Energy Beat Podcast

Kate Heidinger, CEO of Allumia, joins Ian to unpack one of the biggest puzzles facing utilities today: how do you manage load growth, improve customer outcomes, and modernize DSM programs—all at once? Kate shares her winding path into the energy world (including a disastrous solar thermal install she’ll never forget), why small businesses struggle to access deeper retrofits, and how Allumia’s “ene...

On this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, we explore how to build community-first grid resilience amid extreme weather and aging infrastructure. Don McPhail, VP of Market Development at eSmart Systems, sits down with Ian to discuss why traditional mitigation strategies aren't enough, how to approach critical infrastructure through a community lens, how AI can improve resilience planning, an...

Energy costs are rising, devices are getting smarter, and customers expect utilities to meet them with clear choices, not generic messaging. On this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, Ian chats with Alex Corneglio, VP of Product Management at Brillion, to unpack the importance of precise and proactive utility-customer outreach and the role that data plays in those communications.  They cover how...

Green banks and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are rewriting the rulebook on climate finance, creating pathways for communities traditionally left behind by conventional lenders. These mission-driven organizations bring flexibility, creativity, and deep community connections to the table, allowing them to finance projects that might otherwise fall through the cracks. Shawna C...

Kevin Scarborough, Director of Energy Services at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA, and a member of the Energy Management Association, and Bob Knoedler, Vice President & Executive Consultant at Hanson Professional Services and a member of the AABC Commissioning Group join Ian Perterer and the Energy Beat Podcast to discuss how AI is affecting energy management for utilities and facilities mana...

In this episode of the Energy Beat podcast, procurement expert Marvelene Jones joins Jen Szaro to discuss best practices around procurement for diverse suppliers. Marvelene shares insider knowledge gained from her nearly 30-year career in procurement, including strategic opportunity selection, building trust with communities, partnership dynamics, and more.

Phil shares his inspiring journey in establishing MD Energy Advisors, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, customer service, and effective networking in entrepreneurship. Through his experiences over the years, he highlights key strategies for navigating challenges, fostering relationships, and achieving profitability in a competitive market.  • Journey from a small startup to a thriving en...

Discover the transformative world of clean energy workforce development with Paul Douglas, the dynamic president and CEO of the JPI Group. Join us as Paul shares his personal journey from a minority-focused workforce development program to leading one of the largest minority-owned companies in the energy efficiency sector. Explore how the JPI Group is harnessing state and federal funding to create...

In this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, we dive deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy management with special guest Dr. Bill Burke, CEO of Virtual Peaker. Get ready to explore how AI is not just a buzzword but a powerful tool transforming the energy industry from the ground up. We kick off by tracing the origins of AI in popular culture and quickly shift to the prese...

Join Jen and Franklin Energy's Lee Ann Head and Elizabeth Turnbull as they detail a surprisingly complex suite of customer attitudes towards managed charging based on their recent research. This episode offers a deep dive into how consumer attitudes are shifting on managed charging solutions and how we as an industry will need to reexamine our approaches based on consumer attitudes. Discover...

What happens when a mechanical engineer turns his attention to empowering schools and communities? You get Clay Hoover, a senior Program Manager with TVA Energy Right, who has redefined strategic energy management with his innovative School Uplift program. Clay's relentless dedication and unique approach have transformed schools into energy-efficient powerhouses, all while engaging students,...

Have you ever wondered how life's challenges can ignite a fire of passion and resilience within you? Join us in a riveting conversation with an extraordinary guest, Angie Bivens. Trials and triumphs mark Angie's journey; from enduring personal struggles and a staggering energy bill, she found a passion that led her to become the Outreach Manager at Franklin Energy. Today, Angie uses her...

Nothing's more personal than entering someone's home. And for a flexible, clean grid to work, brands must do just that." At #AESPAnnual, we sat down with Dan Burak of Uplight to discuss some breaking research they've done on energy brands and consumer trust. Their data shows how consumers feel about energy brands and their potential collaborators. If you want your customers to...

Jen sat down with Jordan Folks of Opinion Dynamics for an intimate chat about the potential for pricing and demand response strategies as a tool for achieving energy equity goals.  This is part one of a two-part on-site recording at AESP Annual.  Stay tuned for part two!

In this episode, Carmen Best of Recurve and Mark Romito of Elevation Home Energy Solutions join Jen to talk about VPPs. Specifically, they dive into how VPPs deliver value, how they are changing the utility-customer relationship, and work in a VERY important Star Wars v. Star Trek debate: is a VPP more like Krall, or an Ewok Village? You decide.

What if we could give the average household real-time, device-level energy insights in a way that's intuitive and simple like an app? Imagine the world of possibilities that creates. Mike Phillips, Co-Founder of Sense has a neat little device that does just that. He chats with Jen about how this technology is coming to market and can revolutionize energy for the prosumer.

In this episode, we are time traveling to a time before our Annual Conference and the Omicron peak to talk with Sue Hanson, our AESP Board Chair, and Director at Tetra Tech. She will share her vision for the future of AESP and the industry and what issues she thinks will define our progress to a clean, resilient grid.

After a holiday hiatus, NCSEA touched down with us at our Annual Conference in Nashville to talk to our members about what is top of mind for them as the industry moves quickly toward decarbonization and electrification.  Host of the NCSEA's Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast, Matt Abele, chats with Jen Szaro, AESP Quinn Parker, ENCOLOR LLC Jeff Smith, Georgia Power Aimee Skrzekut, Southeast Energy...

Jen chats with Rick Morgan to talk about his energy industry journey, starting in the 70's gas crisis, and his passion for passing his wealth of knowledge to the next generation.

Jen Szaro interviews a rising star at Ameren Illinois, Angie Ostasweski, and talks about her TikTok fame, success in community energy efficiency engagement, and how mentorship set her rising career trajectory in motion. Check Angie out on linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieostaszewski/ or on TikTok @AngiesListings