Electric Perspectives

Mitigating Fire Risks With AI Modeling Technology

Urban conflagration—large, vast moving fires that spread from structure to structure—pose a growing risk in many communities across the country, particularly in the areas where homes and infrastructure meet wildfire-prone landscapes. During this episode, Pacific Gas and Electric Senior Manager of Consequence Data Science Manuj Sharma and Technosylva Director of Fire Science Adrián Cardil discuss a new pilot project that uses advanced fire spread simulations to enhance mitigation, planning, and response capabilities. 

This episode is sponsored by Technosylva. Learn more about their wildfire and extreme weather risk intelligence here.

Analysis Finds U.S. Electricity Rates Have Remained Stable in Majority of States

This week, Charles River Associates released a new report examining recent trends in retail residential electricity rates. On this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney and Matt DeCourcey, vice president of the energy practice at Charles River Associates, explore the key findings, which include that for most U.S. electricity customers, retail electricity rates have generally remained stable and have not outpaced inflation. They also discuss external factors driving higher rates in certain regions, and how new data center tariffs and agreements are helping protect existing customers from the costs of connecting new large loads like data centers.

Read the full study here.

Innovation in Grid Planning

As electricity demand continues to rise, electric companies are using new strategies and tools to help plan for the future. On this episode, Arizona Public Service (APS) Director of Grid Modernization Jasdeep Singh and KloudGin CEO and Co-Founder Vikram Takru discuss APS' shift to a product-oriented model for grid modernization and how technology platforms are streamlining operations and improving safety. The conversation highlights impactful grid projects in Arizona, strategies to keep customer bills as low as possible, and the innovations that will shape grid planning in the years to come.

This episode was sponsored by KloudGin. To learn more about its unified field service, asset, and construction work management platform, click here.

Data Centers: Costs and Customer Benefits

Electric companies across the country are finding innovative ways to connect large customers like data centers while delivering clear benefits to the grid and existing customers. EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney opens the episode by highlighting how electric companies are collaborating with data centers and hyperscalers to support innovation and ensure these large customers pay their fair share of America’s grid.

Then, Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Head of Energy and Water for the Americas Brandon Oyer discuss how electric companies and large-load customers like Amazon are working together to deliver clear benefits to the grid and existing customers while strengthening reliability. The episode also highlights a new Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) study examining electricity rate design and tariffs for large loads like data centers, based on real-world case studies from Amazon’s partnerships with electric companies including Entergy Mississippi.

Powering Data Centers in the Age of AI

Electric companies are working to meet the highest level of electricity demand growth since the post-World War II era, spurred in part by AI and data centers. On this episode, Ed Baine, executive vice president of Utility Operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, and Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight, discuss how electric companies and technology providers are meeting the increased demand for electricity, and lessons learned from Northern Virginia—also known as Data Center Alley—that can guide other regions as they prepare for a future shaped by AI and data centers.

Financing the Future of Energy and Innovation

Earlier this week at EEI’s Financial Conference, CNBC Power Lunch Co-Anchor and Senior National Correspondent Brian Sullivan moderated a lively discussion featuring Idaho Power and IDACORP President and CEO Lisa Grow; EEI Vice Chair David Campbell, chairman, president, and CEO of Evergy; and Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh. These leaders shared how their companies are meeting surging electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing while working to keep customer bills as low as possible. They also explored new financing models, regulatory challenges, and the urgent need to streamline permitting to build critical energy infrastructure.

For more highlights from the conference, visit electricperspectives.com.

Why Permitting Reform Matters for America's Energy Future

As electric companies work to build the transmission lines and infrastructure needed for a reliable energy future, they face complex and often lengthy approval processes. 

On this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney and ITC Holdings Corp. President Krista Tanner discuss why reforming these processes is essential to meeting rising energy demand, supporting economic growth, and keeping costs as low as possible for customers. They also highlight real-world challenges and the growing bipartisan effort in Washington to advance permitting reform.

Scaling AI in the Energy Industry

Artificial intelligence is transforming the energy industry, from customer engagement to grid management and long-term planning. In this episode, Michelle Ferrara, Chief Information Officer at Arizona Public Service (APS), and Karthik Moorthy, Chief Growth Officer at Bidgely, discuss how APS is building the culture and partnerships needed to scale AI at the company and what lessons other electric companies can take from their journey.

 

This episode is sponsored by Bidgely, which provides AI platforms that revolutionize grid management and customer engagement for electric companies. Learn more.

Building America's Energy Workforce

October 20 marks the start of Careers in Energy Week, highlighting a key issue shaping the future of the electric power industry: workforce development. In this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney is joined by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania President John Hawkins and Center for Energy Workforce Development Executive Director Missy Henriksen to discuss how electric companies and partners such as the Department of Energy are building the skilled workforce needed to power America’s energy future. They also discuss innovative training programs, apprenticeships, and other initiatives creating energy career pathways for the next generation of workers.

 

To learn more about Careers in Energy Week, visit https://cewd.org/ciew/.

Duke Energy CEO Harry Sideris on Resilience and Affordability

Harry Sideris became the president and CEO of Duke Energy Corporation earlier this year after serving in various leadership roles at the organization for nearly three decades. On this episode, Harry discusses his vision for Duke Energy, the company's focus on resilience and affordability, his reflections on the devastating 2024 hurricane season; and more.