Electric Perspectives

024 Global Circuit: Understanding Complexity for More Effective Climate Policy

As countries continue to develop and implement climate policy after COP26, how can we consider the complex, interconnected nature of our global systems in order to drive more effective change? What is the role of business leaders, governments, and citizens in the transition to a clean energy economy? And what are some of the disruptions or unexpected consequences of the energy transition? Dr. Roland Kupers, author of A Climate Policy Revolution: What the Science of Complexity Reveals About Saving Our Planet, joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in January 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

023 Electric Perspectives: Uniting to Stop Utility Scams

November 14-20 is International Fraud Awareness Week, and November 17 is Utility Scams Awareness Day. EEI’s member electric companies will join other utilities to raise customer awareness of imposter utility scams and ways to stop them with the help of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a consortium of nearly 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities (and their respective trade associations). UUAS provides a forum that enables utilities and their trade associations to share best practices, in addition to working with them to implement initiatives to educate customers and protect them against utility scams.

 

On this show, we are joined by UUAS Executive Director Monica Martinez and UUAS Founder and Executive Committee Chair Jared Lawrence, who also serves as the Vice President of Revenue Services and Metering at Duke Energy, to discuss the telltale signs of a utility scam, how these scams are growing more sophisticated, and more. 

For more information, visit utilitiesunited.org.

022 Electric Perspectives: Cybersecurity Is A Shared Responsibility

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes this a great time to learn more about how America’s electric companies are working to protect the energy grid from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. On this episode, we first are joined by Manoj Chouthai, Vice President, IT Engineering, Operations, and Cybersecurity at Con Edison, to discuss how electric companies manage cybersecurity risk and the value of partnering with industry and government stakeholders to enhance our collective security. Then, EEI Vice President of Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson discusses emerging cybersecurity issues and best practices for cyber hygiene with Margaret Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Shared Services and Chief Information Officer at Puget Sound Energy.

 

Want to learn more about cybersecurity from Scott Aaronson? Read his article, "Protecting the Energy Grid is a Team Sport," which was recently published in Security Magazine.

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