Energy Central

The evolution of transportation systems to be electrified has been a rising story in the power sector for years, and thanks to advancing technologies and progressing electric vehicle (EV) policies it is also poised to be the defining story for utilities over the next decade or two. EVs bring the electric power sector and the transportation industry together like never before, and because the changes needed are so unprecedented, power leaders don't have a singular playbook to follow on how these coming years should play out.

While thought leaders in the energy space agree that change is coming and utilities must prepare, the precise strategy for this transformation does not have a consensus. As these conversations play out, geographic information systems (GIS) and related tools will be critical, but the exact way to utilize these solutions even sparks debate. And so on this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspective Podcast, returning guests Bill Meehan and Pat Hohl, both Directors of Electric Utility Solutions at Esri, join podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to take these debates to the airwaves. What should utility leaders be doing today to prepare for the EV future of tomorrow? What are the best ways to integrate GIS tools in that process? And how exactly will the next 5, 10, 20 years play out? Bill and Pat go point-counterpoint in the Power Perspectives Podcast's first debate.

Key Links:
Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-95-debating-utilities-role-transportation-electrification-esris-bill

Esri's Electric Utilities Page: https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/electric/overview

Bill Meehan's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/360/about

Bill's first apperance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-12-%E2%80%98-unlock-modern-utility-gis

Modeling Electric Distribution with GIS By Bill Meehan: https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/modeling-electric.pdf

GIS for Enhanced Electric Utility Performance by Bill Meehan: https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Electric-Utility-Performance-Engineering/dp/1608075591/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9UCPMZE5TCYB&keywords=enhanced+electric+utility+performance+with+GIS&qid=1663019244&sprefix=enhanced+electric+utility+performance+with+gis%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

Pat Hohl's Energy Central Profile:https://energycentral.com/member/profile/204983/about

Pat's first appearance on the podcast:https://energycentral.com/c/iu/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-10-%E2%80%98-past-future-circuits-how

Bill and Pat's Podcast Episoe from Earlier this Year: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-80-taking-geographic-approach-public-grid-investment-bill-meehan-and-pat

Taking the Community Pulse: How Prepared Are Utilities for the EV Revolution?: https://energycentral.com/o/esri/taking-community-pulse-how-prepared-are-utilities-ev-revolution

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

As the key technologies used by utilities across the country evolve, so too must the institutional knowledge and protocols to be able to handle that new technology. A key technological area where utilities are becoming more and more accustomed with each passing years is with batteries, whether that's large grid-tied batteries, residential energy storage installations, or even electric vehicle batteries. The transformation of the grid is bringing batteries to the utility landscape at an unprecedented scale, and to make this trend even more challenging the technologies behind batteries are in a constant state of flux as well.

In terms of preparing for the new technologies, safety must always be a utility's top priority, and as such fire safety practices related to batteries simply cannot be overlooked. Most people have seen the scary videos of batteries or electric vehicles catching fire and the uncertainty that may come for less trained people in how to handle such fires due to the unique chemical elements in play during a battery fire. Today's guest to the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is trying to wipe away that uncertainty by training utilities and local emergency response teams alike on the proper practices for battery fire safety. Bringing his unique combination of experience across the firefighting industry and the power generation sector, Jay Sadler, Energy Storage Operations Lead at Duke Energy, is the leading utility voice on battery fire safety and he's been taking that knowledge on the road to spread the insight. Most recently, he joined podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his insights and explain what utility leaders should be doing to prepare if they are not doing so already regarding battery fire safety preparations.

Key Links:
Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-94-prioritizing-and-advancing-battery-fire-safety-utilities-jay-sadler

Jay Sadler's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jay-sadler

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Episode 93: ‘The Invaluable Role of Advanced Nuclear Today and Tomorrow' with Christine King of Idaho National Lab's GAIN
While nuclear energy has been a mainstay of U.S. and global power grids for many decades, recent months have seen a renewed focus on the importance of this dispatchable and carbon-free power source. Rising and volatile fossil fuel prices, variable renewable energy sources, and the urgent prioritization to decarbonize the energy sector have all left nuclear energy as a critical and unreplicable source for the sector. That said, nuclear energy is not without its detractors or challenges.

But those guiding the future of nuclear energy aren't resting on the power source's laurels, nor are they willing to accept any of the existing downsides, which is why the topic of advanced nuclear continues to gain favor. The future of nuclear energy can see generation with reduced costs, smaller footprints, more adaptability, and other benefits that further drive the energy source into the spotlight. Among the most critical entities driving this future of nuclear is the U.S. Department of Energy, and specifically Idaho National Lab and its Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN). Joining podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to discuss the importance of nuclear today and tomorrow, as well as the breakthrough work being done by federal scientists and researchers, is Christine King , Director of GAIN. Listen in as she highlights what you need to know about this critical moment in the nuclear power sector.

Key Links:
Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-93-invaluable-role-advanced-nuclear-today-and-tomorrow-christine-king

Christine King's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/christine-king

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Episode #92: 'Stepping Up to Meet the Utility's Regulatory and Policy Needs' with Dave Robertson, VP of Public Affairs at Portland General Electric [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

The utility industry is one of the more tightly regulated sectors of the economy, given the local monopoly that most power providers naturally have and the essential nature of the end product: electricity to run our daily lives. As such, the interplay between the utility business side and the public policy taking place on the federal, state, and local level is a key area of focus in every utility across the country. These days especially, with topics like power outages and climate change driving public attention and government leaders alike, the regulatory and policy affairs departments of the typical utility are more in the spotlight than ever before.

With that in the mind, it's a perfect moment in time to reflect on how the relationship between utilities and regulations have evolved over time and what this space will look like in the years to come, and to do so we must continue to lean on the institutional knowledge of the veterans of the industry. Ahead of his departure from Portland General Electric as their Vice President of Public Affairs, Dave Robertson joined host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to reflect on his time in this role and speculate about the future direction the industry can and should take.

Key Links:

Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-92-stepping-meet-utilitys-regulatory-and-policy-needs-dave-robertson-vp

Dave Robertson's Energy Central Profile: energycentral.com/member/profile/dave-robertson

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

With the recent passage of recent legislation and the continued stream of public funds going towards enabling cleaner forms of generation, an area that must not be overlooked is the infrastructure needed to transmit energy across the country. The grid and its physical transmission and distribution equipment is an area that utilities are paying more attention to in order to stay ahead of the rapid transformation taking place across the sector.

Because of the gravitas this transmission improvement topic requires and the regional proximity of ITC Holdings to podcast host Jason Price, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast was able to pay the guests of this episode an on-site visit to discuss everything going on from a regulatory, funding, and modernization perspective on the grid. Specifically, Jason visited with Vice President of Transmission Planning, Charles Marshall, and Director of Regional Policy and RTO Engagement, Brian Drumm, to dive into this critical moment in the grid's history.

Note: For reference when Jason and the guests discuss recent news and events relevant to this episode, please note that this recording took place on July 28, 2022.

Key Links
Link to Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript and Photo of the In-Person Recording: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-91-creating-tangible-transmission-improvements-charles-marshall-and-brian

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Every so often, we hear about breakthroughs taking place in the laboratory setting or academic papers that highlight the type of program that has the power to transform the utility sector, and they get touted and shared in headlines, social media, and elsewhere. Too often, though, it seems the story ends there: the practical application falls apart when put up to scrutiny, the economics of putting them into place creates hurdles not previously foreseen, or they otherwise suffer from being more hype than reality. But that outcome doesn't always need to be the case, and in the current rush to enhance the energy transition towards more clean energy resources we need all the buy in we can get.

That was the perspective of Turlock Irrigation District (TID) when the utility became aware of broad proclamations from an academic study on the possibilities tied to installing floating solar panels on the nation's canal systems. While the study was theoretical, TID recognized that they had the type of canal system in their assets and the energy needs across their service area to be perfectly aligned to put the conclusions of this study to the test, and so that's what they did. In this episode of the podcast, TID's External Affairs Department Manager, Josh Weimer, joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to chat about what ultimately became known as Project Nexus and how and why the utility was eager to be the first to pilot this high potential project.

Key Links:
Josh Weimer's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/josh-weimer

Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-90-diving-project-nexus-and-floating-solar-josh-weimer-turlock-irrigation

Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register

More information on Project Nexus: https://www.tid.org/about-tid/current-projects/project-nexus/

TID Water & Power Podcast on Project Nexus: https://tidpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1542562/10214969

2021 UC Merced Study: https://escholarship.org/content/qt8cj5j07p/qt8cj5j07p.pdf

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Energy Efficiency is a key component of every utility across the country, but efficiency programs and departments have been in the power sector for so long that it may be easy to overlook their importance. However, the impact that energy efficiency can have for utilities today is in fact more critical than ever, serving as a key driver toward a myriad of top-level utility goals: decarbonization, grid reliability, customer affordability, the business bottom line, and more.

