What’s the role of the modern independent system operator—especially in a grid becoming increasingly complicated and overloaded by the day?

Elliot Mainzer, CEO of the California Independent System Operator (one of the largest ISOs in the world), says it’s like flying the plane while building it. So how are the best ISOs responsible for stabilizing the grid approaching the next decade of unprecedented energy demand?

This week on The Watt & Why, Elliot joins host Mike Smith to lift the curtain on what it really takes to stay agile, proactive, and resilient in today’s energy reality. Elliot and Mike cover…

- The importance of prioritization when orchestrating and collaborating with load-serving entities, states, and ISOs

- The role of the Western Energy Imbalance Market in furthering both diversity + capacity

- Separating signal from noise amidst this widely dissected demand spike

- The importance of data centers and other hyperscalers being good grid citizens (read: bringing flexibility and dispatchability)

- Queuing reform and the future of regulatory speed

- The role of nuclear in the western energy markets

…And so, so much more.

This episode is packed with insights from one of the most important leaders in the modern energy landscape. Hit play for an inside look at how CAISO is building for a robust, resilient grid of the future.