This episode explores the critical elements of managing in utility companies in the modern era. Together with my guest, Greg Downs, a utility management veteran and passionate proponent of authentic leadership, we explore the changing culture of utility companies, managing young teams with different expectations and how to lead with authenticity and corporate alignment.

Key Discussion Points:

• Talent Alignment: Why understanding individual strengths and interests is crucial for effective remote team building.
• Goal Congruence: How to strategically match team member talents with specific project objectives for optimal results.
• The Power of Engagement: The importance of providing challenging and interesting work to keep remote team members motivated and invested.
• "Trust But Verify" in Action: Practical strategies for trusting your remote team while implementing effective methods for tracking progress and ensuring quality.

Actionable Insights:

• Conduct individual talent assessments to understand team member strengths.
• Design project roles that leverage specific skills and interests.
• Implement clear goals and expectations with measurable outcomes.
• Establish transparent communication channels and feedback loops.

In this conversation, Peter Kelly-Detwiler discusses the latest advancements in electric generation technology, focusing on the integration of renewable energy sources, the challenges faced in transmission, and the role of AI in accelerating technological development. He emphasizes the importance of long-term storage solutions for renewable energy and the commercial viability of new technologies in the energy market. In this conversation, Peter Kelly-Detwiler discusses innovative energy storage solutions, particularly focusing on a new technology that utilizes rusting iron to store energy. He also explores the future of nuclear energy, emphasizing the potential of small modular reactors and the advancements in nuclear fusion technology. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, including the need for better communication about emerging technologies and the importance of public perception. Finally, he provides resources for listeners interested in learning more about energy technologies and trends.

takeaways

• We're at an inflection point regarding carbon emissions.
• Adoption of new technologies is crucial for energy transition.
• Resistance to new transmission lines is a significant challenge.
• Synthetic inertia is essential for grid stability.
• AI can drive advancements in material science for energy solutions.
• Data centers are pushing for new carbon-free resources.
• Long-term storage is vital for renewable energy reliability.
• Flow batteries offer scalable energy storage solutions.
• New sodium-based batteries are emerging in the market.
• Commercial viability often depends on finding high-value use cases. They created golf ball sized pellets of iron for energy storage.
• The storage technology is rated for a hundred hours.
• Form Energy's battery can bridge gaps between wind and solar.
• The round trip efficiency of the new technology is around 40%.
• People often take a snapshot view of technology failures.
• Modular nuclear reactors can be built in factories for better quality control.
• Nuclear fusion has the potential to be a revolutionary energy source.
• Commonwealth Fusion is a leading company in fusion technology.
• The timeline for practical fusion energy could be within the next decade.
• Peter offers resources for those interested in energy technologies.

The U.S. electric grid is under pressure from skyrocketing demand—data centers, EVs, industrial growth—but do we really need massive transmission and generation expansions? In this episode, Tyler Norris breaks down how flexible load strategies can optimize existing infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks, and accelerate interconnection following the release of his white paper "Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems"

Link to the whitepaper: https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/sites/default/files/publications/rethinking-load-growth.pdf

🔌 Listen now to rethink what’s possible for the power grid! #GridModernization #EnergyInfrastructure #FlexibleLoad #Utilities #Podcast