Schweitzer Drive

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Schweitzer Drive explores what goes on between the generation of electricity and the light switch. Join Dave Whitehead as he interviews the entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts who are inventing the future of electric power.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories


    • May 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 73 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Schweitzer Drive

    Protecting People, Property, and Power: Avista's Wildfire Mitigation Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 29:10


     As the wildfire threat has grown across the western U.S., utilities have stepped up to protect communities and critical infrastructure. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Josh DiLuciano, vice president of Energy Delivery at Avista, about how the utility is tackling wildfire risk head-on. From grid hardening and vegetation management to advanced technologies and community partnerships, Josh shares how Avista's Wildfire Resiliency Plan is designed to safeguard people, property, and the power that keeps the region running.

    Fortifying the Power Grid: The Role of IEC 62443 and Cybersecurity Standards

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 46:21


    As our reliance on electric power continues to grow, so does the need to protect the grid from cyber threats. In this episode, guest host Frank Harrill, VP of Security at SEL, talks with cybersecurity expert Andre Ristaino about how industry standards, specifically IEC 62443, are shaping the future of industrial cybersecurity, including their impact on the electric power grid.

    The Resilient U.S. Power Grid: One Hundred Forty-Five Years and Going Strong

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 32:19


    In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with power systems experts Gerardo Urrea and Bryan Fazzari about the U.S. power grid and some of the reasons why it enjoys an impressive 99.95% reliability, despite often being described as an old, cobbled together system. They also discuss the new technologies they are most excited about.

    New Nuclear: Thinking Big with Westinghouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 39:12


    As the demand for clean energy and the push for decarbonization intensify, there's a renewed focus on large-scale nuclear reactors in the United States. In this episode, host Dave Whithead sits down with Dr. Luca Oriani, President of Long-Term Operations at Westinghouse, a company that has been leading nuclear power innovation for over a century. Dr. Oriani shares insights into the latest advancements in nuclear technology, the challenges and successes of the AP1000 reactors, and the future of nuclear power in the United States, globally, and potentially beyond.

    The Data Center Challenge: Build Faster, Be Efficient, and Keep the Data Flowing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 33:15


    Data centers face big challenges, from processing trillions of search queries and storing billions of emails and photos to serving countless hours of video every day, while at the same time developing ways of decreasing their energy usage and carbon footprints and increasing data security. In this episode, Angad Sandhu, director of data center infrastructure at Google, talks with Dave Whitehead about how the company continues to keep the internet humming 24/7 while building, maintaining, and powering its fleet of data centers around the world.

    Transforming Substation Architecture: The Power of Centralized Protection and Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 33:57


    In the 1980s, power system protective relays underwent a revolution from electromechanical to digital. Now, new innovations are shifting the focus from individual devices to a centralized, software-based approach. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with SEL Chief Technology Officer Greg Zweigle about the history of electric power system protection and the future improvements in simplicity, safety, reliability, flexibility, and cost.

    New Nuclear: Flexible, Scalable, and Safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 39:48


    Historically, nuclear power plants have been easy to identify by the massive water-cooling towers that have been the hallmark of these generation sites for decades. However, that's changing. In this episode, guest host Nicholas Seeley talks with Brian Gitt from Oklo, a company developing next-generation nuclear technology, including a smaller nuclear reactor that's housed in what looks more like a vacation retreat than industrial site.  

    New Nuclear: Smaller, Safer, Cheaper

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 47:16


    Nuclear power is the largest source of low-carbon energy in the United States and Europe. Its potential to provide a clean, steady—and increasing—baseload is currently unmatched. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Eric Williams, senior vice president and design authority at TerraPower, the Bill Gates-founded company building the only advanced, non-light-water reactor in the Western Hemisphere.

    Keeping the Lights On: Microgrids and the Benefits of Localized Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 34:27


    Even a very short power outage can have dire consequences for a hospital, transportation system, or large campus. This is where microgrids can add real value. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with microgrid expert Dr. Mahmoud Kabalan about these small, stand-alone power systems that can keep electricity flowing regardless of what's happening on the bulk power grid.

