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When it comes to offering unique programs and key opportunities for upgrades, the utility industry has typically seen the lowest hanging fruit at commercial buildings or with homeowners in the residential sector. These customers own and operate their buildings, they are the ones solely paying the power bills, and they have the authority (and often the means) to invest in upgrades like efficiency improvements, on-site generation and energy storage, and more. For too long, though, that has left an unfortunate blind spot for key utility programs: renters in the residential sector. Households that rent their homes have been the least tapped into traditionally by utilities because they don't have the aforementioned advantages, but the unfortunate irony is that these are the customers that often carry the most significant energy burden and could thus most benefit from assistance to bring down their power bills. Addressing the unique characteristics, needs, and opportunities of the home rental market has gained favor recently, even leading to the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) publishing their report "Understanding the Needs and Wants of Renters." This study has already become a key tool for numerous utilities to reevaluate how they were approaching this key demographic. To highlight the findings of this study, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by SECC's CEO, Nathan Shannon. To really drive home the impact this area of study has on the utilities, they are also joined by Elizabeth Moore, Manager of Commercial Energy Solutions at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to discuss what changes they've been able to implement as a result. Key Links: Nathan Shannon's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/nathan-shannon What’s Stopping Renters from Engaging in Energy?: https://energycentral.com/c/cc/what%E2%80%99s-stopping-renters-engaging-energy How Utilities Can Better Serve Residential Renters: https://energycentral.com/c/cc/how-utilities-can-better-serve-residential-renters Link to Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-74-understanding-what-renters-need-their-utilities-nathan-shannon-ceo 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

Utility companies are always positioned in a unique way compared with other companies, as the product they provide is essential for safe, healthy, and productive functioning of every family and every business. Having power bills rise too much can be a crisis for families who may be unable to pay or forced to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on. The potential of inequity and crisis has only become even more apparent amid the pandemic and the recent economic struggles across the country. With over 60% of Americans actively living paycheck to paycheck, this crisis of energy affordability needs leadership and ingenuity to ensure that energy systems are looked at holistically with affordability being a paramount consideration. These are the issues that drive Jim Madej, the CEO of Franklin Energy, as he and his team work to design and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for their utility partners. Jim is motivated by the idea of keeping energy affordable for all customers, and doing so in a way that aligns with the clean energy transition, and in this episode he joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to highlight what utility leaders should be doing to meet these necessary goals. Key Links: Jim Madej's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jim-madej Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-73-making-energy-work-americas-working-families-jim-madej-ceo-franklin Clean Should Mean Affordable: How Smart Clean Energy Policy Can Help Resuscitate the American Dream: https://energycentral.com/o/franklin-energy/clean-should-mean-affordable-how-smart-clean-energy-policy-can-help-resuscitate 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

Gone are the days where electric vehicles are oddities, come are the days where they are mainstream and impacting the grid. From charging stations dotting the interstates to Super Bowl commercials from many automakers touting their electric models to regulations that continue to make EVs more accessible, the pivot point in the industry is nearby, if not already here. While that’s a tremendous sign of progress in terms of electrifying transportation, it’s a point in time that’s created anxious board rooms in utilities across the country as power providers assess what their role in this new future will be and how to ensure they are best prepared. Understanding how a utility’s customers and service territory fits into the overall EV adoption curve can help alleviate this anxiety and instead put companies in control of their EV future. These utilities recognize the opportunity that EV programs can mean for their offerings to customers and the flexibility they have in operating the grid, though doing so will be no small feat. That’s where experts like Kevin Hernandez, Partner at ScottMadden, come in. Kevin and his team have spent years preparing for this moment and have already assisted early moving electric power companies to design utility EV programs that will be successful and long-lasting. Kevin joins host of this episode, Matt Chester, to discuss what the roadmap to the EV future needs to be for utilities and how they can start planning for it today, even if those plans are starting at square one. Key Links: Full Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-72-keys-developing-successful-utility-ev-programs-kevin-hernandez-partner Kevin Hernandez’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/kevin-hernandez-1 Kevin’s previous appearance on the podcast, Episode #54: Preparing Utilities for the EV Revolution with Kevin Hernandez of ScottMadden: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/special-edition-preparing-utilities-ev-revolution-kevin-hernandez-scottmadden 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 modern utility industry continues to evolve in key ways that provide for a more reliable, affordable, and clean grid. An emerging focus for utilities has been the ability to accurately access, process, and act upon an asset that’s become nearly as important to them as the electricity itself: data. Data from customers, generators, sensors along the grid, and more are all providing utilities keen insights into their best course of action across countless areas of the power business, but properly utilizing such data can be impossible without the right tools. Across the sector, the solution that’s been seen as necessary for this next generation of utility operations is the implementation of private broadband networks. Joining the podcast today to discuss how private broadband networks are actively creating new advancements for utilities today are two experts in the field. First is Ryan Gerbrandt, the Chief Operating Officer at Anterix, who has been assisting utilities to get started on their private broadband journey, no matter how far along they are in that process or if they are at square one and need justification that this step will benefit them and their customers. Also joining the podcast is Russ Ehrlich, the Utility Communications Senior Manager of Exelon. Russ has overseen the kickoff of that private broadband transition at Exelon’s six utilities alongside Ryan, including the network pilot to study the operational savings broadband capabilities would bring them. Ryan and Russ join podcast host, Jason Price, and producer, Matt Chester, to share what they’ve learned from these efforts and the lessons that can be passed onto other utilities considering doing the same. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-71-road-decision-exelon%E2%80%99s-vision-private-broadband-network-grid Ryan Gerbrandt’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/ryan-gerbrandt Russ Ehrlich's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/russ-ehrlich Private LTE as Communications for Grid Modernization: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/grid-modernization Private Broadband Opens the World of Big Data for Utilities: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/private-broadband-opens-world-big-data-utilities 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

While all utilities would prefer to simply stay out of the headlines due to emergencies or crises, the reality is that it comes with the territory. Whether that's extended outages from natural disasters or equipment failure, unexpected bad press, or the power providers simply not operating at the standard that the public expects, most utilities at one point or another will find themselves trying to get ahead of the narrative and tell their story. But in this digital age where Tweets are constantly flying and a negative story-- regardless of how true it is or not-- can seemingly move at the speed of light, utilities can't simply wait for these occurrences and decide how to respond to them at that point. Instead, they need to always be prepared and have a crisis communications plan. That's the perspective of today's guest on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, at least. Jeff Hahn is a crisis communications expert who has extensive experience responding to emergencies for utility partners, and he's also the author of the book "Breaking Bad News: 12 Essential Crisis Communication Tools." He's joining podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his review of how some recent crises in the world of utilities were handled and offer advice to executives at utilities about how they should be preparing today for the unexpected emergency of tomorrow. Key Links Link to Energy Central Post with Episode's Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-70-beating-clock-crisis-communication-utilities-jeff-hahn-energy-central 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

We're truly experiencing the most dynamic time in the power sector, and it's not just the technology that's going through evolution but even the traditional business model. The availability of distributed energy sources and the desire of customers to embrace clean energy, for example, has given rise to a new type of utility: the community choice aggregator, or CCA. Customers in areas with CCAs can make the decision to break from their incumbent utility and embrace the offerings of a local CCA that better aligns with their desired energy company, and that's empowering the ratepayers as well as the power companies. Today’s guest on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is the CEO of the oldest CCA in California, Dawn Weisz of MCE. During the course of the conversation, Dawn shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the history lesson of how and why CCAs first arose, highlights the unique opportunity for innovation that this business model provides all stakeholders, and stresses the community aspect of her company: building up the green workforce, ensuring equity in clean energy availability, and more. Key Links Energy Central Post with full interview transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-69-innovation-and-leadership-californias-first-community-choice 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 utility sector has become just as much about its data as it has the energy, and collecting, tracking, and utilizing the mountains of data utilities are able to collect is no small feat. But as those mountains climb ever higher, they reach the heights for a key solution these days: the Cloud. By harnessing the opportunity for cloud-based solutions, power providers are increasingly streamlining their processes in ways that were never previously possible, with opportunities arising in every corner of the enterprise: from customer information to workforce planning, from tracking costs to ensuring asset health, and so much more. Today’s guest on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is Andrew Braeger, the Data Enginering Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities in Washington State. In this role, Andrew oversaw the cloud journey at the utility and so he has keen insights and a front row perspective on how to best implement and further cloud goals across the industry. In this episode, Andrew shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester some of his lessons learned and his excitement for where the cloud is headed. Key Links Andrew Braeger’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/andrew-braeger Planning the utility cloud journey: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/planning-utility-cloud-journey Energy Central post with full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-68-planning-cloud-journey-andrew-braeger-tacoma-public-utilities-energy 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/

When it comes to the role that utilities are playing, today sees power providers filling more roles than ever before. Gone are the once-per-month bills being the only touch point a customer had with their utility, and here are the days of social media engagement, energy efficiency programs, advocating for new energy technologies, and more. Utilities really have evolved into a core pillar of the communities in which they serve, and they can only play this part effectively when they are filled with forward-looking leaders who embrace the benefits and challenges these shifting responsibilities bring. This week's episode of the Power Perspectives Podcast brings to the audience one of those esteemed professionals who is helping out their community in countless ways with their role in the local energy company. Will Ellis is the VP of Government and External Affairs at PEPCO in Washington DC, but that title only begins to describe what he brings to the table. Eager to share the community-benefitting programs he's bringing to his neighbors, the educational efforts that he's championing, and more, Will shares in this wide-ranging conversation with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester all the ways PEPCO is looking to embrace its role in the wider capital region. Listen in to hear the enthusiastic conversation. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-67-inclusively-engaging-capital-region-efficiency-evs-more-will-ellis 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

Mapping out the world of the utility with accurate and granular data has rapidly become one of the most essential functions for power providers to ensure they are providing reliable, affordable, and even clean energy to their customers every day. If you walked the halls of a utility industry conference just a decade ago, you may have been met with vague or uncertain answers when asking to chat about the geospatial programs at these companies, whereas today GIS departments are regular and necessary for utilities to continue to deliver on those goals. How did the world of geospatial data grow so quickly, and what exactly do GIS tools bring to the decision-makers at utilities? Those are the questions that Jaime Crawford of Critigen is here to answer as she joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Jaime is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Industries at Critigen and she joined podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to highlight the critical role that GIS plays and share insights on the forward-looking applications that even the most geospatially advanced utilities may not yet recognize. Further, Jaime was able to make an important announcement regarding her company that the Power Perspectives Podcast is eager to share with our listeners, and we dig into what this announcement says about the state of the industry today. Key Links Jaime Crawford's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jaime-crawford Link to Energy Central post with full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-66-are-you-overlooking-critical-tool-solving-most-pressing-challenges 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

To foster the clean energy transition, the power sector has been seeking out all the carbon-free generation sources possible. Existing nuclear plants have long held a key role in providing clean energy to the grid, but North America has largely stalled when it comes to new nuclear power plants to take on more of the growing power demand patterns, owed to high capital costs, lengthy construction timelines, and more. Looking to take advantage of the carbon-free nature of nuclear power while avoiding those common pitfalls, small modular reactors (SMRs) have become a key area of focus for many industry stakeholders. SMRs are still a future consideration, though, with none yet commercially connected to the grid. That's closer than ever to changing though, as Ontario Power Generation recently made waves in their selection of the SMR model they're going to implement, the GE Hitachi BWRX-300. Ontario Power Generation is making a big leap by being the first mover in this space that has countless eyeballs following it, so podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester were thrilled to welcome Robin Manley, OPG's VP of New Nuclear Development to discuss the selection process and what it means for the utility to pioneer this space. Key Links: Link to episode post on Energy Central with full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-65-taking-small-modular-reactors-hype-reality-ontario-robin-manley 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/

While 2021 might have been somewhat of a return to normalcy after 2020, the power and energy sector continued to see a rapid pace of news, developments, and trends. As the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brought in guest week-in and week-out, we found that these episodes served as a great time capsule of such an eventful year for the utility industry. As such, we thought it only appropriate to continue the tradition started last year of featuring discussion and clips from the episodes during the previous 12 months that we enjoyed the most, that the audience engaged with most frequently, and that continued to shape our thinking through 2021 and into the new year. Listen in as podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by Energy Central’s VP Audra Drazga to highlight some of the best guests and moments that took place on the podcast during our second full year in your podcast queue. And if we missed your favorite guests or key insights you can’t let go of, hop onto EnergyCentral.com to let us know! From all of us at the Energy Central Team and who work on the Power Perspectives Podcast, a sincere thanks goes to our listeners for an overwhelmingly successful 2021—we surely couldn’t do it without you! Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-64-%E2%80%98revisiting-hottest-episodes-2021-our-2nd-annual-podcast-year-review Episode #34: 'Rising to the Moment, But Creating a Movement' with Garrick Rochow, CEO of Consumers Energy: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-29-rising-moment-creating Episode #39: ‘Taking the Grid of Tomorrow from Concept to Reality with Mark Gabriel, Former Administrator and CEO of Western Area Power Administration: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/34-%E2%80%98taking-grid-tomorrow-concept-reality%E2%80%99-mark-gabriel-former-administrator-and Episode #41: ‘The Whole Grid and Nothing But the Whole Grid’ with Doug Houseman, Principal Consultant at 1898 & Co.:https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-35-%E2%80%98-whole-grid-and-nothing-whole-grid%E2%80%99-doug-houseman-principal Episode #47: GIS, Digital Twin, and the Intelligent Reality of Utilities Today with Pat Hohl and Bill Meehan of Esri:https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-gis-digital-twin-and-intelligent-reality-utilities-today-pat-hohl Episode #48: 'Elevating Customer Care for Electric Cooperative Members’ with Sean Vanslyke, CEO and General Manager of SEMO Electric Cooperative: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-40-elevating-customer-care-electric-cooperative-members%E2%80%99-sean-vanslyke Episode #50: 'The Increasing Role of Nuclear Energy to Meet Climate Change Challenges’ with Rudy Shankar of Lehigh University: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-42-increasing-role-nuclear-energy-meet-climate-change-challenges%E2%80%99-rudy Episode #51: 'EVs As A Grid Asset, Will Utilities Take Advantage' With Charlie Botsford:https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-42-evs-grid-asset-will-utilities-take-advantage-charlie-botsford-energy Episode #55: Artificial Intelligence in the Modern Digital Utility with Bhavani Amirthlingam of Ameren and Jeremy Renshaw of EPRI: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-artificial-intelligence-modern-digital-utility-bhavani Episode #56: Embarking on the Utility's Digital and Data Journey with Mike Murphy of Con Edison and Paul DeCotis of West Monroe: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-embarking-utilitys-digital-and-data-journey-mike-murphy-con Episode #58: 'Setting an Example for Utilities Everywhere via SEPA’s Utility Transformation Challenge' with Sharon Allan of SEPA, Debra Smith of Seattle City Light: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-43-setting-example-utilities-everywhere-sepa%E2%80%99s-utility-transformation

Different parts of the world must approach their power sector in unique ways to account for the specific needs and the unique challenges presented by local geographies, populations, economies, and more. While that means utilities in one corner of the globe may look different from the other side of the world, one of the most valuable tools for energy leaders is to look at what lessons can be learned from those various unique circumstances. Our guest on the Power Perspectives Podcast today has worked extensively tackling the energy landscape in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Being in the Caribbean, that means that the local energy stakeholders are dealing with the annual threat of hurricanes, elevated energy prices and the need for fossil fuel imports, and more. At the same time, the U.S. Virgin Islands find themselves amid a crisis from the housing shortage. While that reality may seem somewhat isolated from the traditional role of power providers, the guest of this episode highlights how it created a unique, all-encompassing opportunity. Joining host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to discuss the success his organization has had in tackling energy equity and overall economic challenges on the U.S. Virgin Islands with microgrids is Tom McGeehan, VP at E-Finity Distributed Generation. Tom shares how his team has sought to respond to the recent hurricane seasons and resulting outages with a more decentralized approach, highlighting the opportunity microgrid technology can play for the wider energy sector outside of the islands, while also confronting head-on the climate challenges that are already present on the Virgin Islands and will soon spread to other parts of the world. Key Links: Tom McGeehan’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/tom-mcgeehan-0 Resilient CHP Facilities: The Real Reason Hurricanes Don't Jolt Facilities Like they Used to: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/resilient-chp Link to Energy Central post for this episode, including full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-63-equitable-energy-access-and-microgrids-island-nations-tom-mcgeehan-e 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/

