Podcasts about Duke Energy

In this ICYMI episode for the Line Life Podcast, Duke Energy lineworkers who responded to Hurricanes Helene and Milton share their stories about the long shifts, logistical challenges, and the teamwork that restored power and hope to devastated communities. The episode also shares practical hurricane-response best practices, rapid-restoration achievements, and how local communities and crews supported one another during recovery. To read the story, which appeared in the January 2026 issue of T&D World magazine right after the one-year anniversary of the hurricanes, visit the website.  Also, if your line crew has just finished a storm restoration and wants to share your story, please email Amy Fischbach, host of the Line Life Podcast and Head of Content for T&D World, with high-resolution photos of the damage and restoration. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your best practices for storm restoration with our readers, subscribers and Line Life Podcast listeners. 

Jenn Donahue PhD is an entrepreneur, civil engineer, author, and retired US Navy Captain whose company JL Donahue Engineering works on large scale, high profile geotechnical projects for clients ranging from PG&E and Duke Energy to the Tennessee Valley Authority and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Over her military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents. Jenn has designed the seismic plans for a bridge over the Panama Canal and built roads by drilling and blasting in Ketchikan. She's the author of The Warrior Framework and the founder of Dare to Rise.

Picture this: a factory that makes its own power, stores it, and has enough left over to sell back to the grid. It may sound like a thought experiment, but Siemens is running one right now in Wendell, North Carolina, at one of its industrial factories. Here's the gist. Solar panels on top of a carport feed a battery roughly the size of a small building, which lets the whole facility run on renewables, keep operations carbon-neutral, and yes, push excess power back into the grid for other people to use. The setup is a 1.25-megawatt microgrid paired with 3.9 megawatt-hours of battery storage, and it's one of the largest industrial solar plus storage systems on Duke Energy's distribution network in the Carolinas. When the grid goes down, the factory keeps humming. When the sun is shining and production is light, the surplus goes out the door and into the neighborhood. The carport doubles as covered parking with EV chargers tied into the same system, so EVs get charged on the factory's own solar. This is what an industrial microgrid actually looks like in practice, a real working example of solar plus storage, distributed energy resources, and smart building controls coming together to make a single site genuinely energy independent. It's also a preview of where a lot of manufacturing is heading as companies start seizing energy resilience as a competitive advantage. If you run a facility, work in energy, or you're just curious how the grid is quietly getting rebuilt from the edges in, give this one a listen. Show notes Press Release: Siemens Unveils State-of-the-Art Microgrid at Wendell Headquarters, Commemorates with Electrification Celebration: https://news.siemens.com/en-us/wendell-state-of-the-art-microgrid/

Natalie Hadad and Caroline Rouse from Brookfield's infrastructure team join Deal Debrief to discuss the firm's investment in Duke Energy Florida and what it signals about the future of power infrastructure. In this episode, they unpack the transaction and the broader forces reshaping the utility sector—from electrification and digitalization to the growing demand for reliable power and grid modernization. Read disclaimers (https://www.brookfield.com/brookfield-perspectives-podcast-disclaimer) for this episode.

Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units across six sites in the Carolinas — a fleet that produces more than half of the region's electricity year in and year out. In 2025, that fleet posted its best capacity factor on record, north of 97%. In this episode of The POWER Podcast, Steven Capps, Duke Energy's senior vice president and chief nuclear officer, walks through what's behind that performance and what comes next. Capps frames Duke Energy's nuclear strategy as "today, tomorrow, and the future," and the conversation moves through all three. Topics covered: • How Duke Energy pushed its fleet capacity factor above 97% in 2025, and the role of risk management alongside maintenance and capital investment. • The subsequent license renewal program now extending Oconee and Robinson to 80-year operating lives, with Brunswick next in line and the rest of the fleet to follow. • Capacity uprates underway at McGuire and Catawba that, combined with measurement-uncertainty-recapture work at Oconee and Brunswick, will deliver roughly 300 MW of additional nuclear capacity — what Capps describes as "the equivalent of a small modular reactor." • The mechanical reality of an uprate: increased thermal megawatt ratings, more highly enriched fuel, and the secondary-side components — feedwater heaters, moisture separator reheaters, large pumps and motors — that have to be replaced to accommodate the change. • Duke Energy's decision-making framework for new nuclear, tentatively reflected in the integrated resource plan in 2037, and why economics, not technology choice, is the gating factor. • Career advice for engineers considering nuclear, from someone who has held more than 10 different roles across his own engineering career. Capps grew up about 10 miles from Oconee Nuclear Station, earned a mechanical engineering degree at Clemson, and joined Duke Energy after graduation. Twenty years at Oconee, a decade at McGuire, and most recently roles in Duke Energy's corporate organization have shaped his view of where the fleet — and the industry — go from here.

If you're a Duke Energy customer, or have to pay an electric bill to any company, you'll want to hear these tips on how to bring down your energy costs from 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur. 

On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup, the CMS board rejects Superintendent Crystal Hill's proposed budget, leaving her to question how to proceed with little direction. Gaston and Cabarrus County schools join others in canceling classes Friday as teachers protest in Raleigh for higher pay. A bill to protect immigrant students from immigration enforcement is filed in the state House, and Duke Energy proposes a June rate increase.

Earlier this year, Duke Energy launched the DeBary Hydrogen Production Storage System, the nation's first fully integrated project to produce, store, and use green hydrogen. On this episode, Duke Energy Senior Vice President of System Planning and Construction Regis Repko explains how the hydrogen system works and how it provides reliable energy during peak demand.

We are going to have a wild opening to the markets tomorrow. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, and there is no reason that ExxonMobil, Chevron, and other companies should be trading the way they are. That being said, Secretary Chris Wright was on point again on CNN, and we covered his statements about how $10 trillion spent on Green Energy only increased energy use by 3%. 1. Renewable Energy Challenges & LimitationsThe podcast critically examines the effectiveness of renewable energy investments. Despite over $10 trillion invested globally in green energy over 20 years, renewables account for only 3% of global energy supply. Key issues include low capacity factors, transmission losses, storage requirements, and the need for grid overbuild—all of which increase true costs beyond what's typically reported.2. Geopolitical Tensions & Energy MarketsThe discussion covers disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by Iran's actions, leading to volatility in global oil tanker traffic and prices. Additionally, there's analysis of China's strategic reduction of U.S. Treasury holdings, signaling a shift away from the U.S. dollar.3. Market Manipulation & Price MisrepresentationThe podcast includes detailed criticism from the Doomberg newsletter about divergence between paper/futures oil prices and actual physical oil costs. It characterizes current oil pricing as potentially manipulated and describes it as a "government-constructed lie" designed to maintain false market stability.4. Texas Energy Demand & Data Center GrowthERCOT's projections show peak electricity demand in Texas could reach 367 GW by 2032—more than 4 times current records—driven largely by data center expansion. The transcript highlights challenges including interconnection backlogs and transmission planning needs.5. Regulatory & Financial IssuesCoverage includes Duke Energy's bid to recover costs from winter weather events and analysis of major oil/gas companies' (Chevron, Exxon) earnings versus stock performance discrepancies.6. California Energy Policy CriticismStu critiques Governor Newsom's energy policies, particularly his response to rising oil prices, suggesting his policies have contributed to a looming energy crisis with refinery closures and limited fuel access.1.The World Has Spent $10 Trillion on Green Energy — and Only Reached 3% of Global Energy2.US Markets Look Like a Bull Run, but the Hormuz Dependent Countries are Looking Down3.China Sending a Clear Signal and Dumps U.S. Treasuries4.The US' Renewed Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Will Help Their Shared Indian Partner5.Backwards Looking – Doomberg6.Buffett and China Are Making the Same Bet – The Merchant's News7.Over 367GW Grid Requirements in Texas ERCOT by 2032: Navigating the AI Data Center Boom for Investors and Consumers8.Duke Energy Cost Recovery Bid and 19,000 MW Plan Test Valuation9.Oil and Gaslighting Gavin Newsom Rides Again●You can also find all of the stories on https://energynewsbeat.com/Check out the Energy News Beat SubStack https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/A shout-out to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting group for sponsoring the Podcast https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/.. https://www.data2.ai/resources/the-decision-lag-reportAnd we have WellDatabase rolling in as a new sponsor.

The April 15, 2026, broadcast of The Charlie James Show centered heavily on the financial and logistical burdens facing citizens, beginning with a critique of the U.S. tax system and the disproportionate tax shares paid by top earners. As the show progressed, the focus shifted to the rising costs of living, specifically targeting surging fuel and utility prices and the legislative battles surrounding the SC DOT bills. Listeners were urged to contact representatives to oppose these measures, while deep dives into the energy sector highlighted the strain data centers are placing on providers like Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The final hours tied these domestic economic concerns to broader geopolitical threats from Iran and upcoming electoral stakes, emphasizing that voter turnout for the June 9th primary is the only way to secure "BBB" tax cuts and address the infrastructure challenges currently impacting the state.

Hour 3 focused on the rising costs of fuel and utilities, with Charlie James urging a "no" vote on the SC DOT bill while discussing how Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and the power demands of data centers are driving up light bills.

In the second segment of Hour 3, Charlie James shifted the focus from the gas pump to the rising costs of home utilities, drawing a direct line between global energy policies and the "sticker shock" South Carolinians are seeing on their Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas bills. He explored how the same inflationary pressures driving up fuel prices are bleeding into monthly light and heating expenses, leaving families with less disposable income at the end of the month. James criticized the regulatory environment that allows for consistent rate hikes, arguing that utility monopolies are passing the cost of "green" transitions and infrastructure mismanagement directly onto the consumer.

State panel to decide Duke Energy rate hike; Hornets in play-in tournament at home on Tuesday.

Duke Energy says it needs to increase your power bill, and the fate of that request will soon be decided by a commission that recently changed to a Republican majority. The N.C. Utilities Commission has been holding a series of public hearings about Duke Energy's plan to increase residential rates by up to 18 percent over the next two years. Duke says the rate increase is needed to keep up with higher demand for electricity and the need for a more modern grid that can handle storms with fewer outages. To learn more about what's happening at the Utilities Commission and the energy policy landscape more broadly, WUNC's Colin Campbell spoke with state Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, D-Wake, and Dan Crawford, senior director of public affairs for the N.C. League of Conservation Voters.