    Hydroelectricity: The Carbon-Free Powerhouse of the Pacific Northwest Energy Mix

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 42:43


    About 50 percent of energy generated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States comes from hydroelectric power. According to Rick Dunn, general manager of Benton PUD, that puts the region in an unbelievably unique position. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Rick about the impact hydro has on reliability and rates, the politicization of the resource, and why he became an author.

    Health Is Power: The Value of Affordable, Transparent, Quality Healthcare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 24:41


    It might seem like a stretch to talk about the healthcare system on a podcast about electric power. However, more than three million Americans report to energy sector jobs every day, and we all depend on these folks for the steady flow of electricity in our homes, businesses, hospitals, and data centers. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with SEL Senior Director of Health & Wellbeing Michele Beehler about what can be done to help ensure these employees (and others) have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.

    Finding the Right Fit: Early-Career Rotations for Long-Term Success

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 34:36


    In this episode, host Dave Whitehead chats with SEL Engineers Lyssa Blood and Cameron Blegen. Both in the third year of their careers, Lyssa and Cameron talk about their experience in the SEL Engineer Rotation Program which allowed them to explore different jobs before settling into their full-time roles. They offer advice to those just starting engineering careers and to employers looking to increase retention.

    Shortening the Supply Chain: Strong Partnerships Bring Us Closer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 30:33


    In this episode, guest host Diane Maceri, supply chain director at SEL, talks with Tyler Gould, senior electronic sales engineer at Phoenix Contact and Tom Schrader, president of Interconnect Sales, about why good partnerships are key to a more secure supply chain and moving manufacturing to the U.S. 

    Politics, Climate, Class: Changing the Power Grid Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 34:54


    In this episode, author, filmmaker and podcaster Robert Bryce talks about his new docuseries Juice: Power, Politics & The Grid with guest host David Costello, SEL chief sales & customer service officer.

    Building a Better Substation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 27:05


    The shift to renewables and growing demand for electricity are driving utilities to problem-solve like never before. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Philip VanSant, manager of T&D Services, System Protection at Dominion Energy, about how the utility has come up with an innovative method to construct and commission new digital substations in an efficient and cost-effective way.

    Celebrating Innovation: Insights From the National Inventors Hall of Fame

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 21:29


    Rini Paiva, executive vice president of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, joins Dave to discuss the common traits inventors share, the importance of honoring their work, and how they're inspiring future innovators.

    OT Cybersecurity: Understanding the Threat, Determining How Much Protection is Enough

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 46:41


    In this episode, guest host Nicholas Seeley talks with cybersecurity expert and author Andrew Ginter about the challenges of protecting operational technology used in industrial environments and critical infrastructure, like the power grid, from growing cyber threats.

    Pumped Storage: One of the Best Batteries There Is

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 16:16


    One of the most significant limiting factors of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, is intermittency. When the wind isn't blowing or sun shining, there's no generation. This is why billionaires like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson are all looking for a way to store energy and are investing heavily in grid-scale battery research. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Brian Starling, from Dominion Energy, about a different kind of battery—the Bath County Pumped Storage Station, which is often referred to as the biggest battery in the world.

    Powering the Future: Generating Excitement About STEM Careers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 19:00


    The number of STEM related careers has increased by nearly 80 percent in the last thirty years, and it's a trend that continues. However, based on current statistics, filling these roles in the future is going to be a challenge. In this episode, Dave talks with Laura Harris and Caden Perry, two recent high school graduates who are already on the path to careers focused on science, technology, engineering and math. They discuss what inspired their career choices, share what excites them about the future, and offer advice for getting more young people excited about STEM. 

    Reinventing Hydropower: Balancing Generation, Reliability, and the Environment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 31:45


    Hydroelectric power is reliable and renewable, but it's not without its challenges. That's changing with innovative companies like Natel Energy. In this episode, Gia Schneider, Natel CEO, discusses the fish-safe turbine the company has developed and how they are reinventing the future of hydroelectric power. 

