Changing Energy

In this Season 2 premiere episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn sit down to talk about the progression of communications in the utility space. The group welcomes special guest and Changing Energy super-fan, Kristie Aldridge, Vice President of Strategic Communications & Marketing at North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives. Maria, Wake Electric's Communications Assistant, joins in to help interview this week’s guest. The group discusses the evolution of member expectations, communicating during outages and educating consumers about the energy transition. Warning: This episode contains lighthearted banter about the food quality of Wendy’s. Our apologies to all Wendy's fans.

In this extra special episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn come together to celebrate the 20th episode of their podcast. They take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the past 19 episodes and the memorable moments they've shared. The guys treat their listeners to a highlight reel, featuring some of the most special and beloved moments from their interviews and discussions. Join in as they relive fan-favorite segments and revisit the topics that resonated with them and their audience.

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  919-863-6331

In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn open up the podcast by discussing new and exciting NHL energy initiatives. Later they discuss the main topic of microgrids with this week’s guest Erik Hall, the Director of Energy Services and Technology at the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives. The group takes some listener questions at the end of the podcast concerning thermostats as well as EV incentives and rebates. Hard-core listener challenge: How many times do we say “dipping our toes” in this episode?

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  919-863-6331

In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss reliability and the software technology that utilities are using to track that important parameter. Also, the group discusses the EPA and Goldman Sachs predictions of EV adoption within the next 15 years. The main topic includes a guest interview with Fred Keller, a long-time utility employee in Customer Service and Legislative Affairs. The group talks about the difference between co-ops and investor owned utilities by highlighting a recent legislative rally in Washington DC. The group closes by answering a question about regional transmission organizations.

EP: 18 Timeline

00:34 – Intros

14:14  – The News

23:47 – Main Topic: Interview with Fred Keller, a long-time utility employee in Customer Service and Legislative Affairs

41:35 – Listener Questions

47:07 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  919-863-6331

In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss how Disney manages their electric grid and how that system compares to Wake Electric’s system. The group talked with Jim Musilek, VP of Innovation and Business Development of North Carolina EMC about Beneficial Electrification and its goals of saving money and reducing greenhouse gases. They end with answering a question from Wake’s Annual Meeting about the hardening of substations against sabotage.

Story Links: 

Toward A New Energy Efficiency World Order

Disney World Is Legally Allowed to Build a Nuclear Plant in Florida

EP: 17 Timeline

00:18 – Intros

13:20 – The News

17:52 – Main Topic: Interview with Jim Musilek, VP of Innovation and Business Development, NCEMC

50:36 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  919-863-6331

In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss an article about Tesla offering unlimited overnight charging in Texas. The main topic consists of the group talking with Derl Rhoades an electric meter professional about where we have come and where we might go with meters. They end with a listener question on how to ramp up or turn off big generation and why.

Story Links:

About 25% of U.S. power plants can start up within an hour

Tesla announces unlimited overnight charging for $30 per month

EP: 16 Timeline

00:15 – Intros

04:59 – The News

19:14 – Main Topic: Interview with Derl Rhoades of Sensus

57:40 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-863-6331

In this episode, the final of a three-part series about energy news of December 2022, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with some Lightning Box discussion, as well as news about an Oregon company, NuScale, that has received design approval for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR).  For the main topic, the group discusses the achievements on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) on December 5, with soundbites of the announcement that the laboratory reached nuclear fusion ignition, stating that we a step closer to commercial fusion technology.

Story Links:

U.S. approves design for NuScale small modular nuclear reactor

Nuclear Fusion: Inside the breakthrough that could change our world | 60 Minutes

EP: 15 Timeline

00:17 – Intros

06:08 – The News

15:17 – Main Topic: Discussion of the National Ignition Facility’s achievements

26:41 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-863-6331

In this special episode of a three-part series, Don, Kirk and Shawn interview Lee Ragsdale, Vice President of Energy Delivery of North Carolina EMC to review the events of Winter Storm Elliott. The group specifically shared information concerning rolling blackouts and how they are effective at balancing the grid when it is at its highest capacity.

EP: 14 Timeline

00:18 – Intros

02:54 – Episode Topic – Interview Lee Ragsdale

20:48 – Interview Recap

25:13 – Outro

Story Links:

Article – Rolling Blackouts, Explained

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-863-6331

In this special episode of a three-part series, Don and Kirk interview Dennis Mabe of Randolph EMC about that cooperative’s experiences of recovering from the effects of the December 3rd, Moore County Substation attacks. Afterwards, Shawn joins the group to highlight the resiliency of utilities even during such senseless crimes.

EP: 13 Timeline

00:20 – Intros

11:30 – Episode Topic – Interview Dennis Mabe

36:37 – Interview Recap

40:38 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-863-6331

In this Episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn welcome Mike Pristas, Vice President of North America Sales, of Firmatek, into the studio to highlight the main topic of Drones in the Utility Industry. The discussions begin with Thanksgiving Energy Trivia, followed by a news article about South Dakota’s fast growing wind production. The episode ends with questions about holiday lighting safety and how electric systems grow to meet growing consumer electric demand.

Story Links:

Wind is now South Dakota’s No. 1 producer of electricity, but not every day

Holiday Safety

EP: 12 Timeline

09:59 – The News

14:39 – Episode Topic – “Drones”

43:08 – Listener Questions

50:30 – Outro

How to reach us:

Twitter: @ChangingNRG

Facebook: @ChangingNRG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 919-863-6331