The Good GameActivist investor seeks to oust Americold Chair Mark Patterson over “problematic boardroom behavior”Activist investor Sieve Capital is pushing Americold Realty Trust to remove board chair Mark Patterson, citing his tenure on the board of scandal-ridden office landlord Paramount Group.OpenAI releases policy proposals aimed at addressing fallout from AI-driven job losses The proposals, which OpenAI admits are “ambitious” and “intentionally early and exploratory,” include everything from a new industrial policy agenda to modernizing the tax system to expanding access to healthcare coverage and retirement savings.They are meant to help answer questions about job disruptions and AI systems that evade human control, and to protect against governments deploying AI in ways that run counter to democratic values.Among the core policy suggestions is a public wealth fund, which would see lawmakers and AI companies work together to invest in long-term assets linked to the AI boom, with returns distributed directly to citizens. Another is that the government should encourage and incentivize employers to experiment with four-day workweeks with no loss in pay and offer "benefits bonuses" tied to productivity gains from new AI tools.EPA Wants to Prioritize Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals as Water ContaminantsEPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the move sends “a clear message: we will follow the science, we will pursue answers, and we will hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect the health of every American family.”Delta started sharing profits with its 100,000 employees two decades ago. CEO Ed Bastian says shareholders love itThe payout is sizeable: this year, Delta dispersed over $1 billion to its roughly 100,000 employees.Profit sharing distributes a slice of company earnings directly to workers as a cash bonus. At Delta, the formula is simple: 10% of the first $2.5 billion in adjusted profits, and 20% of everything above that.Proxy adviser ISS recommends vote against BP board over attempt to scrap some climate reportingISS recommended a vote against the BP board on revoking some previous climate reporting resolutions and allowing it to hold online-only shareholder meetings: "A particularly compelling argument would be required to justify such a legal revocation, which we believe is unprecedented in the UK context," ISS said about BP's resolution to retire two resolutions from 2015 and 2019 requiring company-specific climate reporting which passed with near 100% support at the time.Activist shareholder Follow This broadens climate campaign against BPA group of European investors led ‌by activist Follow This urged BP on Thursday to drop plans to scrap some company-specific climate-reporting commitments and called on shareholders to vote against the move at the oil company's annual meeting this month.Follow This also warned ‌of possible ⁠legal action after BP refused to put a separate shareholder resolution on the agenda of its April 23 annual general meeting.TVA CEO Don Moul announces retirement as Trump slashes his payThe CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public utility in the United States, will retire July 1.Don Moul, CEO since April, 9, 2025, notified the public utility's board of directors April 3, closing a turbulent chapter for the federal power provider.Had Moul decided to stay on at TVA, he would have faced a 90% pay cut as the Trump administration seeks to cap pay for all TVA employees at $500,000.Moul, the highest paid federal employee, made about $6 million as TVA CEO in 2025.Similarly sized utilities in the South, and TVA in the past, have paid their CEOs substantially more than Moul made. Jeff Lyash made over $10 million in his last year as TVA's chief executive. Lynn Good, a recent CEO of the private Duke Energy company, drew $21.6 million in 2024, and in the same year the CEO of Southern Company made $23.8 million.Starbucks staff will now get paid weekly — and some will get new bonuseswill allow baristas and shift supervisors at Starbucks' top stores to earn up to $300 each quarter — or up to $1,200 a year — for meeting sales goals and consistently delivering a positive customer experienceUnited Airlines and flight attendants reached a tentative deal with $740 million in bonusesUnited Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA reached a tentative five-year labor agreement on March 26 that would provide the carrier's 30,000 flight attendants their first pay increases since 2020, including a $740 million signing bonus pool and top wages of $100 per hour by the contract's end.Beyond base pay, the contract also covers compensation during the boarding process, additional pay when lengthy gaps occur between flights, and limits on how overnight flying can be scheduled.United said the agreement would make its flight attendants the highest-paid in the industry.‍ ‍Chief human resource officer salaries have surged 30% at S&P 500 companiesThe number of CHROs designated as named executive officers in public filings from Russell 3000 companies rose from 148 in 2021 to 230 in 2025Median compensation for Russell 3000 CHROs grew by 14.7% between 2024 and 2025, compared to 8.1% for all NEOs. When looking at S&P 500 companies, CHRO pay grew by 30.4% in the same timeframeCHROs are “taking on larger mandates, moving beyond that traditional operational focus, to take on something more,” Jones said. The fact that CHROs are becoming more “strategically integrated” into their organizations reflects how “workforce and culture issues really are just top of mind,” he added.‍ ‍The Entire State of Maine Is Poised to Ban New Data CentersThe bill was passed by the Maine House of Representatives last month and is expected to pass in the Senate as well, which would make Maine the first state in the country to ban new data centers. The unprecedented move highlights growing bipartisan political fallout over the AI hype and consequent construction boom.SPEED ROUNDIran war could spur Europe to double down on renewables — againFrom $85K to $528K: Caitlin Clark's 521% Pay Rise After New WNBA Deal Climate change is impacting golf, from player health to courses AND French ski resorts face 'downward spiral' amid climate change and funding meltdownBurger King to hire 60K workers as part of turnaround‍ ‍Red Lobster is reportedly bringing back Endless Shrimp 2 years after the CEO vowed it would never returnTrump fires Attorney General Pam BondiHershey is moving back to the original recipe for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups after the chocolate's grandson blasted them last monthUnited Airlines is rolling out beds in economy class

Will hatchery fish save tripletail? Today we have all the insights on how CCA and Duke Energy have teamed up to help release redfish, seatrout and tripletail back into Florida's waters Let's discuss! Do you have a question about fishing in your area? Email rick@floridasportsman.com and we'll answer your questions on the air. A BIG thanks to each of our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to bring you these reports each week Yamaha Outboards • Shimano Fishing • Tournament Master Chum • D.O.A. Lures • Fishing Nosara / Nosara Paradise Rentals • Young Boats

If you're like most average consumers, you're acutely aware of how your monthly energy bill has been rising steadily in recent years. And a new report from the nonprofit Energy and Policy Institute shines a bright light on one big factor behind those hikes that turns out to be very much in the utility companies' control – profits. The report is entitled “Paying for Their Profits: How Ratepayers Foot the Bill for Soaring Utility Profits” and it finds that big investor-owned utilities like Duke Energy are making a mint even as huge numbers of average ratepayers struggle mightily to keep up with their bills. And recently NC Newsline sat down with one of the report's co-authors, Energy and Policy Institute Research and Communications Manager Sue Sturgis, to learn more. Click here to listen to the full interview with Energy and Policy Institute Research and Communications Manager Sue Sturgis. 

The long-term operation (LTO) of existing nuclear plants is emerging as a critical strategy for delivering reliable, carbon-free power as electricity demand accelerates across the economy. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Rounette Nader, VP of New Nuclear Generation and License Renewal at Duke Energy, and EPRI's Rob Austin, Senior Program Manager for Nuclear, to explore how LTO supports a resilient energy future.     The discussion unpacks what it really takes to extend plant lifetimes to 60 years, 80 years, and possibly beyond – and why continued investment, modernization, and rigorous regulatory oversight keep plants safe and increasingly reliable. The experts tackle common misconceptions about aging plants, explain how modernization and digital upgrades support round-the-clock power, and highlight LTO's role in meeting rapidly growing load while maintaining a skilled workforce. Together, they spotlight why long-term nuclear operation remains one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to deliver dependable, carbon-free energy at scale.     To learn more about Nuclear Power Plant Long-Term Operations, visit: https://lto.epri.com/LTO   To learn more about Duke Energy's nuclear fleet, visit: https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-nuclear-fleet-sets-new-all-time-reliability-record-delivers-value-for-customers#:~:text=Record%20capacity%20factor%20of%2096.9,directly%20supporting%20growing%20energy%20needs.     For more information and episodes 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 

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode of "Chatter with BNC", we speak with Sasha Weintraub, the executive vice president and chief customer officer for Duke Energy. He's worked for the company for more than 25 years, including as president of the natural gas business. He explains how North Carolina and Duke Energy are preparing for surging power demand from more data centers needed for artificial intelligence computing. The utility is balancing the need for more electricity without levying sharp increases on residential power bills, Weintraub says. He has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from NC State University.

00:00 all right let's go the phones are taught a body in greer how you doing bonnie i'm good god uh... i was thinking about the stress on the power grid right after i read this thing about uh... want to build a huge complex by fall rivers yeah yes and i'm they're gonna choke greenville to death yeah but nobody's gonna be able to get around to do anything that's right and didn't they pass a thing of no restrictions on buildings 00:30 Yeah, mean, they're downtown. They're trying to make it like uh Charlotte or even Atlanta eventually. They want it. That's good. Yeah, I know, right. That just always seems to work out. you know, that's what you get when you have a city council like that. appreciate it. Bonnie Bob is in Piedmont. Bob, welcome. Hey, Charlie. Thank you for taking my call. Yes, sir. And before I forget, I want to... oh 01:00 Congratulations on your birthday. Oh, well, that was back in February, but I appreciate that. Thank you. had a great time. you. I was listening back then. I appreciate it, Bob. I just want you to you went ahead and struck a nerve when you were talking about the spam phone phone calls. Yeah, I didn't hear how many calls that you had since you've been on six, but I've had 15. Have you had 15? I've had 15 from three o'clock and I had 12. 01:31 from two o'clock to three o'clock. Wow. Do you remember when they used to throw people in jail for spam over the internet? Why aren't they going after these people? But they don't even, know, there's no longer a do not call list. Right. Yeah. I believe that fully. I get the same calls over and over and over again. 02:00 uh I feel your pain, man. It is so annoying. Annoying. I appreciate it. Let's go to Brian in Spartanburg. Brian, how are you? Hey, so going back to a previous caller that was talking about his air condition, he has the availability to stay home and turn it way down and get his house home. Yeah. And then turn it off at peak times. oh If you have a Honeywell thermostat and you use scheduling, they have a thing called adaptive technology. 02:30 I had to call Honeywell about it one time and if you use that It will turn your your unit on at different times, right? Yeah, if it's a really hot day It's gonna turn it so if you won't if you get home from work at 5 and you want it at To drop 5 degrees by 5 Well on a 70 degree day, it's gonna turn on at 4 02:58 on a 90 degree day, it's gonna turn on at two. So you're really screwing yourself with that. The best thing to do is just keep the temperature the same all the time. You're not saving any money. You're using more power by trying to drop it to three to five degrees that you have in the schedule, than you are just keeping it at the exact same. 03:23 And now that we've got summer coming up, mean, people need to be reminded that you are never going to get that house more than 20 degrees below outside temperature. You can if it's built right. If it's built right. Yeah, but I mean, my goodness, how many of those? I mean, I live in I live in a what I think I think our neighborhood is about 20, 22 years old now. None of those houses are acting like that. So I wish I did. I, you know what? I appreciate it. Thank you very much, Brian. 03:51 I was going to tell you how much my electric bill was. 03:59 But after all of these people that have been texting me how much they pay in electricity every month over on the text line, I'm not going to tell you. 04:09 Because I believe you would hate me. I really do. 04:16 I mean, I'm seeing three JJ's electric bill. was like, you gotta be kidding me. That's how much you're paying over at Duke Energy? That's unbelievable. That is crazy. I'm on Lawrence Electric. Man, I'll write that check. I'm like, yep, you got it, Lawrence. Here you go. Here you go. I'm happy to pay that. There you go. Two things. 04:46 Two checks I do not mind writing, especially moving up here from Charleston. Number one, I don't mind writing my mortgage payment. Lig ...

Can a grid operator tell the difference between a virtual power plant and a traditional one? That's the idea behind the Huels Test, a framework developed by EnergyHub to answer a simple but consequential question: when does a distributed fleet of customer devices become reliable enough to function like a power plant? Passing the test means more than just aggregating thermostats or batteries. It means delivering predictable, repeatable performance that utility planners and operators trust enough to rely on during system peaks. And it's no longer theoretical. During a series of brutal winter cold snaps across the Southeast this year, Duke Energy leaned on tens of thousands of connected devices — smart thermostats, batteries, and water heaters — to help manage record-breaking winter peaks. Together, they formed a virtual power plant that the utility could dispatch when the grid was tight. In this Frontier Forum, Stephen Lacey talks with Stacy Phillips, Managing Director of Customer Load Management at Duke Energy, and Seth Frader-Thompson, president and co-founder of EnergyHub, about the spectrum of virtual power plants. They discuss how VPPs are evolving from traditional demand-response programs into operational grid resources, and what still needs to change before utilities treat them exactly like conventional power plants. This conversation was recorded live as part of Latitude Media's Frontier Forum with EnergyHub. Watch the full video here. EnergyHub works with more than 160 utilities across North America to build and scale virtual power plants using its Edge DERMS platform. Read EnergyHub's white paper outlining the VPP maturity model and discover what VPPs can do for your grid.

While Gerard is fixing his knee, Laurent invites Chris Seiple, Vice Chairman of WoodMac Power & Renewables group, to try to make sense of the scale of the coming power demand surge and the strain it is placing on today's US market structures.AI-driven datacenter growth is pushing the US power system into uncharted territory. Roughly 180 GW of U.S. electricity commitments tied to datacenters represent about 30% incremental demand. Hyperscaler CAPEX is exploding. Demand is accelerating far faster than new supply can come online, setting up a near-term imbalance. In response, the U.S. utility sector is preparing for a potential $1.4 trillion investment supercycle over the next five years.In regulated markets, utilities are under pressure to modernize cost-of-service models and deliver massive capital programs while keeping electricity affordable. Companies such as Duke Energy, Southern Company, Entergy, and CenterPoint Energy are planning investments that run into the hundreds of billions.In deregulated markets, players like Constellation Energy, Vistra Corp., and NRG Energy face a structural mismatch: datacenters can be built faster than power plants, while price signals may not rise quickly enough to incentivize new generation. Some customers are exploring off-grid solutions, but these bring technical and economic challenges.The conclusion is clear: load growth is staggering. Parts of the system may move toward re-regulation, but that alone will not be enough. Rapid innovation—decentralized solutions, grid-enhancing technologies, faster interconnections, and deeper digitization—will be essential as utilities relearn how to build at scale and speed.  Check an excellent WoodMac report on the Datacentershttps://www.woodmac.com/horizons/us-data-centre-power-demand-challenges-electricity-market-model/  

