Scientific Discovery and Commercial Acceleration of Advanced Grid Solutions at PNNL

Can electricity become more affordable and reliable without fundamentally changing how we plan and invest in the grid? In celebration of Grid Forward's 100th podcast episode, Bryce Yonker sits down with Jigar Shah (Energy Empire), Audrey Zibelman (Zibelman Energy Advisors) and Herman Trabish (Utility Dive) to wrestle with some of the industry's toughest questions. They discuss:

Driven largely by the AI energy demands and grid reliability needs, significant investment has gone into developing long-duration energy storage solutions. The question now becomes: is the technology ready to scale across the market? Bryce Yonker interviewed two analysts and two tech innovators to unearth recent developments in the energy storage market and the barriers that still remain to roll them out more broadly. They discuss emerging technologies such as compressed-air and thermal energy storage, as well as the growing need for flexible capacity and how to make scaling these technologies work financially. Tune in as these four guests unpack this emerging technology:

Consistently delivering affordable, reliable electricity is a hallmark of Nebraska’s public power utilities. How does that work, and how can the state maintain that track record? Three leaders from Nebraska public power utilities discuss how they are balancing costs, aging infrastructure and an increase in demand while ensuring communities continue to thrive. They also talk about grid modernization and how utilizing data and demand-side management can assist utilities in making wiser investments and give consumers more control over their energy use to save money. Listen in as Emeka Anyanwu (CEO, Lincoln Electric System), Tom Kent (President & CEO, Nebraska Public Power District) and Javier Fernandez (President & CEO, Omaha Public Power District) explain the state of public power in Nebraska.

For years, energy providers have operated on the basis that adding additional meters spreads energy costs and makes the grid more affordable for everyone. But is that true when a data center needs a city’s worth of electricity? Drawing on their current research in energy policy, markets and transitions, Paulina Jaramillo of Carnegie Mellon University and Abe Silverman of Johns Hopkins University discuss how rapid data center growth is challenging preconceptions about reliability and rates. They also talk about how flexibility, tariffs and new investment practices could keep the costs needed with rapid growth from falling on current customers. Listen now - you won't find a more informed discussion on the rising impact of data centers on the electric system.

For large facilities scrambling to bring new energy capacity online, waiting several years for a new grid connection is not a viable option. John Carrington, CEO of ERock, and Jesse Noffsinger, Partner at McKinsey & Company, discuss current trends in behind-the-meter (BTM) generation and how it can provide a faster solution while utilities build needed grid connections. Over the long term however, BTM resources could shift from serving individual customers to supporting the larger power system. John and Jesse also explore the challenges that come with rapid growth on the grid, including supply chain constraints, complex large-load rate structures, and how costs and benefits should be shared. Hear two expert viewpoints on this fast-evolving BTM area in this episode.