What if the biggest challenge facing the power industry isn’t technology, but trust?

In this episode, Tim sits down with Michael Lee to explore “Retail 2.0,” the rise of distributed energy, and why the future grid depends on flexibility, customer engagement, and smarter orchestration, not just more infrastructure.

From AI-driven demand to shifting incentives, this conversation challenges how we think about building the grid of the future.

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Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac

Topic: What happens when the grid shifts from a one-way system to a dynamic, customer-driven platform?

Overview: As the energy landscape evolves, the path forward may not be about building more, but using what we have more intelligently. This episode explores how flexibility, coordination, and trust could redefine the future of power.

Highlights:

• The rise of “Retail 2.0” and why customer flexibility is the new competitive edge

• How distributed energy resources (DERs) can reshape grid economics

• Why trust, not technology, may be the industry’s biggest barrier

• The impact of AI, data centers, and electrification on demand growth

• Rethinking utility business models: from infrastructure builders to platform orchestrators