EPRI Current

66. Best of 2025: Conversations Shaping the Future of Energy

Welcome to our first podcast episode of 2026! In this Best of 2025 episode, we’re looking back at some of our most impactful conversations from the past year. You’ll hear highlights from episodes exploring how the energy sector is navigating rapid change – from the launch of the Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI) and efforts to responsibly scale AI, to global lessons learned from the Iberian Peninsula blackout. We’ll also revisit conversations on innovative grid flexibility initiatives, such as DCFlex, the latest insights from EPRI’s Advanced Reactor Roadmap, and an unexpected yet important topic: how energy infrastructure can support wildlife conservation, including the protection of bat populations.
 
 
Join us as we reflect on the moments that defined 2025 and set the stage for another year of insightful conversations on EPRI Current. Listen every other week for the latest research, real-world lessons, and industry perspectives shaping the future of energy.
 
 
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 
 
 
 

Grid Talk Series – Unlocking the Power of DER for a Flexible Future

In this second episode of the GridTalk Series on the EPRI Current, host Marty Rosenberg speaks with Audrey Zibelman – former Chair of the New York Public Service Commission and CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator – about lessons from New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative and what it may take to scale distributed energy resources (DER).
Drawing on global experiences, Audrey shares insights from U.S. regulatory innovation and Australia’s efforts in rooftop solar and two-way energy systems, offering a unique perspective into how international best practices can inform U.S. strategies for resilience, affordability, and modernization. She also previews her work with the Pew Charitable Trust on a forthcoming DER playbook, focused on regulatory reform, market design, and scenario-based planning to meet surging demand from electrification and data centers.
 
 
Then, join Samantha Gilman for “EPRI’s Take” with Haresh Kamath, EPRI Director of Cross-Cutting Technologies and Solutions. Haresh discusses operational challenges utilities face when integrating DER and storage, including interoperability, visibility, business models, and contracts. He highlights EPRI’s FLEXIT initiative and emphasizes the importance of industry-wide collaboration and common approaches to unlock DER’s full potential for grid flexibility and resilience.
 
 
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 
 
 
 

65. Exploring the AI-EFFECT on Europe’s Energy Future

As artificial intelligence is transforming the energy sector, Europe is laying the groundwork for secure and scalable innovation. The AI-EFFECT project is establishing a European Testing and Experimentation Facility to develop, test, and validate AI applications for critical energy infrastructures. Funded by Horizon Europe, the project aims to integrate AI into critical energy infrastructures to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance resilience, and support decarbonization efforts.
 
 
In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Alexandra Bach from RWTH Aachen University, Meine van der Meulen from DNV, and Gianluca Lipari from EPRI Europe to explore Work Package 2 of the AI-EFFECT – the architecture and building blocks that enable distributed nodes across multiple countries. Tune in to discover why interoperability, intellectual property protection, and collaboration are essential for accelerating AI adoption in the energy sector. Plus, learn how EPRI’s global initiatives, including Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI) and AI benchmarking, are shaping the future of AI for utilities.
 
 
For more information about AI-EFFECT and AI in the power industry:
AI-EFFECT: https://europe.epri.com/project/ai-effect
OPAI: https://msites.epri.com/opai
AI Benchmarking: https://interactive.epri.com/wattworks
EPRI Europe: https://europe.epri.com/
 
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 
 
 
 

Grid Talk Series – Meeting Surging Energy Demand with Innovation and Resilience

Hosts Marty Rosenberg and Samantha Gilman introduce the Grid Talk Series on the EPRI Current. In this inaugural episode, Marty speaks with Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd, about the unprecedented transformation of the electric grid. Gil explains how surging demand from data centers, electrification, and manufacturing reshoring is reshaping ComEd’s strategy – and why the next decade will bring more change than the past century. Learn about ComEd’s multi-year grid modernization plan, the role of AI in boosting reliability, and how community solar, microgrids, and climate adaptation will define the future. From cybersecurity to workforce evolution, this conversation reveals what it takes to build a dynamic, interactive grid that powers communities.
 
At the end of the episode, join host Samantha Gilman for “EPRI’s Take” with Morgan Scott, VP of Global Partnerships and Outreach. They discuss rising energy demand and the need to keep energy affordable for customers, emphasizing EPRI’s focus on flexibility and climate-informed planning to build resilience into grid investments from the start.
 
 
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 
 
 
 

64. Resilience in the Power Sector: Insights from Industry Leaders

Ahead of the Power Resilience Forum (PRF), industry leaders reflect on what it takes to build a climate-ready grid. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gillman speaks with Julia Hamm from the Ad Hoc Group and EPRI’s Morgan Scott about how utilities, regulators, and innovators are adapting grid planning and operations to become more resilient to extreme weather events.
 
