Energy Central
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Energy Central
The North American grid remains one of the most reliable in the world—but is that changing?
As electricity demand surges from AI data centers, electrification, and new manufacturing, utilities are racing to keep pace while balancing an increasingly complex mix of resources. So how reliable is the grid today? Where are the biggest risks emerging? And what needs to happen to keep the lights on over the next decade?
In this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and System Analysis at NERC, to unpack the organization's latest long-term reliability assessment. They discuss why some regions face greater reliability risks than others, how the rapid growth of wind, solar, batteries, and data centers is reshaping grid planning, and why data centers may actually strengthen reliability if integrated thoughtfully. Moura also explains why traditional planning metrics are becoming outdated and what utilities, regulators, and policymakers should do now to build a more reliable grid for the future.
17 hours ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
Wildfire risk is changing—and so is the way utilities respond. In this episode of Power Perspectives, we take an inside look at Arizona Public Service's first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and the high-stakes decision-making behind intentionally turning off power to prevent catastrophic wildfires.
Host Matt Chester is joined by Wade Ward, Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Science at Arizona Public Service, and Steve Vanderburgh, Vice President of Weather & Risk Solutions at Technosylva.
Together, they explain how advanced weather modeling, wildfire analytics, and operational planning helped guide one of the utility's most difficult decisions. They also discuss how utilities can balance reliability with public safety, why today's wildfire threat extends far beyond California, and what lessons every utility can apply before the next extreme weather event.
Watch the full episode now!
4 days ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
New podcast episode out! Mike Wilding, Vice President of Energy Supply Management at PacifiCorp, explores the Extended Day Ahead Market (EDAM) and how it could reshape electricity markets across the western United States.
https://youtu.be/tsXGg212zz8?si=9gSM1...
1 week ago | [YT] | 2
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Energy Central
What's the most underrated investment utilities should be making right now?
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
Next week, we’re sitting down with a C-Suite member of a major utility whose role is focused on resilience and emergency preparedness / response. We'll be talking about one of the biggest challenges facing the grid today: how to keep customers and communities safe, prepared, and resilient when the unexpected happens.
What questions would you want us to ask? Drop them in the comments — whether it is about storm response, emergency planning, wildfire risk, grid resilience, or how utilities are preparing for a more unpredictable future.
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
What is your biggest concern about China's role in the future of energy?
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
What type of topics are most excited for you to hear about from experts on Power Perspectives?
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
May is Wildfire Awareness month, which is a big area of focus for the utility sector.
We've had a number of great guests talk about what's going on to modernize and spread wildfire prevention throughout the industry-- here are just a few that you may want to check out:
https://youtu.be/KmpukQ_yDno?si=wwMg1...
https://youtu.be/1hDmfegC_i4?si=x_z8u...
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Energy Central
Coming soon to the feed, a conversation with author/journalist/Substacker extraordinaire, Hendry Sanderson.
In preparation, get an early preview of what we may talk about and catch up on what Henry's tracking at his widely read Substack page: voltrush.substack.com/
2 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Energy Central
May 3 to 9 is known as National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which is a major event for the utility sector.
For some helpful learnings, check out this recent episode we put out on how PSE&G handled Superstorm Sandy
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
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