EPRI Current

58. Tracking Tomorrow’s Tech: Inside EPRI’s Technology Radar and Pulse Report

Two years ago, EPRI launched the Technology Radar, an interactive resource for identifying and assessing emerging technologies shaping the energy industry. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Steve Stella, Head of EPRI’s Technology Innovation Program, to explore how the Tech Radar and Tech Radar Pulse Report track the trajectories of over 70 technologies, including 19 newly added in the latest update.
 
 
From space-based solar and carbon capture to solid-state batteries and hydrogen-based technologies, Steve shares how EPRI is analyzing technologies to uncover insights and inform stakeholders across regions and sectors. Focusing on affordability, decarbonization, and energy security, the Pulse Report offers a dynamic, crowdsourced view of what’s next across short, mid, and long-term horizons. Tune in to learn how these tools are helping the industry stay ahead of the curve.
 
 
Stay tuned for the latest Technology Radar Pulse Report, coming soon.
 
 
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 
 
 

57. The Inflection Point: Accelerating Efficiency with AI

The energy sector is at a critical inflection point, defined by automation, intelligence, and the integration of AI into energy systems. As grid demands intensify, AI is unlocking transformative solutions, from electrifying economies to integrating renewables and defending against cyber threats.
 
 
Industry leaders Bilal Khursheed from Microsoft, Jens Madrian from ENOWA, and Jeremy Renshaw from EPRI join host Samantha Gilman to explore how AI is reshaping the future of energy with EPRI’s Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI) – a collaborative platform among 100+ utilities, labs, hyperscalers, and startups to accelerate AI adoption in the power sector. Tune in to learn how shared models, domain-specific sandboxes, and high-quality data are driving real-time grid operations, optimized performance, and enhanced reliability.  
 
 
 
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 
 
 

56. The Balancing Act: Legacy Assets, Renewables, and Reliability

With an evolving energy landscape, utilities are navigating the complex challenge of balancing legacy assets with the growing integration of renewables while ensuring reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
 
 
On this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Jake Courville from Entergy and Mike Caravaggio from EPRI to discuss the evolving generation fleet, the role of legacy and renewable sources, and maintaining reliable and affordable energy delivery amid increasing climate risks. From workforce readiness to equipment reliability, they explore how EPRI is helping utilities scale wind and solar while balancing legacy fleets, and how utilities like Entergy are using every tool in the toolbox to deliver safe, reliable energy to customers and communities.
 
 
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 
 
 

55. Powering Through: How Power Companies Can Weather the 2025 Hurricane Season

As of June 1, the North Atlantic Basin officially entered the 2025 hurricane season. NOAA’s 2025 forecasts project a 60% chance of an above-normal season, anticipating 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and up to 5 major hurricanes. As peak season approaches, utilities face increasing pressure to prepare.
 
 
On the latest episode of the EPRI Current, EPRI experts Andrea Staid and Erik Smith join host Samantha Gilman to explore how power companies can build resilience and maintain reliability amid intensifying storms. They tackle key questions: How accurate are hurricane forecasts? How should power companies plan around the unknown? How do regional differences shape preparedness strategies? The conversation highlights EPRI’s Climate READi initiative, which provides science-based guidance to help utilities assess hazard risks, support operational decisions, and plan for long-term climate adaptation.
 
 
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 
 
 
 
 
 
 

54. Balancing AI Growth with Grid Flexibility: Inside EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is propelling us into a new era of innovation that has the potential to transform daily life and drive economic growth. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by David Porter, EPRI’s VP of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Briana Kobor, Head of Energy Market Innovation at Google. They discuss strategies to realize the benefits of AI while minimizing costs and ensuring grid reliability, featuring insights from DCFlex – a new EPRI initiative to make data centers more flexible and responsive to grid needs. From demand flexibility to utility collaboration and scalable solutions, the conversation highlights the role of cross-sector teamwork in ensuring grid reliability while advancing AI and energy goals.
 