    Making Things Easy is Hard: The Power of UX

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 30:33


    If you've ever tried out a new technology and thought “Wow, that was easy!”—chances are a user experience (UX) designer played a part in your delight. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with UX expert Bryan Foutch about the origins of UX and the hard work that goes into making products that are easy to use.

    Cool Fuel: A Future for Green Hydrogen in the Pacific Northwest

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 28:55


    In this episode, Dr. Jacob Leachman breaks down why hydrogen might be the coolest fuel in the universe. The Washington State University Associate Professor joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss the benefits and challenges of hydrogen as a fuel source, ways it's already being used and the innovation happening at WSU's cryogenic hydrogen research lab. 

    Meeting the Clean Energy Challenge: Ensuring Reliability Amid the Electrification of Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 39:49


    One quarter of the energy homeowners use is electric, and that's predicted to double by 2050. Larry Bekkedahl, senior vice president of Portland General Electric, joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss how the push toward electrifying everything, from appliances to vehicles, combined with the rapid adoption of intermittent energy sources is challenging how utilities provide customers with a reliable flow of power. 

    Breaking Biases: Empowering Women in Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 25:45


    Only 30% of women who earn bachelor's degrees in engineering are still working in the field 20 years later. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Director and Society of Women Engineers Board Member Kerrie Greenfelder joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss ways to help decrease that statistic and increase inclusivity in the field.

    Powering Africa: Unleashing Potential Through Electrification

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 35:32


    Of the 1.3 billion people on the planet without access to reliable electricity, 600 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dedicated to solving this problem are organizations like Power Africa, a U.S. government-led partnership that advances inclusive, low-carbon economic growth. Power Africa Coordinator Mark Carrato joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss how they're collaborating with local communities, U.S. businesses, and others to bring sustainable power to 60 million homes and businesses in the region by 2030.

    The Challenges of Inverter-Based Resources: Integrating the New with the Old

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 32:55


    Inverter-based resources put a new spin on power generation, replacing the large rotating masses that have been the mainstay of power generation for the past 100+ years. Join host Dave Whitehead and Dr. Normann Fischer, SEL vice president of Research & Development, as they discuss the challenges of bringing resources that don't abide the laws of physics into the power grid.

    A Firewall for the Future: Educating the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 30:43


    Between 2013-2021, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs jumped 350 percent. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with Dr. Jim Alves-Foss, director of the University of Idaho Center for Secure and Dependable Systems, about how UI is preparing students to fill those roles and solve the world's toughest cybersecurity challenges.

    Can You Hear Me Now? Why “Best Effort” Isn't Good Enough for Mission-Critical Telecommunications

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 41:03


    Power system telecommunication networks have very different needs than those driving internet and broadband technology. Can you imagine a utility having to wait to learn about a fault while their network buffered? In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with communications experts Ken Fodero and Paul Robertson about the history of power system communications and why reliable, high-speed, deterministic communication networks are critical to keeping the lights on.

    Human Factors Engineering: Improving Power System Safety and Reliability

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 60:58


    Revered basketball coach John Wooden once said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” In this episode, guest host David Costello talks with human performance expert and coach James Merlo about how human factors engineering can help utilities, organizations, and individuals to not only improve efficiency and reliability, but also greatly reduce the frequency and severity of errors.  

    Power System Oscillations: Maintaining Balance and Keeping the Lights On

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 36:04


    Oscillations on the electric power system are normal, but sometimes they get out of sync and can wreak havoc, potentially causing a blackout. In this episode, Dave Whitehead sits down with power system expert and professor Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian to talk about how we can monitor and manage oscillations to keep power flowing—even across borders. 

    Securing Industrial Control Systems Amid Increased Risk

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2022 43:53


    Industrial control systems (ICSs) across industries have experienced increased security risk in the last decade, and those within the electric power system are no exception. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with ICS cybersecurity expert Dale Peterson about today's threat landscape and where ICS asset owners should focus their efforts to address this risk.

