Navigating the Grid™

Hosted by Radian Generation

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Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Navigating the Grid, the podcast where we explore the captivating world of renewable energy and the path towards a sustainable future. I'm your host, Kellie Macpherson, Executive Vice President at Radian Generation, a global provider of critical technology-forward services and software for renewable facilities. Our podcast delves deep into the comprehensive lifecycle of renewable facilities, offering valuable insights and discussions on commercial, technical, and compliance aspects.

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42 recent

May 12, 2026Episode 1154 min

Featured in The Solar Maverick Podcast: What Solar Developers Need To Know About The May 15 NERC Compliance Deadline

This week, Kellie MacPherson joined the Solar Maverick Podcast with host Benoy Thanjan for a conversation on the growing importance of NERC compliance and cybersecurity across renewable energy assets.Kellie shares insights on the upcoming May 15, 2026 NERC deadline and what it means for solar, storage, and wind projects — especially inverter-based resources around 20 MW and above. The discussion explores why registration is only the beginning, what it takes to become audit-ready, and how owners and operators can strengthen compliance programs, cybersecurity controls, and operational resilience.The episode also dives into:Cybersecurity risks facing renewable energy assetsSCADA systems, inverter settings, and grid reliabilityWhy renewable energy projects are increasingly treated as critical infrastructureKellie’s work leading compliance and risk at Radian GenerationHer role on the board of the Solar Energy Industries AssociationUsing podcasting and LinkedIn to educate and support the industryListen now on the Solar Maverick Podcast.

March 5, 2026Episode 830 min

$1,000,000 PER DAY? NERC Compliance Deadline 2026 - featured in Clean Energy Edge Podcast with Russ Bates

What could happen if a renewable energy project fails to meet new NERC compliance requirements? In some cases, penalties can reach up to $1 million per day per violation.In this special episode of Navigating the Grid, we’re sharing a conversation originally recorded for the Clean Energy Edge Podcast, where Kellie Macpherson, EVP of Compliance & Security at Radian Generation, joined host Russ Bates to discuss the evolving compliance landscape for renewable energy.Starting May 1, 2026, inverter-based resources (IBRs) rated 20 MW or greater and connected at 60 kV or higher must register under updated North American Electric Reliability Corporation Category 2 requirements. The compliance threshold is dropping from 75 MW to 20 MW, dramatically expanding federal oversight across solar, wind, and battery storage projects.In this episode, Kellie breaks down what the rule change means, which projects will be affected, and why compliance now extends beyond paperwork to include operational readiness, cybersecurity monitoring, and audit preparedness.As renewables take on a larger role in grid reliability, understanding these requirements is becoming essential for operators, developers, and investors alike.

January 22, 2026Episode 937 min

Abby Hopper: What's Next for SEIA's CEO?

In this episode of This Week in Solar, Aaron Nichols sits down with Abby Hopper for a thoughtful conversation on what’s ahead for SEIA, how leadership in solar is evolving, and why community and collaboration matter more than ever.We appreciated the mention of Navigating the Grid and Kellie Macpherson of Radian Generation during the discussion — a reminder of how important open dialogue and shared perspectives are as the industry continues to change.Be sure to listen to the full episode of This Week in Solar, and explore more conversations shaping grid reliability, compliance, and leadership on Navigating the Grid: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KBALbb3w1Dc864mbdM7P1

December 11, 2025Episode 824 min

S3 E8 - De-Risking Renewable Projects: Transmission, Land Rights & Building Trust with Kimberlee Centera

In this episode, Kellie Macpherson sits down with Kimberlee Centera, founder of TerraPro Solutions, to unpack what really makes or breaks renewable energy projects behind the scenes.With more than 24 GW of projects supported, Kimberlee shares hard-earned insights on:Transmission risk and land rightsWhy communication failures delay projectsHow to de-risk renewable developments before capital is committedThe realities of permitting across counties and state linesHow to build trust with landowners, regulators, and stakeholdersWhy “transmission isn’t sexy” — but it’s mission-criticalThey also dive into leadership, mentorship, and how to create pathways for women and future leaders in renewables through collaboration, transparency, and real-world integrity.This conversation is a must-listen for developers, asset managers, investors, and anyone navigating risk in renewable energy, transmission planning, and infrastructure development.Kimberlee has generously shared access to her upcoming Mergers & Acquisitions E-book, a practical guide for navigating risk, diligence, and the evolving landscape of renewable project transactions.Access it here: https://29qd9.share.hsforms.com/2XCopk5IaRtivQHhWKvMXSA?utm_campaign=3724125-M%26A%20Campaign&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Access%20to%20M%26A%20e-Book&utm_content=M%26A%20e-Book%20LinkedIn

November 13, 2025Episode 726 min

S3 E7 - Breaking Barriers: Jessica Fishman on Visibility, Growth, and Building a Career That Scales

In this episode of Navigating the Grid, host Kellie Macpherson sits down with Jessica Fishman for an honest conversation about what it means to build a strong professional career as a woman in today’s world.Jessica shares how women are often socialized differently, the challenges that come with leadership and visibility, and why being seen and recognized is not just a luxury—but a necessity—for professional growth.From navigating expectations to scaling in a space that wasn’t always built for women, this episode explores the realities and rewards of carving your own path to success.

