Energy Central

Episode #35: 'Think Your Utility Has Recruiting Challenges? Try Hiring in Alaska!' with Shirley Akelkok of Matanuska Electric Association - [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

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:

Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-30-think-your-utility-has

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

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/

Episode #32: "Thinking Globally and Acting Locally via the FlexPOWER Bundle" with Paula Gold-Williams, CEO CPS Energy - [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

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/

Episode #29: 'Forecasting 2021 Utility Trends of Efficiency, Customer Engagement, & More’ with Tilak Subrahmanian of Eversource Energy - [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

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:

Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/energy-central-power-perspectives%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-26-forecasting-2021-utility

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

Florida Municipals Provide Affordable, Reliable and Clean Electricity: https://energycentral.com/c/um/florida-municipals-provide-affordable-reliable-and-clean-electricity

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