Renewable Rides Ep 95: The Utility of the Future and the Community Power Model with San Diego Community Power CEO, Karin Burns
What if the biggest roadblocks to clean energy weren’t the technology itself, but the time it takes to connect that power to the grid? In this episode, San Diego Community Power CEO, Karin Burns, dives deep into the future of renewable energy, community choice aggregation (CCAs), and how innovative solutions like virtual power plants are transforming the way we generate, store, and use electricity.
You’ll learn how CCAs create cleaner, more affordable power while building local jobs, why AI will be critical to forecasting and managing growing energy loads from data centers and electric vehicles, and how behind-the-meter systems can help businesses and homes cut costs while improving grid reliability. We also explore how incentive programs can unlock stranded assets and why local generation will play a central role in meeting 100% renewable goals.
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
- Why interconnection delays can derail clean energy projects.
- How CCAs procure renewable energy locally and affordably.
- The four main components of the energy system.
- How virtual power plants optimize battery storage.
- Why behind-the-meter systems reduce grid costs.
- How AI can improve load forecasting and energy efficiency.
- The role of reconductoring in boosting grid capacity.
- The importance of local generation for resilience.
- How incentive programs accelerate renewable adoption.
Resources in Today's Episode:
- Karin Burns: LinkedIn
- San Diego Community Power
- Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
- Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
- VECKTA: News
You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2svjvv