EPRI Current

65. Exploring the AI-EFFECT on Europe’s Energy Future

As artificial intelligence is transforming the energy sector, Europe is laying the groundwork for secure and scalable innovation. The AI-EFFECT project is establishing a European Testing and Experimentation Facility to develop, test, and validate AI applications for critical energy infrastructures. Funded by Horizon Europe, the project aims to integrate AI into critical energy infrastructures to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance resilience, and support decarbonization efforts.     In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Alexandra Bach from RWTH Aachen University, Meine van der Meulen from DNV, and Gianluca Lipari from EPRI Europe to explore Work Package 2 of the AI-EFFECT – the architecture and building blocks that enable distributed nodes across multiple countries. Tune in to discover why interoperability, intellectual property protection, and collaboration are essential for accelerating AI adoption in the energy sector. Plus, learn how EPRI’s global initiatives, including Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI) and AI benchmarking, are shaping the future of AI for utilities.     For more information about AI-EFFECT and AI in the power industry: * AI-EFFECT: https://europe.epri.com/project/ai-effect [https://europe.epri.com/project/ai-effect] * OPAI: https://msites.epri.com/opai [https://msites.epri.com/opai] * AI Benchmarking: https://interactive.epri.com/wattworks [https://interactive.epri.com/wattworks] * EPRI Europe: https://europe.epri.com/ [https://europe.epri.com/]   For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com [https://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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/]  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews [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 [http://www.epri.com/]

Grid Talk Series – Meeting Surging Energy Demand with Innovation and Resilience

Hosts Marty Rosenberg and Samantha Gilman introduce the Grid Talk Series on the EPRI Current. In this inaugural episode, Marty speaks with Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd, about the unprecedented transformation of the electric grid. Gil explains how surging demand from data centers, electrification, and manufacturing reshoring is reshaping ComEd’s strategy – and why the next decade will bring more change than the past century. Learn about ComEd’s multi-year grid modernization plan, the role of AI in boosting reliability, and how community solar, microgrids, and climate adaptation will define the future. From cybersecurity to workforce evolution, this conversation reveals what it takes to build a dynamic, interactive grid that powers communities.   At the end of the episode, join host Samantha Gilman for “EPRI’s Take” with Morgan Scott, VP of Global Partnerships and Outreach. They discuss rising energy demand and the need to keep energy affordable for customers, emphasizing EPRI’s focus on flexibility and climate-informed planning to build resilience into grid investments from the start.     For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com [https://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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/]  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews [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 [http://www.epri.com/]

64. Resilience in the Power Sector: Insights from Industry Leaders

Ahead of the Power Resilience Forum (PRF), industry leaders reflect on what it takes to build a climate-ready grid. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gillman speaks with Julia Hamm from the Ad Hoc Group and EPRI’s Morgan Scott about how utilities, regulators, and innovators are adapting grid planning and operations to become more resilient to extreme weather events.     They share personal experiences with hurricanes and superstorms, highlighting EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) initiative – a comprehensive framework to assess physical climate risk across the power system. They also preview the upcoming PRF, hosted by The Ad Hoc Group and Latitude Media in collaboration with EPRI. Designed to convene leaders from across the industry, the PRF aims to promote collaboration and climate-informed planning. Tune in to learn about how proactive investment, cross-sector collaboration, and climate-informed planning are shaping a resilient energy future.       For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com [https://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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/]  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews [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 [http://www.epri.com/]

63. A Bat Week Special: Fat Bats and the Electric Sector’s Role in Conservation

The EPRI Current celebrates Bat Week by highlighting a surprising yet vital connection: the electric sector is working with conservationists to protect bats from a deadly disease. Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems, and their survival is increasingly threatened by a fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.     In this episode, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI’s Christian Newman and Dr. Winifred Frick from Bat Conservation International to unpack the “Fat Bat” project – a collaborative effort to combat white-nose syndrome using UV light “bug buffets” to help bats bulk up before hibernation, boosting their chances of survival. With insights into bat ecology, conservation strategies, industry partnerships, and bats' role in pollination (including tequila production), this episode showcases how cross-sector collaboration is helping protect these vital pollinators and pest controllers. Plus, learn about The Invisible Mammal, a new documentary featuring the project.     For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com [https://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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/]  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews [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 [http://www.epri.com/]

62. What’s Next for Advanced Reactors? EPRI’s 2025 AR Roadmap Update

The nuclear industry is in an era of rapid innovation and deployment. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gillman is joined by Alison Krager Hahn from NEI and Chad Boyer from EPRI to revisit the 2023 episode on the Advanced Reactor (AR) Roadmap, assessing the industry's recent progress with advanced technologies and where it's headed next. Developed as a collaborative framework, the roadmap serves as a strategic guide for the successful commercialization and large-scale deployment of advanced reactor designs.      Alison and Chad unpack the 2025 roadmap update, highlighting strides in emergency preparedness, fuel supply, and workforce development. They explore the growing role of data centers and industrial decarbonization in shaping demand and discuss how policy shifts and bipartisan support are accelerating deployment. With insights into how industry-wide collaboration is shaping the future, they offer a timely look at how advanced reactors are positioned to meet rising energy demands, and how the roadmap is guiding the way.     To explore the AR Roadmap, visit https://ant.epri.com/roadmap [https://ant.epri.com/roadmap]     For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com [https://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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/epri/]  Twitter https://twitter.com/EPRINews [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 [http://www.epri.com/]