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
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.
Read the full working paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.19777
Summary and key insights available here: https://restservice.epri.com/publicattachment/98650
Explore related EPRI research:
- Win-Win Watts: https://winwin.epri.com/
- Energy Wallet https://energywallet.epri.com/
- DCFlex Initiative: https://dcflex.epri.com/
What a “Super El Niño” Could Mean for the Power Sector
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Erik Smith, EPRI
A potential “super El Niño” is making headlines, and for the power sector, it comes with real implications. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with EPRI climate scientist Erik Smith about what’s driving the latest forecasts and how changing ocean conditions could shape weather patterns in the months ahead.
From increased precipitation in California to drought risk in the Pacific Northwest and a potentially quieter Atlantic hurricane season, the discussion explores how a strong El Niño can shape regional outcomes. It also highlights how EPRI’s climate analytics and research – including the Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) Initiative – are equipping utilities to plan across seasonal to multi-year horizons. As forecasts evolve, the episode emphasizes the importance of staying alert, adaptable, and prepared for how quickly conditions can change.
To learn more about EPRI’s Climate READi, visit: https://apps.epri.com/climate-readi-compass/en/.
