GridPulse, a Grid Forward podcast
Episodes
The Grid is Not a Lab: How Avista Drives Innovation Across the Utility
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the energy landscape grows more complex, utilities see new technologies as critical to making electricity more clean, affordable and reliable. Ye...
Why Tech Giants Must Build Trust as Well as Tools to Advance the Grid
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As energy demand surges, tech giants are stepping up as key partners to utilities navigating a rapidly changing grid. At CERAWeek 2026, Bryce Yonker e...
The Unexplored and Unknown: How ARPA-E Is Advancing Energy Innovation
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As energy demand surges, how is the U.S. Department of Energy supporting breakthrough technologies to strengthen grid resilience? ARPA-E Director Cono...
Electric Co-ops Meet the Moment as Technology Advances and and Demand Surges
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to power rural America in a time of fast-changing technologies and rising demand and costs? Jim Matheson of NRECA shares insights in...
Balancing Growth and Affordability While Building the Grid We Need Today
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the season opener of GridPulse, Virginia Commissioner Jehmal Hudson joins the podcast to discuss the national and local drivers behind rising energ...
Season 6 Finale — The Benefits of AI Technologies on Grid Modernization
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this season 6 finale, Luis D’Acosta, CEO of Uplight, recaps this season’s driving issues with a rapid-fire discussion with Bryce. They cover a ...
AI Impacts for a Resilient Grid with Duke Energy, NextEra and PG&E
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the first day of the GridFWD 2025 event, leadership from some of the nation’s largest and most AI-engaged utilities joined a panel to tell our au...
Utilizing Dynamic Line Rating to Increase Reliability and Reduce Costs
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dynamic line rating (DLR) is a Grid Enhancing Technology (GET) that measures the impact of ambient conditions on the carrying capacity of a grid. When...
Weighing Solutions to Increase Flexibility on the Grid
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Increasing flexibility on the electric grid is necessary as demand and capacity requirements rapidly rise. Diversifying generation portfolios with eme...
Analyzing Data Center Flexibility to Meet Growing Power Demands
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Power demand from data centers is clearly increasing faster than current electric infrastructure and markets can accommodate. Therefore, data centers ...
Powering Texas: Grid Growth, Resilience & Innovation
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Grid Forward Forum, host Bryce Yonker speaks with Rudy Garza (CPS Energy) and David Naylor (Rayburn Electric Cooperative) about the...
How State Energy Offices Are Tackling Load Growth, Affordability and Resilience on the Grid
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
State energy offices have a delicate balancing act in leading policy, tracking market signals, and encouraging economic development. All that is harde...
Supply Chain Constraints on the Grid - And What Needs to Improve
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2020, supply chain shortages have delayed the progress of necessary grid infrastructure improvements. Consolidation in the industry means fewer ...
Scientific Discovery and Commercial Acceleration of Advanced Grid Solutions at PNNL
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) draws on signature fundamental capabilities to advance scientific discovery, improve energy resiliency...
Hardening America’s Electric Grid—An Overview of the 2025 ASCE Infrastructure Report
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Energy infrastructure received a grade of D+ in the 2025 Report for America’s Infrastructure, published by American Society of Civil Engineers. Bryc...
The Pace of Grid Innovation Quickens in Co-op Utilities
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With consumer needs and capabilities rapidly evolving, many electric co-ops are quickly pushing grid advancements to meet current and future demands. ...
Pursuing Energy Affordability With Today's Many Grid Challenges
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Balancing various stakeholder interests while ensuring affordable, reliable power is the daunting task commissioners face. We spoke with Dave Danner,...
U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak On Congress's Energy & Grid Priorities
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even as energy rates have steadily risen, reliability has suffered in many parts of the country over the past five years. What is the new Congress pri...
How Watch Duty Improves Wildfire Situational Awareness, Readiness and Response
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When disaster strikes, situational awareness and timely information save lives and property. That's why Watch Duty was the most downloaded iOS app dur...
AI: The Driver for Expanded Demand and Promising Solutions to Run the Grid Better
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this season-opener of “GridForward Forum,” we are joined by two special guests: Sean Kelly, co-founder & CEO at Amperon, and Xing Wang, gl...
Impacts to the Grid Under the Incoming Trump Administration, Part 2
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Impacts to the Grid Under the Incoming Trump Administration, Part 1
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Season 5 Finale—Assessing the State of the Grid in 2024 with Siemens' Ruth Gratzke
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Episode 14, Season 5—Google Reaches for the Next Level of Clean Energy and Added Flexibility
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The digital economy, and especially data centers, have become integral to our lives. And with that digital growth comes increased energy demand. Googl...
Episode 13, Season 5 — Regulatory Pathways to Navigate Grid Modernization, Part 2
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By nature, utilities are risk adverse. Because of this, some are hesitant to accept innovative solutions to grid modernization. Strong efforts are nee...
Episode 12, Season 5 — Regulatory Pathways to Navigate Grid Modernization, Part 1
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Using performance-based regulatory incentives for energy efficiency proved to be successful. Should similar incentives be created for reliability? In ...
Episode 11, Season 5 – Providing World-Class Reliability and Affordable Rates While Becoming Carbon-Free
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is determined to offer 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, while maintaining world-class reliability at an a...
Episode 10, Season 5 – Charge Forward: Ford’s Electric Vehicle and Energy Services Strategy Unveiled
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode dives into Ford’s approach to the future of mobility through electrification and grid connectivity. We examine the company's recent ini...
Episode 9, Season 5 — How Technology Can Boost Flexibility and Efficiency in T&D Grids
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pairing batteries with sophisticated grid controls offers the flexibility to provide multiple sources of value depending on where the battery is locat...
Episode 8, Season 5 – Scaling Up the Clean Energy Transition: A Discussion with David Crane, DOE Under Secretary for Infrastructure
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 suppo...
Episode 7, Season 5 – Exceeding Cybersecurity Regulations to Further Reduce Risk
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Regulatory requirements for cybersecurity are a top priority; however, regulations only cover a minimum level of security needed. Compliance to regula...
Episode 6, Season 5 – Scaling Virtual Power Plants to Their Fullest Potential
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maintaining a flexible energy grid is critical to modern day power. Decarbonation goals, policy changes and a migration of people due to the pandemic ...
Episode 5, Season 5 - How AI Can Help Us Build a More Resilient, Decarbonized, and Secure Grid
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to accelerate innovation in the energy grid in terms of resiliency, decarbonization and security. AI has alr...
Episode 4, Season 5 – How Rates and Markets Can Help Meet Rising Demand with APS and EEI
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Demand for electricity has exploded over the past several years, and nowhere more so than at Arizona Public Service Company. Grid hardening, storage ...
Episode 3, Season 5 – Making the Grid Modern and Affordable
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) represents the interests of utility consumers before state and federal regulator...
Episode 2, Season 5 - Shifting Energy Market Dynamics: A Conversation with The Leaders of AESO, ERCOT and SPP
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we have three leaders from organized energy markets to address the shifting dynamics within the industry. They discuss which technolo...
Episode 1, Season 5 – Discussion with the White House: The Federal Toolkit to Advance the Grid
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To kick off this podcast season we have Whitney Muse, Senior Policy Advisor at the White House in the Office of Clean Energy Innovation and Implementa...
Episode 11, Season 4 – Leading the Nation’s Largest Energy Delivery Company to Invest in Local Communities
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even though Exelon is the largest energy delivery company in America, the company is committed to investing in local communities and helping all of th...
Episode 10, Season 4 – The Complex Barriers to Building Transmission Infrastructure
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What are the barriers to building transmission infrastructure? We know them well as planning, permitting, and paying. Rob Gramlich (founder and presid...
Episode 9, Season 4 – Wildfire & The Grid and Firsthand Account of Lahaina Fires
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode of Grid Forward Chats starts with a conversation with Katherine Blunt, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal. Katherine recentl...
Episode 8, Season 4 – Building Out the Global Supply Chain to Support a Clean Energy Future
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Henry Sanderson, Executive Director of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and author Volt Rush, wrote the book after he became aware of the scale of the r...
Season 4 - Crossover Episode: Post Energy Crisis, The “Need For Speed” - Live from Brussels / Eurelectric with Leo Birnbaum (CEO E.ON)
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a crossover episode from Redefining Energy. We hope you enjoy listening to this discussion of the energy crisis from a European perspe...
Episode 6, Season 4 - Lessons Learned from Four Decades at SRP, a Discussion with Mike Hummel
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Debra Smith, the General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light, interviews Mike Hummel after his recent retirement as general manager and CEO of Salt ...
Episode 5, Season 4 - The Time is Now to Create a More Flexible Grid
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode Grid Forward Advisor and guest host Ann McCabe, commissioner with the Illinois Commerce Commission, interviews Audrey Zibelman, forme...
Episode 4, Season 4 - Taking an Innovative Grid Solution to Market
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do we modernize the grid when fast-moving technology innovation hits the seemingly glacial pace of change in regulated markets like energy? To exp...
Episode 3, Season 4 - Can Small Nuclear Play a Big Role on the Grid?
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition we explore the role of small modular nuclears (SMRs) in the energy system by talking with two industry veterans. Clayton Scott is EVP ...
Episode 2, Season 4 - States Driving the Grid Ahead: A Discussion with WA Governor Inslee
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Evergreen State has long pioneered efforts to advance the energy system. In this episode we talk with the U.S.’s longest standing governor, Ja...
Episode 1, Season 4 – Aligning Energy Systems to Climate Requirements, with RMI’s Jon Creyts
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To start season 4 of the Grid Forward Chats podcast, we sit down with Jon Creyts, the new CEO of RMI. He discusses how to ensure the energy system ali...
Episode 11, Season 3 – PG&E’s Efforts to Increase Resiliency and Serve Customers Better
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The need for a more resilient power system in California, and locations across the country, is evident. In the recent past, wildfires, storms, extreme...
Episode 10, Season 3 – Strengthening Our Problem-Solving Skills with Diversity
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Success for the energy sector will not come overnight but through small, meaningful steps that move the industry forward in its goal of a sustainable ...
Episode 9, Season 3 – Improving Reliability and Accelerating Innovation in a Brave Little State
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past decade, Green Mountain Power (GMP) has prioritized finding solutions that address the climate crisis. The company holds one of the natio...
Inflation Reduction Act Has Passed — What’s in it for the Grid?
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Congress has made a huge next step in supporting the advancement of the electric grid. The Inflation Reduction Act passed the House on Friday and has ...
Planning Resources for Transportation Electrification in California
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In quarter one of 2022, 16% of all new car sales were zero-emission vehicles. On this episode, California Public Utilities Commissioner Clifford Recht...
Episode 6, Season 3 — Are we Investing Enough in The Grid
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The landscape of energy is changing rapidly. Are the investments being made today enough to meet needs we put on our grid? On this episode of “...
Episode 5, Season 3 – Modernizing the Grid after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Energy is good." This has been U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's motto when it comes to energy policy. Murkowski's priority is to ensure that the energy sec...
Ep 3-4 How Can we Keep Pace with the Rate of Grid Transition
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To close the live GridFWD event April 20th in Seattle, Snohomish County PUD General Manager John Haarlow and Chief Policy Officer of Sunrun Ann Hoskin...
Ep 3-3 Grid Transformation in a Deregulated Energy Market
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
ENMAX, one of the leading grid operators in Alberta, is leaning into the transformation of their energy system and the acceleration of innovation. Our...
Ep 3-2 Microgrids Around The World Are Changing The Power Grid
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host Cameron Brooks a friend of Grid Forward who runs Think Microgrid talks with Terry Mohn of General Microgrids and Hamideh Bitaraf of Hitachi...
Ep 3-1Trends in Grid Innovation Investments with Hans Kobler of Energy Impact Partners
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Season III of Grid Forward Chats kicks off with Energy Impact Partners' (EIP) Managing Partner and Founder Hans Kobler. 2021 was a banner year for gri...
Ep 2-17 DOE is Serious about Advancing the Grid with David Turk
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Department of Energy has been active and busy rolling up its sleeves to engage topics for advancing capabilities of the grid. The recently pa...
Ep 2-16 Energy in Motion in Europe: Markets, Transition, & Recovery with Laurent Segalen
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Europe has been quite active with regards to energy of late. Natural gas and other energy-related prices have been quite volatile. The green energy re...
Ep 2-15 Long-Duration Energy Storage Goes Public at ESS
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ESS Inc. recently went public, raising over $300 million to scale its long-duration iron flow battery technology in the market. We talk with ESS CEO ...
Ep 2-14 Republican Perspectives on Climate and Energy Transition: A Discussion with Conservative Climate Caucus Chair Rep. John Curtis
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Congress is working on two massive legislative packages -- a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package (through the Senate) and potentially a multi-trillio...
Ep 2-13 Getting to Carbon Negative By 2030 -- How Does Microsoft Plan to Get There with Brian Janous
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Major corporate entitles, in particular the big tech companies, are rapidly accelerating their positions in expanding clean energy and supporting the ...
Ep. 2-12 Fusion Energy in the Era of Renewables with Jay Brister & Wal Van Lierop
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For this session we talk with Jay Brister of General Fusion and one of their early investors and Board members Wal Van Lierop about the future of fusi...
Ep 2-11 What’s at the Core of the Energy Transition with Peter Fox Penner
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could ask the author of 2020 book Power After Carbon, 'OK, what’s next'? Listen in as Scott Harden of Microsoft interviews Peter Fox Pen...
Ep 2-10 Commercial Funding for Grid Innovation with Jigar Shah
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How does the US Department of Energy Loan Office actually work to finance clean energy? Audrey Lee of Microsoft asked the source, the new director Jig...
Ep 2-9 What Grid Operators Can Do For Decarbonization of Electric Systems (live recording)
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To go deeper on the topic of his recent article, “Beyond solar and wind: 10 steps to meet President Biden's clean electricity target,” Bryce Yonke...
Ep. 2-8 Energy and Climate Take Center Stage in Washington State Legislative Session
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon leads the the Washington State House Energy & Environment Committee and has made fighting climate change a priority for ...
Ep. 2-7 Federal Funding for Grid Modernization with Karen Wayland of GridWise Alliance
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We got the chance to sit down with the new CEO of GridWise Alliance Karen Wayland. She shared her perspectives on the priorities for grid modernizatio...
Ep.2-6 Resiliency, Resource Diversity and Lessons from the Last Year with CAISO's Elliot Mainzer
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of our two-part discussion with Elliot Mainzer, the President and CEO of CAISO, we discuss how the organization and region are taking less...
Ep. 2-5 Elliot Mainzer on CAISO's Near-Term Priorities and the Role of Regional Markets
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of our two-part series, we hear from new President and CEO of the California ISO Elliot Mainzer. After a longer career at Bonnevi...
Ep. 2-4 Taking Any Asset into Any Market with Enel X
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From their start as an Italian utility to becoming a multinational energy solutions provider targeting 67 GW of capacity with clean energy resources, ...
Ep. 2-3 Beyond 2222: The Legacy of Commissioner Chatterjee at FERC
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our new Grid Forward Chats podcast goes deep with Commissioner Neil Chatterjee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee. During his tenure, FERC iss...
Ep. 2-2 Making Sure FERC 2222 Meets Its Potential in a Future with Energy Storage
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Ryan Wartena grew Geli to be the leading software and storage optimization solution provider over the last decade. Now Geli is part of solar leade...
Ep. 2-1 Driving Innovation with Authentic Leadership with Debra Smith and Paula Gold-Williams
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Season two of Grid Forward Chats kicks off with special guest host and a former guest Debra Smith, general manager and CEO of Seattle City Light, in d...
Ep. 14 - Creating the Grid We Need for Deep Decarbonization
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
During the closing session of our GridFWD 2020 virtual event, Hunter Lovins (President, Natural Capitalism Solutions) led a discussion with Ralph Cava...
Ep. 13 - The Path to 100% Clean Energy at Xcel
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grid Forward hosted Alice Jackson, President of Xcel Energy Colorado during the opening session of our virtual GridFWD 2020 event. Listen in as she wa...
Ep. 12 - Opportunities for Transmission to Unlock Deeper Renewables
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bryce chats with Lisa Grow, President and CEO of IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power, the largest electric provider in the state, about their commitment to ...
Ep. 11 - How Do 2019 Plans Work in 2021, with Colorado PUC Chair Ackermann
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this lively discussion with Colorado PUC Chair Jeffrey Ackermann we explore how well-established plans from 2019 are relevant going into 2021. Colo...
Episode 10 - Energy Market Innovation with AEMO CEO Audrey Zibelman
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After spearing the REV proceedings in New York, Audrey Zibelman headed down under to lead the Australian Energy Market Operator which recently issued ...
Episode 9 - Ensuring Grid Resiliency Through Robust Applied Research
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen into our in-depth conversation with Carl Imhoff who beyond his role with Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL) leads the Grid Modernization La...
Episode 8 - Expanding Renewables and Grid Modernization at Pacific Power
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We chat with Stefan Bird, President and CEO of Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp. PacifiCorp serves customers across a number of western states ...
Episode 7 - How to Build A More Effective Structure for Energy Ecosystems
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to this fascinating chat with Rich Sedano, the CEO of Regulatory Assistance Project, a non-profit that provides policy advice and technical ass...
Episode 6 - Bringing Innovation to Life With Customer Needs at the Core
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Portland General Electric has a long history of innovation with its grid operations and community engagement. Listen to CEO Maria Pope discuss their p...
Episode 5 - Making People Part of the Energy Solution at Uplight
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Uplight merged not two but six companies in 2019. We check in with Justin Segall, founder of Simple Energy and now Chief Strategy Officer of Uplight ...
Episode 4 - Seattle City Light Adjusts Plans and Prioritizes Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Seattle area was one of the earliest communities to have to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. We talk with Debra Smith, CEO and general manager of S...
Episode 3 - Putting Grid Modernization to the Test in Tacoma
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The greater Seattle area was hit early and hard by the COVID pandemic. We hear from the leader at the helm of Tacoma Public Utilities, just south of S...
Episode 1 - Modernizing Regulation in Hawaii for Renewables Through and Beyond the Pandemic
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hawaii has been leading the country with a charge toward a clean energy future. How are the regulatory and business model elements of the electric gri...
Episode 2 - Regulatory and Business Model Toolkit in Dealing with COVID Impacts
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Diving into the depths of regulatory and business models updates isn’t easy in ordinary times but in this session we get deep into the issues as it ...