CFC Solutions Cast

Hosted by CFC

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Oct 2026

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About the show

CFC's podcast is focused on highlighting financial and energy industry insights that matter most to the electric cooperative network.

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60 recent

October 9, 2026Episode 883 min

How Co-ops Are Maximizing the Value of Battery Storage

Alisha Pinto, senior energy industry analyst at CFC, shares how electric cooperatives are using the versatility of battery storage systems to defer costly investments. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "How Co-ops Are Maximizing the Value of Battery Storage." Download CFC's issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability." Read the CFC Solutions Cooperative News article, "Battery Storage Reshapes Cooperative Strategy." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

October 6, 2026Episode 8729 min

Why Trust Is the Real Currency of Cooperative Leadership

Troy Simpson shares how Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative builds trust, strengthens its culture, and uses AI thoughtfully while keeping member service human.

October 1, 2026Episode 863 min

Should Co-ops Consider Emerging Wearable Support Tools?

CFC’s Brian Sloboda shares how wearable support technology could help reduce strain, fatigue and injury risks for utility crews. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "Should Co-ops Consider Emerging Wearable Support Tools?" For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

September 10, 2026Episode 855 min

Early AI Efforts Offer Lessons for Cooperative Leaders

CFC Director, Alliances and Research Amy LaVigna examines how early artificial intelligence efforts can inform investment choices, data readiness and workforce planning. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "Early AI Efforts Offer Lessons for Cooperative Leaders." Listen to the CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "How Rapid AI Damage Assessments Are Changing Disaster Recovery." Read the CFC Financial Feature, "Why AI Will Transform Work, Not Eliminate It." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

August 27, 2026Episode 843 min

Can Advanced Nuclear Scale To Meet Demand?

Advanced nuclear is attracting unprecedented investment, but can technology scale quickly enough to meet rising electricity demand? In this edition of Solutions Cast: Industry Insights, Alisha Pinto, senior energy industry analyst at CFC, examines the opportunities, challenges and key trends cooperative leaders should watch. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "Can Advanced Nuclear Scale to Meet Demand?" Download CFC's issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability." Listen to the June 15 CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Reliability in a Rapidly Changing Economy." Read the CFC Solutions Cooperative News article, "Nuclear Revival Accelerates as Data Centers Race for Power." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

August 25, 2026Episode 8325 min

How Rapid AI Damage Assessments Are Changing Disaster Recovery

Hear from Texas A&M doctoral candidate Thomas Manzini as he shares how artificial intelligence (AI) helps turn drone imagery into fast, actionable damage reports, improving disaster response when every minute counts. Learn More: CLARKE Project

August 12, 2026Episode 826 min

What Co-ops Should be Asking About V2G

CFC’s Brian Sloboda takes a closer look at vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and explores the most important question for electric cooperatives. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "What Co-ops Should be Asking About V2Gs." Read the CFC Solutions Cooperative News article, "New Companies, Partnerships Move Vehicle-to-Grid Forward." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

July 24, 2026Episode 814 min

How Cooperatives Are Planning for Grid Reliability Challenges

In this Industry Insights episode, Alisha Pinto, senior energy industry analyst at CFC, and Chris Whittle, energy and data analyst at CFC, explore the contents of CFC’s newly released issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability." Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "Pinto, Whittle Explore New CFC Issue Brief." Download CFC's issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability." Listen to the June 15 CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Reliability in a Rapidly Changing Economy." Read the CFC Solutions Cooperative News article, "Hoosier Energy Builds Flexible Power Portfolio." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

July 10, 2026Episode 8014 min

How AI Is Delivering Real Value for Cooperatives

Nate Melby, vice president and chief information officer at Dairyland Power Cooperative in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, speaks with CFC's Brian Sloboda about how electric cooperatives can identify high-value opportunities and begin their own artificial intelligence journey. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "How AI Is Delivering Real Value for Electric Cooperatives." Listen to the CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Keeping It Human: AI and the Future of Member Service." Read the CFC Financial Feature, "Uncovering the Latest Constraint in the AI Economy." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .

June 5, 2026Episode 797 min

AI Use Rises as Co-ops Manage Risk, Governance, Oversight

CFC Director, Alliances and Research Amy LaVigna outlines practical AI uses for cooperatives with guardrails, showing how leadership can balance innovation with oversight. Related content: Watch the video of this episode, "AI Use Rises as Co-ops Manage Risk, Governance, Oversight." Listen to the CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Keeping It Human: AI and the Future of Member Service." Read the CFC Financial Feature, "Uncovering the Latest Constraint in the AI Economy." For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop . CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions .