In this episode, host Aaron Crow gets into one of the most pressing issues facing our future power grid: the explosive impact of AI, electric vehicles, and data centers on energy demand and what happens when cybersecurity gets left out of the equation. 

As Texas and other states stare down a projected 50% surge in peak energy load by 2030, Aaron shares firsthand insights from his decades in the power utility industry and raises urgent questions about how we’re building the next generation of critical infrastructure.

From the logistical nightmare of charging a million electric cars in urban apartment complexes to the cold reality that most new power plants are being commissioned without cybersecurity in mind, Aaron pulls back the curtain on missed opportunities and potential threats. 

Why isn’t OT security part of major DOE planning reports? Who’s responsible for managing cyber risks in this rapidly evolving landscape? And what’s at stake if we don’t build security into our systems from day one?

If you’re in IT, OT, operations, or simply care about keeping the lights on in our data-driven world, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Tune in as Aaron calls for a united front: making cybersecurity a non-negotiable priority in the grid transformation ahead.

Key Moments: 

01:12 "Urgent Power Capacity Boost by 2030"

05:21 Electric Car Charging Challenges

08:59 System Vulnerabilities and Design Flaws

10:01 Cybersecurity: Everyone's Responsibility

15:20 Complexity of Grid Black Start Process

18:53 Urgency in Tech and Power Security

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