear about breakthroughs taking place in the laboratory setting or academic papers that highlight the type of program that has the power to transform the utility sector, and they get touted and shared in headlines, social media, and elsewhere. Too often, though, it seems the story ends there: the practical application falls apart when put up to scrutiny, the economics of putting them into place creates hurdles not previously foreseen, or they otherwise suffer from being more hype than reality. But that outcome doesn't always need to be the case, and in the current rush to enhance the energy transition towards more clean energy resources we need all the buy in we can get. That was the perspective of Turlock Irrigation District (TID) when the utility became aware of broad proclamations from an academic study on the possibilities tied to installing floating solar panels on the nation's canal systems. While the study was theoretical, TID recognized that they had the type of canal system in their assets and the energy needs across their service area to be perfectly aligned to put the conclusions of this study to the test, and so that's what they did. In this episode of the podcast, TID's External Affairs Department Manager, Josh Weimer, joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to chat about what ultimately became known as Project Nexus and how and why the utility was eager to be the first to pilot this high potential project. Key Links: Josh Weimer's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/josh-weimer Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-90-diving-project-nexus-and-floating-solar-josh-weimer-turlock-irrigation Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register More information on Project Nexus: https://www.tid.org/about-tid/current-projects/project-nexus/ TID Water & Power Podcast on Project Nexus: https://tidpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1542562/10214969 2021 UC Merced Study: https://escholarship.org/content/qt8cj5j07p/qt8cj5j07p.pdf Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Energy Efficiency is a key component of every utility across the country, but efficiency programs and departments have been in the power sector for so long that it may be easy to overlook their importance. However, the impact that energy efficiency can have for utilities today is in fact more critical than ever, serving as a key driver toward a myriad of top-level utility goals: decarbonization, grid reliability, customer affordability, the business bottom line, and more. Seeking to ensure that energy efficiency, and importantly the new tools and opportunities that digital technologies and innovative thinking are uncovering in the efficiency realm, stays top of mind, VEIC has become one of the nation's most trusted voices on how, where, and why to ramp up energy efficiency efforts. To highlight the efforts underway across the country, this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brings in VEIC's CEO, Rebecca Foster. Listen in as Rebecca shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the success stories taking place today and the lessons learned from which all power providers can benefit. Key Links: Energy Central Post for Episode with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-89-cranking-impact-energy-efficiency-across-country-rebecca-foster-ceo Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Rebecca Foster's profile on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/rebecca-foster Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Fair or not, the eyes of the utility industry have been on Texas in recent months. After Winter Storm Uri in early 2021 nearly brought the grid down completely, state lawmakers, utility leaders, and innovators have been seeking ways to ensure grid resilience is at the top of the agenda. And leading into the summer season, those new strategies appeared poised to be put to the test thanks to record heatwaves that would bring with them previously unseen levels of power demand. At CPS Energy, interim President and CEO Rudy Garza has taken this spotlight seriously and leveraged the expertise across his teams to ensure that every tool in the toolbox has been tapped into to prepare the San Antonio utility for what's to come. From ensuring low-hanging energy efficiency fruit was tapped into to ramping up the additional sources of clean energy and peak load energy resources, Rudy has shown confidence that CPS Energy customers can count on the lights to stay on this summer. To dive into the lessons learned from last year and highlight the efforts that are continually ongoing, Rudy joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his perspective. Key Links Link to Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-88-eyes-energy-efficiency-grid-resilience-and-clean-energy-lonestar-state Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Rudy Garza's profile on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/rudy-garza Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

In the increasingly digital world in which we operate, cybersecurity has become a core focus for leaders across the economy. In the utility industry in particular, ensuring systems are secured against potential cyber attack is a top priority, and the state of cybersecurity protections must continue to evolve as new technologies continue to get introduced to the ecosystem. For any utility big or small, the prospect of a cyber vulnerability can put customer data at risk, cause financial damages, and can even bring the operation of the grid down. No matter the size or makeup of the utility, these truths remain consistent, though for smaller municipal utilities the challenge can be greater as they have fewer resources than large investor-owned utilities. That said, municipal utilities are stepping up to the challenge, and the guest on this week's episode is one of those great leaders in utility cybersecurity at the city level. Hong Sae is the CIO at the City of Roseville, and he joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to weigh in on the unique municipal challenges and offer tips and tricks from his over a decade in this role. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-87-protecting-grid-municipal-level-cybersecurity-hong-sae-city-roseville Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Americans are hurting economically in recent months, with prices for everything in the monthly budget rising more than previously expected. Utilities have not been immune to the tough financial situation, as fuel prices continue to rise and show unpredictable volatility, but for most households and businesses they are unable to reasonably do anything about their energy budget beyond typical energy conservation practices. With prices rising, it is the responsibility of the utility providers to manage costs and as much as possible shield their customers from unexpected bill increases, but doing so is no easy feat. That's the situation that Jacob Williams, CEO and GM of Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) finds him and his teams in, especially as the hot Florida summer approaches and brings with it higher power demand across all service areas. In his second appearance on the Power Perspectives Podcast, Jacob shares insights on the tools that utilities in the Sunshine State can use to manage their costs, bring affordable electricity to their customers, and ensure simultaneous goals of reliability and decarbonization aren't sacrificed in the meantime. Listen in as Jacob chats with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about what utilities will need to do in the coming months. Key Links: Link to Energy Central post with full episode transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-86-keeping-electricity-affordable-among-high-energy-costs-jacob-williams Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Jacob Williams' Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jacob-williams-1/about Florida Municipals Working to Keep Electricity Affordable: https://energycentral.com/c/um/florida-municipals-working-keep-electricity-affordable Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Energy efficiency has been a part of the utility toolbox for many years, providing support to customers in finding ways to reduce power bills through the basics like upgrading their appliances, turning off or swapping out their light bulbs, and the other basics. Today's power customer, though, tends to be smarter about these energy efficiency basics, and at the same time improving efficiency across a service area is even more important to utilities seeking to meet decarbonization goals and managing an evergrowing load profile with limited capacity to generate and deliver power. Luckily, these trends are happening at the same time that technological advances are enabling energy efficiency 2.0 that can unlock new potential. The evolution of this energy efficiency space is the passion of the guest to this week's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Lary Rush. Larry is the Manager of Residential Conservation and Load Management at AVANGRID, and he's regularly seeking out new ways to assist AVANGRID's customers to tap into the latest efficiency opportunities. Accomplishing utility bill savings is even more important amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty, and as the unparalleled trusted source of energy information, the utility role for customers is as critical as ever. Larry joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his insights in this hot topic area. Key Links: Link to Energy Central post with full episode transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-85-elevating-utility-energy-efficiency-programs-next-level-larry-rush Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The landscape of the traditional legacy utility continues to be challenged by new technologies, public policies, and customer demands. Among the latest developments that are creating change in the power sector is the rise of Community Energy organizations. Community energy, such as community choice aggregators, enables customers to take an unprecedented level of control over their power services by offering them the option to engage with new providers, which opens them up to choosing the company that best aligns with their energy goals. In particular, customers who are particularly clean energy-focused are finding the opportunity to engage with community energy to be a game-changer in taking ownership of their energy and carbon footprints. Joining the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to discuss what it's like to be one of these new players in the space of Community Energy is Nick Chaset, the CEO of East Bay Community Energy in the Bay Area of California. With a service area filled with many businesses and residents who jump at the opportunity to play a role in the clean energy transition, not to mention the region's innovation-minded reputation, EBCE has an unparalleled opportunity to push the envelope of Community Energy offerings. Nick joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his insights and lessons learned from what EBCE has been able to accomplish to date. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-84-clean-energy-opportunity-community-energy-providers-nick-chaset-ceo Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

While most U.S. utilities operate in a regulated market, meaning competition from other utilities for providing service in their given region isn't a concern, that doesn't mean that these power companies opt to sit back and wait for the customers to come to them. In fact, the business development departments of utilities serve some of the most critical functions. By providing a business case for major facilities and companies to set up shop in their service area, the utility can expand its customer base and thus provide more affordable and beneficial services to existing customers. Further, serving as community pillars that strive to elevate the entire economy is a unique proposition for utility companies, one that is unique among other businesses operating in a given region. To discuss what the challenges, motivations, and success stories of such efforts in major utilities, this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brings on Patrick Smith, the VP of Economic, Community, and Business Development at Ameren Missouri. Patrick has seen it all in his career in the energy sector, starting as a journey lineman and climbing the ladder over the decades to ultimately end up at this latest challenge. He shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester how this development focus is able to open up new opportunities and offers his best practices for succeeding in this function. Key Links: Full Energy Central Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-83-embracing-utility-role-community-economic-development-patrick-smith Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The utility landscape today is filled with more goals competing for attention and funding than at any time in history, and the regulatory processes that are compelling utilities to make progress towards those targets are constantly ramping up the pressure. But similar to how technology for utilities is advancing, getting more complex, and unlocking new possibilities, the regulatory mechanisms at play are also widening in scope, methodology, and outcomes. One particular area of interest for modern utility leaders is the advancement of Performance Incentive Mechanisms, or PIMs. PIMs are part of the broader world of performance based regulations (PBRs), and utilities are seeing them gain prominence and favor with their local regulators and public utilities commissions. The web of regulatory frameworks that utilities have had to navigate has always been a complicated one, but more so than ever it can be tough to keep track. In this episode of the podcast, Karl Rábago is featured to help make sense of it all. Karl has spent over 30 years in the utility sector, making impressions via time at the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Department of Energy, AES, Austin Energy, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and more. He brings that experience to chat with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about what he’s seeing in today’s regulatory landscape and why PIMs are gaining traction. Key Links Karl Rábago's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/karl-r%C3%A1bago Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Ask anyone across the utility sector and they'll likely agree: today is the most exciting it's ever been work in the power industry. Between rapid technological advancement, the newfound availability of investment funds for grid and program upgrades, and the hyperfocus on meeting the challenges of clean and reliable energy, utility companies today are more dynamic than ever before. With this fast-paced environment comes the need for research and development to identify the best opportunities and integrate the most successful processes. For decades, the utility industry was a bit stagnant or even stale, but today the R&D opportunities are only limited by our collective imagination. To highlight just how critical the modern focus on utility R&D is, this week's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast welcomes a guest who is guiding that discovery and advancement journey at one of the nation's most well respected utilities. Our guest today is King Look, the Director of R&D at Con Edison. King joins the podcast booth to share with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what he sees as the top priorities in a successful R&D program as well as preview some of the landscape changing technologies and programs he and his team at Con Edison are currently working to bring to the field. Key Links Link to Energy Central Post with full episode transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-81-%E2%80%98utilities-embracing-rd-role-future-king-look-director-rd-con-edison Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Much has been made about the need to modernize the U.S. power grid, and recent developments at the federal level have made it clear that public funding to upgrade and expand our transmission and distribution infrastructure is on the way. Whether already designated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress in late 2021 or potential new funding that may come in forthcoming legislation and budgets, the scale of spending is looking like it's going to finally catch up to what's been long needed, but vast quantities of money without an intelligent plan for how and where to spend them is shortsighted. Given the scale and complexity of the grid, even the most tuned-in grid professionals in the utility industry can struggle to grasp the best approach to the billions of dollars coming to the grid. That's why Bill Meehan and Pat Hohl, Directors of Electric Utility Solutions at Esri, advocate for a geographic approach to these investments. By tapping into the treasure troves of grid-wide data and utilizing tools like GIS and other geography-based approaches, the most efficient and intelligent decisions can be made. But doing so is no small feat, so Pat and Bill join the Energy Central podcast as returning guests to share with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester their thought process for what will ensure optimal distribution of funds. Key Links Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-80-taking-geographic-approach-public-grid-investment-bill-meehan-and-pat Bill Meehan's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/360/about Bill's first apperance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-12-%E2%80%98-unlock-modern-utility-gis Pat Hohl's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/204983/about Pat's first appearance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-10-%E2%80%98-past-future-circuits-how Devouring Underutilized Data With Spatial Analytics: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/devouring-underutilized-data-spatial-analytics Pop Quiz – What Happened on October 19, 1973: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/pop-quiz-%E2%80%93-what-happened-october-19-1973 Geospatial Infrastructure - Utility Lessons Learned with Pat Hohl and Bill Meehan - Episode #6: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/geospatial-infrastructure-utility-lessons-learned-pat-hohl-and-bill-meehan Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

A key area of focus from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, in recent years has bled into the world of energy and utilities, specifically in assisting the nation's rural population to fight climate change, increase energy resilience, and embrace new energy technologies that can bring commercial benefit. To tap into smart energy policies and investments, the USDA has been hard at work with the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP. which has already funded thousands of projects across Rural America and over $1.5 billion in funds in aggregate. To examine the process behind this program and the real business impacts, this episode of the podcast welcomes in the state director for USDA Rural Development in Pennsylvania, Bob Morgan, as well as a recipient of a REAP grant in Pennsylvania, Greg Saubel of Saubel's Markets. Having been involved in the $100,000 USDA grant to install solar panels on the roof of the set of family-owned grocery stores, these two guests join podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to demonstrate just how important and successful these rural energy outreach programs can be. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-79-bringing-home-rural-energy-america-program-bob-morgan-usda-and-greg Link to Register for Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register USDA Launches Pilot Program to Deploy Renewable Energy Infrastructure to People in Rural Towns: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/usda-launches-pilot-program-deploy-renewable-energy-infrastructure-people-rural USDA Invests in Rural Pennsylvania (Opinion): https://energycentral.com/c/ee/usda-invests-rural-pennsylvania-opinion Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Cybersecurity topics have been elevated to top of mind for utility executives across the industry, a promising trend from years past where not enough attention was paid to this area, but many key decisionmakers still struggle to understand the best course of action that they need to take. With grid-wide security needed to prevent vulnerabilities that can upend the power systems on which we rely, these leaders in energy must lean dutifully on the expertise of the cybersecurity experts. And luckily for the industry, these experts have been putting serious time and effort into outlining the pest practice standards and frameworks that should be implemented across utility enterprises. A key body in these efforts has been the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), including their initiatives to implement public key infrastructure (PKI) across the wholesale power sector. Joining the podcast for this episode is one of the drivers of that focus, Lila Kee, Chief Product Officer at Global Sign. Having been integral to these efforts to promote encryption, data integrity, and authentication for online transactions at the scale the power grid requires, Lila joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to sing the praises of NAESB protocols and share how and why energy stakeholders should embrace these frameworks and standards. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-78-how-wholesale-electric-participants-have-adopted-north-american-energy Link to Register for Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register Lila Kee's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/lila-kee Top ten cybersecurity tips for the electric sector: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/top%C2%A0ten%C2%A0cybersecurity-tips-electric-sector Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

As energy demand grows and existing assets and infrastructure ages, the utility industry is increasingly taking stock of the capacity that the grid is able to handle. After events like 2021’s Winter Storm Uri in Texas nearly brought the state’s power sector down, many leaders are questioning long-held beliefs regarding capacity, the makeup of their generation fleets, and more. The energy industry is, of course, evolving towards a grid that’s more defined by renewable energy sources, distributed energy assets, and smart technology, but if those implementations undermine the ability of utilities to reliably deliver power when it’s most needed then it’s all for naught. To dig into these difficult but critical questions, Doug Houseman joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast for his second appearance on the show. In this episode, Doug taps into his wealth of experience and knowledge to educate the utility listeners about how they should be thinking about spare margin, long-term thinking, and grid-scale planning. In this conversation with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester, Doug espouses his wisdom with the wit, frankness, and expertise the energy industry observers have come to expect. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-77-%E2%80%98spare-margins-and-whether-new-generation-keeping-pace-doug-houseman Doug Houseman's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/doug-houseman Episode #41: ‘The Whole Grid and Nothing But the Whole Grid’ with Doug Houseman, Principal Consultant at 1898 & Co. [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-35-%E2%80%98-whole-grid-and-nothing-whole-grid%E2%80%99-doug-houseman-principal Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The shift to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) is not only the most comprehensive transportation system evolution to date, but it is also setting up the electric power industry for its most fundamental disruption in its history. The amount of sheer new energy demand that accompanies a complete shift towards EVs has not been seen since the advent of air conditioning, but the domino effect of impacts are also never ending: new opportunities for flexible demand, installation of necessary equipment and infrastructure, and a true rethinking of the relationship between utility and customer. Rather than see this shift as a hurdle to overcome, Consumers Energy in Michigan has taken it on as a challenge to be able to help its customers in new and creative ways. This major utility has pledged to power one million EVs by the end of the decade, and the pride felt in the role Michigan has always played as the heart of the U.S. auto industry has meant that this transition to EVs is personal. The passion and excitement for this shift, however, does not mean that the path from here to there is clear and straightforward, and some of the challenges that will come have likely not even yet been identified. But that doesn't stop Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Vice President of Customer Experience at Consumers Energy, from taking a leading role in bringing the utility and its customers into the EV future. Lauren joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to provide lessons already learned along the way and an outlook for what the pathway is from here to 2030 to support one million EVs on the Michigan roads. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-76-preparing-ev-shift-utility-perspective-lauren-youngdahl-snyder-vp Lauren Youngdahl Snyder's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/lauren-youngdahl Link to register as a member of the Energy Central Community: www.energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

The vast majority of utility customers (around three quarters) in the United States are served by investor-owned utilities, with each of those IOUs being larger in size than their municipal or electric cooperative counterparts. That said, there are so many more individual organizations that identify as publicly-owned and/or municipal utilities. While each of those small utilities may have a smaller footprint, that means there are thousands more of these smaller organizations that are each connecting with their communities, piloting new programs, and solving real problems. While it may be natural to assume that the larger utilities are the ones on the cutting edge, the reality is that many pushing-the-envelope advancements are starting at the municipality level. With that in mind, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast wanted to bring on a representative from such a municipal utility to drill into what the larger power providers can and should be learning from them. To do so, this episode features an insightful conversation with Brian Groth, the Director of the Electric Utility at the City of Naperville in Illinois. Brian and his team at the City of Naperville have been busy advancing fiber optic technology, smart grid capabilities, and more at the community level, and so he joins the discussion with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to tap into his best lessons learned. Key Links: Link to Energy Central Post with Full Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-75-highlighting-what-large-power-providers-can-learn-smaller-municipal Link to register as a member of the Energy Central Community: www.energycentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts