With Great Power

The power sector is at an inflection point.  Skyrocketing load growth and rising energy prices are converging with an aging electric grid, inadequate power supply, and regulatory hurdles. It’s a perfect storm that’s forcing utilities to take a serious look at their business models. But new innovations focused on meeting energy demand and confronting the affordability crisis are tackling these challenges head on.If you’ve been a With Great Power listener over the past five seasons, you’ve heard stories from many of the people behind those innovations. This season, we’re digging even deeper.You’ll hear from some of the leading voices in the power sector, from utilities and energy management companies to developers, community advocates, and grid planners.Stay tuned for all new episodes about the superheroes building the future electric grid, today. Season 6 launches soon. Subscribe to With Great Power on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.With Great Power is a co-production of GridX and Latitude Studios.  Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get podcasts. For more reporting on the companies featured in this podcast, subscribe to Latitude Media's newsletter.Credits: Hosted by Brad Langley. Produced by Mary Catherine O’Connor. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. The Grid X production team includes Jenni Barber, Samantha McCabe, and Brad Langley.

Utibe Bassey, Vice President of Customer Experience at Dominion Energy, shares her unique approach to leadership rooted in her upbringing in Nigeria, where power was unreliable. She unveils her motto, 'Love as a KPI,' emphasizing human connection in the workplace. The conversation covers her eye-opening experiences at a fast-food chain that shaped her customer service philosophy, innovations in customer experience amidst the Clean Economy Act, and the challenges of evolving call centers post-COVID. Her insights demonstrate how empathy and teamwork can revolutionize the energy sector.

Chris Black, the CEO of GridX and an expert in consumer-product design, discusses the evolving landscape of utilities. He emphasizes the importance of creating user-friendly digital products and how utilities are shifting towards a consumer product mindset. Chris explains GridX's acquisition of InnoWatts and its potential to enhance rate design. He highlights the necessity for utilities to incorporate data analytics and marketing strategies, noting that customer experience will play a pivotal role in transforming the industry.

Nick Woolley, Founder and CEO of ev.energy, explores the transformative potential of electric vehicles (EVs) for the energy grid. He discusses the innovative ChargeWise pilot program in California, highlighting how dynamic pricing can save consumers money and balance grid demand. Nick explains how managed EV charging encourages drivers to recharge during off-peak hours, benefitting both them and the utilities. He emphasizes the importance of demand flexibility as a pivotal resource in the energy transition, calling for wider adoption across the nation.

Laura Sherman, President of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, dives into the future of clean energy. She reminisces about her adventures advocating for environmental causes, including her time in the Rocky Mountains. The conversation shifts to Michigan's energy targets and the limitations of outdated advanced metering infrastructure. Sherman discusses the potential of next-generation smart meters and virtual power plants, emphasizing their benefits for consumers and the grid. Her insights reveal how technology can transform energy policy and community engagement.

Mike Kramer, Vice President of Data Economy Strategy for Constellation, shares his journey navigating the challenges of nuclear energy. He discusses the revival of the Three Mile Island plant and the optimistic shift towards carbon-free electricity. Mike delves into financial strategies for managed nuclear plants and the complexities of reopening reactors versus building new ones. He highlights the growing energy demand from tech advancements and reveals innovative methods to enhance power output. Tune in for a hopeful perspective on the nuclear renaissance!

Sheri Givens, President and CEO of the Smart Electric Power Association, brings her extensive background in Texas energy policy to the forefront. She shares her experiences advocating for consumers and empowering them to understand their energy options. Givens discusses innovative clean energy strategies, including Australia's solar advancements and Germany's green hydrogen goals. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the energy transition, while also highlighting Portugal's recent achievements in renewable energy. It's a captivating conversation about the future of clean energy!

Scott Engstrom, co-founder and chief customer officer at GridX, shares his journey from skepticism to admiration of the utility sector. He discusses how time-of-use rates emerged as a game-changer for utilities and explains the critical role of sophisticated rate design in managing unprecedented load growth, especially from AI data centers. Scott highlights strategies like demand flexibility and virtual power plants to handle peak energy use and emphasizes that 'growth pays for growth' to protect existing customers from rising infrastructure costs.

Carrie Simpson, Vice President of Markets at Southwest Power Pool, brings a wealth of experience from her early days at Enron to her current role optimizing utilities for better service. She discusses the transition from turmoil in power trading to the innovative Markets+ initiative, designed to enhance collaboration among Western utilities. Carrie delves into why these markets are now critical and the challenges ahead for integrating new practices. Her insights on building a more organized energy landscape are both enlightening and forward-thinking.

Seth Little, Director of Market Development at CLEAResult, shares his journey from a teenage fascination with smart homes to leading energy efficiency innovations. He provocatively argues that attic insulation should be seen as a grid-responsive asset. Seth emphasizes the need for traditional efficiency methods to complement digital solutions rather than replace them. He discusses the impact of high-resolution meter data on program design and the importance of utilities leveraging customer data to enhance energy resilience.