The Grid Mod Pod | A Podcast from AEIC

The Grid Mod Pod | A Podcast from AEIC

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The Grid Mod Pod | A Podcast from AEIC episodes

  • Episode 42: Dominion's Automatic Misgrid Corrections Project with Melissa Peskin

    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 Melissa Peskin, Consulting Engineer for Distribution Grid Planning at Dominion Energy. Dominion received one of our 2024 AEIC Achievement Awards for their Automatic Misgrids Correction project.
    Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -Why machine learning can significantly enhance operational efficiency.
    -Why accurate mapping of meters to transformers is critical for reliability.
    -How automation allows for scaling operations that were previously manual.
    -Why continuous improvement is key to operational excellence in utilities.
    -How engaging employees in the change process fosters innovation and efficiency
    –
    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!

    23 min
  • Episode 41: Innovations and Insights from Cooperative Utilities with Thilo Janssen

    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 Thilo Janssen, Director of Engineering at Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC). Thilo is also a member of AEIC's Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Subcommittee.
    Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -How cooperative utilities take a different approach to energy management.
    -How BEC's Apolloware initiative allows real-time monitoring of energy usage for members.
    -Why seamless data collection isn't enough, and why utilities need REAL-TIME access to understand consumer behavior, enhance decision-making, and manage the grid.
    -How prosumers will play a critical role in the future energy market.
    -What benefits can be derived when utilities develop innovative in-house solutions to meet future energy needs.
    –
    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!

    34 min
  • Episode 40: The Future of Integrated System Planning with Francis Frank

    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 Francis Frank, Founder and CEO of Frank Engineering and Energy Consultants. Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -Why integrated System Planning is crucial for modernizing the grid.
    -How data strategy and unpredictable consumer behavior impact load forecasting.
    -How collaboration can help utilities overcome regulatory challenges and simplify the integration of distributed energy resources
    -How hosting capacity maps can significantly improve interconnection processes.
    -Why understanding the complexities of the grid is essential for effective planning.
    –
    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!

    40 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Episode 39: Data Centers’ Role In Transmission Planning with Aftab Khan

    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 Aftab Khan, Executive Vice President of Operations, Planning and Security at PJM Interconnection. Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -Why transmission planning and partnerships between data centers and utilities are crucial for balancing supply and demand.
    -How data centers are significantly increasing energy demand during this fast-paced energy transition.
    -How PJM, the largest regional transmission organization in the U.S, is leveraging existing infrastructure to create innovations in data usage and meet future energy needs
    -How data analytics can enhance decision-making, drive insights, and improve grid management.
    Grid-enhancing technologies are essential for future infrastructure.
    -Why collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders is essential for effective energy solutions.
    -Why innovations in energy efficiency can significantly impact load management.
    -How flexibility in data centers can help balance energy loads during emergencies.
    -Why creative thinking and adaptability are necessary to challenge the status quo in energy.
    –
    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!

    35 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Episode 38: AEIC's Cable Engineering Committee with Najwa Abouhassan

    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 Najwa Abouhassan, Senior Manager of Operational Planning at ComEd. Najwa is also a past chair of our Cable Engineering Committee. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in:
    -An overview of how the Cable Engineering Committee is structured, who can get involved, and what members can take away from it
    -How the Committee successfully pivoted to a virtual format during the COVID pandemic
    -Why mentorship and networking within the industry are essential, not only for problem-solving, but for developing the next generation of engineers
    -How the standards developed by the Committee have a global impact
    -How college students and young professionals can get their foot in the door
    –
    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!

    31 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod Ep 37: Thermal Energy & Climate Action with Stet Sanborn & Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou

    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 two of our friends from SmithGroup: Stet Sanborn and Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou. Together, we explore the intersection of energy systems and climate action.
    Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -Why thermal energy can play a crucial role in offsetting energy demands.
    -Why decentralized energy systems are becoming increasingly important in modern energy discussions.
    -Why collaboration across disciplines is essential for meaningful change in energy systems, and how utilities can adapt.
    -How innovative pilot projects can allow for testing of new technologies, significantly impact communities, and drive sustainability efforts.
    -How federal support and funding plays a key role in advancing climate initiatives.
    -Why understanding the efficiency of heat pumps can lead to better energy solutions.
    -Why celebrating small successes is vital for encouraging further 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!

    46 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Episode 36: Integrated System Planning 101 with Zach Pollock

    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 Zach Pollock, Director of Grid Strategy and Emerging Technology at Xcel Energy. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in:
    -Why integrated system planning is essential for modernizing utilities
    -How the utility industry has evolved significantly over the last century to include new focus areas such as decarbonization
    -An overview of some of the most crucial aspects of planning, including collaboration, visibility into the edge of the grid
    -Why utilities must account for uncertainty when forecasting load growth and new technology adoption
    -How data analytics enhances our understanding of customer behavior
    -Why staying curious can lead to impactful career opportunities.
    –
    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!

    24 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Episode 35: Integrating Inverter-Based Resources with Francis Frank

    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 Francis Frank, Founder and CEO of Frank Engineering and Energy Consultants. Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:
    -How The AEIC Center for Operational Excellence (Ops Center) aims to provide authoritative information for the electric utility industry.
    -Why integrating inverter-based resources presents challenges in language and alignment among stakeholders.
    -Why grid stability and customer trust are vital for the implementation of new technologies.
    -How regulatory measures can drive the adoption of battery energy storage systems.
    -Why understanding the difference between commercial and utility-ready technologies is essential.
    -Why the interconnection process for new resources needs improvement to accommodate growing demand.
    –
    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!

    41 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Ep 34: Eversource's Outer Cape Battery Energy Storage System with George Wegh

    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 George Wegh, Director of Protection and Controls Engineering at Eversource. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in:
    -How Eversource has improved grid reliability in Cape Cod without the need for new transmission lines.
    -How utilities can utilize a battery energy storage system and a microgrid to quickly isolate faults and restore customers in the event of an outage
    -Why remote facility access, fire protection, and internal stakeholder engagement are all important factors to consider when developing a battery energy storage system
    -How Eversource achieved a 91% reduction in customer minutes interrupted on the Cape
    –
    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!

    32 min
  • The Grid Mod Pod | Episode 33: Balancing Load Growth with Energy Efficiency with Jay Oliver

    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 Jay Oliver, Managing Director of the Energy Storage and
    Grid Development Group at Duke Energy. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in:
    -Why significant load growth projections pose challenges for grid modernization
    -Why balancing load growth with carbon reduction plans is crucial.
    -How customer programs like energy efficiency and demand response can be effective in shaping the load and reducing peak demand
    -Why flexibility and scenario analysis are essential in integrated resource planning.
    -How data analysis and effective communication are key drivers of grid modernization.
    -How the utility industry offers exciting career opportunities and plays a critical role in providing quality of life through electricity
    –
    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!

    32 min

About The Grid Mod Pod | A Podcast from AEIC

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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…