Energy Central

Nearly every utility these days has made the leap to set decarbonization targets, whether that's committing to a certain percentage of net zero, renewable energy, clean energy, or other metric in the coming decades. While the focus for these ambitions often centers on switching electric utilities from fossil fuels to non-carbon alternatives, the reality remains that the natural gas utilities across the country will continue to play a critical role over the coming decades, even with more electrification pushes. But the presence of natural gas utilities doesn't need to work counter to decarbonization goals, and Nicor Gas is a leading innovator in the gas utility space that is demonstrating that fact. Specifically, Nicor Gas is also working towards their own net zero goals by 2050, through tools like net zero methane, reducing operational emissions, leak detection, renewable gas pilots, and more. In this episode, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is joined by Meena Beyers, Nicor Gas's Vice President of Business and Community Development to highlight some of the unique pilot projects, including their Smart Neighborhoods program, that's changing the conversation around what a gas utility can do to be a key part of the clean energy future. Listen in as Meena shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester about the Nicor Gas net zero goals and the roadmap to meeting those targets. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-117-preparing-natural-gas-utilities-decarbonized-future-meena-beyers-vice Meena Beyers' Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/meena-beyers The Role of Gas Companies in a Net Zero Future: A Spotlight on Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhoods™: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/role-gas-companies-net-zero-future-spotlight-nicor-gas-smart-neighborhoods%E2%84%A2 Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Hydrogen has become a buzzword in the energy sector recently, but many in the utility sector may not have realized how critical hydrogen gas has been for the power grid for decades. Rather than being a matter of producing hydrogen as an energy source, though, the key use case has been monitoring the generation of byproduct hydrogen gas by power transformers and using that as a way to monitor health and status of these critical grid assets. In today's environment of supply chain challenges for major grid equipment and a renewed focus on the safety and security of utility assets, staying on top of the most modern version of the sensors needed to detect hydrogen gas has become more important than ever before. And that's why today's conversation with two of H2scan's key leaders is so timely. Bill Whitehead, International Accounts Director, and Leon White, VP of Transformer Sales & Business Development, join today's episode to provide the education on this critical topic to those for whom it's flown under the radar and to advance the conversation to the latest and greatest capabilities of hydrogen sensors for transformers moving forward. Listen in as Bill and Leon share with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what they need to know, teasing out the first in a three-part series highlighting this essential technology. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-116-detecting-hydrogen-gas-extend-transformer-health-bill-whitehead-and Online Transformer Data Comes at a Price: https://energycentral.com/o/h2scan/online-transformer-data-comes-price Leon White's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/leon-white-pe Bill Whitehead's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/william-whitehead Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The transmission and distribution component in the power sector spins a physical web of infrastructure across the United States, but behind that massive buildout is arguably an even more complex web when it comes to the regulations and policies that oversee that process. From multiple jurisdictions playing a role to the constantly evolving oversight that must keep track with ever-advancing technology, staying not only compliant but forward-looking for transmission companies is a full-time job. But the true leaders in transmission aren't looking to just keep pace, they are striving to look to the future, plan for coming goals, and unlock innovation and opportunity. The guest of today's episode of the podcast is one of the leaders doing just that. Kwafo Adarkwa, Director of Public Affairs at ITC Holdings joins the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast to share his unique perspective on how transmission companies must weigh a long-term vision of the future with day-to-day tracking of active regulations today. Listen in as he shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester the lessons and wisdom that can assist any utility industry player to keep this careful balance. Key Links: Full Energy Central Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-115-balancing-futurism-utilities-regulations-today-kwafo-adarkwa-director Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The job of utility executives has never been a particularly easy one, but in 2023 the spotlight might be brighter than ever and the goals more ambitious and important. From the pressure by policymakers for utilities to decarbonize, the need for customers for power to remain affordable, and the existential requirement to keep grid reliability as flawless as possible, leaders at utility companies no doubt have their hands full. But charting an intelligent path forwards that can meet these concurrent needs and then staying the course to do so is not something on which they'll compromise. On the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast, we strive to bring these leading voices to our community more directly than ever before, so when we get a chance to sit down with a utility CEO who's receiving high marks on their leadership and success rate on these and other goals, we jump at the opportunity. And that's why podcast host Jason Price headed to the headquarters of Long Island Power Authority for an exclusive chat with their CEO, Tom Falcone. In this can't-miss conversation, listen in as Tom explains to Jason and podcast producer Matt Chester the specific moves LIPA is making to bring new clean energy technology to its customers while assuring them they will never compromise on the reliability and affordability those Long Island residents have come to expect. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-114-cleaner-and-more-affordable-power-long-island-tom-falcone-ceo-long Thomas Falcone's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/thomas-falcone Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

As solar energy technology progresses, the goals our utility and government leaders are setting on how much renewable energy can and should enter the grid is ever increasing. However, one of the key challenges that continues to plague the world of solar energy is the inequitable distribution of installations and the appropriate benefits. While the technology is more affordable than ever before and provides reliable payback periods of under a decade, the high upfront costs still block out certain participants. The past few years, however, have seen an encouraging growth in a solution to these gaps in solar energy installations: community solar. By taking solar panels off of the customers' rooftops themselves and allowing them to buy in for a smaller piece of the pie, community solar is indeed allowing the clean energy transition to reach new heights. Summit Ridge Energy is a company involved deeply in this area, as a developer, installer, and manager of major solar plants across the United States and the leading owner-operator of community solar across the country. Today's guest to the Power Perspectives Podcast is Jason Spreyer, Summit Ridge Energy's Executive Vice President of Business Development and ESS General Manager. With this inside view of the recent developments in community solar, Jason shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester what all the hype is about and why projects on the ground are living up to that excitement. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-113-reaching-new-heights-community-solar-jason-spreyer-evp-summit-ridge Jason Spreyer's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/jason-spreyer Register for Energy Central: EnergyCentral.com/user/register Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

With utility customers being more at the forefront of change than they ever have been before, demanding clean energy and innovative programs while also participating as sources of energy generation and storage themselves, utility leaders are in the midst of a broad strokes transformation. The key for power providers who come out better in the end are those that lean into these opportunities will enthusiasm and eagerness to highlight new capabilities. One such leader is found at United Power Inc, a member-owned electric coop serving 100,000 meters across Colorado. Mark Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power, is the type of visionary needed to take the company into the future, willing to listen, adapt, and embrace the future. On this episode, which is Mark's second appearance on the Power Perspectives Podcast, he shares with podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester updates on how the power industry has evolved in just a year and a half since his last appearance and what specific has him excited in today's landscape. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-112-shaping-dynamic-and-modern-power-delivery-landscape-mark-gabriel Mark Gabriel's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/mark-gabriel/about Mark Gabriel's First Podcast Appearance: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/34-%E2%80%98taking-grid-tomorrow-concept-reality%E2%80%99-mark-gabriel-former-administrator-and Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

The pace of the power sector evolution seems to unthinkably be speeding, and staying on top of the latest and greatest can be a full-time job. On the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast we strive to stay on top of the conversations to keep our listeners informed, and today's guest is a returning one who helps join us in a grab bag of exciting developments across the energy sector. After being the second-ever guest on the podcast, we welcome back Lincoln Bleveans. Back in 2019 when Lincoln first joined us in the podcast booth, he was guiding Burbank Water and Power, but in the time since then he's joined Stanford University as the Executive Director of Sustainability & Management. Sitting in such a critical seat at an institution known to be at the cutting edge, Lincoln and podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester bounce between the must-hit topics of the utility sector today: well-planned decarbonization, the recent breakthroughs with fusion energy, the need to physically protect the grid from attack, and the type of leadership and de-risking approach that's the power industry needs. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-111-future-energy-utilities-lincoln-bleveans-executive-director Lincoln Blevean's Energy Central Profile: https://www.energycentral.com/member/profile/107163/about Lincoln's First Appearance on the Podcast: https://energycentral.com/c/um/energy-central-insights%E2%84%A2-podcast-episode-2-%E2%80%98waterskiing-churchill%E2%80%99-lessons Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

Utility leaders are being pulled in many different directions from all of their critical stakeholders these days. From bringing down power costs to increasing the use of smart technology and more, decisions must incorporate consideration of many numerous factors. In particular, the push for a decarbonized energy system has been one of the loudest and most critical endeavors for modern utilities. That said, calls for a new paradigm in grid reliability is reaching fever pitch, which some position as counter to the push for more renewables. However, the true innovators and leaders in the power sector don't see clean energy and a more reliable grid as being in conflict. In contrast, they see creative solutions that elevate both of these goals to the greater than the sum of their parts. One such leader in this space is Sonoma Clean Power, enacting the vision and leadership from its CEO Geof Syphers. On this week's episode, Geof joins podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to highlight the best ways to pursue these equally critical goals in tandem to ensure the stability and stewardship possible from the modern power provider. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-110-pursuing-parallel-goals-renewable-energy-and-grid-reliability-geof Geof Syphers's Energy Central Profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/geof-syphers How to Tackle California’s Grid Reliability Today: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/how-tackle-california%E2%80%99s-grid-reliability-today Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

As the utility sector continues to work towards meeting future goals and needs, an equally important consideration remains looking back on the impact that the power industry has had on communities and land and ensuring that any injustices or inequities that have resulted can be addressed. Specifically, lands that have been returned to indigenous populations and communities must be protected as new energy infrastructure grows, and including those peoples in the conversation early in the process is a key aspect in doing so. To highlight what true equity and inclusion looks like from the ground up, today's guests share firsthand experiences on that process as they've taken place in Canada. Specifically, the work that New Brunswick Power is doing to bring small modular reactors and other nuclear technologies to the region has been built on a foundation of engaging and consulting with the Curve Lake Nation. Joining the episode this week, Claire Harris, Senior Advisor of the Advanced Reactor Technology Team at NB Power, and Chief Emily Whetung of the Curve Lake Nation discuss specific examples of why such inclusion has been critical to them and how it can be achieved seamlessly and successfully. They join host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester to share their lessons learned with other utilities and communities that may be facing the same challenges. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-109-intentional-inclusion-cleaner-energy-future-claire-harris-nb-power Claire Harris's Energy Central profile: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/claire-harris Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': https://blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/

When looking to the goal of a net zero future, the power sector has seen an impressive variety and range of technologies seen as the lynchpin innovation. But the reality is that to truly solve our global emissions crisis and to decarbonize the utility industry, we'll need to adopt as many of these solutions as we can in the optimal environment, sector, and region. That said, some of the key technologies will uncover themselves to be natural complements to each other and enable them to achieve more than the sum of their parts. In today's episode of the podcast, we discuss one of the most exciting such pairings: nuclear energy and advanced microgrids. Specifically, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast is joined by two experts from Idaho National Laboratory who are making waves in this space. Podcast host Jason Price and producer Matt Chester chat with Jhansi Kandasamy, INL's Net-Zero Program Director, and Kurt Myers, INL's Project Manager and Staff Engineer specializing in microgrids. Listen in to this episode to understand better the opportunities these two clean energy technologies have to support one another and our country's clean energy future. Key Links Energy Central Post with Full Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/episode-108-unmatched-possibilities-nuclear-and-microgrid-pairing-jhansi Transforming the World Into a New Nuclear Energy Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYD-Cz_T8cc Did you know? The Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast has been identified as one of the industry's 'Top 25 Energy Podcasts': blog.feedspot.com/energy_podcasts/