Welcome to EPRI Current – bringing you the latest on new and evolving research and findings on the generation, delivery and use of electricity, and how this work benefits society as we shape the future of energy.
Your host, Samantha Gilman, talks to EPRI experts and industry guests who provide insight, context and science-based observations on what’s new – and what is yet to come – in the energy transition.
Latest Episodes
Powering Through: How Power Companies Can Weather the 2025 Hurricane Season
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Andrea Staid, Technical Leader III, EPRI; Erik Smith, Technical Leader I, EPRI
As of June 1, the North Atlantic Basin officially entered the 2025 hurricane season. NOAA's 2025 forecasts project a 60% chance of an above-normal season, anticipating 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and up to 5 major hurricanes. As Peak season approaches, utilities face increasing pressure to prepare.
On the latest episode of the EPRI current, EPRI experts Andrea Staid and Erik Smith join host Samantha Gilman to explore how power companies can build resilience and maintain reliability amid intensifying storms. They tackle key questions: How accurate are hurricane forecasts? How should power companies plan around the unknown? How do regional differences shape preparedness strategies? The conversation highlights EPRI's Climate READi initiative, which provides science-based guidance to help utilities assess hazard risks, support operational decisions, and plan for long-term climate adaption.
Balancing AI Growth with Grid Flexibility: Inside EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: David Porter, VP of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy; Briana Kobor, Head of Energy Market Innovation at Google.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is propelling us into a new era of innovation that has the potential to transform daily life and drive economic growth. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by David Porter, EPRI’s VP of Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy, and Briana Kobor, Head of Energy Market Innovation at Google. They discuss strategies to realize the benefits of AI while minimizing costs and ensuring grid reliability, featuring insights from DCFlex – a new EPRI initiative to make data centers more flexible and responsive to grid needs. From demand flexibility to utility collaboration and scalable solutions, the conversation highlights the role of cross-sector teamwork in ensuring grid reliability while advancing AI and energy goals.
Why the Wait? Unpacking Gas Turbine Delays
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Bobby Noble, Sr. Program Manager, EPRI
Around the world, the energy sector faces a shared challenge: significant delays in acquiring gas turbines, a critical technology for grid expansion. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman sits down with EPRI Sr. Program Manager Bobby Noble to explore a topical question for industry stakeholders and EPRI members: Why are the wait times for gas turbines so long? Bobby sheds light on the implications of a 5-year wait time, addressing the leading causes behind these delays, EPRI’s efforts to support and inform the industry, and practical measures the industry can implement to expand near-term capabilities using existing assets.