As data has become as ubiquitous and essential to the power sector as electrons themselves, many utilities are struggling with how to handle the influx of information and how to best process it to create actionable improvements to their systems. While it may seem like an overused buzzword at this point, the guest on today’s episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast knows the answer comes down to one key place in particular: the Cloud. But cloud-based applications and processing create new waves of challenges for which utilities: from compliance with industry standards to cybersecurity concerns to the sheer cost and logistics behind making these moves. To help wade through this web of risks, costs, and hurdles, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester bring in one of Energy Central’s key thought leaders on the topic, Barry Jones. Barry is an independent consultant who gets knee deep in information assurance, privacy and regulatory compliance, and cloud-based systems, having brought that expertise to everyone from PG&E to the U.S. Department of Energy. In this whirlwind of an episode, Barry will share with our audience what they should be tracking as they dive into the world of utility digitalization. Key Links: Barry Jones’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/barry-jones-0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT GENERATION UTILITY TECHNOLOGIES (Control and monitoring gas and electric with AI 'bots" and more...): https://energycentral.com/c/gr/recommendations-next-generation-utility-technologies-control-and-monitoring-gas Link to Energy Central Post for this episode, including full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-62-%E2%80%98elevating-digital-utility-systems-cloud-barry-jones-federal 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/

Modern history really got kicked into full gear with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, which can be boiled down to the way that society was able to transform and rapidly evolve once we were able to extract work efficiently and effectively from various energy sources. From coal-powered factories to steamboats to the eventual rise of electricity, the availability of energy allowed humanity to prosper and grow in ways it was never previously able to do. In many ways, the tight correlation between access to energy and economic development has continued to be coupled in lockstep in the centuries since, and the future of the global economy still relies directly on the future energy systems that we’re building today and tomorrow. This fascinating topic holds immense impact to the future of utilities and society at large, so podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester felt it a bountiful topic to explore. But like much of the Energy Central Community, they are energy wonks rather than economics experts, so the best way to do this was indeed to bring into the podcast booth one of the foremost researchers on this intersection of energy and the economy. Carey King is a research scientist and Assistant Director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, and last Fall he also published the groundbreaking book on this very topic: “The Economic Superorganism: Beyond the Competing Narratives on Energy, Growth, and Policy.” Through his time as a researcher and in digging deeper into the topic for this book, Carey has unearthed some of the important lessons that can be learned as energy unlocked new economic development in the 1700s and what that means for relevant energy strategy and public policy in the decades in front of us. Key Links: Carey King’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/carey-king-1 Full Energy Central Post with Podcast transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-61-%E2%80%98-history-future-energy-economic-driving-force-author-carey-king 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/

As the utility grid infrastructure footprint grows, proper maintenance has become a top priority for utilities to ensure reliability, minimize unnecessary costs, and ensure safe operation of their assets. But with some of the largest utilities seeing their reach extend for thousands of miles in different directions, staying on top of grid assets is an increasingly complex challenge. Particularly in the world of vegetation management where sending out crews can be costly but the consequences of oversights can be even costlier (think: outages, sparked wildfires, and more), using technology to streamline and optimize this process is essential. Using modern tools to assist utilities in their vegetation management needs has become one of the core missions of today’s guest on the podcast, Sven Przywarra. Sven co-founded and is currently co-CEO of LiveEO, a digital solutions company that taps into the capabilities of satellite-imaging to be an eye in the sky for major infrastructure networks, such as the vast and growing power transmission & distribution networks. By combining satellite imaging with intelligent processing tools, Sven and his team are able to transform the way utilities approach the multi-million dollar line item that vegetation management has become for power providers. In this episode, Sven shares with podcast host Jason Prices and producer Matt Chester the origin of these ideas, the challenges LiveEO’s tools are helping utility leaders overcome, and other ways in which intelligent satellite processing is becoming a mainstay in the energy industry. Key Links Link to Energy Central post for episode with full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-46-reinventing-utility-vegetation-management-satellites-and-ai-sven Sven Przywarra’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/sven-przywarra What Investors See as the Four Surging Utility Trends for 2021: https://energycentral.com/c/um/what-investors-see-four-surging-utility-trends-2021 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/

The utility industry is a unique one in that the landscape of companies aren’t operating in a zero-sum competitive environment. Instead, utilities seek to share lessons learned, raise each other up, and collectively move towards the industry-wide goals of ensuring the entire country has access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. It’s this collaborative environment and tendency to share best practices that makes leadership in utilities particularly important, as a success in one corner of the country can directly lead to the same type of success for a utility anywhere else. Recognizing the value of highlighting these successes, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) released its inaugural Utility Transformation Challenge, recognizing industry leaders who are creating the future carbon-free, modern grid. To learn more about the Utility Transformation Challenge, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by SEPA’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Sharon Allan, as well as a leader whose organization made an appearance on SEPA’s leaderboard of utilities in Debra Smith, CEO and General Manager of Seattle City Light. This duo provides a dynamic one-two punch on assessing the landscape of the utility industry today and where it’s going in the future. The conversation was so dynamic, this episode ended up being an exciting two-parter—if you didn’t listen to Part 1 where our guests focused on the Utility Transformation Challenge and the march towards decarbonization, we recommend you start there. Then come back here and listen to Part 2 where this pair of industry leaders dives into forward-looking assessments of equity in the energy industry, as well as the pending workforce transformation facing utilities everywhere. Key Links: Full post with transcript of this episode on EnergyCentral.com: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-45-setting-example-utilities-everywhere-sepa%E2%80%99s-utility-transformation Part 1 of the Conversation: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-43-setting-example-utilities-everywhere-sepa%E2%80%99s-utility-transformation Sharon Allan’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/sharon-allan-2/about Grid Mod in the Age of Utility Carbon Reduction: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/grid-mod-age-utility-carbon-reduction Seattle City Light's Clean Energy Leadership Garnering Industry Recognition, with Emeka Anyanwu, Energy and Innovation & Resources Officer- [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Interview]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/seattle-city-lights-clean-energy-leadership-garnering-industry-recognition-emeka 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 utility industry is a unique one in that the landscape of companies aren’t operating in a zero-sum competitive environment. Instead, utilities seek to share lessons learned, raise each other up, and collectively move towards the industry-wide goals of ensuring the entire country has access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. It’s this collaborative environment and tendency to share best practices that makes leadership in utilities particularly important, as a success in one corner of the country can directly lead to the same type of success for a utility anywhere else. Recognizing the value of highlighting these successes, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) released its inaugural Utility Transformation Challenge, recognizing industry leaders who are creating the future carbon-free, modern grid. To learn more about the Utility Transformation Challenge, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by SEPA’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Sharon Allan, as well as a leader whose organization made an appearance on SEPA’s leaderboard of utilities in Debra Smith, CEO and General Manager of Seattle City Light. This duo provides a dynamic one-two punch on assessing the landscape of the utility industry today and where it’s going in the future. The conversation was so dynamic, this episode ended up being an exciting two-parter—so enjoy Part 1 which focuses on the Utility Transformation Challenge and the march towards decarbonization. Then hang tight for Part 2 where this pair of industry leaders dives into forward-looking assessments of equity in the energy industry, as well as the pending workforce transformation facing utilities everywhere. Key Links: Part 2 of this Episode: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-45-setting-example-utilities-everywhere-sepa%E2%80%99s-utility-transformation Sharon Allan’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/sharon-allan-2 Grid Mod in the Age of Utility Carbon Reduction: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/grid-mod-age-utility-carbon-reduction Seattle City Light's Clean Energy Leadership Garnering Industry Recognition, with Emeka Anyanwu, Energy and Innovation & Resources Officer- [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Interview]: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/seattle-city-lights-clean-energy-leadership-garnering-industry-recognition-emeka Link to Energy Central Post with Full Transcript of this Episode: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-43-setting-example-utilities-everywhere-sepa%E2%80%99s-utility-transformation 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 global efforts to decarbonize require an all-hands-on-deck approach across the economy, with one of the toughest areas to tackle remaining the industrial sector. The production of cement, glass, steel, and other key materials all require dispatchable, reliable, affordable energy. At the same time, the prospect of rapidly having to rely solely on renewables like solar or wind is a daunting prospect. But there is a way. Today’s guest on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast emphasizes the importance of taking a stepwise approach to meeting the zero-carbon energy future, one that will embrace renewables as well as hydrogen, hydropower, efficient gas turbines, and much more. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Hans Holmstrom, the VP of the Industrial Gas Turbine Business within Siemens Energy, as he shares his insights from the front row seat he has during this complex and massive transformation taking place across the industrial and energy sectors. Balancing the importance of saving the world via low carbon and zero carbon solutions with a recognition that proposed solutions must work in the real-world environment, Hans provides podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester with the background education on of why we should all be feeling more optimistic and hopeful about our decarbonized future. Key Links Hans Holmstrom’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/hans-holmstrom Energy Central Post with Full Transcript of Podcast: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-decarbonizing-industrial-sector-distribution-energy-production Siemens Energy on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/o/siemens-energy Zero Emission Hydrogen Turbine Center: https://www.siemens-energy.com/global/en/priorities/future-technologies/hydrogen/zehtc.html 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/

