In this episode, Marty talks with Dr. Shay Bahramirad who is the Vice President of Engineering and Smart Grid at ComEd in Chicago. The subject is ComEd's urban microgrid project. The micorgrid's software evaluates the state of the system and determines what resources to draw upon to keep the grid up and running during any kind of event. Dr. Bahramirad explains how the technology can help the grid withstand the impacts of climate change and how they are designing the community of the future.

Dr. Bahrminrad joined ComEd in 2013. She earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Maria Pope, President and CEO of Portland General Electric. The discussion is focused on the utility's smart grid initiatives and how it's engaging customers to improve efficiency and sustainability, while driving down costs. Ms. Pope talks about unique partnerships the utility has entered and how they are "creating a world where two and two is not equaling 4 but is equaling 5 and sometimes 6." 

Maria Pope has been with Portland General Electric since 2009. She was named President and CEO in 2017. Pope is an alumna of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Thomas Farrell who is the Chairman, President, and CEO of Dominion Energy. In September, Dominion Energy announced plans for the largest offshore wind development in the country. Farrell gives the details of the project and explains why this significant investment is ready for prime time and why the Virginia coastline is there perfect location for the project.

The podcast also delves into the company's efforts to turn methane gas from pig and cattle farms into a usable product that is less harmful to the environment. Mr. Farrell talks about why this is a tremendous investment for farmers and the environment.

Finally, learn about Dominion Energy's plan to replace every school bus in Virginia with an electric school bus. Find out how 13,000  smart buses will be doing a lot more than hauling kids to and from school.

Thomas Farrell joined Dominion Energy in 1995, In January 2006, he was named president and chief executive officer and was elected chairman of the company’s board in April 2007. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics in 1976 and his law degree in 1979, both from the University of Virginia.  

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with the Administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Elliot Mainzer. The discussion focuses on grid modernization and how BPA is keeping up with technological advances and changes to traditional business models in the utility sector. 

Elliot Mainzer manages the nonprofit federal agency that markets carbon-free power from Columbia River hydroelectric dams and the region's one nuclear plant. BPA also operates most of the high-voltage power grid across the Pacific Northwest, distributing wind and other energy to the region and beyond.

Mainzer earned his bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of California, Berkeley. He has an MBA and Master of Environmental Studies degree from Yale University. 

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Ralph Izzo, the President and CEO and Chairman of PSEG. The discussion is centered around how sustainability is driving change at one of the largest utilities in the United States. Mr. Izzo explains his approach to sustainability from an environmental perspective and a corporate perspective. 

Mr. Izzo is a well-known leader within the utility industry, as well as the public policy arena.  He is frequently asked to testify before Congress and speak to organizations on matters pertaining to national energy policy.

Mr. Izzo has been chairman and chief executive officer of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) since April 2007.  He has been the company’s president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors of PSEG since October 2006.  Previously, Mr. Izzo was president and chief operating officer of Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G).

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Doug Hunter about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Mr. Hunter is the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems or UAMPS. UAMPS is at the forefront of the nuclear frontier with its push to construct an SMR plant.  Mr. Hunter explains how an SMR is different from a traditional nuclear reactor and why he believes it's a game changer when it comes to carbon free power delivery. 

Mr. Hunter joined UAMPS in December of 1983 and is a 36-year veteran of the electric utility industry. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Utah State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. He has served on the board of directors for the American Public Power Association.

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Chuck Caisley who is the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs & the Chief Customer Officer at Evergy, the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light.

Kansas City has become one of the fastest-growing EV markets in the nation. Mr. Caisley explains the utility’s thinking, what it means for rapid renewable growth, the financial nitty-gritty behind it, why its a win-win-win situation, and how EV charging is like a visit to McDonald's.

About Chuck Caisley
Mr. Caisley leads the Energy Solutions and Public Affairs areas with responsibility for the company's small-scale generation projects, energy products and services, energy efficiency and demand response portfolio, community and customer strategy, communications, marketing, economic development, governmental affairs and public relations.

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with Green Mountain Power (GMP) president and CEO Mary Powell. Ms. Powell launched an ambitious energy vision to make Vermont a leader in sustainable energy by providing low carbon, low cost and reliable power to Vermonters. The company has built Vermont’s largest wind farm. GMP made Rutland, VT the solar generation capital of New England, and has installed smart grid technology across the entire utility infrastructure. Mary is leading an energy transformation, providing customers comprehensive energy makeovers that help them save money and use less energy. 

Host Marty Rosenberg talks with guest Audrey Zibleman, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).  Ms. Zibelman is one of the foremost experts in the world on where the electric industry is headed and utility policy.

They discuss the challenges Australia has faced delivering energy amid rapid changes to the industry and what lessons the Unites States can learn from Australia.

Ms. Zibelman has international experience in the public, private, and not-for profit energy sectors. Her recent roles before joining AEMO included Chair of the New York State Public Service Commission and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of system operator PJM, as well as Board-related roles with the US Department of Energy and Advisory Council, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Planning Board, and the New York State Emergency Planning Council.