Electric Perspectives

021 Electric Perspectives: Drones Have Sky-High Potential for Electric Companies

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – more commonly known as drones – are increasingly helpful tools that support a range of electric company operations, including power line and power plant inspections, power restoration and recovery efforts, and much more.  

On this episode of Electric Perspectives, EEI’s Emily Fisher is joined by Eric Schwartz, Manager of Technology and Innovation at Florida Power and Light, and Eileen Lockhart, UAS Program Manager at Xcel Energy, to discuss the sky-high potential of drones in the industry to contribute to safety, efficiency, and resilience and the steps needed to fully realize that potential. 

020 Global Circuit: Sustaining Collaboration Towards a Clean Energy Future

The electric power industry has a long history of serving communities around the world, innovating business practices as technology evolves, and sharing lessons learned with the international community. What have electric companies learned from recent extreme weather events? How can we increase access to affordable and reliable electricity around the world? And what are some potential barriers to the net zero goals being set by countries and companies as we approach COP26? Nick Akins, Chairman, President, and CEO of American Electric Power, joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in September 2021.

The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit www.eei.org/international

019 Electric Perspectives: Driving Electric Transportation Forward

This week is National Drive Electric Week, and we are highlighting the substantial investments America’s electric companies are making in customer programs and charging infrastructure to accelerate electric transportation and the adoption of electric vehicles. 

On this episode of Electric Perspectives, EEI’s Director of Electric Transportation Kellen Schefter is joined by Kate Staples, Manager of Electrification at Dominion Energy; Dan Francis, Director of Customer Solutions and Policy at American Electric Power; and Matt Forck, Vice President of Community, Economic Development, and Energy Solutions at Ameren, to discuss how electric vehicles are driving the clean energy transformation while providing benefits to customers and the environment.

018 Global Circuit: Strengthening Communications Using Biomimicry

The energy transition calls for new approaches in communicating with customers, policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders. How do we communicate complex ideas? How can we foster collaboration and innovation through communication? And what lessons from nature can help guide human communications? Communications specialist and biomimicry practitioner Michaela Emch joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in July 2021. Michaela is the author of From Nature’s Mouth: The Handbook for Bioinfused Human Communication.

The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit www.eei.org/international

017 Electric Perspectives: An Army of Lineworkers Restoring Power After Hurricane Ida

On August 29, Hurricane Ida delivered a devastating direct hit to southeastern Louisiana, and the storm’s remnants caused severe flooding and destructive tornadoes in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. StormGeo Meteorologist Justin Petrutsas joins us to recount the historic nature of this catastrophic Category 4 hurricane. We also speak with former Entergy storm incident commander Greg Grillo, who walks us through some of the challenges that crews are facing as they work to restore power to customers impacted by Ida. We are grateful for the more than 27,000 workers from at least 41 states and D.C. who are committed to the Ida restoration efforts. Join us and #ThankALineworker.

016 Electric Perspectives: Building a Skilled Energy Workforce

On this episode of Electric Perspectives, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Vice President of External Affairs Brad Viator is joined by EEI President Tom Kuhn, International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Lonnie Stephenson; and Director of Energy Jobs at the Department of Energy Jennifer Kropke to reflect on National Lineworker Appreciation Day and the hard work lineworkers do all year long to keep the lights on and customers safe. They also discuss how government, labor, and energy partners are working together to build a skilled energy workforce; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; the bipartisan infrastructure bill pending in Congress; and more. 

015 Global Circuit: Setting the Stage for a Net Zero Economy

Achieving clean energy goals requires technological innovation, cross-sectoral approaches, and enhanced customer engagement. What are electric companies doing to lead the way, and what will it take to achieve economy-wide net zero emissions? How should companies engage with customers to keep them informed about the energy transition? And what role can regulators play to drive investment and support innovation? Pedro Pizarro, President and CEO of Edison International and EEI Vice Chairman, joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in July 2021.

The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit www.eei.org/international

014 Global Circuit: Developing the Energy Workforce for an Equitable Transition

The global electric power industry is leading the clean energy transition and also emphasizing the importance of inclusion in the workforce of the future. What are the different waves of the energy transition? How are companies ensuring the energy transition is equitable? And how are electric companies balancing their changing workforce and attracting the younger generation to the industry? John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in August 2021.

National Grid is a principal partner of COP26 and will be hosting the Global Youth Engineering Climate Conference this September. Learn more about the conference at http://ngrid.com/2TIFREB. The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit www.eei.org/international

013 Electric Perspectives: Expanding and Enhancing the Transmission System Will Help Advance a Clean Energy Future

The transmission system is key to integrating more clean energy resources into the energy grid. It enhances the resilience of the grid, powers electric transportation, and facilitates the adoption of a broad array of smart technologies to better serve customers. EEI’s member companies are vital to transmission development, and, collectively, they invest more than $120 billion each year to make the energy grid stronger, smarter, cleaner, more dynamic, and more secure.  

Transmission development is a key priority for policymakers, clean energy advocates, and electric companies. On this episode of Electric Perspectives, EEI Executive Vice President of the Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs Phil Moeller is joined by John Moore, Director of the Sustainable FERC Project in the Climate and Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, to discuss how and why a holistic approach to transmission development is key to achieving clean energy goals

012 Electric Perspectives: Preparing the Next Generation Workforce

Electric companies across the country are establishing infrastructure academies and enhancing their workforce training programs. These programs enable electric companies to develop a highly skilled, diverse, and inclusive workforce of tomorrow, while offering rewarding career opportunities in the communities they serve.  

On today’s show, Terrell Lockhart, Distribution Operations Manager at DTE Energy, and Clint Williams, an IBEW Local 17 representative, discuss the DTE Tree Trimming Academy that they both help lead. Kelly Ann DeCurtis, Director of Talent Management at Exelon, also joins us to discuss Pepco’s partnership with the D.C. Infrastructure Academy to operate the Pepco Utility Training School. Both programs are helping people in the communities these companies serve gain the skills they need for rewarding careers in the electric power industry.