In this special mini episode of Elevated Access, host Chad Hughes welcomes Blandon Granger, Chair of the International Electric and Utility Committee, along with Gina Cannova and Taylor Doyle, to spotlight the upcoming IEUC Symposium taking place April 9, 2026, in New Orleans. The conversation centers on the mission of the International Electric and Utility Committee within the International Right of Way Association and its role in advancing technical knowledge, education, and networking opportunities for professionals in electric, telecommunications, water, sewer, and natural gas sectors.  The group discusses the expanding demand for electric transmission projects, data center development, and grid modernization, all of which are driving new right of way challenges and opportunities. Gina outlines the educational lineup, featuring speakers from Encore, Xcel Energy, Duke Energy, SMUD, and leading industry attorneys. Topics include legal risk where construction meets right of way, federal utility relocation guidelines, infrastructure project conflicts, asset management, and real-world case studies covering eminent domain, mineral rights, conservation, and large-scale transmission development. Blandon and Taylor highlight the networking, dining, and entertainment opportunities in the host city of New Orleans. From the historic hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter to delicious local cuisine, the visit will be one to remember. Beyond the educational and cultural content, attendees will meet peers across the electric and utility sectors. With registration nearing capacity and sponsorship opportunities limited, the committee emphasizes early registration. Scholarships are also available for utility professionals seeking support to attend. For those involved in electric transmission, land acquisition, regulatory compliance, infrastructure planning, and right of way project delivery, this IEUC Symposium offers both timely education and meaningful industry connection. “Anybody that wants to stay ahead of trends, learn best practices, and connect with peers that are shaping the future of electric utilities in the right of way space should be there.” – Blandon Granger For more information on the IRWA SPARK event in New Orleans on April 9, 2026, visit LinkedIn ___ About Taylor Doyle: With a multifaceted career and roles spanning from Project Manager to General Counsel to Business Development Lead, Taylor's insights into the Energy Industry are both deep and broad. Taylor is passionate about his current position managing Doyle's Business Development Department. He loves to meet and connect with fellow industry professionals and find ways to work together in improving America's energy infrastructure. As a licensed attorney in both Louisiana and Illinois, Taylor's core legal proficiencies include crafting client agreements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and steering corporate governance frameworks. Further, Taylor holds a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership Studies and is enthusiastic about his team members' development and helping Doyle employees be better leaders. In 2017, he moved from New Orleans to Chicago, so feel free to ask him about the city, except for how cold it gets. (His Southern spirit is still in denial that winter is coming every year). When Taylor is not working, he enjoys cooking, volunteering in his community, and exploring Chicago with his wife, daughter, and dog. Taylor Doyle on LinkedIn Website: DoyleLandServices.com   About Gina Cannova, MAI, SR/WA, R/W-AC: Ms. Cannova is the Senior Managing Director for the O'Brien Right of Way Valuation Public sector, overseeing Transportation and Water projects, as well as Electric. She has managed and appraised numerous right-of-way projects on both transportation and utility projects over the past decade, including a 300-mile HVTL project on the West Coast. She has extensive knowledge of performing complex assignments for eminent domain in all types of real estate and has testified in over 150 Special Commissioners' hearings in various counties within the state of Texas. Prior to re-joining O'Brien Right of Way, Ms. Cannova was the Senior Director within the Infrastructure Practice Group for Valuation & Advisory at Cushman and Wakefield, and prior to that she was the Managing Director for Transportation at O'Brien Right of Way Valuation. She also serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Southlake, the Board for Chapter 36 International Right of Way Association (IRWA), the Board for the IRWA International Electric & Utility Committee, and is an approved IRWA PEAK Instructor. Gina Cannova on LinkedIn Website: obrien-row.com   About Blandon Granger, SR/WA:  Blandon Granger is Supervisor of Real Estate Services at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), the sixth-largest publicly owned electric utility in the United States. With over 25 years of experience in public infrastructure real estate, Blandon specializes in electric utilities and telecommunications, managing critical land rights that support renewable energy, thermal and hydro generation, electric and gas transmission, distribution, and utility operations. He currently serves as Chair of the International Right of Way Association's International Electric and Utilities Committee (IEUC) and has a long-standing commitment to advancing technical knowledge, education, and best practices within the utility right of way industry. Blandon also served on the City of Roseville Public Utilities Commission, providing strategic guidance on utility policy and regulatory compliance. Blandon Granger on LinkedIn Website: smud.org --- Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As you've no doubt noticed, the first several weeks of 2026 have featured a large complement of wintry and bitterly cold weather and that's something that's sure to drive up the electric bills that will soon hit thousands of residential ratepayers. And while there's nothing that can be done to control the weather, there are steps energy providers and elected officials can take to help minimize electricity rates – most notably, working to shift as quickly as possible to sustainable sources of energy with predictable costs like solar and wind. Unfortunately, while North Carolina had been moving in that direction, recent political lobbying by Duke Energy has sidetracked those efforts and, as Newsline learned in a recent chat with Will Scott, the North Carolina Policy Director for the Environmental Defense Fund, the result will be more reliance on volatilely priced fossil fuels and a shift in the burden for funding Duke's profits from industrial and commercial customers to residential consumers. Click here to listen to the full interview with Will Scott, the North Carolina Policy Director for the Environmental Defense Fund.

As you've no doubt noticed, the first several weeks of 2026 have featured a large complement of wintry and bitterly cold weather and that's something that's sure to drive up the electric bills that will soon hit thousands of residential ratepayers. And while there's nothing that can be done to control the weather, there are steps energy providers and elected officials can take to help minimize electricity rates – most notably, working to shift as quickly as possible to sustainable sources of energy with predictable costs like solar and wind. Unfortunately, while North Carolina had been moving in that direction, recent political lobbying by Duke Energy has sidetracked those efforts and, as Newsline learned in a recent chat with Will Scott, the North Carolina Policy Director for the Environmental Defense Fund, the result will be more reliance on volatilely priced fossil fuels and a shift in the burden for funding Duke's profits from industrial and commercial customers to residential consumers. Click here to listen to the full interview with Will Scott, the North Carolina Policy Director for the Environmental Defense Fund.

We talk with Duke Energy about your February heating bill and get tips if you're having trouble paying what's due.

If there's a most egregious disconnect right now between state and national policy and what reams of scientific evidence and countless common-sense observations tell us about the world around us, it's clearly in the realm of environmental protection and, in particular, climate change. As has been repeatedly and thoroughly documented, our planet currently faces an existential crisis that demands an urgent, all-hands-on-deck response from government at all levels, the private and nonprofit sectors, scientists, and average citizens. Unfortunately, as Newsline learned recently in an extended conversation with North Carolina League of Conservation Voters' clean energy campaigns director, Meech Carter, the perverse reality right now is that many corporate actors, along with the Trump administration, are moving in the opposite direction by loosening or eliminating anti-pollution rules and conservation efforts, expanding the use of expensive fossil fuels and sticking average ratepayers with the bill. In Part One of our recent extended conversation Carter, we explored the troubling fact that new actions by North Carolina-based electricity giant Duke Energy, are poised to both raise prices on average consumers and further inhibit critically important efforts to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. In Part Two of our chat we dug deeper into these issues by examining the troubling growth of so-called data centers, recent actions by the Trump administration to end federal regulation of pollutants that cause climate change, the critical need to rebuild western North Carolina better and stronger 18 months after Hurricane Helene, and why its critical that caring and thinking people vote in this year's elections if our state and nation are to return to the pursuit of sane environmental policies. Click here to listen to the full interview with North Carolina League of Conservation Voters' clean energy campaigns director Meech Carter.

Charlotte Republicans push Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden to step down after testimony in Raleigh. Early in-person voting in the primary begins. Duke Energy made nearly $5 billion in profit last year. That, as they ask for rate increases. Plus, four players are suspended after a brawl during the Hornets-Pistons game, but Charlotte still enters the All-Star break red hot.

APAC stocks were mostly higher as the region took impetus from the gains on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 approached closer towards its record levels, and the Nasdaq outperformed as the tech rebound persisted.US President Trump and Chinese President Xi's summit is reportedly set for the first week of April, POLITICO reported, but the White House later clarified that the Trump-Xi meeting has not been finalised.The EU is reportedly readying options to give Ukraine gradual membership rights and is preparing a series of options to embed Ukraine's membership in a future peace deal.UK PM Starmer told Labour MPs that he is "not prepared to walk away" from power or "plunge us into chaos" as previous prime ministers have done.European equity futures indicate a slightly lower cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures down 0.1% after the cash market closed with gains of 1.0% on Monday.Looking ahead, highlights include Norwegian CPI (Jan), US NFIB (Jan), Weekly ADP, ECI (Q4), Retail Sales (Dec) & EIA STEO. Speakers include Fed's Hammack & Logan, Supply from the Netherlands, UK, Germany & US. Earnings from Coca-Cola, S&P, Gilead, Robinhood, Welltower, Duke Energy, Datadog, Ford, AIG, Xylem, Spotify, AstraZeneca, BP, Barclays, Ferrari and Mediobanca.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

& we're back. This week, Will takes in-depth Sexual Harassment Training, Duke Energy told customers to cut back on energy usuage in the Tampa Bay area during a record setting cold snap. Later, Anna sees a legendary altercation at a Whole Foods and tell us about how #MeToo has reached the jiu-jitsu world involving Andre Galvao and Atos. Hear that on the Substack.We will be back live next week on Wednesday at 6:00PM over at WillsYouTube.comWe do an extra half hour on our Substack that is uncut and uncensored, hope to see you there, it's free to join.Get in touch with the show and leave a voice or text message at: (813) 693-2124 or shoot me an email at thehomemadebroadcast@gmail.comLINKS: https://linktr.ee/hmbradioThe #HMB airs Sunday's on Sunshine FM 96.7 in downtown St. Petersburg & anywhere in the world at Radio St. Pete @ 6:10PM & Monday's at 10:15PM or on demand via your favorite podcast app, just search “HMBradio Tampa Bay”.

TOP STORIES - Duke Energy asks Florida customers to conserve energy during cold snap, over 1,000 iguanas were turned into FWC after DeSantis signed an executive order, Carlos Gimenez says Trump needed to course correct on ICE a long time ago, and a Florida man was caught with $4k worth of frozen meat after fight with girlfriend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TOP STORIES - Duke Energy asks Florida customers to conserve energy during cold snap, over 1,000 iguanas were turned into FWC after DeSantis signed an executive order, Carlos Gimenez says Trump needed to course correct on ICE a long time ago, and a Florida man was caught with $4k worth of frozen meat after fight with girlfriend.

A calm winter morning turns into a political firestorm

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear gave an update on the state's response to the severe winter storm. Evansville Police are still seeking information on a 2025 hit-and-run death. If you got a text from a number pretending to be Duke Energy...it's a scam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bo and Beth welcome Cyber Security Expert Theresa Payton to get her advice on spotting the latest scam targeting Duke Energy customers as another winter weather weekend approaches. Plus, TikTok has been having major issues with it's US infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a jam-packed episode as Tara returns after the storm to unpack what really happened on the roads, why forecasts missed so badly, and what colder winters mean going forward

Tara is back after the storm — and she's got stories. From getting stranded on sheets of ice

A conversation captured at the Construction Users Round Table.CURT members don't gather to admire the industry as it is, we gather to challenge it. Throughout the year, owners come together to wrestle with contracting strategies, team dynamics, technical risk, global pressures, and the realities shaping how projects actually get delivered.This is the Deliberate Words podcast, In this episode, I'm filling in for David Stutzman and joining Steve Gantner, leaders in Conspectus, the specification company….where words have a power that can create trust, transparency, and transform the process and can significantly impact the success of a construction project and team!At the September 2025 member meeting, we had the opportunity to bring The immersive collaborative experience to the room. LEGO bricks on the table, assumptions off the table. What followed wasn't just a workshop, it was dialogue. Candid. Constructive. Occasionally uncomfortable in the best way.Sitting down afterward with CURT members: Herb Strong of HazTek, Andy Browning and Fred Marsh of Duke Energy, and Nicholas Johnson of Kahua as participants, critics, colleagues, and friends reminded us why these conversations matter. As presenters, the feedback was invaluable. As CURT members, the reflection was even more powerful.And this is just the beginning.Next up: the CURT National Conference in Orlando, February 3rd. The conversations continue and only get better.

A Tale of Two Carolinas: Ice Inland, Warm Air at the Coast. Join the Carolina Weather Group for a special Saturday evening live update as a major winter storm moves across North and South Carolina. Host Sam Walker, along with James Brierton in Charlotte and Frank Strait in Columbia, break down the incoming freezing rain, sleet, and massive temperature divides impacting the region on Saturday, January 24, 2026.While the storm has slowed down due to a very dry air mass, a "big blob of junk" is moving in, bringing dangerous ice to the Piedmont and Upstate, and spring-like warmth to the Lowcountry.❄️ Key Takeaways from Tonight's Update:The Delay Explained: The storm is moving slower than anticipated because a very dry air mass is evaporating the precipitation before it hits the ground, but dangerous ice is still on the way for the overnight hours.Major Ice Threat: Areas along the I-85 corridor, Upstate SC, and the NC Triad/Piedmont could see a quarter to half-inch of ice accumulation.Power Outages Looming: Anything above a quarter inch of ice will cause trees and power lines to come down. Duke Energy and out-of-town contractor crews are already staged and ready to respond.Extreme Temperature Divide: We are looking at a 30-to-40-degree temperature difference across the states! Coastal areas like Charleston and the Outer Banks could see highs in the 60s and 70s with a risk of severe thunderstorms, while inland areas remain trapped in the 20s and 30s.Monday Impacts: Travel will remain hazardous. School districts, like Rock Hill, are already moving to e-learning for Monday.

Tell us what you think of the show! This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm's Mike Casey.This week's episode features special guest Maxine Joselow from the New York Times, who wrote about the EPA's decision to stop assigning a dollar value to lives saved in cost-benefit analyses for major air pollution rules.This week's "Cleantecher of the Week" is funeral director Eric Chamberlain, who helped bring wind power to Rock Port, Missouri, making it one of the first US towns to generate more wind electricity than it used. Nearly two decades later, the wind project is still delivering lasting local benefits through jobs, landowner payments and major county tax revenue. Congratulations, Eric!This Week in Cleantech — January 23, 2026 Supreme Court will not hear Duke Energy's appeal in anti-monopoly case — The Carolina JournalSoaring Electricity Costs Are Now a Hot Political Issue — The Wall Street JournalTrump Is Obsessed With Oil, but Chinese Batteries Will Soon Run the World — The New York TimesSolar Projects Face Turmoil Under Trump, but Big Business Is Still Banking on Them — The Wall Street JournalWhat's a Human Life Worth? The E.P.A. Says Zero Dollars. — The New York TimesWant to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman | Friday, January 23rd, 2026. 6:05 Beth’s Song of the Day | DC Trip postponed 6:20 GMBTeam road trip highlights 6:35 Guest: Jen Goodwin (NCDOT Comms Dir.) - Winter Weather Storm Watch | Travel recommendations 6:50 RAM Biz Update; Winter Storm Watch 2026 | Duke Energy talks potential outages over the weekend 7:05 Guest: Geoff Maurer (Weather Channel Meteorologist) - Strom watch 2026 7:20 Guest: Congressman Mark Harris (NC D-8) - Pres. Trump in Davos, Switzerland for WEF 7:35 Congressman Mark Harris 7:50 Winter Storm Watch 2026 8:05 Guest: Senator Thom Tillis - Thoughts on Greenland 8:35 Guest: Congressman Richard Hudson (NC D-9) - Pres. Trump comments on Greenland 9:05 Guest: Al Conklin (WBTV Chief Meteorologist) - Winter Storm watch 2026 9:20 WBT News Quiz with Mark Garrison 9:35 Guest: Sean O'Connell (CBR) - Movie releases 9:50 Show wrapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In der heutigen Folge sprechen die Finanzjournalisten Anja Ettel und Philipp Vetter über Donald Trumps Auftritt in Davos, Zoff bei Lululemon, Optimismus bei US-Airlines und neue Nukelar-Euphorie. Außerdem geht es um United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Johnson&Johnson, Kraft Heinz, Berkshire Hathaway, NuScale Power, Nano Nuclear Energy, Oklo, enCore Energy, Uranium Energy, Nvidia, Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens Energy, Legrand, Prysmian, Safran, Rolls-Royce, Rheinmetall, NextEra Energy, Union Pacific, Enbridge, Duke Energy, SAP, Mastercard, Visa, Bank of America, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pfizer, Merck, Eli Lilly, iShares Stoxx Europe 600 Industrials ETF (WKN: A0H08J), L&G Robotics and Automation ETF (WKN: A12DB1) und iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (WKN: A0LEW9). Wir freuen uns an Feedback über aaa@welt.de. Noch mehr "Alles auf Aktien" findet Ihr bei WELTplus und Apple Podcasts – inklusive aller Artikel der Hosts und AAA-Newsletter. Hier bei WELT: https://www.welt.de/podcasts/alles-auf-aktien/plus247399208/Boersen-Podcast-AAA-Bonus-Folgen-Jede-Woche-noch-mehr-Antworten-auf-Eure-Boersen-Fragen.html. Der Börsen-Podcast Disclaimer: Die im Podcast besprochenen Aktien und Fonds stellen keine spezifischen Kauf- oder Anlage-Empfehlungen dar. Die Moderatoren und der Verlag haften nicht für etwaige Verluste, die aufgrund der Umsetzung der Gedanken oder Ideen entstehen. Hörtipps: Für alle, die noch mehr wissen wollen: Holger Zschäpitz können Sie jede Woche im Finanz- und Wirtschaftspodcast "Deffner&Zschäpitz" hören. +++ Werbung +++ Du möchtest mehr über unsere Werbepartner erfahren? Hier findest du alle Infos & Rabatte! https://linktr.ee/alles_auf_aktien Impressum: https://www.welt.de/services/article7893735/Impressum.html Datenschutz: https://www.welt.de/services/article157550705/Datenschutzerklaerung-WELT-DIGITAL.html

Tell us what you think of the show! As the Senior Vice President of Products & Services and Pricing Solutions at Duke Energy, Meghan Dewey oversees a portfolio that generates over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. But for her, the true metric of success isn't about spreadsheets or numbers but is instead about empowering the people on both sides of a utility bill.Meghan sits at the intersection of massive corporate scale and human-centric innovation. From the Emerging Technology Office and customer prototype labs to large-scale transportation electrification, her team is essentially designing a blueprint for how utilities can operate in the short and long term. She's the engine behind how Duke Energy scales high-value solutions while also prioritizing customer experience in a way that resonates.Want to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com

The winners are the Venezuelan people, and they are happy. The losers are the Canadians, and then there are the US Congress members who took political contributions from Maduro. Will he be cutting a deal with Pam Bondi in New York? The main topics discussed in today's Energy News Beat are1. The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and its potential impact on the oil and gas markets. The hosts discuss how this could benefit U.S. oil companies like Chevron, as well as the potential costs and challenges of restoring Venezuela's oil production.2. OPEC's decision to maintain production levels and its commitment to market stability. The hosts analyze how this could impact oil prices and the global energy landscape.3. Allegations of fraud and financial manipulation in China's electric vehicle industry, particularly involving companies like BYD. The hosts discuss the potential fallout from this scandal.4. The Trump administration's order to keep a coal-fired power plant in Colorado operational, despite the state's push for clean energy. The hosts debate the merits and potential consequences of this decision.5. Duke Energy's plans to explore building nuclear capacity in North Carolina, which the hosts view as a positive strategic move for the company.Stories Covered: 1.Maduro Captured, what does this mean for oil markets?2.OPEC+ Country Members Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability3.The EV Market in China Faces California and Minnesota Levels of Corruption4.Trump Administration Orders Colorado Coal-Fired Power Plant to Stay Open5.Duke Energy Takes First Step toward New Nuclear Build in North Carolina●All stories are on the Energy News Beat site https://energynewsbeat.co/or on Substack https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

Katy Preidt: Navigating Economic Development and Power Grid Challenges at Duke Energy In this episode of the Industrial Advisors podcast, hosts Matt McGregor and Bill Condon interview Katy Preidt, Economic Development Manager at Duke Energy Corporation, live from IAMC in Indianapolis. Katy shares her unique journey from aspiring science teacher to her current role, detailing her educational background in geology and GIS from Ball State, her work in California at Apple, and her return to Indiana. She discusses the dynamics of economic development, the competitive advantages of Indiana, and Duke Energy's initiatives, such as the Site Readiness Program, which prepares communities for industrial development. Katie also addresses the challenges of power grid demands, particularly in context to the fast-paced industrial sector, and the innovative solutions that Duke Energy engineers are implementing to stay competitive. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:49 Educational Journey and Early Career 01:59 Transition to Duke Energy 02:20 Economic Development Role 02:49 Life in Indiana vs. California 03:00 Power Grid and Industrial Development 04:39 Duke's Site Readiness Program 07:26 Challenges and Future of Power Infrastructure 10:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discover how Duke Energy in Greenville County is planning for SC's record growth. Hear the full strategy, from its 15-year plan to community involvement.Episode Resources:Learn more about the Duke Energy FoundationDiscover more about Mill Village FarmsLearn about the OneSC FundSimple Civics:Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good GreenvilleGet in touchSupport Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contributionSign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.View our entire catalogueSimple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Why do so many people still picture utilities as dusty infrastructure, monthly bills, and storm alerts, when in reality they sit at the centre of some of the most inventive work happening in our communities today? This question sets the stage for a conversation that opens the door to a world most listeners rarely see. In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I speak with Robb Dussault, Manager of Grid Edge Innovation at Duke Energy, who brings decades of experience in engineering, product development, customer programs, and safety innovation. Robb helps listeners understand how a modern utility actually works and why the future of energy depends on the ideas emerging from teams like his. From early work on hazardous switchgear to the rise of remote sensors, robots, drones, and even autonomous flaggers on road crews, Robb explains how practical questions about safety and reliability often drive innovation. He shares stories about customer research that shifted major programs, the growing influence of agile methods in a traditionally conservative field, and the value of checking every shiny idea against real human behaviour.  Listeners also hear how batteries, home energy storage, electric vehicles, and residential demand response are quietly reshaping the grid and changing the relationship between customers and utilities. Robb offers clear insight into how this shift toward interactive energy is accelerating far faster than most people realise. The conversation moves from early memories of intimidating power labs to a thoughtful look at what comes next for communities facing rising demand, new electrification trends, and pressure to deliver cleaner, more affordable energy. Robb shares his hopes for the next wave of innovation, the role of AI in sectors like healthcare, and why innovators in any industry should pay closer attention to customer needs before building ambitious pilots. It is a grounded, eye-opening dialogue that reveals the creativity and responsibility within the utility sector.  

On the first day of the GridFWD 2025 event, leadership from some of the nation's largest and most AI-engaged utilities joined a panel to tell our audience about their acceleration of AI use cases. Jason Glickman (EVP Engineering, Planning and Strategy, PG&E), Bonnie Titone (Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer, Duke Energy) and Peter Skantze (Senior VP of Infrastructure Development, NextEra Energy Resources) discuss how utilities and infrastructure developers can leverage AI for their own use and accommodate the added demand from large load customers, while ensuring that their systems remain resilient.

1020: What happens when the CIO responsible for powering AI also has to manage its energy demands? Richard Donaldson, SVP & CIO of Duke Energy, joins Technovation to discuss the unique position utilities now face: supporting exponential growth in data center power needs while simultaneously using AI to optimize grid performance, customer experience, and internal operations. In this episode, Richard and Peter explore: The intersection of AI and national energy infrastructure How one data center can require as much power as a nuclear reactor Strategies for responsible AI rollout and internal enablement Customer journey innovation in a highly regulated industry Why the utility CIO role is now central to digital transformation