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Welcome to the Energy Central Podcast Network—your ultimate resource for the biggest ideas, boldest perspectives, and best insights from across the electric power industry.

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Power Perspectives. From CEOs of major utilities to founders of energy tech startups pushing the envelope, Power Perspectives curates the news, thought leaders, and big picture conversations most important to modern power professionals—every week on Tuesdays.

The Watt & Why. Dive deep into utility business strategies, straight from the minds of the leaders deciding what comes next. Host Mike Smith leverages his own decades of power utility industry experience and leadership to get to the bottom of what inspires, drives, and challenges utility decision makers.

And there’s even more to come.

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Friday · 19 min
The Real Risks Behind the Data Center Boom
The data center boom is creating enormous opportunities for utilities, but what happens when the grid can't keep up? In this episode, Chris Sturgill, Partner at ScottMadden, talks about the financial and operational risks behind soaring data center electricity demand. They explore why data centers can be built in just 18–26 months while grid infrastructure can take 5–10 years, whether data centers could actually lower electricity bills, and how utilities can distinguish serious development projects from speculation. Sturgill also explains why promises of flexible data center electricity consumption remain largely unproven and what utility leaders should do to avoid costly infrastructure mistakes. Thank you to our partners at ScottMadden for making this episode happen. To learn more about ScottMadden visit: https://www.energycentral.com/ScottMadden
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Tuesday · 26 min
What The Rise of Plug-In Solar Means for Your Utility
Plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar, is gaining popularity as homeowners look for affordable ways to generate their own electricity. But could this growing technology pose unexpected risks to consumers and the power grid? Ken Boyce, Vice President of Engineering at UL Solutions, talks about the hidden safety concerns surrounding plug-in solar and what utilities need to know as adoption accelerates. Boyce explains why none of the plug-in solar products UL tested met its new safety requirements, how these systems could create electrical shock and fire hazards, and why utilities may struggle to manage thousands of small solar installations connected to the grid without their knowledge. With nearly 40 states having considered legislation addressing plug-in solar, the conversation explores the tension between making renewable energy more accessible and ensuring the safety and reliability of the electric grid.
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October 13 · 22 min
What political candidates are getting wrong about the climate conversation
Energy costs, AI data centers, and grid reliability are becoming major issues in the 2026 midterm elections. But some of the most consequential decisions about America's energy future aren't being made in Washington. They're happening in state legislatures, local elections, and public utility commissions. Matt Chester speaks to Caroline Spears, founder of Climate Cabinet, about why energy has become a defining political issue, how rising electricity bills and data center development are influencing voters, and which overlooked elections could have the biggest impact on energy policy. Spears also explains how Climate Cabinet uses data science and AI to identify influential political races, why utility commission elections deserve more attention, and what the 2026 election results could mean for a new wave of data center legislation in 2027.
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September 29 · 25 min
Should your utility be using AI agents?
What could AI agents actually do for a utility today? Power Perspectives host Matt Chester talks to AI strategist Jeff Wilser about the work beyond the buzzword. They explore how AI agents could search years of filings, and turn interviews with retiring employees into searchable institutional knowledge. Jeff also explains why human judgment remains essential when mistakes carry real consequences for customers and the grid, and highlights the limitations of the technology. For utility leaders ready to experiment, he offers practical starting points that you can start implementing today even if you’ve never used AI agents before.
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September 25 · 27 min
Why Utilities Are Turning to DERs as Power Demand Surges
Electricity demand is rising fast, and utilities are looking for new ways to add capacity without waiting years for traditional grid upgrades. Distributed energy resources (DERs) are becoming an increasingly important part of that equation. In this episode of Power Perspectives, Energy Central’s Matt Chester sits down with Todd Jackson of PowerSecure to explore how utilities are using DERs to manage peak demand, support large loads like data centers, improve resilience during extreme weather, and gain more flexibility in how they invest in the grid. They also discuss what makes a successful utility DER program, why customer participation matters, and how distributed resources could play a much bigger role as electricity demand continues to grow. Thank you to PowerSecure for partnering with us on this episode.
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September 22 · 34 min
How Clean Energy Became a Republican Issue, Too
Heather Reams spent about a decade working to bring more Republicans into the conversation around climate and clean energy policy. In this episode of Power Perspectives, she shares what she learned from working directly with lawmakers, why clean energy politics often depend on local economics and geography, and how rising electricity costs and demand are changing the conversation. We also explore where bipartisan agreement exists—and where it breaks down—on issues including permitting reform, grid modernization, nuclear energy, renewables and emerging technologies. Plus, Reams explains why she believes affordability and energy abundance are becoming increasingly important forces in U.S. energy politics.
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September 15 · 22 min
The Clean Energy Transition, Explained Through Football
in this episode of Power Perspectives, Ahmed Moussa, founder of Electric Bridge Consulting, uses football to break down the path toward 100% clean energy. He explains why utilities can’t rely on a “Hail Mary” approach and instead need to move strategically down the field, balancing reliability, resilience and affordability along the way. We also explore where utilities are today, how AI and data centers are changing the game, and what utility leaders should prioritize next.
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September 8 · 23 min
What Alaska Can Teach Us About the Future of the Grid
What can a remote Alaskan town teach the rest of the power industry about building the grid of the future? In this episode, book editor Peter Asmus takes us inside Cordova, Alaska—a community with no road connecting it to the outside world that has turned its isolation into a testing ground for grid innovation. We explore how Cordova gets roughly 75% of its electricity from hydropower, uses battery storage and underground power lines to strengthen its system, and even built a small data center designed to take advantage of excess renewable energy. Asmus explains why Alaska’s unique challenges have forced its utilities to innovate and what much larger utilities across the country can learn from them.
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September 3 · 32 min
Google’s Energy Head Says We’re Thinking About AI All Wrong
AI is transforming the utility industry rapidly, but does that mean it’s going to eliminate all utility jobs? Google’s Global Head of Power and Energy for Cloud, Raiford Smith, joins us to explain why he thinks that’s the wrong way to look at AI. We explore how utilities are using AI to accelerate grid planning and infrastructure construction, what it could mean for engineers and other utility workers, and why even smaller utilities can take advantage of these tools. Plus, Smith shares real-world examples of AI cutting planning and construction timelines, explains where human expertise remains essential, and offers advice for utilities wondering where to start.
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August 28 · 40 min
Utilities Have More Data Than Ever. Now What?
Utilities are being asked to manage more assets, respond to more extreme weather, maintain reliability, and keep costs under control—all while facing workforce pressures and aging infrastructure. In this episode, Skydio’s Christina Park joins Ameren Illinois’ Jason Klein and utility industry veteran Ahmed Moussa to explore how asset management is changing to meet those challenges. They discuss the shift from reactive to proactive maintenance, the growing flood of grid data, the loss of institutional knowledge as experienced workers retire, and how technologies like drones, automation, and AI can help utilities make smarter decisions. They say the future of asset management isn’t simply about collecting more data. It’s about turning that data into action. Thank you to Skydio for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Skydio: https://energycentral.short.gy/skydio.pod
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August 25 · 35 min
Harvard Law Expert Explains How AI Data Centers Could Change Your Electricity Bill
AI data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand—but who should pay for it all? Energy Central’s Matt Chester sits down with Ari Peskoe, Director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard Law School, to unpack how the data center boom is reshaping electricity costs, utility regulation, and the power grid. Peskoe explains why adding a hyperscale data center can be like “plopping down a large city basically out of nowhere” from the power sector’s perspective. The conversation also examines utilities’ incentives to attract data centers, the push for greater transparency, and whether tech companies should simply build their own power generation. Plus, Ari answers questions submitted directly by the Energy Central community about behind-the-meter power, climate impacts, data center noise, and the future of electricity regulation as AI-driven demand continues to grow.
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August 21 · 38 min
How Utilities Are Putting Agentic AI to Work | IBM
AI is quickly moving from pilot projects to real-world applications across the utility industry. But what does it take to make these tools work at scale? In this episode of Power Perspectives, host Matt Chester sits down with IBM energy and utilities leaders Christopher Behme and Biren Gandhi to explore how utilities are applying agentic AI across grid planning, operations, emergency response, and predictive maintenance. The conversation covers how AI can help utilities coordinate complex workflows, accelerate new load connections, make better use of existing grid capacity, and turn growing volumes of data into actionable insights. The guests also discuss the role of digital twins, the importance of breaking down data silos, and why human oversight remains essential as AI takes on a larger role in utility decision-making. Plus, hear IBM’s vision for the “adaptive grid” where operators have access to integrated, real-time information and workflows, and can respond dynamically to changing grid conditions.
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August 18 · 27 min
The truth about nuclear's comeback
Nuclear energy is making headlines declaring its comeback. But did nuclear ever really go away? In this episode, Matt Chester unpacks what’s behind nuclear’s renewed moment in the spotlight. He traces the industry from its massive buildout in the 20th century through Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, and explores the role nuclear has quietly continued to play on the U.S. grid. He also digs into what’s changing now: AI and data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand, policymakers are reconsidering nuclear retirements, and emerging technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) are promising new ways to deploy nuclear power. Watch now to learn what’s behind nuclear’s comeback, what utilities need to know about public perception, and what’s to come in the next decade.
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August 11 · 38 min
This Tiny Nuclear Battery Could Unlock the Next Era of Space Exploration
What if a nuclear battery the size of a grain of rice could power critical sensors for decades—or help build the infrastructure needed to explore the Moon and Mars? In this episode of Energy Central’s Power Perspectives Podcast, host Molly Glick sits down with City Labs CEO Peter Cabauy to explore the emerging world of nuclear micropower. City Labs develops long-lasting betavoltaic power sources that generate electricity offering continuous power for applications where conventional batteries and solar energy can fall short. The conversation follows City Labs’ journey from an idea inspired by quantum physics to a major milestone: launching what the company calls the world’s first commercial nuclear-powered satellite aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission. Peter explains how betavoltaic technology works, why tiny amounts of continuous power can be valuable, and where City Labs sees opportunities—from sensors embedded across the power grid to pacemakers, lunar infrastructure, Mars exploration, and deep-space missions. He also discusses the regulatory and technical hurdles involved in bringing nuclear technology to space.
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August 4 · 15 min
Inside the Heated AI Data Center Debate
Today’s episode of Power Perspectives tackles one of the most contentious issues in the energy industry today: should states slow or even pause the rapid expansion of AI data centers? Energy Central’s Molly Glick and Carrie Klein break down New York's first-in-the-nation temporary data center moratorium, why more than a dozen states are considering similar policies, and the arguments on both sides of the debate. The conversation explores concerns over rising electricity costs, grid reliability, water use, and whether ratepayers should bear the cost of powering AI infrastructure. At the same time, they examine the economic benefits data centers can bring through jobs, investment, and innovation. Whether you're for or against data center moratoriums, this discussion offers a balanced look at one of the biggest policy debates shaping the future of AI and the electric grid.
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July 28 · 33 min
Can Data Centers Actually Lower Your Electric Bill?
As electricity demand surges and customer bills come under increasing pressure, utilities are being challenged to balance affordability, reliability, and economic growth. But can bringing more data centers and large industrial customers onto the grid actually help lower costs for everyone else? In this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Christine Martin, President of PPL Electric Utilities, to discuss why electricity prices are rising, how utilities can protect residential customers while supporting massive new loads, and why transparent communication has become just as important as grid infrastructure. Christine explains how PPL is preparing for unprecedented demand growth, why "growth should pay for growth," and what utilities can do to build trust with the communities they serve. Whether you're interested in grid modernization, utility regulation, data centers, or the future of electricity affordability, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the industry's biggest challenges.
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July 24 · 35 min
The Engineering Debate Shaping the Future Power Grid
As electricity demand surges, utilities are being forced to rethink how they build the transmission grid. In this episode of Power Perspectives, Burns & McDonnell's Brandon Goodwin and Zach Brinker explain why a decades-old debate—lattice towers versus steel poles—is becoming relevant again. They break down the engineering, cost, construction, and reliability tradeoffs behind each approach, and explain how factors like terrain, outage constraints, supply chains, and project scale all influence the right choice. If the grid is going to keep pace with unprecedented demand growth, utilities will need to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions for building the transmission infrastructure of the future. Thank you to Burns & McDonnell for sponsoring this episode. Discover more about Burns & McDonnell: https://hubs.li/Q04qzfSp0
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July 21 · 39 min
Why Keeping The Lights On Is Getting Harder
The North American grid remains one of the most reliable in the world—but is that changing? As electricity demand surges from AI data centers, electrification, and new manufacturing, utilities are racing to keep pace while balancing an increasingly complex mix of resources. So how reliable is the grid today? Where are the biggest risks emerging? And what needs to happen to keep the lights on over the next decade? In this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and System Analysis at NERC, to unpack the organization's latest long-term reliability assessment. They discuss why some regions face greater reliability risks than others, how the rapid growth of wind, solar, batteries, and data centers is reshaping grid planning, and why data centers may actually strengthen reliability if integrated thoughtfully. Moura also explains why traditional planning metrics are becoming outdated—and what utilities, regulators, and policymakers should do now to build a more reliable grid for the future. Whether you're planning for the next wave of load growth or navigating the evolving generation mix, this conversation offers a timely look at the challenges—and opportunities—ahead for North America's power system.
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July 17 · 43 min
Why This Utility Shut Off Power Before Disaster Hit
Wildfire risk is changing—and so is the way utilities respond. In this episode of Power Perspectives, we take an inside look at Arizona Public Service's first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and the high-stakes decision-making behind intentionally turning off power to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Host Matt Chester is joined by Wade Ward, Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Science at Arizona Public Service, and Steve Vanderburgh, Vice President of Weather & Risk Solutions at Technosylva. Together, they explain how advanced weather modeling, wildfire analytics, and operational planning helped guide one of the utility's most difficult decisions. They also discuss how utilities can balance reliability with public safety, why today's wildfire threat extends far beyond California, and what lessons every utility can apply before the next extreme weather event. Whether you're working in utility operations, emergency management, or simply interested in how critical infrastructure adapts to growing climate risks, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the industry's most important challenges. Thank you Technosylva for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Technosylva here: https://hubs.la/Q04psJRr0
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July 14 · 33 min
The New Market That Could Make Power Cheaper
As electricity demand grows and the grid becomes more complex, utilities are looking for smarter ways to deliver reliable, affordable power. I n this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Mike Wilding, Vice President of Energy Supply Management at PacifiCorp, to explore the Extended Day Ahead Market (EDAM) and how it could reshape electricity markets across the western United States. Mike explains how EDAM builds on the success of the Western Energy Imbalance Market by enabling utilities to optimize power generation and transmission a full day in advance rather than only in real time. The conversation covers how better forecasting and regional coordination can lower costs for customers, improve reliability during extreme weather, and make more efficient use of renewable energy resources. Mike also shares the years of collaboration, technology upgrades, and regulatory work required to launch EDAM, along with lessons for utilities considering similar market models. If you're interested in the future of grid operations, regional electricity markets, and utility innovation, this episode offers an accessible look at one of the industry's most significant developments.
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