The Grid Mod Pod | A Podcast from AEIC

Did you know that understanding your energy usage can lead to significant savings? What if you could see how your energy use compares to others in your community?Orange and Rockland Utilities is making this possible through their Building Energy Usage Portal. Get the scoop on how it works on this week's episode of the Grid Mod Pod, where we're joined by Phil Madnick, an energy industry veteran and Section Manager at Orange & Rockland Utilities.Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-An overview of how Orange and Rockland's Building Energy Usage Portal aims to improve energy efficiency.-Why customer accessibility to energy data is essential for engagement.-Why information is the first step towards energy management.-How understanding customer segments helps utilities tailor engagement strategies.-Why visibility into energy usage is necessary for efficiency improvements.-How advanced metering infrastructure supports better energy management.–Grid modernization happens inside a highly regulated, security-conscious, non-traditional business model that operates very differently than most industries. At its core are utility leaders and operation experts who are navigating new tools, regulations, and more to deliver a sustainable, affordable power grid for all. We're here to bring their voices and perspectives to the surface on the Grid Mod Pod.Each week, you’ll hear directly from the utility leaders and practitioners doing the real work of modernizing and improving our ever-evolving power grid. Each episode stays grounded in practical, on-the-ground insights around what leaders are prioritizing, how they’re building alignment, and how they're driving change. We hope you walk away from this podcast with the insights and momentum needed to spark change in our industry.This podcast is brought to you by Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC), the place for knowledge sharing across the electric utility industry. Founded by Thomas Edison, we’ve been leading the way since 1885.We’ll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Can you imagine having to perform 2 MILLION tasks perfectly each year to maintain compliance in the energy sector? That's the challenge NextEra Energy faced in the ever-evolving landscape of utility management.On this week’s Grid Mod Pod, we sit down with Robert Wargo, Senior Director of the NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) Center of Excellence at NextEra Energy, Inc, to learn about how his team developed an automated solution to streamline compliance checks. Robert and his team received one of our 2025 Achievement Awards for their innovative work.Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-Why building a system for real-time compliance records is essential-How NextEra Energy used artificial intelligence to enhance compliance processes and reduce manual effort-How data organization enables cross-validation and accuracy-Why maintaining data cleanliness is crucial for compliance.-How continuous auditing can significantly reduce the workload during audits.–

Grid modernization happens inside a highly regulated, security-conscious, non-traditional business model that operates very differently than most industries. At its core are utility leaders and operation experts who are navigating new tools, regulations, and more to deliver a sustainable, affordable power grid for all. We're here to bring their voices and perspectives to the surface on the Grid Mod Pod.Each week, you’ll hear directly from the utility leaders and practitioners doing the real work of modernizing and improving our ever-evolving power grid. Each episode stays grounded in practical, on-the-ground insights around what leaders are prioritizing, how they’re building alignment, and how they're driving change. We hope you walk away from this podcast with the insights and momentum needed to spark change in our industry.This podcast is brought to you by Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC), the place for knowledge sharing across the electric utility industry. Founded by Thomas Edison, we’ve been leading the way since 1885.We’ll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.–In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Engineering at Central Hudson Gas and Electric.Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-How Central Hudson's Crew on Site project enhances safety for field crews.-Why change management is critical in technology deployments.-How communication with frontline workers builds trust.-Why automation in the distribution grid requires careful planning.-Why safety must be prioritized in all operational changes.–This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.–In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Michael Levy, Partner and U.S. Utilities Lead at Baringa. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-Why utilities must be held accountable for performance during extreme weather events.-What can happen when reliability metrics exclude major weather events, such as misleading assessments.-Why data transparency is crucial for building trust between utilities and customers.-Why cost-benefit analysis is essential for justifying resilience investments.-Why utilities should focus on both resistance and recovery in their strategies.-Why the framework for resilience must be simple and understandable for all stakeholders.–This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.–In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Marco Sanchez, Chief Advisory Officer of Stellar Energy. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-How innovative cooling technologies can recover lost power during extreme heat.-Why thermal energy storage is crucial for sustainable energy solutions.-Why collaboration between cooling and power systems enhances efficiency.-How hyperscalers are changing the demand dynamics in the energy market.-How the energy sector is currently experiencing a renaissance in interest and innovation.–This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.–In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Mike Beehler, National Spokesperson for the Power Delivery Intelligence Initiative. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:-Why aesthetics and safety are driving undergrounding's popularity in the United States-Why cost analysis is crucial for justifying underground projects.-Why advocacy and education are essential for promoting underground initiatives.-How joint trenching can reduce costs and improve efficiency in utility installations.-Why resiliency should be defined and quantified in the electric utility sector.–This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.

–

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Ben Lanz, Senior Director of Industry and External Affairs at Osmose. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:

-Why grid modernization is not just about digital tools, but the physical infrastructure.

-How data plays a crucial role in diagnosing and extending the life of utility assets.

-What the similarities and differences are between resilience and reliability

-Why utilities need to communicate the value of their upgrades to gain public support.

-How pilot projects can demonstrate the value of data-driven decision-making.-Why the next generation of utility leaders must embrace data and technology.

–

This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.

–

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by David Quier, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at PPL Electric Utilities. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:

-How dynamic line rating can alleviate congestion, save costs, and provide valuable data for asset management

-How a centralized operational philosophy can help align different departments

-Why overcoming compliance and cybersecurity concerns is crucial for implementation

-How collaboration with external partners can enhance operational efficiency

-Why continuous learning and benchmarking are essential for industry growth.

–

This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.

–

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined by Shane Powell, Power Delivery Enterprise Data Analytics Director at Alabama Power. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:

-Why collaboration is key to success in data analytics.

-How data accessibility is a significant challenge in utilities.

-How AI can enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

-Why change management is essential for implementing new tools.

-Why agile methodologies can lead to quicker wins in data projects.

–

This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!

Welcome to the Grid Mod Pod, brought to you by AEIC. In this podcast, you’ll hear from the utility industry’s top operations leaders on how their companies are working to modernize and improve our ever-evolving power grid. Thank you for joining us.

–

In this episode, we’re excited to be joined again by Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou, Principal at SmithGroup. Here's what you'll learn about when you tune in:

-Why microgrids should be at the forefront of energy discussions.

-An overview of the Seeds concept and how it bridges technical and equitable development.

-Why change makers and effective communication are crucial for driving energy innovation.

-Why financing infrastructure upgrades remains a significant challenge.

-Why community involvement is vital for successful energy transitions.

-How time of use rates can encourage positive energy behavior.

–

This podcast is brought to you by AEIC, the place where operations leaders come together to share knowledge and provide guidance to the electric utility industry. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Until then, keep powering on!