EPRI Current

Latest Episodes:

63. A Bat Week Special: Fat Bats and the Electric Sector’s Role in Conservation Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

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.

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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

62. What’s Next for Advanced Reactors? EPRI’s 2025 AR Roadmap Update Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

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 For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com.

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61. Hydrogen on the Horizon: Inside Ireland’s SH2AMROCK Hydrogen Valley Initiative Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Hydrogen is gaining momentum in Europe as a potential strategic energy carrier, and Ireland is stepping into the spotlight with its first hydrogen valley initiative – SH2AMROCK. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with Rory Monaghan from the University of Galway, Conor O’Dowd from the Port of Galway, and Maria Jaen from EPRI to discuss the vision behind SH2AMROCK and its role in reshaping Ireland’s energy landscape. The SH2AMROCK Project brings together public and private collaborators to deploy green hydrogen as part of the EU Horizon program for research and innovation. From digital twins to startup hubs, experts explore how hydrogen valleys can drive regional decarbonization and energy innovation. Learn how Galway’s unique geography, vibrant innovation ecosystem, and strong offshore wind potential make it an ideal launchpad for hydrogen infrastructure. Read more about Ireland’s hydrogen valley initiative: https://www.sh2amrock.eu/ For more information and episodes visit EPRI.com.

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60. Weathering the Storm: Hydropower and Climate Resilience Sep 29, 2025

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Hydropower plays a vital role in the U.S. energy mix, but how will its infrastructure hold up under a changing climate with evolving weather patterns? In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Jacob Mardian and Dr. Mark Christian to explore the future of hydropower in the face of extreme weather. Drawing from a recent nationwide hydropower study under EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative (Climate READi), guests discuss how extreme weather events, like droughts and floods, are impacting hydropower operations and infrastructure. The experts highlight the importance of proactive planning, data-driven risk assessments, and collaboration across sectors to ensure long-term reliability and safety. After analyzing more than 1,500 hydropower facilities nationwide, they offer insights into regional vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies, and the role of hydropower in a clean energy future. Explore how climate risks are impacting hydropower across the U.S. in EPRI’s latest study: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033642 For more information visit EPRI.com.

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59. What’s an Energy Wallet? Exploring EPRI’s Tool for Tracking Household Energy Spending Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

As energy demand rises and electrification accelerates, understanding household energy affordability is more important than ever. In this episode of the EPRI Current, Geoff Blanford from EPRI and Michael Kohlhaas from Con Edison join host Samantha Gilman to discuss the Energy Wallet – EPRI’s new holistic metric for capturing total household energy usage and spending, including gas, electricity, and transportation. The experts share findings from EPRI’s recent report, which projects a 36% decline in the average U.S. household energy spending by 2050, and highlights how utilities like Con Edison are using similar models to guide long-term planning and support communities. Tune in to learn how data-driven insights are shaping the future of energy affordability and resilience. Learn more about the Energy Wallet: https://energywallet.epri.com/ For more information visit EPRI.com.

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58. Tracking Tomorrow’s Tech: Inside EPRI’s Technology Radar and Pulse Report Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

Two years ago, EPRI launched the Technology Radar, an interactive resource for identifying and assessing emerging technologies shaping the energy industry. In this episode of the EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Steve Stella, Head of EPRI’s Technology Innovation Program, to explore how the Tech Radar and Tech Radar Pulse Report track the trajectories of over 70 technologies, including 19 newly added in the latest update. From space-based solar and carbon capture to solid-state batteries and hydrogen-based technologies, Steve shares how EPRI is analyzing technologies to uncover insights and inform stakeholders across regions and sectors. Focusing on affordability, decarbonization, and energy security, the Pulse Report offers a dynamic, crowdsourced view of what’s next across short, mid, and long-term horizons. Tune in to learn how these tools are helping the industry stay ahead of the curve. Stay tuned for the latest Technology Radar Pulse Report, coming soon. For more information visit EPRI.com.

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57. The Inflection Point: Accelerating Efficiency with AI Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

The energy sector is at a critical inflection point, defined by automation, intelligence, and the integration of AI into energy systems. As grid demands intensify, AI is unlocking transformative solutions, from electrifying economies to integrating renewables and defending against cyber threats. Industry leaders Bilal Khursheed from Microsoft, Jens Madrian from ENOWA, and Jeremy Renshaw from EPRI join host Samantha Gilman to explore how AI is reshaping the future of energy with EPRI’s Open Power AI Consortium (OPAI) – a collaborative platform among 100+ utilities, labs, hyperscalers, and startups to accelerate AI adoption in the power sector. Tune in to learn how shared models, domain-specific sandboxes, and high-quality data are driving real-time grid operations, optimized performance, and enhanced reliability. For more information visit EPRI.com.

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56. The Balancing Act: Legacy Assets, Renewables, and Reliability Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

With an evolving energy landscape, utilities are navigating the complex challenge of balancing legacy assets with the growing integration of renewables while ensuring reliability, affordability, and sustainability. On this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by Jake Courville from Entergy and Mike Caravaggio from EPRI to discuss the evolving generation fleet, the role of legacy and renewable sources, and maintaining reliable and affordable energy delivery amid increasing climate risks. From workforce readiness to equipment reliability, they explore how EPRI is helping utilities scale wind and solar while balancing legacy fleets, and how utilities like Entergy are using every tool in the toolbox to deliver safe, reliable energy to customers and communities. For more information visit EPRI.com.

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55. Powering Through: How Power Companies Can Weather the 2025 Hurricane Season Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

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 adaptation. For more information visit EPRI.com.

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54. Balancing AI Growth with Grid Flexibility: Inside EPRI’s DCFlex Initiative Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

Guests: David Porter and Briana Kobor

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