In this episode of T&D World Live, we dig into one of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — facing utilities today: how to modernize the grid while building the broadband connectivity needed to support everything from DERs and automation to resiliency and future-ready operations.

We sit down with Russ Ehrlich from Exelon and Jeff Pittman from Nokia to talk through the entire modernization journey — from early evaluation and business-case development to funding, deployment, and long-term operations. They also share lessons learned from the recent Utility Broadband Alliance Plugfest and offer a forward-looking view on the advanced applications gaining traction as we head into 2026.

We cover where utility broadband fits into grid modernization, how to ask the right questions early on, or what capabilities will define the next decade of utility evolution.

Tune in to hear practical insights, real-world experience, and a thoughtful look at what’s coming next for the industry. 

Bob Crossen, Vice President of Content for Endeavor B2B’s Water and Energy Group discusses his first visit to ADIPEC, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. While traditionally viewed as an oil and gas event, ADIPEC revealed a much broader focus on power, electricity, digitalization and emerging technologies shaping the global energy landscape.

In this episode of the T&D World Podcast, host Christina Marsh is joined by Nikki Chandler and Jeff Postelwait for a year-end roundup of the five most-read articles of 2025. Together, they explore the major trends shaping the power and transmission industry — from grid expansion and manufacturing challenges to system reliability and rising electricity costs.

This episode of the T&D World Live podcast features Scott Corwin, President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA). The conversation centers on the growing pressures facing the U.S. electric grid and the urgent need for policy and permitting reform to support new generation and transmission infrastructure.

In this episode of the T&D World Live podcast, we welcome Melvin Liwag, Senior Engineer at the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), for an in-depth conversation about his career journey, OUC’s evolution, and how modern utilities are improving reliability, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

In this episode of the T&D World Live podcast, managing editor Jeff Postelwait and Rod Walton, managing editor for Microgrid Knowledge and Energy Tech, took a more conversational approach to explore one of the biggest shifts facing the power industry today: the surge in energy demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and electrification — and how utilities are responding.

In this episode of the T&D World Podcast, host Christina Marsh sits down with Editorial Director Nikki Chandler and Managing Editor Jeff Postelwait to recap the biggest stories, insights, and moments from the T&D World Live 2025 conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona. The editors share firsthand experiences and reflections on this year’s themes, including load growth, grid resiliency, cybersecurity, and customer affordability — topics that have increasingly replaced the industry’s earlier focus on decarbonization.

Ubicquia AI-driven platforms make existing critical infrastructure intelligent to increase grid resiliency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance operational efficiencies for utilities and municipalities. The company’s advanced analytics platform leverages more than 2 billion data sets per day to deliver its customers actionable insights. Ubicquia's products and solutions, which include sensors, software, and connectivity, are compatible with over 450 million streetlights, 500 million transformers, and 1 billion utility poles worldwide. Ubicquia’s platforms are deployed in more than 800 utilities and municipalities and its technologies are integrated on an OEM basis with leading manufacturers of transformers, streetlights and public safety video solutions.

In this episode of the T&D World Live podcast producer Christina Marsh sits down with Nate Ernst, president of the Tactian Group, to explore how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are reshaping electric utility operations. They discuss the FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule and how it will affect utility UAS operations. Part 108 would enable drones to cover longer distances and carry out more complex tasks, but it will also require more robust safety management systems and multi-person flight operations. 

As extreme weather becomes more frequent and global supply chains remain unpredictable, electric utilities are under growing pressure to strengthen the resilience of their distribution networks. In this episode of T&D World Live, Ken Woo, President of Marmon Utility, shares a global perspective on two of the most urgent challenges facing utility providers: climate disruption and supply chain volatility.

With decades of leadership in the power infrastructure space, Ken offers insight into how manufacturers and solution partners are evolving to meet the dynamic needs of utilities responsible for delivering safe, reliable electricity to communities. The conversation focuses on the role of strategic design, regional readiness, and responsive sourcing in supporting utilities as they prepare for a future of greater unpredictability and demand.

This episode offers a comprehensive look at how collaboration across the supply chain is helping utilities build more resilient systems—designed for today’s volatility and tomorrow’s growth.