The Power Up Podcast

Reinventing The Electric Grid

What if the biggest challenge facing the power industry isn’t technology, but trust? In this episode, Tim sits down with Michael Lee to explore “Retail 2.0,” the rise of distributed energy, and why the future grid depends on flexibility, customer engagement, and smarter orchestration, not just more infrastructure. From AI-driven demand to shifting incentives, this conversation challenges how we think about building the grid of the future. -- Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac Topic: What happens when the grid shifts from a one-way system to a dynamic, customer-driven platform? Overview: As the energy landscape evolves, the path forward may not be about building more, but using what we have more intelligently. This episode explores how flexibility, coordination, and trust could redefine the future of power. Highlights: * The rise of “Retail 2.0” and why customer flexibility is the new competitive edge * How distributed energy resources (DERs) can reshape grid economics * Why trust, not technology, may be the industry’s biggest barrier * The impact of AI, data centers, and electrification on demand growth * Rethinking utility business models: from infrastructure builders to platform orchestrators

The Sustainable Grid – Balancing Reliability, Resilience, and Reality

In this special Earth Day episode, Tim and Sara take a step back from the headlines to explore one of the biggest levers we have to impact the planet: electricity. Because while Earth Day often brings to mind recycling, planting trees, or driving less, the reality is that nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity and heat production making the power sector central to any meaningful progress on sustainability. So, what’s actually moving the needle? Featuring insights from industry expert Mike Grable, this episode dives into the real-world challenges behind building a more sustainable grid from integrating renewables and scaling storage to managing explosive demand growth driven by AI and data centers. Along the way, Tim and Sara keep things grounded with a mix of optimism, hard truths, and a few reality checks, unpacking what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry still has work to do. -- Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac Topic: What does sustainability really look like for the grid and can we achieve it without compromising reliability and affordability? Overview:As the push for cleaner energy accelerates, utilities are navigating a complex balancing act. Sustainability today isn’t just about reducing carbon — it’s about delivering resilient, reliable, and affordable power in a world of growing demand and increasing uncertainty. Highlights: * Why electricity is one of the biggest drivers of global emissions and opportunity  * How sustainability and reliability are becoming fundamentally linked  * The realities of integrating renewables, storage, and new technologies  * What extreme weather events have taught us about grid resilience  * The growing impact of AI, electrification, and data center demand  * Why the energy transition is a mix of technologies, trade-offs, and timing

Power Under Pressure: Women Shaping the Future of Utility Leadership

What if the moment that changed your life also defined your life’s work? In this episode, Sara sits down with emergency management leader Mona Freels, whose career began at just nine years old after surviving a house fire that trapped her family inside. That experience led her to the Red Cross and ultimately to more than three decades of leadership across nonprofit, public, and utility sectors. Mona shares how emergency management has evolved into a formal profession, what it takes to lead during high-stakes crises, and why the most effective leaders aren’t chasing titles; they’re focused on mastering their craft. Hosts Sara and Tim also explore how utilities are adapting to increasingly complex emergencies, from wildfires to cascading infrastructure impacts, and why communication and coordination matter more than ever. -- Hosts: Sara Tupac & Tim Stafford Topic: How purpose-driven leadership, strong communication, and cross-sector coordination shape effective emergency management in an era of increasing risk. Overview: Emergency management isn’t just about responding to disasters. It’s about preparation, partnerships, and making critical decisions with incomplete information. This episode explores how utilities and emergency leaders can better support communities when it matters most. Highlights: * How a childhood house fire led Mona to a lifelong career in emergency management * Why leadership starts with self-awareness, not job titles * The unique strengths women bring to crisis leadership * How utilities prepare for complex, high-impact emergencies * Why “one voice” communication can make or break a response * The role of partnerships and interdependencies across critical infrastructure * How to stay calm, make decisions quickly, and support teams under pressure

The Burning Platform for Change

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more complex to manage — especially as communities expand deeper into the wildland-urban interface. In this episode, Tim sits down with firefighter and EMT Dave Uhler for a candid conversation about what really happens in the critical moments after a wildfire ignition. Drawing on his experience responding to emergencies across the Pacific Northwest, Dave shares how fire seasons are changing, why timing and situational awareness are everything on the front lines, and what utilities and first responders must do to work together more effectively. Hosts Tim and Sara also bring their usual mix of energy trivia and industry insights — from wildfire prevention myths to the surprising role humans play in starting most fires. -- Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac Topic: Why communication and coordination between utilities and first responders can determine whether a wildfire stays small — or becomes catastrophic. Overview: Wildfire mitigation isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about relationships, communication, and the speed of information when every minute matters. Highlights: * How wildfire seasons are changing and why fires are burning longer and hotter * What firefighters need most from utilities during active incidents * Why detection speed and de-energization timing can change the outcome of a fire * The operational challenges of responding around energized infrastructure * The critical role of communication between utilities, emergency services, and communities

Nostradamus…What Are Your Predictions for 2026?

As the energy industry turns the page to 2026, Tim and Sara look ahead at what’s coming next for the grid — from rising demand and renewable integration to the growing role of AI. This episode blends forward-looking insights with a little fun, including surprising home energy facts, a lightning round, and a few spirited debates about duck curves, elephant bellies, and “negawatts.” The conversation features Remi Raphael, Chief AI Officer at EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), who shares how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of power systems and what utilities should be preparing for now. -- Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac Topic: What will it take to power a more electric, data-driven, and AI-enabled world in 2026 and beyond? Overview: For the first time in decades, electricity demand is accelerating — driven by data centers, electrification, and emerging technologies. Utilities must strengthen grid resilience, integrate diverse energy resources, and adopt new tools to operate faster and smarter. This episode explores the trends, myths, and technologies that will define the next phase of the energy transition. Highlights: o Why the grid’s “New Year’s resolution” should be resilience and flexibility o The biggest myths about renewable energy — and why reliability is achievable o How flexible demand, storage, and forecasting can reshape the duck curve o Why nuclear remains a critical source of carbon-free generation o What “negawatts” really mean for capacity and reliability markets o How AI-powered agents could help utilities respond faster than humans ever could Featuring insights from EPRI Chief AI Officer Remi Raphael, this episode offers a thoughtful — and entertaining — look at where power, technology, and innovation are headed as we move into 2026.