USEA's Power Sector Podcast
The USEA Power Sector Podcast is bringing new voices and new ideas to key energy system conversations in 15-minute interviews targeting urgently needed solutions. Topics will range from when, where, and how generation and transmission should be expanded to what resources and technologies are needed to ensure distribution systems remain reliable.
The podcast is airing the voices of those building and implementing tomorrow’s energy system and of the policymakers who, in response to consumer demand, are setting the goals for a renewed power sector. It will also feature regular check-in
Latest episodes
Nov 29, 2023 • 18min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 5: Why Virtual Power Plants Can Replace Natural Gas Peaker Plants
In episode 5 of the USEA Power Sector Podcast, Department of Energy Loan Programs Office Senior Advisor Jen Downing, the lead author on DOE’s just-released Virtual Power Plant, or VPP, “Liftoff Paper”, faces questions from journalist Herman K. Trabish on how VPPs composed of aggregated customer-owned distributed energy resources can replace natural gas peaker plants in protecting power system reliability during growing late afternoon and evening demand spikes and reward electricity customers for participating.
Nov 22, 2023 • 16min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 4: Reliability with High Variable Renewables Penetrations
In episode 4 of the USEA Power Sector Podcast, Rocky Mountain Institute Co-founder and Chair Emeritus Amory Lovins, often called the Einstein of energy efficiency and one of the power sector’s most distinguished voices, now a member of the Stanford University faculty, faces questions from journalist Herman K. Trabish on how distributed energy resources and energy efficiency can reliably replace natural gas in the U.S. power mix.
Nov 16, 2023 • 19min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 3: The Challenge of EV Charger Deployment and the Utility Role
In Episode 3 of the USEA Power Sector Podcast, Alliance for Transportation Electrification Executive Director Phil Jones faces questions from journalist Herman K. Trabish. He explains how fast rising electric vehicle penetrations are driving a too-slowly growing deployment of well-maintained charging facilities and why the opportunity to install chargers must be opened to more providers, including the nation’s electric utilities, and more viable business models.
