EPRI Current

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Aug 2026

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About the show

EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting how the world makes, moves, and uses energy. Each episode features insights from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the world’s preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization. Episodes also feature the practical expertise of energy industry leaders on a variety of topics and technologies that are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

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September 23, 2026Episode 8825 min

78. Building a Climate-Ready Grid: Strategies, Technologies, and Investments for a More Resilient Future

This week on the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with Morgan Scott, EPRI Vice President of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Faith Davis, who leads Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i), to discuss how the utility industry is adapting to a rapidly changing landscape. Together, they explore lessons learned from climate resilience efforts, emerging technologies attracting investment, and the growing role of data, AI, and innovation in planning for future risks. They also examine the intersection of resilience, infrastructure investment, and affordability, and share their vision for how climate-informed planning can help build a more reliable and adaptable energy system in the years ahead. The episode also explores the impact of EPRI's Climate READi Initiative ( https://www.epri.com/research/sectors/readi ), which helps establish a consistent, industry-wide approach to assessing climate risk and informing climate-ready planning. Learn more about Exelon's Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i): https://www.exeloncorp.com/community/foundation For more episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

September 9, 2026Episode 8724 min

77. Beyond the Drone: How Robotics Are Transforming the Grid

How are robotics, drones, and AI reshaping utility operations? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI's Dexter Lewis and Ameren's James Pierce about the growing role of robotics in electric utility inspections, the evolution of drone programs, and the opportunities and challenges ahead as utilities embrace more autonomous operations. From robotic dogs and underwater inspection vehicles to drones that collect millions of images of grid assets, utilities are expanding the use of robotics to improve safety, reduce costs, and gain deeper insights into infrastructure health. Experts discuss how drone programs have matured from early pilot projects to enterprise-wide operations, including Ameren's extensive asset inspection efforts and pioneering beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights. They also dive into emerging FAA regulations, the growing need for industry best practices, and the role of AI in transforming massive volumes of inspection data into actionable intelligence. Tune in to hear how utilities are preparing for the next generation of autonomous inspections and digital grid management. Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources: • EPRI Discussing the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Part 108: Normalizing BVLOS UAS Operations https://www.epri.com/research/programs/070605/events/ae161182-5208-4d67-82dc-bf529f97263a • EPRI's Preparing for Part 108 Collaborative Research Project https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034053 • EPRI's Public Labeled Imagery Dataset Supporting AI Development https://www.epri.com/thought-leadership/artificial-intelligence/data-sets/3qma0kn43rnn56ualbkmhg For more episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

August 27, 2026Episode 8621 min

76. Extreme Heat and the Future of Nuclear Reliability

What do rising river temperatures, lower water levels, and jellyfish have in common? They're all emerging challenges for nuclear power plant operations. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Kurt Crytzer and Jonathan Black to explore how extreme heat is reshaping nuclear plant operations in Europe and beyond, and why water is one of the industry's most critical resources. From rising water temperatures and lower river levels to changing aquatic ecosystems and even jellyfish blooms, they examine how extreme weather conditions can impact cooling systems, plant performance, and grid reliability. Experts highlight EPRI's research to help utilities better anticipate, monitor, and adapt to these challenges through advanced forecasting tools and resilience-focused solutions. Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources: HOL A DELEJ?: Real-time dashboard of Hungary's power system and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant: https://holadelej.hu/en/ Intake Reliability Interest Group (IRIG): EPRI program focused on cooling water intake reliability and emerging operational challenges: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033455 For more episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

July 22, 2026Episode 8530 min

75. How Could Data Center Growth Affect Future Electricity Costs?

This week on the EPRI Current, we explore one of the energy sector’s most recently debated questions: Are data centers driving up electricity rates? Host Samantha Gilman is joined by Geoff Blanford and Asa Watten of EPRI’s Energy Systems and Climate Analysis team to discuss new research examining the relationship between data center growth and consumer electricity costs. Drawing on a decade of data, they examine why the relationship between rising demand and rising rates may be more complex than many assume, and why, in some cases, load growth can help improve affordability by spreading grid costs across more customers. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of AI-driven electricity demand, the challenges of building grid infrastructure fast enough to keep pace, and how flexible demand initiatives like EPRI’s DCFlex could help balance reliability, affordability, and growth. Tune in for a data-driven discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh insight into one of the industry's most important debates. Read the full working paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.19777 Summary and key insights available here: https://restservice.epri.com/publicattachment/98650 Explore related EPRI research: Win-Win Watts: https://winwin.epri.com/ Energy Wallet: https://energywallet.epri.com/ DCFlex Initiative: https://dcflex.epri.com/ For more episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

June 18, 2026Episode 8420 min

74. What a “Super El Niño” Could Mean for the Power Sector

A potential “super El Niño” is making headlines, and for the power sector, it comes with real implications. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI climate scientist Erik Smith about what’s driving the latest forecasts and how changing ocean conditions could shape weather patterns in the months ahead. From increased precipitation in California to drought risk in the Pacific Northwest and a potentially quieter Atlantic hurricane season, the discussion explores how a strong El Niño can shape regional outcomes. It also highlights how EPRI’s climate analytics and research – including the Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) Initiative – are equipping utilities to plan across seasonal to multi-year horizons. As forecasts evolve, the episode emphasizes the importance of staying alert, adaptable, and prepared for how quickly conditions can change. To learn more about EPRI’s Climate READi, visit: https://apps.epri.com/climate-readi-compass/en/ For more episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

June 3, 2026Episode 8332 min

73. Defining Flexibility: How Flex MOSAIC™ Creates a Shared Language for the Grid

In this week’s episode of the EPRI Current, Dave Weaver from Exelon, Clift Pompee from Compass Datacenters, and Anuja Ratnayake from EPRI join host Samantha Gilman to discuss how new approaches to flexibility can accelerate grid connections amid surging demand. Experts focus on EPRI’s recently launched Flex MOSAIC™, a framework developed through EPRI’s DCFlex initiative to define what flexibility means in practice by creating a shared, performance-based language between utilities and large load customers. By defining five distinct classes of flexibility with clear parameters such as notification time, duration, and frequency of use, Flex MOSAIC™ helps align expectations upfront and reduce the ambiguity that has historically slowed interconnection. Tune in to hear about how concepts like “headroom” and performance-based flexibility classes can help unlock existing grid capacity, reduce interconnection timelines, and support reliability. With perspectives from across the energy ecosystem, the episode highlights both the opportunity and the coordination required to enable faster, more adaptive grid integration. Learn more about EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative: https://dcflex.epri.com/ Learn more about EPRI’s Flex MOSAIC™: https://dcflex.epri.com/flex-mosaic Learn more about headroom: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034162 For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

May 20, 2026Episode 8225 min

72. Micro Data Centers and the Evolution of AI Infrastructure

In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI’s Director of Agentic AI and Micro Data Centers, Ben Sooter, about the growing role of distributed inference, also known as micro data centers, in the evolving AI landscape. While large, centralized data centers dominate current discussions, Sooter explains why the next wave of compute demand will shift closer to end users to support faster, latency-sensitive applications. The conversation highlights how this distributed approach could reshape grid planning, including opportunities to leverage available capacity at distribution substations and the need to better understand emerging load profiles. Sooter also discusses EPRI’s collaborative pilot efforts with NVIDIA, Prologis, and InfraPartners to explore siting, deployment, and scalability. As AI adoption accelerates, this episode examines how utilities can prepare for and help enable the next phase of digital infrastructure. For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

May 6, 2026Episode 8130 min

71. Beyond the Benchmark: Evaluating AI for Real‑World Use

How should organizations interpret AI benchmarks – and where do they fall short when moving from pilots to real‑world deployment? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Jaime Sevilla, Director of Epoch AI, and Apurba Sakti, EPRI Principal Technical Leader for AI, for a deep dive into AI benchmarking and responsible adoption. The conversation explores why strong benchmark scores don’t always translate into operational readiness, the limitations of generic leaderboards, and why domain‑ and workflow-specific evaluations are critical – especially in high-consequence sectors like energy. The discussion highlights how organizations can move beyond demonstrations toward continuous, evidence‑based evaluation to ensure AI systems are reliable, transparent, and fit for real‑world use. For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

April 22, 2026Episode 8023 min

70. The Power of GETs: Unlocking Hidden Grid Capacity

Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) are gaining momentum as a practical way to maximize the efficiency and capacity of existing transmission lines. Designed to improve how the grid is monitored, managed, and operated, GETs are increasingly seen as a practical solution to growing demand, congestion, and reliability challenges. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI’s Anna Lafoyiannis and RMI’s Katie Siegner to explore how GETs are moving from pilot projects to broader deployment. The guests discuss technologies such as dynamic line ratings and advanced conductors, share insights from real‑world testing underway at EPRI’s labs, and examine evolving regulatory and policy drivers. From collaborative efforts like EPRI’s Grid Enhancing Technologies for a Smart Energy Transition (GET SET) initiative to emerging market signals and lessons from early adopters, the episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to scale GETs – and what utilities should consider next. To learn more about EPRI’s GET SET Initiative, visit: https://transmission.epri.com/getset/ For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com

April 9, 2026Episode 7925 min

69. How Europe Is Preparing AI for Real‑World Grid Operations

Europe is accelerating the use of artificial intelligence across the energy sector – but how can utilities adopt AI safely, securely, and at scale? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman continues the AI-EFFECT series with a discussion exploring three of the European Union’s Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEF) projects: AI-EFFECT, EnergyGuard, and EnerTEF. Guests Adrian Kelly from EPRI Europe, Sotiris Pelekis from the Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS), and Elissaios Sarmas from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) discuss how these cross-country facilities help utilities validate, de‑risk, and operationalize AI through shared infrastructure, standardized testing, and regulatory alignment. The conversation highlights real-world utility use cases, cross-sector collaboration, and how Europe’s TEF model could inform global efforts to enable trustworthy AI in the power sector. To learn more about Europe’s Testing and Experimentation Facilities and their role in enabling reliable AI, visit: https://ai-effect.eu/ai-effect-enertef-and-energyguard-join-forces-to-advance-ai-in-energy-sector/ Explore more episodes from the AI‑EFFECT series: Episode 65: https://epricurrent.podbean.com/e/65-exploring-the-ai-effect-on-europe-s-energy-future/ Episode 52: https://epricurrent.podbean.com/e/52-what-is-the-ai-effect-on-europe-s-power-industry/ For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com . If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and share! And please consider leaving a review and rating on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. Follow EPRI: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/ Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews EPRI Current examines key issues and new R&D impacting the energy transition. Each episode features insights from EPRI, the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, and from other energy industry leaders. We also discuss how innovative technologies are shaping the global energy future. Learn more at www.epri.com