Best Smart Grid Forums Podcasts (2025)

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Ag residue and carbon removal 35:16

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5d ago35:16

35:16

Agricultural byproducts like corn stover, wood chips, and soybean husks typically get left to decompose and release carbon dioxide. Don’t call them “waste” though; some farmers use these byproducts as field cover to improve soil health. And industry uses a fraction of this biomass as feedstock for valuable products like ethanol, electricity, and he…

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Virtual Substations Explained 13:14

5d ago13:14

13:14

Can a substation really live forever? Straton Automation’s Anthony Burille joins Mandana White to unpack how virtualisation is changing the game for utilities, bringing flexibility, independence, and long-term cost savings.By Smart Grid Forums

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Shortening the nuclear development cycle from decades to years 47:51

6d ago47:51

47:51

For decades, nuclear has struggled with cost overruns and delays — Georgia’s Vogtle plant being the latest example. Kairos Power co-founder and CEO Mike Laufer thinks the solution is to flip the script: focus first on non-nuclear demonstrations and then iterate quickly. It’s a counterintuitive and potentially risky strategy . Rapid iteration isn’t …

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Automated Device Management for the Power Grid 10:28

11d ago10:28

10:28

From one-way power flow to a dynamic, device-driven grid, utilities face new challenges in cybersecurity and vulnerability management. SUBNET Solutions President and CEO Ameen Hamdon joins Mandana White to explore how operators can keep control in real time.By Smart Grid Forums

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OT Meets IT - How Fortinet is Protecting the Future of Power Utilities 13:59

11d ago13:59

13:59

As the energy sector digitalises, cyber threats are accelerating, especially across OT systems where outages can have massive consequences. Antoine d’Haussy, Head of OT Practice EMEA at Fortinet, explains to Mandana White how utilities can build resilience through integrated IT/OT security platforms.…

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Keeping the Grid in In Sync 13:53

11d ago13:53

13:53

What does it take to keep our power grid running in sync? Sebastian Huante, Sales and Technical Engineer for IT solutions at BITSTREAM Poland, tells Mandana White why precision timing is critical for the future of energy.By Smart Grid Forums

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Can Smarter Regulation Unlock Solar’s Full Potential? 11:10

11d ago11:10

11:10

In this episode, Mandana White speaks with Thomas Rightover, Head of Division Grid and Executive Board Member at CKW, about how regulation and smart grid management can turn solar expansion into a driver of stability and resilience.By Smart Grid Forums

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Reinventing the Grid with Flexibility Services 18:55

11d ago18:55

18:55

Host Mandana White talks to Mihkel Härm, CEO of Elektrilevi, about how Estonia is using flexibility services to turn homes, EVs, and businesses into active grid players — and why this is key to a renewable-powered future in Europe.By Smart Grid Forums

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Why Can’t Grid Systems Just Talk to Each Other? 28:08

11d ago28:08

28:08

Interoperability remains one of the biggest challenges in today’s power grid. Mandana White speaks with Andrea Bonetti, Senior Specialist in Relay Protection and IEC 61850 at Megger, about why legacy systems struggle to connect with modern digital tech.By Smart Grid Forums

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Is now the time for DERs to scale? 41:01

12d ago41:01

41:01

A decade ago, DERs were hot. The hype was that things like batteries, smart devices, and other distributed energy technologies would offset the need for expanding traditional grid infrastructure. But DERs never took off, at least not at the scale that many hoped for. They had high price tags and short track records compared to the existing substati…

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When to colocate data centers with generation 36:32

18d ago36:32

36:32

The idea of colocating data centers with behind-the-meter generation is picking up steam, including large projects in Memphis, Texas, and Utah developing significant on-site capacity, mostly from combined-cycle gas plants. The main argument is speed to power. Building your own generation allows data centers to sidestep the challenges involved in gr…

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Sustainability & Climate Resilience at the City of Hollywood 23:02

18d ago23:02

23:02

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Elaine Franklin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Hollywood, Florida. Franklin shares how the city is advancing its sustainability action plan through clearer accountability, innovative digital tracking tools, and regional collaboration to achieve net zero em…

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The sunk cost dilemma 32:35

20d ago32:35

32:35

Deep into engineering studies for Project Cormorant, 8 Rivers' massive low-carbon ammonia facility, the team discovered new efficiencies that would create a safer, more advanced version of their hydrogen technology. But there was one problem: they'd already invested heavily in the current design. CEO Damian Beauchamp faced a classic dilemma. Should…

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AMA: Geoengineering, nuclear, power prices, and more 42:06

26d ago42:06

42:06

You sent in great questions, and today we’re answering them. In this episode, Shayle hands it over to Lara Pierpoint, the managing director of Trellis Climate at the Prime Coalition and host of The Green Blueprint. Together they cover topics like: Whether solar radiation management will remain the “black sheep” of climate technologies What technolo…

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How AI and Data Are Shaping the Grid 15:48

28d ago15:48

15:48

AI is transforming grid management, but without strong data strategies and network model management, utilities risk falling behind. Sally Jacquemin, VP - Power & Utilities at AspenTech DGM joins Mandana White to explore the future of renewable integration and smarter grid operations.By Smart Grid Forums

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The mechanics of data center flexibility 36:07

1M ago36:07

36:07

Adding flexibility to data center loads could ease strain on the grid and reduce the need for costly new generation. And, according to one study, shaving off just a few megawatts during peak hours could also unlock unused capacity —as many as 98 gigawatts in the U.S — if those facilities reduced load by just 0.5% each year. The problem: data center…

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John Hickenlooper’s optimism in the face of opposition 34:22

1M ago34:22

34:22

Three years ago this month, the Inflation Reduction Act passed, marking the largest investment in climate policy in U.S. history. It included over $300 billion to address global warming and was expected to unlock nearly $3 trillion in private investment by 2032. But then came Donald Trump. Over the last eight months, the Trump administration has wo…

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Heard at SED Forum Summer: How Much Will It Cost To Replace All Fossil Fuels & How Much Will We Gain? 26:36

1M ago26:36

26:36

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil introduces a keynote session from the Smart Energy Decisions Summer Forum featuring Dr. Wolfgang Bauer, where he tackles two vital questions: How much will it cost to replace all fossil fuels, and how much will we gain? With compelling data and economic analysis, Bauer outlines the feasibili…

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The Green Blueprint: Terrawatt Infrastructure’s billion-dollar strategy 35:45

1M ago35:45

35:45

Editor's note: With the Trump administration's efforts to roll back California's electric trucking rules, there's new attention on heavy duty transport right now. So we're bringing you a deep dive into the industry, an episode of The Green Blueprint on Terawatt Infrastructure's $1 billion strategy to build charging depots. In 2021, Neha Palmer co-f…

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The case for sodium-ion 45:36

2M ago45:36

45:36

Our first episode covering sodium-ion batteries featured a cautious take on the chemistry: Back in February Adrian Yao, founder of Stanford’s STEER program, explained the challenges of reaching competitive energy density and costs, especially given the falling price of LFP. Still, sodium-ion chemistries are picking up steam, thanks largely to growi…

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The rogue idea that saved a hydrogen startup 38:07

2M ago38:07

38:07

In 2022, Zach Jones learned that his technical team at Graphitic Energy was secretly working nights and weekends on an unsanctioned approach to producing clean hydrogen from natural gas. It was an approach that abandoned the technology Zach and the company had spent years developing. And Zach wasn’t happy. With investors to answer to and a pilot pl…

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Can Open Source Unlock the Grid’s Full Potential? 13:39

2M ago13:39

13:39

Can the grid learn from tech’s open-source playbook? Jonas Van den Bogaard of Alliander tells Mandana how open-source tools are helping utilities break vendor lock-in, drive innovation, and accelerate Europe’s energy transition.By Smart Grid Forums

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Grid Chaos and Data Centers: Where To Go From Here 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna welcomes Brian Janous, Co-founder of Cloverleaf Infrastructure and former leader of Microsoft’s global energy team. They explore the energy sector’s changing dynamics, driven by skyrocketing demand from data centers and a shift in emphasis from buying energy to securing capacity. Janous shares insight…

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Explaining the ‘Watt-Bit Spread’ 42:01

2M ago42:01

42:01

Editor’s note: The uncertainties of data center construction — like when, where, and how much to build — are as pressing as ever. So we’re revisiting a conversation with Brian Janous, co-founder and chief commercial officer at data center developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure. In this episode, he explains his theory of the ‘Watt-Bit Spread’, which of…

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PJM and the capacity crunch 31:43

2M ago31:43

31:43

The PJM capacity auction this month broke records with sky-high wholesale power prices — and that was by design. Under PJM’s auction rules, tight supply raises prices, incentivizing the development of new generation and encouraging existing generation to stay online. The big driver of that tight supply? Data-center driven load growth. The independe…

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Are Power Grids Being Left Exposed? 24:41

2M ago24:41

24:41

As power grids go digital, are we outpacing our own ability to secure them? In this episode of Powering the Future, Mandana White speaks with Styrmir Jonsson, CISO at Landsnet, about the rising cybersecurity risks in the energy sector.By Smart Grid Forums

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Repurposing EV batteries for grid storage 27:35

2M ago27:35

27:35

The job of an EV battery is unforgiving. If its performance slips too far — say, lost acceleration or range — it's probably off to the recycling heap. That’s even though it may have plenty of usable life, if only for something less demanding than powering a vehicle. Grid storage is theoretically a gentler job, involving slower discharging and more …

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Leveraging IEC 61850 to future-proof the power grid 14:42

2M ago14:42

14:42

In this episode of Powering the Future, Mandana White catches up with Jackson Moore, Application Engineer at Triangle Microworks, to demystify IEC 61850, the global standard that keeps power systems connected, secure, and future-ready.By Smart Grid Forums

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Why Grid Flexibility is Key to Renewable Success 13:09

2M ago13:09

13:09

As renewables surge, so does the need for smarter, more flexible grids. In this episode, Mandana White speaks with Davide Della Giustina of A2A about how energy storage is transforming grid flexibility—and the future of clean power.By Smart Grid Forums

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Can the Grid Handle Renewables? 16:35

2M ago16:35

16:35

As the world races toward clean energy, our grids are under pressure to keep pace. Smart Grid Forums CEO Mandana White speaks with Davide Della Giustina, Head of Business Development and Transformation Officer at A2A Smart Infrastructure, to find out how we're integrating renewable energy into existing power systems.…

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Are EVs Helping or Hurting the Grid? 13:24

2M ago13:24

13:24

EVs are on the rise, but can our power grids keep up? In this episode of Powering the Future, Mandana White speaks with Baerte de Brey, Vice President of The European Association for Electromobility, about the real impact of electric vehicles on the grid.By Smart Grid Forums

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Five big questions emerging from the OBBB 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) complicates things. Together with a related executive order, it dismantled key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, while also injecting uncertainty into tax credit eligibility. The uncertainty in particular throws a wrench into project planning and leaves big questions about the impact across climate tech. So wha…

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New Approaches to Demand Response with GridBeyond, Plugged In Ep. 8 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

In this episode of Plugged In, Abhinav Krishna talks to Joe Hayden, Executive Vice President for North America at GridBeyond, to explore the evolving opportunities and challenges of energy flexibility in today’s world. As the conversation dives into how commercial and industrial customers can unlock new revenue streams and support grid stability th…

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Tumult in residential solar 34:34

3M ago34:34

34:34

Residential solar has had a rough couple of years. In 2024, the market contracted 31% and major companies like Sunpower and Titan went bankrupt. Now, only halfway through 2025, Sunnova and Mosaic have filed for bankruptcy, too. The market has suffered from low demand, high interest rates, and major policy changes like California’s cuts to net meter…

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Fresh intel from state utility regulatory filings 36:34

3M ago36:34

36:34

You’ve probably heard about Nat Bullard’s massive decarbonization slide decks, filled with charts and insights into decarbonization drawn from climate and energy data. This time he's waded through piles of utility regulatory filings — countless PDFs that hint at the inner workings of utilities and large customers — to find clues about everything fr…

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The Force Behind Smart Grid Forums 15:05

3M ago15:05

15:05

She’s the driving force behind the leading technical forum for the power grid sector. In this episode, Mandana White, CEO of Smart Grid Forums, shares how she built the business, what’s keeping grid operators up at night, and the global solutions taking shape.By Smart Grid Forums

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Heard at SED Forum Spring: Stop Saying You Can’t Find Money for Energy & Sustainability Projects, Ep. 120 30:54

3M ago30:54

30:54

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Trevor Joelson, Enterprise Energy Services Account Executive at Trane, explores how organizations can secure funding for energy and sustainability projects by aligning proposals with business priorities and stakeholder needs. He outlinesseveral innovative funding sources and strategies and the impact of stack…

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GM's big new battery tech push 36:35

3M ago36:35

36:35

Lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries could offer a rare combination in energy storage: high energy density at lower costs. They swap much of the expensive nickel for abundant, affordable manganese. But technical hurdles — like poor cycle life, voltage decay, and long formation time — kept them on the sidelines. Now GM says it’s solved these chall…

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The story of steam 32:06

3M ago32:06

32:06

Addison Stark thinks waste heat is a waste of time. The real opportunity, he argues, is decarbonizing industrial steam, which accounts for roughly 30% of industrial heat in the U.S. But doing that means deploying alternatives to the fossil fuel boilers industry currently relies on. So how do you clean up steam? And why does Addison think waste heat…

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The tape that led to a fusion breakthrough 50:41

4M ago50:41

50:41

In 2021, Commonwealth Fusion Systems proved it had built the most powerful magnet in the world. The breakthrough was based on a specific material - a tape - that conducts massive amounts of current with very little loss. Rick Needham, Chief Commercial Officer for CFS, says the breakthrough led to a $1.8 billion Series B fundraising round. Since the…

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Frontier Forum: Fixing distributed energy's finance gap 41:55

4M ago41:55

41:55

Clean energy attracts nearly $3 trillion in investment annually, but most of that capital flows to massive utility-scale projects through the world's biggest banks and large-scale asset managers. Meanwhile, smaller distributed projects — rooftop solar, batteries, microgrids — face a structural financing challenge that Amanda Li calls "death by a th…

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The state of play of data center development 36:24

4M ago36:24

36:24

The future of the grid increasingly hinges on where and how data centers get built. To forecast the kind of power infrastructure we need to meet AI’s growing appetite, we first need to understand a laundry list of variables: data center size, workload type, latency, reliability — even the variety of a data center’s coolant system. So what’s the sta…

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Will AI Replace Power Grid Jobs or Reinvent Them? 10:21

4M ago10:21

10:21

Mandana White sits down with Ronan McKeown, Future Networks Director at NIE Networks, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the energy workforce.By Smart Grid Forums

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Solving the Grid’s Talent Crisis 16:40

4M ago16:40

16:40

As demand for clean energy surges, grid operators face a new challenge: attracting and retaining the next generation of engineers. In this episode, Ronan McKeown breaks down the workforce crisis gripping the energy sector. One Planet. One Power GridBy Smart Grid Forums

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The gas turbine crunch 39:04

4M ago39:04

39:04

Demand for turbines is growing fast, but so are lead times — causing serious headaches for developers. In Texas, one of six projects that pulled proposals from consideration for a valuable financing program cited “equipment procurement constraints” as the reasons for its withdrawal. Lead times are stretching to four years and sometimes more. Costs …

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FOAK tales 52:55

4M ago52:55

52:55

This week, we're bringing you a special episode of Catalyst with Shayle Kann, a show about how to decarbonize the planet. In this episode: what it takes to secure investments for first-of-a-kind infrastructure projects. First-of-a-kind projects need infrastructure investment, the kind of money that costs less than venture capital and usually comes …

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Using AI to Stabilize the Workforce and Accelerate Transition 18:30

4M ago18:30

18:30

What if AI could solve the workforce crisis in the energy sector? Mandana White talks to Leon Kuiper, Lead Data Scientist at Stedin, about how AI is being used to stabilize the grid workforce and fast-track the energy transition. One Planet. One Power Grid.By Smart Grid Forums

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Heard at SED Forum Spring: Embedding Sustainability in Sports & Entertainment Venues, Ep. 119 25:24

4M ago25:24

25:24

This episode of Smart Energy Voices features a live conversation exploring the unique sustainability challenges and opportunities within sports and entertainment venues with Bill Squires, Board Member of Green Sports Alliance and Chief Venues and Operation Officer for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2024/New York & New Jersey Host Committee, and Danielle Doza…

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How geothermal gets built 32:01

4M ago32:01

32:01

Geothermal seems to be nearing an inflection point. With rising load growth, clean, firm power is more valuable than ever. Next-gen geothermal players like Fervo Energy and Sage Geosystems are signing PPAs with major tech firms. Even U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright — a known critic of renewables — has praised the potential of geothermal. The …

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Closing the Gap Between Grid Leaders and Technicians 21:13

4M ago21:13

21:13

Are your grid leaders and technicians speaking the same language? Mandana White, CEO of Smart Grid Forums, sits down with Ashley Boroda, founder of Ashley Boroda Communication and Development. One Planet. One Power Grid.By Smart Grid Forums