Energy Central

AI data centers are rising faster than utilities can build new capacity—and that’s creating the toughest balancing act the power sector has faced in decades. Explosive load growth, renewable integration challenges, and mounting customer affordability pressures are all converging at once. How can utilities plan for this future without pricing out the communities they serve?In this episode of Power Perspectives, Claire Gotham, Consulting Lead for Utilities Americas at Wipro, and Brooke Haman, Regulated Solutions Development Manager at Georgia Power, join host Kinsey Grant Baker for a candid discussion about what it takes to keep up with this new energy reality. Together, they explore the strategies, policy shifts, and business model innovations utilities will need to power the next era of electrification.Listen in as Claire and Brooke discuss exactly why today’s surge in data center demand is unlike any previous growth cycle and the strategies necessary to ensure this new era of load growth is met reliably without compromising fairness for all customers across the grid. Further, these leaders share lessons learned about the role of storytelling amid making these complex planning decisions and look ahead to the right policy and regulatory mix that will enable faster, smarter infrastructure investment. For executives, planners, and regulators grappling with the unprecedented load-growth wave, this episode offers both strategic insight and actionable guidance on how to build the grid that will power the AI age.And thanks to our partner, Wipro, for making this episode possible. Wipro is an AI-powered technology services company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients’ most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realise their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses.With a global workforce of over 230,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our customers, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at https://www.wipro.com.

Utilities are all balancing a three-legged stool: reliability, affordability, and environmental stewardship. So how do they keep from toppling over when facing unprecedented load growth?This week on The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith is joined by John Di Stasio, former president of the Large Public Power Council and former CEO of SMUD, to unpack the real strategies utility leaders can deploy to stay balanced—and prepared for the future.Together, Mike and John have 1) more than a half-century of power industry experience and 2) a deep well of insight on approaches to load growth, both traditional and cutting edge. They tackle…- How to win over customers on next-gen tech, with real-world examples from SMUD- The role of hydrogen, nuclear, and more in the power mix of the future (John says one of these is “a no-brainer for the technological capability of the United States”)- Why removing fossil fuels won’t be as simple as people think- The importance of localized generation to sidestep the transmission problemAnd so much more. Don’t miss this one—it’s packed. Hit play to hear how one of the utility industry’s most celebrated vets is thinking about meeting the moment.

Nat Bullard, an energy thought leader and cofounder of Halcyon, dives deep into the ever-evolving landscape of energy and decarbonization. He discusses how rising electricity demand is reshaping strategies and emphasizes the urgency of recent U.S. policy shifts. Bullard argues that the real bottleneck is not renewable supply but the transmission infrastructure. He highlights the transformative role of hyperscalers in the grid and stresses that 2030 is closer than we think in terms of planning. Nat’s insights offer a compelling view on navigating the chaotic energy transition.

JT Thompson, Chief Revenue Officer at Edge Zero, and Michael Goldman, Principal at Apex Analytics, dive into the transformative power of grid-edge technology. They discuss how real-time data from transformer-mounted sensors enhances power quality and utility operations, enabling proactive responses to outages. The pair highlights success stories, including reduced costs for utilities, and the importance of effective regulatory collaboration. They also explore the future of connected devices and the role of AI in optimizing energy management.

Jigar Shah, a serial clean-energy entrepreneur and former director of the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, shares his wealth of knowledge about the energy sector. He emphasizes the urgent need for utilities to improve efficiency and adapt to rising demand to prevent significant rate hikes. Jigar advocates for utilizing batteries and virtual power plants as key solutions. He believes that utilities must take initiative now, or they risk being blamed for inaction. His insights on funding and energy innovation offer a roadmap for shaping the future.

Elliot Mainzer, CEO of CAISO, brings extensive expertise in grid operations to the discussion. He likens managing today's energy grid to 'flying the plane while building it'. Elliot highlights the vital collaboration between ISOs and states for reliability and the economic benefits of the Western Energy Imbalance Market. He emphasizes the need for data centers to be 'good grid citizens' by offering flexibility and dispatchability. The conversation also covers the future of nuclear energy and reforms to streamline resource integration, ensuring a resilient energy future.

In this engaging discussion, DeAnna Hardwick, Chief Customer Strategy Officer at CPS Energy, emphasizes the shift from treating customers as mere ratepayers to prioritizing their experience and trust. Forrest Morgeson, Director of Research at the ACSI, shares insights on measuring customer satisfaction and highlights recent trends, including declining support for green initiatives. Together, they explore how utilities can foster loyalty through affordability programs and improved communication, all while navigating the challenges of the evolving energy landscape.

Did you know: Companies with above-average diversity in their leadership teams report 19% higher revenue from innovation. But still, women account for just 22% of jobs in the energy sector. And in leadership? Women represent only 15% of senior management team members. So how can we get more women in leadership roles at utilities? Today on Piloting the Future, Kim and Lee hear insightful POVs from Tamara Grose, VP of Client Success at VertexOne and WEA Board Member, and Lindsey Margiotta-Lane, COO of CleanSky Energy and WEA Founding Board Member. This episode is packed with tips & tricks for utility leaders and newer professionals alike, from operationalizing innovation to building community. Leadership is core to the future of the utility industry—and this episode is a perfect conversation starter to make that leadership stronger, more innovative, and more resilient.

Aging infrastructure, surging demand from electrification and data centers, and rising customer expectations are reshaping the way utilities operate. For PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, the challenge is clear: how do you modernize the grid for a stormier, more digital future while keeping affordability and safety front and center? In this episode of Power Perspectives, PSE&G President and COO Kim Hanemann joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share how her decades of experience—from restoring power after Superstorm Sandy to spearheading grid modernization—are guiding the company’s path forward. The conversation touches on everything from the generation deficit in the PJM region to rethinking what resilience means in the wake of extreme weather events to the debate over whether utilities should be owning generation again. If you want an inside look at how one of America’s most influential utilities is tackling today’s energy transition challenges while preparing for tomorrow, you won’t want to miss this discussion. Key Links Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe Energy Central Post for this episode: https://www.energycentral.com/podcasts/post/from-superstorm-sandy-to-data-center-growth-how-this-utility-president-7ePusUF5zADLKgB Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p2Qg9bZwH98 Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

Welcome to a new show from Energy Central: The Watt & Why, hosted by Mike Smith. What might happen to the electricity grid if we don’t make a change soon? Americans may lose 817 hours of power (34 days) per year by 2030…but that doesn’t have to happen. So: What’s the solution to a grid under major stress from extreme weather, concentrated large load demand, and aging infrastructure? It’s all about reliability—taking big swings for a big payoff. Today on Energy Central’s brand new podcast, The Watt & Why, host Mike Smith gets reliability solutions from an industry vet: John McDonald, IEEE Life Fellow and longtime grid expert. Together, Mike and John explore 1) how this reliability crisis differs from those of the past 2) how utility leaders can invest in the right systems and functionality to make outsized impacts on reliability and 3) what generation mix makes the most sense for utilities optimizing for reliability. Reliability is front of mind for all of us. This episode is a masterclass on making the grid really, truly work for us. Have an idea for a future episode from Energy Central? Email our head of content, Kinsey: kinsey@smoothmedia.co Sign up for the Energy Central Daily Newsletter: energycentral.beehiiv.com/subscribe