GridPulse, a Grid Forward podcast

In this season finale, Ruth Gratzke, President of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the United States, looks back at the state of the grid in 2024 and how the industry should be planning for future needs. In rapid-fire fashion, Bryce asks Ruth about topics from each of the podcast’s episodes in Season 5 to discuss:

• The importance of federal funding in moving modernization forward

Thank you for listening to this season of GridForward Chats. Be on the lookout for the launch of Season 6 in 2025!

By nature, utilities are risk adverse. Because of this, some are hesitant to accept innovative solutions to grid modernization. Strong efforts are needed to publicize the positive benefits of rate changes, data sharing and integrated planning. Part two of this discussion with Rich Sedano of RAP and Danielle Sass Byrnett of NARUC focuses on how state commissions and stakeholders can work together to efficiently and positively advance changes to the grid.

Using performance-based regulatory incentives for energy efficiency proved to be successful. Should similar incentives be created for reliability? In part one of this discussion, Rich Sedano, of Regulatory Assistance Project, and Danielle Sass Byrnett, of NARUC, discuss how performance-based incentives set by state commissions may accelerate innovation and provide clearer direction to utilities for grid modernization. They also discuss advanced rate structures that move innovation forward while keeping electricity affordable for the ratepayer. 

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is determined to offer 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, while maintaining world-class reliability at an affordable rate. To achieve this ambitious goal, SMUD is working with both a number of innovators to advance carbon-free energy technologies, while also asking their customers to partner with them in advanced flexibility solutions. SMUD’s CEO & General Manager Paul Lau also discusses leveraging federal resources, the impact of policy and what they are learning on the front lines of their decarbonization journey as well as addressing energy equity, company culture and what kind of a legacy he looks to leave with the industry.

This episode dives into Ford’s approach to the future of mobility through electrification and grid connectivity. We examine the company's recent initiatives, including new electric models, investment in EV infrastructure, and partnerships aimed at accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. Learn about the innovations Ford is bringing to the market and how they plan to meet the increasing demand for cleaner, more efficient transportation and energy options. Listen in as Ryan O’Gorman, who has 20 Plus years of experience at Ford Motor Company, gives an insider's view on Ford's commitment to sustainability and technological excellence in the EV space.

Pairing batteries with sophisticated grid controls offers the flexibility to provide multiple sources of value depending on where the battery is located and how it is utilized. Tim Allen, president and CEO of PXiSE Energy Solutions, joined Bryce on the podcast to discuss how advanced controls and markets for energy storage can overcome barriers to an efficient, decarbonized grid. Battery capacity, value definition, resource flexibility, asset utilization and federal incentives are all rapidly evolving, giving transmission and distribution entities new ways to meet competing objectives.

David Crane, Under Secretary for Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), joined Bryce Yonker on the podcast to discuss how DOE is supporting the advancement of grid infrastructure. David discusses DOE financial and manufacturing incentives to support commercialization that is spurring progress in the industry and across the clean energy ecosystem. To help the scale up of the clean energy transition, their focus remains on three things: efficiency, electrification, and zero carbon generation sources.

Regulatory requirements for cybersecurity are a top priority; however, regulations only cover a minimum level of security needed. Compliance to regulations does not equal security because each organization’s risks differ. On this episode guest host Steven Parker of EnergySec and Jim Schultz of Black & Veatch discuss frameworks that organizations can use to help protect themselves against the threat of cyberattacks and how assessing organizational risk tolerance can produce a customized set of standards that companies can strive to attain.

Maintaining a flexible energy grid is critical to modern day power. Decarbonation goals, policy changes and a migration of people due to the pandemic have all drastically changed the landscape of power supply needs in recent years. On top of that, consumers are adopting distributive energy resources, or DERS, causing the grid to no longer be a one-way system from generation to load. Instead, power sources are coming into the grid from all directions. How can power grid operators ensure DERs at scale are orchestrated to their maximum potential? How are DERs being utilized on the grid today? Listen in as Brenda Chew, director of product management at Virtual Peaker, and Franco Albi, director of regional integration at Portland General Electric, discuss the benefits of the virtual power plants in lowering cost, creating grid flexibility and reaching decarbonization goals.