 
They share personal experiences with hurricanes and superstorms, highlighting EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) initiative – a comprehensive framework to assess physical climate risk across the power system. They also preview the upcoming PRF, hosted by The Ad Hoc Group and Latitude Media in collaboration with EPRI. Designed to convene leaders from across the industry, the PRF aims to promote collaboration and climate-informed planning. Tune in to learn about how proactive investment, cross-sector collaboration, and climate-informed planning are shaping a resilient energy future.
 
 
 
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 
 
 
 

63. A Bat Week Special: Fat Bats and the Electric Sector’s Role in Conservation

The EPRI Current celebrates Bat Week by highlighting a surprising yet vital connection: the electric sector is working with conservationists to protect bats from a deadly disease. Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems, and their survival is increasingly threatened by a fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.
 
 
In this episode, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI’s Christian Newman and Dr. Winifred Frick from Bat Conservation International to unpack the “Fat Bat” project – a collaborative effort to combat white-nose syndrome using UV light “bug buffets” to help bats bulk up before hibernation, boosting their chances of survival. With insights into bat ecology, conservation strategies, industry partnerships, and bats' role in pollination (including tequila production), this episode showcases how cross-sector collaboration is helping protect these vital pollinators and pest controllers. Plus, learn about The Invisible Mammal, a new documentary featuring the project.
 
 
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 
 

62. What’s Next for Advanced Reactors? EPRI’s 2025 AR Roadmap Update

The nuclear industry is in an era of rapid innovation and deployment. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gillman is joined by Alison Krager Hahn from NEI and Chad Boyer from EPRI to revisit the 2023 episode on the Advanced Reactor (AR) Roadmap, assessing the industry's recent progress with advanced technologies and where it's headed next. Developed as a collaborative framework, the roadmap serves as a strategic guide for the successful commercialization and large-scale deployment of advanced reactor designs. 
 
 
Alison and Chad unpack the 2025 roadmap update, highlighting strides in emergency preparedness, fuel supply, and workforce development. They explore the growing role of data centers and industrial decarbonization in shaping demand and discuss how policy shifts and bipartisan support are accelerating deployment. With insights into how industry-wide collaboration is shaping the future, they offer a timely look at how advanced reactors are positioned to meet rising energy demands, and how the roadmap is guiding the way.
 
 
To explore the AR Roadmap, visit https://ant.epri.com/roadmap
 
 
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 
 

61. Hydrogen on the Horizon: Inside Ireland’s SH2AMROCK Hydrogen Valley Initiative

Hydrogen is gaining momentum in Europe as a potential strategic energy carrier, and Ireland is stepping into the spotlight with its first hydrogen valley initiative – SH2AMROCK. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with Rory Monaghan from the University of Galway, Conor O’Dowd from the Port of Galway, and Maria Jaen from EPRI to discuss the vision behind SH2AMROCK and its role in reshaping Ireland’s energy landscape.
 
 
The SH2AMROCK Project brings together public and private collaborators to deploy green hydrogen as part of the EU Horizon program for research and innovation. From digital twins to startup hubs, experts explore how hydrogen valleys can drive regional decarbonization and energy innovation. Learn how Galway’s unique geography, vibrant innovation ecosystem, and strong offshore wind potential make it an ideal launchpad for hydrogen infrastructure.
 
 
Read more about Ireland’s hydrogen valley initiative: https://www.sh2amrock.eu/
 
 
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 
 

60. Weathering the Storm: Hydropower and Climate Resilience

Hydropower plays a vital role in the U.S. energy mix, but how will its infrastructure hold up under a changing climate with evolving weather patterns?
 
 
In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Jacob Mardian and Dr. Mark Christian to explore the future of hydropower in the face of extreme weather. Drawing from a recent nationwide hydropower study under EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative (Climate READi), guests discuss how extreme weather events, like droughts and floods, are impacting hydropower operations and infrastructure. The experts highlight the importance of proactive planning, data-driven risk assessments, and collaboration across sectors to ensure long-term reliability and safety. After analyzing more than 1,500 hydropower facilities nationwide, they offer insights into regional vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies, and the role of hydropower in a clean energy future.
 
 
Explore how climate risks are impacting hydropower across the U.S. in EPRI’s latest study: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033642
 
 
 
For more information 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 
 

59. What’s an Energy Wallet? Exploring EPRI’s Tool for Tracking Household Energy Spending

As energy demand rises and electrification accelerates, understanding household energy affordability is more important than ever. In this episode of the EPRI Current, Geoff Blanford from EPRI and Michael Kohlhaas from Con Edison join host Samantha Gilman to discuss the Energy Wallet – EPRI’s new holistic metric for capturing total household energy usage and spending, including gas, electricity, and transportation.
 
 
The experts share findings from EPRI’s recent report, which projects a 36% decline in the average U.S. household energy spending by 2050, and highlights how utilities like Con Edison are using similar models to guide long-term planning and support communities. Tune in to learn how data-driven insights are shaping the future of energy affordability and resilience.
 
 
Learn more about the Energy Wallet: https://energywallet.epri.com/
 
 
 
For more information 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