Data has become a much sought after asset in the utility world, providing arguably as much value as the electrons being sent over the grid. When utilities have data on consumption patterns, asset performance, and digital engagement, they are armed with the tools to optimize their processes to improve service and save themselves and their customers on costs. The journey over recent years to embrace those digital tools has not always been quick or straightforward, but the industry has seen clear thought leaders rise that shepherd in this new era for the power sector. Joining the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast today are two such leaders who are able to look back at that journey and simultaneously peer into the future for what's to come next. Mike Murphy is the General Manager of Customer Operations at Con Edison who has served in this industry for more than two decades, bringing the digital opportunities to customers through insights, bill delivery, and more. He's also worked closely with the other guest today, Paul DeCotis of West Monroe. Paul serves as Senior Partner and East Coast Practice Lead and he's constantly identifying advanced grid projects that have revolutionized the utility industry time and again. They're joining host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester in this episode to offer their insights and advice as other stakeholders embrace this digital and data journey. Key Links Paul Decotis’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/paul-decotis Smart Siting and Energy Infrastructure Development: A Challenge to Decarbonization: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/smart-siting-and-energy-infrastructure-development-challenge-decarbonization Full Energy Central Post with Transcript of the Episode: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-embarking-utilitys-digital-and-data-journey-mike-murphy-con Link to Register as a member of the Energy Central Community: 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': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed every industry it's touched, from commerce to transportation to social media, but arguably some of the most widespread impact that AI-enabled tools is on the electric power grid. Amid a time where utilities are seeking ways to make the supply and demand markets efficient, optimize the maintenance of immense stretches of assets across their coverage areas, and find ways to integrated clean energy resources, AI appears to be one of the key tools that will unlock new possibilities. This digital topic is one that can quickly become complex and hard to understand, so the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast wanted to bring in some of the undisputed leaders in this space to help break it down for us and highlight the trends and opportunities that utilities everywhere should be honing in on. To do that, we were lucky enough to get into the podcast Bhavani Amirthalingam, the SVP and Chief Digital Information Officer of Ameren, coming off of the honor Forbes gave her as one of the top 50 innovative technology leaders this year. Joining her is one of the utility's key utility partners, Jeremy Renshaw of EPRI. Jeremy is the Senior Program Manager of Artificial Intelliigence at EPRI, and along with Bhavani he's helped to accelerate the impact of AI and machine learning on Ameren's grid that serves 2.4 million electric customers and 900,000 gas customers. These two titans of utility AI join Matt Chester of Energy Central in the podcast booth to discuss the past, present, and future of AI on the modern digital grid. Key Links: Jeremy Renshaw’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jeremy-renshaw EPRI on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/o/EPRI Learning to Run a Power Network with Artificial Intelligence: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/learning-run-power-network-artificial-intelligence 5 Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenges for the Electric Power Industry: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/5-artificial-intelligence-grand-challenges-electric-power-industry Link to Register as a member of the Energy Central Community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Full Transcript and Exclusive Bonus Clip: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-artificial-intelligence-modern-digital-utility-bhavani 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/

The electrification of vehicles has swiftly gone from a curiosity to a trend to an inevitability, and few industries are poised to be quite as deeply impacted as the power sector. Utilities are already seeing the greatest amount of new load demand added to their portfolios in decades, and they'll continue to have requests to build out new transmission and distribution infrastructure just to meet the growing electricity needs of electric vehicles. At this moment, utilities find themselves as a crossroads where they are reasonably able to keep up with these changes as they happen, but thanks to policies supporting vehicle electrification and falling EV prices the market will soon reach a pivot point where the adoption increases much more rapidly. As such, power providers are best served by preparing today for the coming EV revolution in the days ahead. That message has been espoused widely by Kevin Hernandez, a Partner and Grid Edge Lead at ScottMadden. Kevin has studied the trends and the forecasts deeply, and he's measured them against the current capabilities of utilities across the country in a way that's highlighted where the energy industry needs a boost to properly prepare for the changes that are happening with increasing speed. To spread this message further to the utility leaders who must be making these investments today, Kevin joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to chat with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about his observations and recommendations. Key Links: Kevin Hernandez’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/kevin-hernandez-1 ScottMadden on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/o/scottmadden Link to Register as a member of the Energy Central Community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central post with full transcript from this episode: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/special-edition-preparing-utilities-ev-revolution-kevin-hernandez-scottmadden 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/

Under the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy has seen a revitalized focus towards solar energy as a means to transform the U.S. power grid. Recently, the Department put out the Solar Futures Study which outlined what was needed to get solar generation to 45% of the nation's power mix by mid-century, highlighting that doing so was not a pipe dream but was actually technologically and economically feasible with the right set of incentives and policies. These goals won't be accomplished in a vacuum, however, and the leaders of utilities in the Energy Central Community must take an active role towards this solar future, and our guest in this episode joined to deliver exactly what those actions could look like from utilities in the coming years. Garrett Nilsen is the Acting Director of DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office, and in this role he's leading a dedicated team to optimize what the future of solar energy in the United States looks like. From motivating entrepreneurs to enter this clean energy space to encouraging U.S. solar manufacturing to enacting the right types of public policies, Garrett is approaching this challenge with the type of full court press it deserves, and he highlights the challenges and opportunities in doing so with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester. Key Links: Post on Energy Central with bonus clip and full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-43-shining-light-solar-grid-tomorrow-garrett-nilsen-acting-director-us Solar Futures Study: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-futures-study SHINES funding program: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/sustainable-and-holistic-integration-energy-storage-and-solar-pv-shines Webinar with presentations from SHINES awardees, with slides: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/right-combination-solar-storage-and-demand-response-webinar-series Solar Prize Round 5, which is taking submissions till Oct. 5: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/american-made-solar-prize-round-5 ALL the American-Made Challenges: https://americanmadechallenges.org/ Incubator funding program, which awarded $25M for the grid-forming technologies consortium led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-technologies-office-fiscal-year-2021-systems-integration-and-hardware SETO Systems Integration: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/systems-integration SETO Manufacturing and Competitiveness: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/manufacturing-and-competitiveness SETO’s newsletter to get the latest on funding opportunities, prize competitions, webinars, and more: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-newsletter 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 early days of the electric power industry began with the installation of small microgrids that connected energy consumers with nearby sources of generation, but as the industry grew the economies of scale dictated that central power plants and massive webs of interconnected grids were the best way to industrialize and grow. In recent years, however, energy sector thought leaders have been pushing forward the value that can come from re-integrating microgrids in conjunction with our established modern grid system. With an eye towards increased reliability, clean energy, and consumer empowerment, microgrids have become one of the hottest topics in utility spheres today. To tap into that momentum, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is thrilled to welcome this week’s guest, Peter Asmus, Research Director at Guidehouse Insights. Peter has been researching, writing, and sharing about the future of the grid for decades, and he’s been a long-time member of the Energy Central community where he’s shared insights about how and why this microgrid revolution should come into being. As such, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester thought it was finally time to bring Peter onto the show to speak directly to the Energy Central Community about the microgrid trends he’s seeing today and provide advice for the utility leaders looking to stay one step ahead moving forward. A special thanks to Guidehouse Insights for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Peter Asmus’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/peter-h-asmus Guidehouse on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/o/Guidehouse Once Laggards, C&I Customers Are Now Microgrid Leaders: https://energycentral.com/o/Guidehouse/once-laggards-ci-customers-are-now-microgrid-leaders Link to Energy Central Post with Bonus Clip and Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-microgrids-utility-challenger-asset-peter-asmus-guidehouse-energy Link to Register as a member of the Energy Central Community: https://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': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The electrification of transportation is coming whether or not utilities are ready for it. A decade ago, the prospect of vehicles being plugged in every night was enough to keep grid operators up at night at the thought of such an unprecedented load increase, but today the forward-looking utility should instead be looking to the EV revolution as an opportunity and not a threat. At least that's the position of Charlie Botsford, Program Manager at CWB Solutions and a member of Energy Central's Network of Experts. On today's episode of the podcast, Charlie highlights the baseline situation of EVs on the grid today and how utilities can and should approach everything from increased load, V1G and V2G charging, government EV incentives, and really all the ways that EVs can go from liability to asset. That is, of course, if the utilities plan now to take advantage. And that's what Charlie shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester in this can't-miss episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Charlie Botsford's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/charles-botsford-pe The latest EV capability - vehicle to load: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/latest-ev-capability-%E2%80%94-vehicle-load Link to Energy Central Post with Full Transcript and Exclusive Bonus Clip: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-42-evs-grid-asset-will-utilities-take-advantage-charlie-botsford-energy 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/

Through pressure from federal and international governments to market forces, the move towards a carbon-free power sector seems to be on a critical path. The need to decarbonize and replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy sources is close to undeniable at this time, but as anyone who spends time in the thick of debates in the utility sector (including those taking place every day in the Energy Central Community) knows, we’re far apart from a consensus on exactly what tools are the best ones to tap into to meet these climate change challenges. And while renewable energy and energy storage are often grabbing the mainstream headlines, many in the industry find that the most important tool to tap into is one that’s been around for decades longer: nuclear energy. Nuclear energy has its fair share of detractors, from those who worry about repeats of the disasters on Fukushima and Three Mile Island to those with environmental concerns about nuclear waste to others who simply aren’t sure the economics add up to build new nuclear plants. But today’s guest on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Rudy Shankar—Director of Energy Systems Engineering at Lehigh University—opined in a recent Energy Central article that it’s well past time for the U.S. power grid to embrace a renaissance of nuclear power and tap into it as the readily available, carbon-free, and economic clean energy source that it is. While Rudy understands the hesitations some feel about nuclear energy and recognizes the need for renewables to continue to grow as well, he shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the outline of why nuclear energy needs to be embraced to play an increasing role in the fight against the climate crisis. Key Links Rudy Shankar’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/rudy-shankar The Increasing Role of Nuclear Energy to Meet Climate Change Challenges: https://energycentral.com/c/cp/increasing-role-nuclear-energy-meet-climate-change-challenges Link to Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-42-increasing-role-nuclear-energy-meet-climate-change-challenges%E2%80%99-rudy Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

Too often, the utility industry looks at the buildings sector as simply customers of the power companies, but thanks to rapidly advancing technology and innovative leaders buildings can now be looked at as assets in their own right. Tapping into opportunities like demand response, energy efficiency, on-site generation and storage, and the aggregation of these and other features means that buildings really can be turned into generation assets that measure up with generation itself, especially when done intelligently and thoughtfully. This process of bringing smart grid tools and modern building technologies together to create new opportunities has become the mission of SensorSuite, and specifically the company’s CEO & President Glen Spry. In this episode, Glen joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to discuss the work being done in Energy Efficient Grid Resource Buildings, or EEGRs. As Glen notes, EEGRs are eager to be part of the solution of climate change and bolster grid reliability as opposed to being a liability like the buildings sector of old. This episode will dive deeper into the possibilities of EEGRs and where the utility-building relationship appears to be moving. A special thanks to SensorSuite for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Glen Spry’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/glen-spry EEGR Buildings are in Peak Demand: https://energycentral.com/o/sensorsuite/eegr-buildings-are-peak-demand EEGR Buildings Target the 58% of all Energy Wasted Each Year: https://energycentral.com/o/sensorsuite/eegr-buildings-target-58-all-energy-wasted-each-year SensorSuite - The emergence of Energy Efficient Grid Resources (EEGRs) to support decarbonization: https://energycentral.com/o/sensorsuite/sensorsuite-emergence-energy-efficient-grid-resources-eegrs-support Energy Central Post with more details and full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-energy-efficient-grid-resource-buildings-glen-spry-ceo-president Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://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': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The landscape encompasses a wide variety of power providers, and while investor-owned utilities are often the largest and most influential, it’s the smaller players that may be setting the bar for customer care. Specifically, electric cooperatives recognize their end consumers not just as ratepayers, but indeed as members of the electric co-op, and the smaller and more local nature of these power providers empowers them to more easily meet customers where they are, innovate in new ways to educate and engage those end consumers, and create a customer care ecosystem that’s the envy of larger utilities. To peel back the curtain on the unique relationship electric co-ops have with their members, today’s episode brings in the CEO and General Manager of Missouri’s SEMO Electric Cooperative, Sean Vanslyke. Sean walks podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester through the engagement SEMO’s utilized over the past year and a half to aid its members through COVID, the keep power costs affordable, to empower its surrounding community, and to educate customers and employees alike about every component of the utility business. While an electric cooperative has a more moderate budget and footprint, the largest and smallest utilities alike have many lessons to learn from how, why, and where Sean Vanslyke has created customer service opportunities in his service area. Key Links Sean Vanslyke’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/sean-vanslyke Link to Energy Central Post for Episode with Full Transcript and Exclusive Bonus Footage: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-40-elevating-customer-care-electric-cooperative-members%E2%80%99-sean-vanslyke Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

This latest episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brings back two of our audience favorites to discuss a topic that’s been rapidly evolving and penetrating the market since we last had them in the podcast booth. Pat Hohl and Bill Meehan join up tackle the state of GIS and Digital Twins in the utility sector today, highlighting the technological advancements that are truly changing the way that the power sector thinks about these intelligent solutions and what’s possible for the future of the grid, of customer relationships, of utility maintenance, and more. Because the world of GIS is moving so quickly, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester were eager to welcome back these guests who are undoubtedly leading the charge and waving the flag for GIS across the energy sector. A special thanks to Esri for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Pat Hohl’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/pat-hohl Two Things to Know About Digital Twins: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/two-things-know-about-digital-twins Bill Meehan’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/bill-meehan Common Information Model (CIM) CIMplified – Part 1 – The Basics: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/common-information-model-cim-cimplified-%E2%80%93-part-1-%E2%80%93-basics Esri’s Energy Central Page: https://energycentral.com/o/esri Energy Central Post for This Episode, Including Transcript & Exclusive Bonus Clip: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-gis-digital-twin-and-intelligent-reality-utilities-today-pat-hohl Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register

In the Energy Central Community, July is all about customer care and everything that means and encompasses for the utility industry. In that light, this episode seeks to highlight the unique relationship between a wholesale power agency and its member utilities, the customer experience not through the lens of the end consumer and its utility but the relationship between the power producer and the local utility and how they team up to make magic happen for the ratepayers. On one side of this story is the electric utility department at the City of Bushnell, Florida, a small city in Central Florida with such a small coverage area and a small team that having resources and expertise in different areas can be a challenge. That’s where Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) enters, as a wholesale power agency that is owned by 31 municipal electric utilities across the state, including Bushnell, and empowers its member utilities. Today, podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by FMPA’s General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Jody Finklea, and Bushnell’s City Manager and Finance Director, Jody Young. They’re here to share how FMPA aided Bushnell to expand the city’s electric customers by a whopping 50%, from 1,100 to nearly 1,800. Increasing the customer base that dramatically allowed the city to then enhance its already reliable power systems and provide affordable power to its customers, generating some critical lessons for customer care across the utility sector. Key Links Jody Finklea’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jody-lamar-finklea Jody Young’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jody-young Power of Working Together for Affordable, Reliable Electricity: https://energycentral.com/c/um/power-working-together-affordable-reliable-electricity Energy Central post with full transcript & Exclusive Bonus Clip from the Conversation: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-39-wholesale-power-agency-small-town-utility-and-power-working-together%E2%80%99 Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

This week’s episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast dives into the world of infrastructure, and specifically the management of assets found underground that transport our water, gas, and electrons. Asset management at the utility is big and serious business, having lasted in some cases for a century or longer buried deep underneath the ground. Accurately tracking those assets and keeping such records updated in real time is far more complex and underappreciated even for people who may work at a utility. This is why the market for talent in utility asset management is exploding, with GIS technologies and related systems enjoying high demand and advancement into increasing sophistication. To give a good overview of this topic, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester welcome to the podcast Gord Reynolds, Vice President of Commercial Advisory and Strategy at Infrastructure Ontario. Gord leads a variety of initiatives to improve utility coordination across Canada, including support of two recently passed provincial Acts to streamline the coordination of utility assets to deliver transit projects and broadband on time and within budget across Ontario. One specific aspect of these regulations is the process of setting up a government entity, the Office of Utility Coordination, an asset management platform that will transform how utility work is conducted and tracked moving forward. Gord will provide an overview of what this office does and how it’s changing the world of infrastructure asset management. Key Links Gord Reynold’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/gord-reynolds-2 Metrolinx to launch new Office of Utility Coordination: https://energycentral.com/c/um/metrolinx-launch-new-office-utility-coordination-constructconnectcom Energy Central post with full transcript and further details: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-38-%E2%80%98enhancing-utility-coordination-through-improved-geospatial-data Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

This week, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast turns back to the world of Digital Twins as we welcome back a return guest to the podcast: Brent Jensen, a sales engagement director with Bentley Systems. Bent and his team at Bentley have been hard at work transforming the digital sphere of the utility industry, specifically focused on the grid modernization implications of digital twins and the data-focused opportunities they unlock. After first introducing host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to the possibilities of digital twin on the grid in his appearance on the podcast last year, Brent picks up where he left off to inform listners about how electric utilities can get started and the cascading benefits that come for forward-looking utilities to integrate these grid software solutions. A special thanks to Bentley Systems for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Brent Jensen’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/brent-jensen Bentley’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/o/bentley Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/special-edition-how-digital-twins-can-overcome-utility-challenges-brent-jensen Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

Lots of utilities are sharing their clean energy goals for 2030, 2040 and beyond, as a continued focus on climate change and decarbonization appropriate takes center stage. But declaring vague clean energy targets decades in advance can, arguably, be the easy part of the process, the real challenge comes in living up to those promises and remaining accountable to investors, customers, and regulators to meet those goals. Setting and meeting these clean energy targets is the right thing to do, but if it was easy then we would already be there, but as today’s guest knows: the proof is in the pudding. The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is joined this week by Greg Bernosky, the Director of Corporate Strategy at Arizona Public Service (APS). APS made waves in early 2020 by publicly pledging to provide 100% clean, carbon-free power to its customers by 2050, with interim targets of 65% clean energy and 45% renewable energy by 2030. As one of the key voices in developing those goals, Greg knows that these weren’t just pulled out of thin are, but were rigorously debated and evaluated internally before sharing with customers and stakeholders. And while he agrees the goals are ambitious, he remains confident that the utility can deliver. As he notes, some utility leaders may fear a day of reckoning if it becomes clear their clean energy goals are too ambitious, but he and his team at APS both recognize the bigger day of reckoning will come if the industry doesn’t do enough to prevent to worst impacts of climate change. To that end, Greg walks host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester through the mindset of APS executives and outlines the roadmap they have for meeting these goals. Key Links Greg Bernosky’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/greg-bernosky The APS 10-Year Strategic Plan: https://energycentral.com/c/cp/aps-10-year-strategic-plan Energy Central Post with Full Transcript and Exclusive Bonus Clip: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-37-%E2%80%98-day-reckoning-clean-energy-targets%E2%80%99-greg-bernosky-director-arizona Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

This week on the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, we’re tackling the utility climate discussion from the angle of resilience and adaptation. Where most utility climate discussions deal with emissions reductions, decarbonization, and other methods to try to prevent the worst climate change chain reactions, many in the industry are recognizing that, regardless of how swiftly we implement the clean energy transition, we’re still looking at some likely impacts to the environment around us from climate change that’s already been set into motion. For that reason, addressing reactions to and preparations for climate change are just as critical, especially in an industry that has such large, widespread, and critical infrastructure as power companies do. This focus on climate change resilience and adaptation was brought to us by Nelson Yip, the Director of Strategic Planning at Con Edison. Nelson was one of the forces driving Con Edison’s official Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation Report, which he recently shared with the Energy Central community. While the document is impressive and can stand on its own, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester couldn’t help but bring Nelson into the podcast booth for a deeper dive into this trend-setting document and learn even more from Nelson about the process behind the generation and implementation of this report with an eye towards helping other utilities across the industry take similar steps to prepare for the future. Key Links Nelson Yip’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/nelson-yip How Con Edison Is Building a Climate-Resilient Energy Delivery System for New York City: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/how-con-edison-building-climate-resilient-energy-delivery-system-new-york-city Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central post with full transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-36-tackling-climate-change-resilience-and-adaptation-nelson-yip-con 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/

Today’s episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brings in a guest who’s long overdue for an appearance in Doug Houseman, a Principal Consultant at 1898 & Co., a Burns & McDonnell division. Doug’s insights into the utility in much sought after, and his writing in the Energy Central community has been undoubtedly prolific as he seeks to impart wisdom to the next generation of power professionals that he’s learned the hard way through a career in utilities that stretches on for several decades. Specifically, Doug has seen an unfortunate trend in the world of thought leadership, media coverage, and roadmaps to focus on quick fixes to the grid. Whether that’s through focusing on overly optimistic silver bullets, the tendency to think and speak in sound bites, or just a myopic view of what solutions are going to carry the power sector, and really all of society, into the future, Doug Houseman is here to stress the importance of whole systems thinking and solutions. “If we want to keep the grid a social asset for all to use, then we need to work on the holistic picture, not a single aspect,” Doug recently wrote on the Energy Central article “The Whole Grid and Nothing But the Whole Grid,” and in this episode host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester invite Doug to dig even deeper on that idea. Key Links Doug Houseman’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/doug-houseman The Whole Grid and Nothing But the Grid: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/whole-grid-and-nothing-whole-grid Energy Central Post with Interview Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-35-%E2%80%98-whole-grid-and-nothing-whole-grid%E2%80%99-doug-houseman-principal Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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 U.S. power grid is getting intense focus from all angles these days, from federal initiatives to spend billions of dollars to upgrade the grid infrastructure all the way down to local projects looking to harden transmission infrastructure. Regardless of the scale or lens, though, a pervading type of solution continues to be identified that can accomplish a myriad of goals: the microgrid. Microgrids are effective and innovative tools that, when utilized optimally, can boost how resilient, affordable, and clean a local power system can be. In today’s episode, Bruce Schadler joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to share with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about the vast impact his team has been able to create with targeted microgrid projects. Acting as the Director of Project Management at SourceOne, an energy consulting company for Veolia North America, Bruce and his team have implemented microgrid solutions across New York at sites that include NYU, the New York Public Library, Hudson Yards, and many more. Bruce shares his keen insights about how these solutions, and in particular the Hubgrade service from Veolia, have left an unmistakable fingerprint across the Empire State to prioritize efficiency, digital innovation, sustainability, and resilience. A special thanks goes to Veolia North America for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Bruce Schadler's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/bruce-schadler Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-special-edition-innovative-microgrid 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 latest entry into our Leadership Series, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast was joined by Mark Gabriel, the outgoing CEO of Western Area Power Administration. Mark is passionate about all things grid, and his illustrious career across the utility sector has given him the type of wisdom and insights that have allowed him to be one of the forefront voices for the state of the grid today and what needs to be done to implement the grid of the future. Whether it’s in top trade publications, testifying in front of Congress, or sharing with the Energy Central Community, Mark’s voices has shaped thinking about grid modernization and will continue to do so for years to come. In this episode, Mark covers all of the topics that are most important to his work and to those working on the grid: from the winter-storm blackouts in Texas to engineering a supergrid, from utility leadership to how grid operators directly influence justice and equity, and so much more. Host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester join Mark on this whirlwind episode where questions are raised, answered, and deeper questions raised again. If you work on the grid, you won’t want to miss Mark’s unparalleled expertise and perspective. Key Links Mark Gabriel’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/mark-gabriel Bringing Arizona solar to East Coast evenings: Increasing connections in the power grid: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/bringing-arizona-solar-east-coast-evenings-increasing-connections-power-grid Energy Central post with podcast transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/34-%E2%80%98taking-grid-tomorrow-concept-reality%E2%80%99-mark-gabriel-former-administrator-and Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

Continuing on Energy Central’s focus on innovation for this whole month, this week’s episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast recognizes the external factors that are bringing innovation to the forefront. From the three D’s of decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization to the unexpected pivots that utilities across the country had to embrace in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current climate is making innovation a priority that pervades how we look at energy. No one recognizes that evolution better than Jody Allison, the Vice President for Transformation at Algonquin Power and Utilities, as she spends he days bringing forth new idea, creative opportunities, and customer empowerment to those in her company and its service area every day. Jody was eager to share with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what this innovation looks like from inside the utility board room and how they’re moving well beyond buzzwords but truly embracing necessary change today and tomorrow. Key Links Jody Allison’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jody-allison Innovation by Jody Allison: https://energycentral.com/c/um/innovation Energy Central post with podcast transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-33-innovating-utility-sector Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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 the business world, innovation has risked turning into more of a buzzword than an actual guiding principle. But in a rapidly evolving industry like utilities, innovation can have real impact on operations, on customers, and on the way the entire sector is set up. As such, innovation departments have sprung up across various power providers, seeking out new ways to modernize grid operations, to transform the customer-utility relationship, and to enhance the 21st century utility goals of clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Innovation in these departments is no hollow promise, but something to tangibly deliver. The guest on this latest episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast lives and breathes innovation for utilities, and he argues that to truly embrace innovation a utility must embrace it as a part of the pervading company culture. Josh Gould is the Director of Innovation at Duquesne Light Company, and in that role he’s made it his personal mission to weave innovation culture through every part of the utility business. And while certain outcomes seem more obvious to be measured, Josh shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester how innovation culture can in fact be tracked. His pitch, in this episode, is all about starting innovation at your utility today, so if you need inspiration or ideas to bring to your CEO, you’ll want to listen to Josh’s call to action here! Key Links Josh Gould’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/josh-gould Why traditional thinking on innovation culture must evolve: https://energycentral.com/c/um/why-traditional-thinking-innovation-culture-must-evolve Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-32-creating-culture-innovation Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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/

Hydropower can be rightfully considered the oldest, original renewable energy source. And from the use of waterwheels centuries through to modern marvels like the Hoover Dam, it’s remained a steady, reliable, and affordable form of clean energy generation. But despite its relatively stellar record of providing electricity and energy storage, particularly in areas like the Pacific Northwest, hydropower still tends to fly under the radar when it comes to policy discussions and forward-looking energy transition plans. Why has this workhorse of the utility industry been overlooked and underappreciated for so long, and will the use of digital tools be able to modernize and optimize the hydropower sector like never before? These are the questions posed to Steve Wright, General Manager of Chelan PUD and contributor to the Reinvigorating Hydropower Report, that this episode will explore. Steve joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to sing the praises of hydropower, update the Energy Central community about developments in the world of hydropower that may be going unnoticed, and argue for the position that hydropower currently and will in the future continue to play in the critical clean energy transition. Key Links Steve Wright’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/steve-wright-3 Reinvigorating Hydropower, post on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/c/gn/reinvigorating-hydropower Reinvigorating Hydropower, full report: https://www.chelanpud.org/hydropower/hydropower-for-the-future#:~:text=Reinvigorating%20Hydropower,cost%2C%20emissions%20and%20reliability%20perspective.&text=Design%20markets%20that%20value%20hydropower,societal%20goals%20for%20carbon%20reduction Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-31-%E2%80%98reinvigorating-hydropower%E2%80%99 Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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 HR departments across the utility sector are facing numerous challenges as they continue to develop and build up the workforce of the power sector. Not only is there the brain drain being experienced as career-long employees continue to hit retirement age at record pace, but recruiting for the best and brightest out of school is pitting utilities against Silicon Valley, big tech, and more. That means the utility recruiter needs to get smarter, more deliberate, and highlight the unique aspects of the utility business to attract and retain the best talent. For the guest of today’s episode of the podcast, that imperative is in overdrive because she also has to demonstrate to recruits why moving out to Alaska can create such an appealing life and career, despite potential hesitations from applicants about leaving the contiguous United States and moving to a colder and more remote community. Despite those hurdles, Shirley Akelkok shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester all the ways that working in the Matanuska Valley has perks that can’t be replicated elsewhere. She also shares her wisdom of recruiting practices that are applicable no matter where your utility is visited, from focusing on relationship building to embracing site visits to selling positions as part of a lifestyle rather than just a job. Shirley’s commitment to her community is evident, and by the end of this episode she may just have you checking out property in America’s northernmost state. Key Links Shirley Akelkok’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/shirley-akelkok Recruiting Experiences at Matanuska Electric Association: https://energycentral.com/c/hr/recruiting-experiences-matanuska-electric-association Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Transcript of Episode: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-30-think-your-utility-has 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/

Taking a new job is always a big moment filled with excitement and nerves, but imagine taking over as CEO with the company with which you’ve spent nearly two decades. Now imagine also doing so amid a global pandemic and economic crisis. That’s the situation that Garrick Rochow found himself in just a few months ago when he became the CEO of Consumers Energy, the public utility that provides power and gas to 6.6 million people in Michigan. But rather than approach this new appointment as just a challenge, Garrick has embraced his role as CEO at this critical juncture in our nation’s history as an unprecedented opportunity to ensure the utility was doing all the right things—from clean energy to diversity & inclusion to supporting local communities, and more. Garrick has sought to ensure Consumers Energy continues to fulfill not only its obligations as a public utility, but also go several steps further in creating the type of change that’s needed for the future. In this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, Garrick joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his vision for everything a public utility can and should do for its customers, whether during normal times or at a moment of crisis. Garrick’s passion for his co-workers and customers, as well as the industry at large, are indeed palpable, and this episode seeks to catch that enthusiasm and make it contagious for all listeners. In discussing important topics like utility transformation and decarbonization, steady and calm leadership, and supporting communities in need, Garrick shares his many goals and aspirations for Consumers Energy in the years to come, and under his guidance this utility will surely continue to be one to watch for years to come. Key Links Garrick Rochow’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/garrick-rochow Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: 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': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

For most of their history, the utility industry and the transportation industry have been tangentially associated, but not fully intertwined. Certain small-scale vehicles required electricity, transportation and power both have had to deal with their greenhouse gas contributions, and many forms of transportation were critical to moving electric fuels around the world. These sectors would see each other in passing, occasionally collaborate, but ultimately remain independent. Well as anyone who's recently been to an auto trade show, watched a Super Bowl commercial, or paid close attention to the cars parked at the shopping center knows, it seems like electric vehicles (EVs) have truly arrived. No longer is it a notable event when you spy a Tesla on the road or an EV driver actually using the charger in the parking garage, but rather the pivot point has been reached where EVs are all over the place. As EVs grow in market presence, today's guests find that the separation of utility and transportation is waning. In fact, they'd go so far as to say that the future of these industries is beyond intermingling but will reach a full-fledged marriage where continued success of one is built upon the success of the other. Lincoln Bleveans (Assistant General Manager of Power Supply) and Joe Flores (Marketing Manager) of Burbank Water and Power have spent much time analyzing the electrification of transportation and what the implications are to the utility. Being able to plan for the growth in demand load from EVs is atop the mind of utility executives, but Lincoln and Joe are also eager to see how the availability of EVs as sustainable and flexible assets can transform how utility managers look at patterns on the grid and the opportunity for true strategic transformation. Lincoln and Joe are truly a dynamic duo and their conversation with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester will surely leave the listener just as excited about the utility/transportation marriage as they are. Key Links Lincoln Bleveans’ Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/lincoln-bleveans The California Transportation-Electricity Marriage: The (Utility) Honeymoon Tell-All: https://energycentral.com/c/ec/california-transportation-electricity-marriage-utility-honeymoon-tell-all-zpryme Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-28-swirling-romance-utilities 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 this next entry into our leadership series, highlighting the invaluable insights and forward-looking initiatives being put forth by utility CEOs, we welcome to the podcast Paula-Gold Williams, CEO of CPS Energy. As head of the largest municipally owned energy utility, Paula shares insights in how she and her team have been working to bring clean, Reliable power generation to the San Antonio community, even amidst the unexpected challenges that the COVID pandemic has thrust upon them. Specifically via CPS Energy’s Flexible Path strategy, the utility is looking at how to most thoughtfully discover, explore, and implement new power generation in the coming years, seeking input from innovators and partners across the sector to replace the utility’s aging generation capacity with new, cleaner generation. Paula joins Matt Chester, Community Manager of Energy Central, and Audra Drazga, the VP of the Power Industry Network, to share updates on this exciting new initiative, discuss how it fits into CPS Energy’s short- and long-term plans, and reflects on how the company was able to keep People First amid the challenges brought about by the last year. A special thanks goes to CPS Energy for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: Paula Gold-Williams’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/paula-gold-williams CPS Energy Launches Global FlexPOWER Bundle Request For Proposal to Bring Cleaner, Greener Energy to San Antonio, Texas: https://energycentral.com/c/ee/cps-energy-launches-global-flexpower-bundlesm-request-proposal-bring-cleaner Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/c/um/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-special-edition-thinking-globally-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/

This week, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Conversation centers on the creation, collection, and use of something that’s become just as important to the utility industry as the electrons itself: data. In this episode of the Power Perspectives Podcast, Alden Systems CEO John Sciarabba draws from his experiences during a more than 20-year career in the industry to share more insights into this topic, including common mistakes that your utilities make when it comes to data collection, how to optimize the data you are collecting, and predictions for how technology will meet industry needs in the future. A special thanks to Alden Systems for supporting this edition of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast. Key Links: John Sciarabba’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/john-sciarabba The Digital Data Revolution: Changing How Utilities Will Meet the Challenges of 5G and Beyond: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/digital-data-revolution-changing-how-utilities-will-meet-challenges-5g-and-beyond Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-special-edition-utility-data 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/

Utilities are increasingly looking to add renewable power to their grids to meet local, state, and federal clean energy requirements, to satisfy climate-concerned customer bases, and to fulfill internal goals of increasing the sustainability of operations. But the addition of clean energy cannot come at an excessive cost that will be passed onto ratepayers that may already be strained with heavy energy burdens in their monthly bills. Balancing these goals, along with the imperative that power remains reliable and resilient above else, means that utility executives are commonly seeing themselves becoming expert jugglers and multi-taskers. As CEO of Florida Municipal Power Agency, today’s guest Jacob Williams take on even more of a stressful task as his organization seeks to answer the needs of the citizens and representatives from their 30+ municipal member organizations. As a part of this entry into the Power Perspectives Leadership Series, Jacob spends time with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to explain how exactly the municipal power agency model works, how the high energy demand and sometimes spotty sun in the Sunshine State create unique challenges, and the plans and expectations that FMPA is bringing into 2021 and beyond to continue delivering reliable, affordable, and clean power to Floridians. Utility-scale solar continues to be a key solution, but it’s not always as easy as it seems—tune into this episode to hear Jacob explain why. Key Links Jacob Williams’ Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jacob-williams-1 Florida Municipals Provide Affordable, Reliable and Clean Electricity: https://energycentral.com/c/um/florida-municipals-provide-affordable-reliable-and-clean-electricity Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-27-keeping-municipal-power 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 of us are more than happy to put 2020 in the rearview mirror, to simply shut the door on such a tumultuous year without reflecting on the successes that occurred and the lessons that were learned would be shortsighted. Further, looking ahead to the goals and challenges that the new year will bring would be incomplete without putting them in the context of the year that we just experienced. Recognizing both of these facts, we’re thrilled to welcome onto the podcast for the first episode of the year Tilak Subrahmanian, the Vice President of Energy Efficiency at Eversource Energy. Tilak joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share the varied ways in which Eversource was able to adapt to a quickly changing world much faster than they may have previously thought possible and how customers were kept at the top of the mind of utility professionals when it came to engagement, safety, financial assistance, and more. Where many of us felt battered by everything that 2020 brought, Tilak reminds us that it’s important to find the light and look forward to an even brighter future. After listening to this highly engaging episode, you’ll be ready to tackle the energy changes of 2021 and beyond head on just like Tilak has guided his team and peers to do. Key Links Tilak Subrahmanian’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/239409 State of the Industry in 2021: https://energycentral.com/c/um/state-industry-2021 Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with More Details: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-26-forecasting-2021-utility 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 an episode that’s part recap of a crazy year for all of us and part celebration of the first full year of the podcast under our belt, this episode features host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester discussing some of the best guests and moments that took place on the podcast during our first full year hitting the air waves. We share updates from some of our fan favorite guests, trade top memories and moments for the podcast, and reflect on what it was like to navigate 2020 in the utility sector (no doubt made more bearable because of the terrific guests who were willing to join us this past year). Take a listen to hear some great moments from episodes you may have missed, learned what news our industry leaders have had to share since then, and to close the chapter on this year as we look ahead to prosperous and engaging 2021. From all of us at the Energy Central Team and who work on the Power Perspectives Podcast, a sincere thanks goes to our listeners for an overwhelmingly successful first year—we couldn’t do it without you! Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with More Details: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-25-%E2%80%98don%E2%80%99t-call-it-clip-show%E2%80%99 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/

That the transportation sector is leaning more and more into electric vehicles is no surprise, and is in fact become more of a foregone conclusion. But that trend being seemingly inevitable doesn’t mean it will be a smooth and easy transition for all stakeholders and planning for that future today is of paramount importance, especially for those in the utility business who will be tasked with ensuring there’s enough power being generated and transmitted to where it’s needed to keep the electric vehicles of the region energized. And nowhere in the United States is the need to plan for the electric transport of tomorrow more apparent than with grid operators in Texas, often seen as the crossroads of the country for freight travel. In today’s episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, David Treichler—the Director of Business Development at Oncor Electric Delivery—joins us to share about the state of the electric vehicle evolution in the Lone Star State and what sort of considerations are required of his team at Oncor to ensure fleets can be reliably charged the day they’re brought home from the lot. The infrastructure and processes responsible for moving electrons across the grid were not set up with the transportation sector in mind, but with thought leaders and innovators like David at the helm, the future of electric vehicles in personal, fleet, and freight transportation surely looks bright. Key Links David Treichler’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/106622 Transportation Electrification – Oncor’s Efforts to Be Ahead of the Wave: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/transportation-electrification-%E2%80%93-oncor%E2%80%99s-efforts-be-ahead-wave Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://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/ Energy Central Post with More Details: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-24-%E2%80%98fleet-electrification

Forward-looking industry leaders know that artificial intelligence is poised to transform the way we do everything, both on the business side and from specific customers. The world of power utilities just may be the part of the economy where the possibilities are greatest, the need is highest, and the excitement is peaking. DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) has even made AI in the energy space a priority with its multi-million dollar initiative called the National Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence on the Grid, or NI4AI. In today's episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester are joined by Theo Laughner, the CEO of PowerGRID-RX Inc and a key member of the NI4AI team to discuss this invaluable initiative, and how it all ties him being able to put a sheet of bacon in his smart oven-- the future really is now! Key Links: Theo Laughner’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/242161 ARPA-E funded platform NI4AI is democratizing grid data: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/arpa-e-funded-platform-ni4ai-democratizing-grid-data Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: 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': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/ Energy Central Post with More Details: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-23-%E2%80%98national-infrastructure

Collective utility action to deploy private networks will drive increasing value from the network of networks effect. Private broadband networks are becoming critical infrastructure for Utility Industry modernization efforts today and will be even more important in the future. Private LTE networks offer utilities ownership, greater control and security with a network that can operate outside of public domain. This enormous change opens the door for utilities to broaden their vision and collectively envision how their PLTE networks can become the foundation for a nationwide interconnected network of PLTE networks that protects and enhances the future digital grid. Industry standardization around technology and functionality will provide innovation at scale to maximize the value of these mission critical strategic investments. In this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, Host Jason Price will be joined by Gil C. Quiniones, President and CEO of NY Power Authority (NYPA), and Rob Schwartz, President and CEO of Anterix, to discuss PLTE networks as a key enabler of the end to end digital utility. They also will explore the significant power and benefit the utility sector could experience by moving forward with collective action that would maximize value through interoperability and economies of scale and scope. Forward-thinking companies like NYPA already are investing in LTE platforms as part of its next generation digital transformation effort. Anterix is committed to enabling private broadband for utilities with its 900 MHz spectrum. Key Links Gil Quiniones’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/40449 “Communications is a fundamental issue”: NYPA’s Gil Quiniones on Its LTE Network Deployment: https://energycentral.com/c/iu/%E2%80%9Ccommunications-fundamental-issue%E2%80%9D-nypa%E2%80%99s-gil-quiniones-its-lte-network Rob Schwartz’s Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/257941 Grid of the Future: Overcoming Today’s Challenges, Setting Foundation for Tomorrow: https://energycentral.com/o/anterix/grid-future-overcoming-today%E2%80%99s-challenges-setting-foundation-tomorrow Link to register as a member of the Energy Central community: https://energycentral.com/user/register Energy Central Post with Podcast Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-special-edition-utility-private-lte