    Powering the Future: Delivering Specialized Training at the Speed of Innovation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 20:59


    It's an exciting time to work in the electric power industry. The rapid pace of innovation is creating both opportunities and challenges. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Dr. Hector Altuve, a 40+ year industry veteran who has worked across continents in both academia and business, about the role the industry plays in filling the gap between traditional education that instills fundamentals—the things that don't rust—and specialized training that keeps pace with the latest technologies.

    Powering the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 31:10


    The electric power grid is the largest man-made machine ever created. It's vast, complex, and essential to modern life. And, as it continues to serve more people and industries and accommodate new challenges, it will require a steady pipeline of smart, well-educated people to invent, design, build, operate, and secure the power systems of the future. In this episode, I talk with educator John Cassleman, who manages SEL's K-12 Education Outreach program, about how we can get more kids excited about science, technology, engineering, and math—and maybe even inspire the next Thomas Edisons, Nikola Teslas, and Ed Schweitzers.

    Powering the Future: Recruiting for STEM Careers in a Demanding Job Market

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2022 22:06


    The electric power industry is changing and so are the skills and expertise needed to keep the power flowing around the world. At the same time, we're hearing about worker shortages in many fields. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with human resources expert Stacey Doty about the challenges and opportunities of recruiting and hiring for technical roles.

    Solving Recloser High-Density Coordination Challenges: Innovation That Keeps the Power On

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2022 27:13


    As communities grow, the distribution systems bringing power into neighborhoods are becoming more complex. Utilities are increasingly focused on efficiently managing this complexity while solving new challenges—like the addition of distributed energy sources, including microgrids, rooftop solar, and battery storage. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with distribution system expert John Thorne about the innovative ways he and the team at Alabama Power are dramatically reducing the number of customers experiencing power outages.

    Zero Trust: A Look at Information Security and the Role Trust Plays

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 32:45


    The concept of zero trust has been gaining momentum. In fact, the Biden Administration recently released a new strategy for federal agencies that will move the government toward a "zero trust" security model in the next two years. In this episode, Dave Whitehead explores the idea of trust, particularly as it applies to industrial control system cybersecurity, with SEL VP of Infrastructure Defense Nicholas Seeley.

    Getting to Root Cause: The Importance of Being Able to Turn a Problem On and Off

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 23:51


    The products and technologies used in electric power systems need to be highly reliable. These devices must withstand high voltages, severe weather, extreme temperatures, and more to keep the power flowing to hospitals, factories, schools, and businesses—24/7.  In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with manufacturing and product service expert Gurvinder Singh about the importance of getting to root cause and how it leads to high reliability.

    Better, Faster, Simpler, Safer: A New Approach to OT Network Communications

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 22:47


    The electric power grid has been called the largest machine in the world. Communication systems provide additional visibility and control of large electric networks but also introduce cybersecurity challenges. In this episode, I talk with network communications expert Rhett Smith about a new approach that enables engineers to write their own rules for their communication networks while also making them more secure.

    Built to Last: What Does “Utility Grade” Really Mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 30:14


    We've all heard terms like “contractor-grade” or “medical-grade,” which convey information about the quality of a product. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with quality expert Adrian Genz about what it takes for a product to earn the designation of “utility-grade” and why it's important to reliability.

    The Clean Energy Transition: Balancing Reliability, Innovation, Cost, and the Environment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 34:22


    Electric utilities have a challenging job. No matter what's happening—extreme weather events, the emergence of new sources of generation and the phasing out of others, changing government mandates and regulations, etc.—we expect our utilities to provide continuous service to our homes and businesses at an affordable price. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with Avista's Heather Rosentrater about how the utility strikes the right balance to keep the lights on.

    Safe, Reliable, Clean and Cost-Effective: A Timely Look at Nuclear Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 35:13


    With the ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and around the globe, it's a good time to reconsider the role nuclear power plays in the energy mix. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest, about this zero-emission energy source that currently provides about 1/5 of the nation's power but has the potential to play a much bigger role in a clean-energy future.

    An Interview with the Host

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2021 24:58


    In the latest episode, host Dave Whitehead sits in the chair normally reserved for guests on Schweitzer Drive. Join Stephanie Schweitzer, who leads SEL Marketing & Communications, as she talks with Dave about how he got interested in engineering, his path to CEO, thoughts on the future of electric power, and what he's excited about.

    Decarbonization, Government Mandates, and the Future of Electric Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 34:41


    Historically, electric utilities independently determined their generation portfolio based on customer demand, local resources, available technologies, agreements with neighboring utilities, etc. Increasingly, government mandates related to decarbonization goals are limiting the options. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with energy policy expert Tom Pyle and power system protection pioneer Dr. Ed Schweitzer about how outside forces are shaping the future electric power and challenging grid reliability.

    People: The First and Last Line of Defense

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 25:49


    We often talk about the tools and technology that help prevent cybersecurity attacks. These are important. However, attackers are often able to gain access by someone who is just going about their daily activities, answering email or phone calls. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with cybersecurity expert Frank Harrill about the importance of cultivating a culture of security where every employee understands their role in protecting company assets.

    Culture: An Essential Ingredient for Creating an Exceptional Company

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 29:16


    There are many things that go into creating a successful business. You need a good strategy, a strong team, and a great product or service to sell. But these alone don't ensure success. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with business leaders David Costello and Tony Lee about an essential ingredient that fortifies all the others and can take the recipe from good to great: culture.

    Protecting the Grid: What Are Electromagnetic Pulses, and How Do They Affect the Power System?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 26:11


    Electric power grids are designed to withstand a wide variety of destructive forces. Whether lightning is striking or hurricane winds are blowing, people depend on the grid to continuously deliver electricity to their homes and businesses. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Travis Mooney, an electronics design and testing expert, about high-altitude electromagnetic pulses and how the industry is working together to ensure the grid is resilient against the threat.

    The Drive Toward Electric Vehicles: Powering Mobile Loads, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 24:35


    With every major automaker working to give Tesla a run for its money, and the government's push for half of all vehicles sold to have plugs by 2030—the age of the electric vehicle has arrived. And with it comes a number of interesting challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Purdue's Dr. Steve Pekarek about advancements in EV charging, including continuous charging via electrified roadways.

    The Drive Toward Electric Vehicles: Powering Mobile Loads, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 23:50


    The number of electric vehicles on U.S. roads and highways is projected to grow 36 percent annually, according to the IEA, reaching 245 million vehicles by 2030. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with University of Idaho's Dr. Brian Johnson about the additional infrastructure and generation needed to power these mobile loads.

    Protecting the Grid: Creating Cyber Solutions That Are Inherently Secure

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 22:14


    When Dr. Ed Schweitzer introduced the first microprocessor-based protective relay in 1982, an invention that revolutionized power system protection, he built in several cybersecurity features, including layered passwords. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with the inventor about this early emphasis on cybersecurity and how he and the team at SEL are working to develop next-level solutions that are inherently secure.

    Predictive Power System Control in an Unpredictable Environment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 27:41


    Large generation facilities turning coal, gas, and water into electricity have been the mainstay of the electric power system for decades. They produced a steady flow of power—24/7. But as more, smaller intermittent generators, like wind turbines, and solar panels are added to the system, that predictability diminishes. In this episode, Purdue University Professor Dr. Steve Pekarek joins Dave Whitehead for a discussion about how this challenge is driving new methods of power system control.

    People, Power Density, Cost, and Scale: The Challenges of Renewable Energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 31:33


    At the current growth rate, global energy demand will double in 18 years. Meanwhile, governments are instituting mandates and offering subsidies to speed the move to an all renewable energy future. Nineteen U.S. states have released goals for achieving 100 percent renewable power in the next 20–50 years. While the promise of “clean energy” is appealing, will intermittent sources of energy be able to meet global needs? Join Dave Whitehead as he explores this important topic with author Robert Bryce.

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