EPRI Current

The next era of electricity growth is already taking shape. Electrification, computational loads, advanced manufacturing, and economic growth are testing traditional approaches to grid planning and raising consequential questions about what comes next.

 

On the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Lanny Nickell, President and CEO of SPP, and Daniel Brooks, EPRI Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions, to discuss how the industry is responding. They explore how today’s large, fast-moving loads are reshaping grid planning and discuss new approaches to load flexibility, interconnection, transmission investment, and regional energy markets. They also look ahead at what it will take to strengthen reliability, expand the grid, and unlock greater connectivity between the Eastern and Western Interconnections.

 

Tune in for an inside look at the decisions shaping the grid’s next decade.

 

For more episodes visit EPRI.com.
 

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Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews 

 

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

Heat pumps have become one of the most widely discussed technologies for home efficiency and electrification, but their next evolution may be even more transformative. In this week's episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI's Ron Domitrovic and Carrier Energy's Timothy Watts to discuss the next generation of heat pumps and their potential to support both homeowners and the grid.

The discussion explores how technologies such as inverter-driven systems, integrated battery storage, and virtual power plant participation are expanding the role of heat pumps beyond heating and cooling. Drawing on insights from EPRI's ongoing field demonstration, the guests share what they're learning about turning residential HVAC systems into flexible energy resources while keeping customer comfort front and center, and how those learnings can help inform the broader industry's approach to integrating heat pumps as grid resources.

 
 
 

For more episodes visit EPRI.com.
 

If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. 

 

Follow EPRI:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews 

 

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

This week on the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with Morgan Scott, EPRI Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Faith Davis, who leads Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i), to discuss how the utility industry is adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.
 
 
Together, they explore lessons learned from climate resilience efforts, emerging technologies attracting investment, and the growing role of data, AI, and innovation in planning for future risks. They also examine the intersection of resilience, infrastructure investment, and affordability, and share their vision for how climate-informed planning can help build a more reliable and adaptable energy system in the years ahead.
 
 
The episode also explores the impact of EPRI's Climate READi Initiative (https://www.epri.com/research/sectors/readi), which helps establish a consistent, industry-wide approach to assessing climate risk and informing climate-ready planning.
 
 
Learn more about Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i): https://www.exeloncorp.com/community/foundation
 
 

For more episodes visit EPRI.com.
 

If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. 

 

Follow EPRI:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews 

 

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

How are robotics, drones, and AI reshaping utility operations? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI's Dexter Lewis and Ameren's James Pierce about the growing role of robotics in electric utility inspections, the evolution of drone programs, and the opportunities and challenges ahead as utilities embrace more autonomous operations.
 
 
From robotic dogs and underwater inspection vehicles to drones that collect millions of images of grid assets, utilities are expanding the use of robotics to improve safety, reduce costs, and gain deeper insights into infrastructure health. Experts discuss how drone programs have matured from early pilot projects to enterprise-wide operations, including Ameren's extensive asset inspection efforts and pioneering beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights.
 
 
They also dive into emerging FAA regulations, the growing need for industry best practices, and the role of AI in transforming massive volumes of inspection data into actionable intelligence. Tune in to hear how utilities are preparing for the next generation of autonomous inspections and digital grid management.
 
 
Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources:
 
• EPRI Discussing the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Part 108: Normalizing BVLOS UAS Operations
https://www.epri.com/research/programs/070605/events/ae161182-5208-4d67-82dc-bf529f97263a
• EPRI's Preparing for Part 108 Collaborative Research Project
https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034053
• EPRI's Public Labeled Imagery Dataset Supporting AI Development
https://www.epri.com/thought-leadership/artificial-intelligence/data-sets/3qma0kn43rnn56ualbkmhg
 
 

For more episodes visit EPRI.com.
 

If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. 

 

Follow EPRI:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews 

 

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

What do rising river temperatures, lower water levels, and jellyfish have in common? They're all emerging challenges for nuclear power plant operations. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Kurt Crytzer and Jonathan Black to explore how extreme heat is reshaping nuclear plant operations in Europe and beyond, and why water is one of the industry's most critical resources.
 
 
From rising water temperatures and lower river levels to changing aquatic ecosystems and even jellyfish blooms, they examine how extreme weather conditions can impact cooling systems, plant performance, and grid reliability. Experts highlight EPRI's research to help utilities better anticipate, monitor, and adapt to these challenges through advanced forecasting tools and resilience-focused solutions. 
 
 
Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources:

HOL A DELEJ?: Real-time dashboard of Hungary's power system and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant: https://holadelej.hu/en/

Intake Reliability Interest Group (IRIG): EPRI program focused on cooling water intake reliability and emerging operational challenges: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033455

 

For more episodes visit EPRI.com.
 

If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. 

 

Follow EPRI:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews 

 

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com