Energy Solutions: A Podcast From EPSA

How is major global energy company Shell preparing for a decarbonized future while meeting reliability needs today? What needs to be considered when it comes to cost, sustainability, emissions, and diversity and inclusion? This month, we’re rolling out audio from EPSA’s 2023 Competitive Power Summit in a special series. In this episode, hear a fireside chat with Shell Energy North America Presiden...

Cyber and physical attacks on America's power system are at their highest level in at least a decade, posing a risk to reliable electricity. The good news is that all hands are on deck when it comes to preparing for, guarding against, and responding to these threats. We check in with Manny Cancel, who leads the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC), which brings togethe...

2023 has no shortage of energy challenges, following Winter Storm Elliott's power outages, cyber and physical threats, rising costs, and continued need for innovation. EPSA Chairman and Vistra Corp. President and CEO Jim Burke joins Todd to discuss priorities for the new year, a new Congress and FERC leadership, what’s on tap for new investments, and how competitive power can lead a reliable...

What top energy policy issues and themes stood out in 2022? We look back at key moments with Energy Solutions podcast guests as they reflect on power grid disturbances, global dynamics and Russia’s war on Ukraine, challenges facing competitive power markets, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission priorities, policy proposals like carbon pricing, and innovative new technologies as we seek to build a...

With small gecko-like machines that scale power plant walls, founder of Gecko Robotics Jake Loosararian says technology can help solve the reliability and cost challenges facing the electric grid. He shares how his robots collect useful data to enhance the reliability of critical infrastructure, and how we can encourage American innovation to deliver a reliable and affordable energy transition.  L...

In July, the organization responsible for monitoring the reliability of America’s power system released a stark warning – the grid faces “unprecedented” challenges to its ability to keep the lights on. In this episode, Todd talks with Mark Lauby, senior vice president and chief engineer at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, to understand more about what’s driving reliability conc...

America’s power grid was pushed to the brink this summer – making system reliability even more top of mind for one of the nation’s chief energy regulators. Commmissioner Mark Christie, one of five members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shares why he’s concerned, and what else is on his mind as FERC weighs how to address electricity costs, infrastructure needs, carbon emissions, compe...

After the passage of the most expansive energy policy in years through the Inflation Reduction Act, what's next for lawmakers on Capitol Hill when it comes to the nation's power grid? Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson talks with Todd about why power grid reliability is critical, how he forges bipartisan connections to get priorities into legislation, and why industry innovation can deliver energy...

As policymakers across the country examine how to meet ambitious climate goals, what will ensure grid reliability while reducing emissions efficiently and at the lowest cost? Experts at EPSA's Competitive Power Summit discuss how fostering a just transition means more than providing clean energy - but also managing the disproportionate cost burden being shouldered by those who can least affor...

In recent weeks, the nation’s electric power supply has been called into question. Expected extreme weather this summer will drive up demand, and power supplies are increasingly coming from intermittent sources that rely on favorable weather conditions to power the grid. During this episode, we highlight speakers at EPSA’s recent Competitive Power Summit and the solutions they would like to see im...

April is Earth Month. How do we address climate change while keeping power flowing at an affordable cost? We talk to Suedeen Kelly, who served three terms at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, about today's big energy policy questions and how competitive power markets can meet new demand from global conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising costs and inflation, and the push for clean...

For more than two decades, competitive electricity markets and independent power generators have unlocked savings for consumers, enhanced reliability, improved our environment and unleashed energy innovation. But key questions must be addressed to ensure that these benefits continue to advance the energy transition.  Next week, EPSA will host a day-long summit at the National Press Club in Washing...

As former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission and eventually the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pat Wood helped found Texas' competitive power market and introduce competition for electric generation across the United States. In this episode, he shares what it took to break up energy monopolies, the hurdles - including the Enron scandal - faced along the way, and how competiti...

In this episode, we look at how leaders on the global stage are addressing climate change. Our guest, Lord Gregory Barker is co-chair of the World Bank's Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition as well as executive chair of the En+ Group. He's optimistic that progress is being made on the drive to decarbonize - and that a price on carbon would really move the needle. Plus, his takeaways from...

Energy solutions require both political parties to be part of the conversation. In this episode, we talk with Utah Representative John Curtis, a Republican who founded the Conservative Climate Caucus. He shares what approaches to reduce emissions fit a conservative framework, and what's needed to forge consensus - both at home and on a global scale. Liked this episode? Share it on X @EPSANews...

As winter approaches, electricity suppliers are working hard to ensure reliable and affordable power is on hand when customers need it. It’s a full team effort, relying on all parts of the energy production, generation and delivery chain. We check in with the Natural Gas Supply Association for the outlook on natural gas supply and prices, which are projected to be slightly higher this year - as we...

In many parts of the country, regional transmission organizations and independent system operators – RTOs and ISOs – govern the flow of electricity. Many experts say RTOs and ISOs are the foundation to get to where we want to go on climate, cost and energy security. But this episode's guest, Vince Duane , says RTOs may no longer be able to meet today's complex energy challenges. We dig i...

Americans want reliable, affordable and cleaner electricity. This episode's guest, Dr. Joe Bowring, says if working properly, competitive markets will deliver those goals – but there are a lot of challenges from the pressure to subsidize power plants and new policy goals. He’s the referee – or independent market monitor – for PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator and competi...

Can conservatives learn to love climate policy? As more and more Republicans understand the need to reduce emissions, Alex Flint talks to industry and walks the halls of Capitol Hill to find and share ideas that can accelerate decarbonization – without sending America over the fiscal cliff. Hear what matters to conservatives when it comes to improving our environment, economy and energy security –...

With February's Winter Storm Uri power outages in Texas, calls for energy conservation in California, and even threats to system reliability in New England, a changing electric grid, cyber threats and extreme weather events bring new challenges for keeping the lights on and America powered up. Jim Robb, president and CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation joins Energy Solu...

Google, Amazon and Disney are some of America’s largest companies and innovators. They are also some of the largest buyers and users of electricity. That means finding affordable, reliable and cleaner energy is essential to their business success. And they all believe that competitive power markets will help them point their buying power at reducing carbon emissions and putting more renewable ener...

How can climate policy support reliable, affordable energy, American business and continued economic growth? New proposals from major U.S. energy and business trade groups show momentum for solutions that balance trade-offs by pointing market competition at decarbonization. In this episode, we talk with officials from the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to explore wha...

The Biden Administration has announced new carbon emissions targets. But what will it take to decarbonize power generation - and the rest of the economy - and how fast can we get there without breaking the bank or the electric grid?  Is a 100% renewable power system possible and what would it cost? How do we encourage the innovation needed to build the grid of the future?  E3's Arne Olson sha...

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