Voices of Experience | Electrification & Equity
Voices of Experience (VOE) is produced by the Department of Energy's Advanced Grid Research and Development division. Realizing the benefits of bringing utilities together to share their experiences, the VOE initiative collects and shares the experiences, insights, and lessons learned of utility representatives implementing emerging technology. VOE is unique in that it compiles the valuable insights and advice provided directly by utility personnel at the forefront who are working the challenges, interconnecting the new resources, and testing the emerging technology. Utilities participated in working group discussions, regional meetings and individual interviews with the purpose of sharing industry knowledge so that all utilities can better prepare for the operational challenges they face in this changing industry.
Episodes
19 episodes
Reflecting on Incorporating Energy Equity Across Your Utility Organization
Energy companies are beginning to reflect on what incorporating energy equity and environmental justice means at their organizations. The industry’s transition into a carbon-free future still leaves many unanswered questions to address in...
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59:08
Rural Cooperatives, Broadband, and Equity
NRECA was founded on the idea of bringing equitable electricity to rural America. Today, some 6.3 million households in electric co-op service areas lack high-speed internet access. Learn how NRECA is now helping to bridge the equity gap betwee...
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1:05:34
Designing and Funding LMI Programs
Increasing access to clean energy programs for low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers comes with its own set up challenges, starting with identifying disadvantaged communities. Traditional metrics such as adoption and uptake from marketing ca...
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1:07:19
Closing the Disparity Gap
What does it mean to apply an equity lens to designing and implementing new customer programs with the goal of closing the disparity gap? How are utilities like Austin Energy working to develop programs that best serve the community starting wi...
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1:06:07
Strategies & Approaches to Addressing Energy Equity at Investor-Owned Utilities
Investor-owned utilities (IOUs) experience their own set of unique requirements and standards to serve electric customers. Given these requirements, how must IOUs balance traditional legal requirements for service with addressing energy equity?...
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1:08:23
Building Trust with Customers and Partnering with Community-Based Organizations
Partnerships with community-based organizations are key to building trust with customers. What is the difference between community engagement versus community outreach? This discussion focuses on the successes and challenges of utilities workin...
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1:18:16
Impacts of Electrification on the Natural Gas Industry
A roundtable discussion with utility industry leaders about the role of natural gas in regards to electrification. Presenters:Sharon L. Tomkins, Sempra EnergyMackay Miller, National GridThe discussion focuses on how natural ...
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1:25:09
Enabling Technology
A roundtable discussion with utility industry leaders on advancing technology for electrification. Presenters:Mackay Miller, Director of US Strategy, National GridRob Wonzy, Senior Product Manager of Electrification, Alliant Energy<...
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1:25:33
Customer Engagement for Electrification
Roundtable discussion with electric industry leaders on how to engage customers in the push for beneficial electrification. Presenters:Diane Huis, NCEMCKristin Munsch, National Grid The discussion focuses on tools, connecti...
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1:28:21
Grid Infrastructure
Roundtable discussion with utility industry leaders about the need for investment in infrastructure and the challenges of electrification. Presenters:David Treichler, OncorChristina Alston, Georgia Transmission Corporation
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1:27:24
Electrification and Resiliency
A roundtable discussion with utility industry leaders about resiliency. Presenters:Commissioner Maria Bocanegra, Illinois Commerce CommissionMary Wiener, Holy Cross EnergyDiscussion focuses onUtility resiliency...
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1:25:55
Energy Equity and Electrification
A roundtable discussion with energy industry leaders on including equity in the push for electrification. Presenters:Commissioner Odogwu Obi Linton , Maryland Public Service CommissionDavid Logsdon, Seattle City Light ...
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1:31:04
Benefits Beyond Decarbonization
A roundtable discussion with industry leaders about the benefits of electrification. Presenters:Keith Dennis, NRECAChristopher Budzynski, Exelon Utilities Michael Judge, MA-DPUElectrification is the proce...
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1:29:06
Partnering with the Community on Resiliency Planning for Major Disasters
Portland General Electric partnered with the City of Beaverton to build a community resilience microgrid to support the Beaverton Public Safety Center and Police Department. PGE’s approach to partnering with the community to identify potential ...
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15:18
The Foundation for Future Microgrid Interconnection Standards
Dominion Energy has developed a set of operating rules for developers of microgrids to ensure safe interconnections to the distribution grid. These rules may be the foundation for future microgrid interconnection standards. This discussion is l...
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14:10
Roles and Responsibilities of Utility Procurement, Contract Execution and Project Development
Duke Energy has developed several microgrid projects with contractors, engineers and third-party developers to increase resiliency and reliability in their service territory for their customers. They will share their experience on the roles and...
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12:42
Evaluating the Intersection of Microgrids, Renewables and Resiliency
Georgia Transmission Corporation is evaluating microgrid projects as a non-wires solution for transmission reliability and resiliency. However, true resiliency may require prime power solutions, such as fossil fuels. Christina Alston, Transmiss...
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13:38
Pilots to Programs: Developing Programs and Executing Contracts for Win-Win Microgrid Projects
NCEMC has partnered with their cooperatives and members to execute win-win microgrid projects across the state of North Carolina, providing cost savings, sustainability and resiliency. These projects provide real-world examples of how utilities...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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14:23
Multi-Stakeholder Process: What’s the Role of the Utility?
PSE&G participated in the New Jersey Center DER initiative which funded several microgrid feasibility studies for community microgrids across New Jersey. Looking back at their involvement in the process, PSE&G will offer lessons learned...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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13:52