Guests: David Porter and Briana Kobor
 
 
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 
 

53. Why the Wait? Unpacking Gas Turbine Delays

Around the world, the energy sector faces a shared challenge: significant delays in acquiring gas turbines, a critical technology for grid expansion. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with EPRI Sr. Program Manager Bobby Noble to explore a topical question for industry stakeholders and EPRI members: Why are the wait times for gas turbines so long? Bobby sheds light on the implications of a 5-year wait time, addressing the leading causes behind these delays, EPRI’s efforts to support and inform the industry, and practical measures the industry can implement to expand near-term capabilities using existing assets. 
Guests: Bobby Noble, Sr. Program Manager, EPRI  
 
 
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 
 

52. What is the AI EFFECT on Europe’s Power Industry?

The AI EFFECT project aims to establish a European Testing and Experimentation Facility (TEF) for the energy sector to develop, test, and validate AI applications. Funded by Horizon Europe, the project addresses the integration of AI into critical energy infrastructures to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance resilience, and support decarbonization efforts.
 
This episode of the EPRI Current examines AI's role in improving efficiency, smart grids, generation, distribution, and customer tools as well as some challenges emerging from use cases such as the need for mathematical guarantees to trust AI.
 
For more information about AI EFFECT and AI in the power industry:
AI EFFECT: AI-EFFECT | acquiacmsminimaltemplate
OPEN POWER AI: Open Power AI Consortium | EPRI Micro Sites
 
Host:  Samantha Gilman
 
Guests:             
Gianluca Lipari, Technical Leader - European Projects Coordinator, EPRI
Massimo Bolognessi, Senior Electrical Design Engineer, ENEL Grids
Johanna Vorwerk,  Assistant Professor, Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark
 
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 
 
 
 

51. Lights out! Understanding the Iberian Peninsula Blackout

 
More than 52 years after EPRI was born as a result of a massive North American blackout, EPRI Current host Samantha Gilman speaks with Eamonn Lannoye, Director, EPRI Europe  and Sean McGuiness Senior Technical Executive, EPRI Europe, to discuss the recent power blackout in Spain, Portugal and parts of France. The whole system went down in five seconds.  What do we know about why it happened?  What do we not yet know, and why can it take time to fully understand the root causes?  Are  observers jumping to conclusions before all the data is in? Lannoye has been a frequent contributor to international media stories about the event. He and McGuiness share their expertise on the series of events and caution about drawing conclusions too quickly.
For more information about the blackout, see this recorded webinar:
EPRI Webcast of Initial Findings from April 28, 2025 Iberia Blackout
 
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 
 
 
 

50. We’re at DistribuTECH Talking Microgrids!

Recorded live from the show floor at DistribuTECH 2025 in Dallas, this episode of the EPRI Current examines microgrids and how utilities are using them to explore back-up power availability to improve system reliability.  Jackie Baum from EPRI and Ryan Boudreau from Hydro One networks discuss the challenges and opportunities for microgrids in local communities with host Samantha Gilman in the DistribuTECH studio.
 
Guests:             
Jackie Baum, Sr. Manager DERMS & Microgrids, EPRI
Ryan Boudreau, Sr. Manager Distribution and P&C, Hydro One Networks
 
Watch Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ewkmpIrjY
 
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 
 
 
 

49. Powering Europe’s Future: Innovation Through Collaboration

Host Samantha Gilman explores the energy innovation landscape in Europe with her guests Consuelo Fierro from National Grid, and Mark McGranaghan from EPRI. They discuss the prevalent innovation culture driven by EU and UK-funded projects, European innovation working groups and initiatives, the challenges and successes of National Grid's innovation efforts, and the transformative impact of AI on the energy sector.
 
 
Guests:
Consuelo Fierro, Project Manager at Innovation Management Office, National Grid
Mark McGranaghan EPRI Fellow, EPRI Europe
 
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