Seeking to ensure that energy efficiency, and importantly the new tools and opportunities that digital technologies and innovative thinking are uncovering in the efficiency realm, stays top of mind, VEIC has become one of the nation's most trusted voices on how, where, and why to ramp up energy efficiency efforts. To highlight the efforts underway across the country, this episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast brings in VEIC's CEO, Rebecca Foster. Listen in as Rebecca shares with host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the success stories taking place today and the lessons learned from which all power providers can benefit.

Key Links:
Energy Central Post for Episode with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-89-cranking-impact-energy-efficiency-across-country-rebecca-foster-ceo

Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register

Rebecca Foster's profile on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/rebecca-foster

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Episode #88: 'Eyes on Energy Efficiency, Grid Resilience, and Clean Energy in the Lonestar State' With Rudy Garza, Interim President & CEO of CPS Energy [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

Fair or not, the eyes of the utility industry have been on Texas in recent months. After Winter Storm Uri in early 2021 nearly brought the grid down completely, state lawmakers, utility leaders, and innovators have been seeking ways to ensure grid resilience is at the top of the agenda. And leading into the summer season, those new strategies appeared poised to be put to the test thanks to record heatwaves that would bring with them previously unseen levels of power demand.

At CPS Energy, interim President and CEO Rudy Garza has taken this spotlight seriously and leveraged the expertise across his teams to ensure that every tool in the toolbox has been tapped into to prepare the San Antonio utility for what's to come. From ensuring low-hanging energy efficiency fruit was tapped into to ramping up the additional sources of clean energy and peak load energy resources, Rudy has shown confidence that CPS Energy customers can count on the lights to stay on this summer. To dive into the lessons learned from last year and highlight the efforts that are continually ongoing, Rudy joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share his perspective.

Key Links

Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-88-eyes-energy-efficiency-grid-resilience-and-clean-energy-lonestar-state

Rudy Garza's profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/member/profile/rudy-garza

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

In the increasingly digital world in which we operate, cybersecurity has become a core focus for leaders across the economy. In the utility industry in particular, ensuring systems are secured against potential cyber attack is a top priority, and the state of cybersecurity protections must continue to evolve as new technologies continue to get introduced to the ecosystem. For any utility big or small, the prospect of a cyber vulnerability can put customer data at risk, cause financial damages, and can even bring the operation of the grid down.

No matter the size or makeup of the utility, these truths remain consistent, though for smaller municipal utilities the challenge can be greater as they have fewer resources than large investor-owned utilities. That said, municipal utilities are stepping up to the challenge, and the guest on this week's episode is one of those great leaders in utility cybersecurity at the city level. Hong Sae is the CIO at the City of Roseville, and he joins host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to weigh in on the unique municipal challenges and offer tips and tricks from his over a decade in this role.

Key Links
Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-87-protecting-grid-municipal-level-cybersecurity-hong-sae-city-roseville

Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts

Americans are hurting economically in recent months, with prices for everything in the monthly budget rising more than previously expected. Utilities have not been immune to the tough financial situation, as fuel prices continue to rise and show unpredictable volatility, but for most households and businesses they are unable to reasonably do anything about their energy budget beyond typical energy conservation practices. With prices rising, it is the responsibility of the utility providers to manage costs and as much as possible shield their customers from unexpected bill increases, but doing so is no easy feat.

That's the situation that Jacob Williams, CEO and GM of Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) finds him and his teams in, especially as the hot Florida summer approaches and brings with it higher power demand across all service areas. In his second appearance on the Power Perspectives Podcast, Jacob shares insights on the tools that utilities in the Sunshine State can use to manage their costs, bring affordable electricity to their customers, and ensure simultaneous goals of reliability and decarbonization aren't sacrificed in the meantime. Listen in as Jacob chats with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about what utilities will need to do in the coming months.

Key Links:
Link to Energy Central post with full episode transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-86-keeping-electricity-affordable-among-high-energy-costs-jacob-williams

Link to Create Your Own Profile on Energy Central: energycentral.com/user/register

Jacob Williams' Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jacob-williams-1/about

Florida Municipals Working to Keep Electricity Affordable: https://energycentral.com/c/um/florida-municipals-working-keep-electricity-affordable

Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts