Welcome to EPRI Current – your go-to source for the latest in energy innovation, research, and insights.
Your host, Samantha Gilman, meets with EPRI experts and industry leaders to unpack the energy sector’s most pressing challenges and promising opportunities. Through timely and thought-provoking conversations, the podcast explores critical themes including advanced energy technologies, grid reliability and flexibility, climate adaptation and resilience, the transformative role of artificial intelligence, the evolving economics and policies shaping energy systems, and more.
Whether you're an energy professional, policymaker, or curious listener, the EPRI Current brings you expert perspectives that highlight how innovation and collaboration are powering a more resilient and reliable energy future.
Tune in and be part of the journey as we shape the future of energy—together.
Latest Episodes
Beyond the Drone: How Robotics Are Transforming the Grid
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Dexter Lewis, EPRI; James Pierce, Ameren
How are robotics, drones, and AI reshaping utility operations? In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI's Dexter Lewis and Ameren's James Pierce about the growing role of robotics in electric utility inspections, the evolution of drone programs, and the opportunities and challenges ahead as utilities embrace more autonomous operations.
From robotic dogs and underwater inspection vehicles to drones that collect millions of images of grid assets, utilities are expanding the use of robotics to improve safety, reduce costs, and gain deeper insights into infrastructure health. Experts discuss how drone programs have matured from early pilot projects into enterprise-wide operations, including Ameren's extensive asset inspection efforts and pioneering beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights. They also dive into emerging FAA regulations, the growing need for industry best practices, and the role of AI in transforming massive volumes of inspection data into actionable intelligence. Tune in to hear how utilities are preparing for the next generation of autonomous inspections and digital grid management.
Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources:
- EPRI Discussing the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Part 108: Normalizing BVLOS UAS Operations
https://www.epri.com/research/programs/070605/events/ae161182-5208-4d67-82dc-bf529f97263a
- EPRI's Preparing for Part 108 Collaborative Research Project
https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002034053
- EPRI's Public Labeled Imagery Dataset Supporting AI Development
https://www.epri.com/thought-leadership/artificial-intelligence/data-sets/3qma0kn43rnn56ualbkmhg
Extreme Heat and the Future of Nuclear Reliability
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Kurt Crytzer, EPRI; Jonathan Black, EPRI
What do rising river temperatures, lower water levels, and jellyfish have in common? They're all emerging challenges for nuclear power plant operations. In this episode of EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Kurt Crytzer and Jonathan Black to explore how extreme heat is reshaping nuclear plant operations in Europe and beyond, and why water is one of the industry's most critical resources.
From rising water temperatures and lower river levels to changing aquatic ecosystems and even jellyfish blooms, they examine how extreme weather conditions can impact cooling systems, plant performance, and grid reliability. Experts highlight EPRI's research to help utilities better anticipate, monitor, and adapt to these challenges through advanced forecasting tools and resilience-focused solutions.
Interested in the topics discussed in this episode? Check out these EPRI resources:
- Intake Reliability Interest Group (IRIG): EPRI program focused on cooling water intake reliability and emerging operational challenges: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033455
- HOL A DELEJ?: Real-time dashboard of Hungary's power system and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant: https://holadelej.hu/en/
How Could Data Center Growth Affect Future Electricity Costs?
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Geoff Blanford, EPRI; Asa Watten, EPRI
This week on EPRI Current, we explore one of the energy sector’s most recently debated questions: Are data centers driving up electricity rates?
Host Samantha Gilman is joined by Geoff Blanford and Asa Watten of EPRI’s Energy Systems and Climate Analysis team to discuss new research examining the relationship between data center growth and consumer electricity costs. Drawing on a decade of data, they examine why the relationship between rising demand and rising rates may be more complex than many assume, and why, in some cases, load growth can help improve affordability by spreading grid costs across more customers.
The conversation also looks ahead to the future of AI-driven electricity demand, the challenges of building grid infrastructure fast enough to keep pace, and how flexible demand initiatives like EPRI’s DCFlex could help balance reliability, affordability, and growth. Tune in for a data-driven discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh insight into one of the industry's most important debates.