November 6, 2025Episode 310 min

S3 E6 - Inside Contract Power: How AI Is Transforming Asset Management with Bryan Villano

In this episode of Navigating the Grid, Kellie sits down with Bryan Villano, Co-Founder of Contract Power, to explore how AI is reshaping contract management, compliance, and day-to-day asset management for renewable energy portfolios.Bryan shares the origin story of Contract Power — launched during the early days of generative AI — and explains how his experience managing massive, complex projects exposed the overwhelming burden of navigating thousands of pages of PPAs, ISO documents, tariffs, and regulatory requirements.Together, Kellie and Bryan dive into the real risks asset managers face: buried obligations, inconsistent contract language, 14,000-page document stacks, and high-stakes deadlines that make it nearly impossible to juggle contractual compliance with operational fires.Bryan walks through how tools like Fleet Sense and Clause Sense streamline obligation extraction, summarize metadata across entire portfolios, and give teams confidence that nothing slips through the cracks.If you’re an asset manager, developer, or anyone responsible for contract oversight in renewables, this conversation will resonate — and show you what’s possible when AI meets the realities of project operations.

October 30, 2025Episode 530 min

S3 E5 - From Solar Installer to Storyteller: Aaron Nichols on the Power of Narrative in Clean Energy

In this episode of Navigating the Grid, host Kellie Macpherson welcomes Aaron Nichols, host of "This Week in Solar", to share his inspiring journey from the rooftop to the microphone.Aaron opens up about his early days as a solar installer, his transition into marketing and media, and how storytelling became his tool for amplifying voices across the renewable industry.From lessons learned in the field to the art of connecting people through narrative, Aaron’s perspective offers a refreshing look at how personal growth fuels professional impact in clean energy.🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and discover how storytelling can shape the future of renewables.

October 23, 2025Episode 420 min

S3 E4 - Innovation in Motion: Derek Chase on NextTracker’s Evolution and the Future of Smart Solar

In this episode of Navigating the Grid, host Kellie Macpherson sits down with Derek Chase to explore how innovation and integration are shaping the next generation of solar technology. Derek shares insights from NextTracker’s recent acquisition, the company’s culture of collaboration, and how intelligence and hardware are redefining efficiency in renewable energy.From building what he calls “the world’s largest robot” to leading teams through rapid growth, Derek offers a behind-the-scenes look at how smart solar solutions are driving the industry forward.Tune in to hear how innovation, partnership, and passion are powering the evolution of the grid!

October 9, 2025Episode 323 min

S3 E3 - From Courtrooms to Control Rooms: Rachel Bryant on Navigating the Energy Transition

We sat down with Rachel Bryant, Deputy Editor at Public Utilities Fortnightly (PUF) and former regulatory leader at Grid X, to unpack a critical disconnect in the clean energy transition.With experience at both FERC and WAPA, Rachel shares the one narrative that policymakers and the public still don’t fully grasp: the biggest challenge isn’t only grid modernization—it’s a growing capacity crisis. Rapid load growth from data centers and AI, combined with the pressing question of customer affordability, is reshaping the future of our grid.In this episode, we explore:Why engineers, lawyers, and policymakers must align to move progress forward.How DERs (Distributed Energy Resources) can be harmonized with today’s regulatory landscape.The role of customer engagement in tackling rising costs and energy demand.Don’t miss this essential conversation on what’s next for the grid!

October 2, 2025Episode 223 min

S3 E2 - Women Shaping the Future of Solar with Abby Hopper

In this episode of Navigating the Grid, host Kellie Macpherson is joined by Abby Hopper, President & CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Abby discusses her journey as a leader in the renewable energy sector, her role as an advocate in Washington, D.C., and how she balances the personal and professional demands of driving clean energy forward.Listeners will gain insights into:The challenges and opportunities in renewable energy policyLeadership lessons from one of the most influential voices in solarThe importance of transparency and balance in building resilient careersTune in for an inspiring conversation about the future of solar, leadership in energy, and the power of authenticity in driving the clean energy transition.