Grid Forward Chats

Impacts to the Grid Under the Incoming Trump Administration, Part 2

The recent U.S. election has raised a lot of questions about future directions for grid-related policies and programs. We reached out to people with a good view on the new administration for their perspectives. In this second special episode, Neil Chatterjee, former FERC Chairman, overviews the impact to IRA and other significant energy legislation. He also talks about the importance of permitting reforms in light of the surge of energy demands for AI, how the incoming administration will focus on expansion of all forms of domestic energy production, and what it means for the U.S. to target ‘energy dominance’. 

Impacts to the Grid Under the Incoming Trump Administration, Part 1

The recent U.S. election has raised a lot of questions about future directions for grid-related policies and programs. We reached out to people with a good view on the new administration for their perspectives. In this first special episode, Bryce chats with Kellie Donnelly, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Lot Sixteen and a long time lead staff person for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and other Hill positions. They cover how an incoming Trump administration might shift energy policy, impact key federal agencies, and change national energy priorities. Bryce and Kellie also discuss how the Republican Congress may bring back the reconciliation process in a package bill, implications of the Congressional Review Act, and how grid innovation may be impacted under the returning administration.

Season 5 Finale—Assessing the State of the Grid in 2024 with Siemens' Ruth Gratzke

In this season finale, Ruth Gratzke, President of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the United States, looks back at the state of the grid in 2024 and how the industry should be planning for future needs. In rapid-fire fashion, Bryce asks Ruth about topics from each of the podcast’s episodes in Season 5 to discuss:

• The importance of federal funding in moving modernization forward
• Improving market structures while keeping energy low cost, equitable and sustainable
• Integrating demand flexibility by investing in long-term storage solutions
• The shocking surge in demand growth from the past two years
• Scaling virtual power plants to meet the desired impact
• Maintaining cybersecurity best practices with the introduction of AI

Thank you for listening to this season of GridForward Chats. Be on the lookout for the launch of Season 6 in 2025!

Episode 14, Season 5—Google Reaches for the Next Level of Clean Energy and Added Flexibility

The digital economy, and especially data centers, have become integral to our lives. And with that digital growth comes increased energy demand. Google’s Briana Kobor joins the podcast to discuss how Google’s significant energy demand can increasingly be served effectively by clean energy offerings. Briana discusses the Clean Transition Tariff (CTT) and how important it is for large energy-consuming customers to bring creative solutions for clean energy working directly with electric grid utility operators. The discussion also highlights what it looks like for Google, and other data center operators, to bring more energy flexibility to the table. Listen in to hear where the world driven by innovation at Google meets the reality of operating grid systems.

Episode 13, Season 5 — Regulatory Pathways to Navigate Grid Modernization, Part 2

By nature, utilities are risk adverse. Because of this, some are hesitant to accept innovative solutions to grid modernization. Strong efforts are needed to publicize the positive benefits of rate changes, data sharing and integrated planning. Part two of this discussion with Rich Sedano of RAP and Danielle Sass Byrnett of NARUC focuses on how state commissions and stakeholders can work together to efficiently and positively advance changes to the grid.

Episode 12, Season 5 — Regulatory Pathways to Navigate Grid Modernization, Part 1

Using performance-based regulatory incentives for energy efficiency proved to be successful. Should similar incentives be created for reliability? In part one of this discussion, Rich Sedano, of Regulatory Assistance Project, and Danielle Sass Byrnett, of NARUC, discuss how performance-based incentives set by state commissions may accelerate innovation and provide clearer direction to utilities for grid modernization. They also discuss advanced rate structures that move innovation forward while keeping electricity affordable for the ratepayer. 

Episode 11, Season 5 – Providing World-Class Reliability and Affordable Rates While Becoming Carbon-Free

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is determined to offer 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, while maintaining world-class reliability at an affordable rate. To achieve this ambitious goal, SMUD is working with both a number of innovators to advance carbon-free energy technologies, while also asking their customers to partner with them in advanced flexibility solutions. SMUD’s CEO & General Manager Paul Lau also discusses leveraging federal resources, the impact of policy and what they are learning on the front lines of their decarbonization journey as well as addressing energy equity, company culture and what kind of a legacy he looks to leave with the industry.

Episode 10, Season 5 – Charge Forward: Ford’s Electric Vehicle and Energy Services Strategy Unveiled

This episode dives into Ford’s approach to the future of mobility through electrification and grid connectivity. We examine the company's recent initiatives, including new electric models, investment in EV infrastructure, and partnerships aimed at accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. Learn about the innovations Ford is bringing to the market and how they plan to meet the increasing demand for cleaner, more efficient transportation and energy options. Listen in as Ryan O’Gorman, who has 20 Plus years of experience at Ford Motor Company, gives an insider's view on Ford's commitment to sustainability and technological excellence in the EV space.

Episode 9, Season 5 — How Technology Can Boost Flexibility and Efficiency in T&D Grids

Pairing batteries with sophisticated grid controls offers the flexibility to provide multiple sources of value depending on where the battery is located and how it is utilized. Tim Allen, president and CEO of PXiSE Energy Solutions, joined Bryce on the podcast to discuss how advanced controls and markets for energy storage can overcome barriers to an efficient, decarbonized grid. Battery capacity, value definition, resource flexibility, asset utilization and federal incentives are all rapidly evolving, giving transmission and distribution entities new ways to meet competing objectives.

Episode 8, Season 5 – Scaling Up the Clean Energy Transition: A Discussion with David Crane, DOE Under Secretary for Infrastructure

David Crane, Under Secretary for Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), joined Bryce Yonker on the podcast to discuss how DOE is supporting the advancement of grid infrastructure. David discusses DOE financial and manufacturing incentives to support commercialization that is spurring progress in the industry and across the clean energy ecosystem. To help the scale up of the clean energy transition, their focus remains on three things: efficiency, electrification, and zero carbon generation sources.