Energy Beat Podcast

Kate Heidinger, CEO of Allumia, joins Ian to unpack one of the biggest puzzles facing utilities today: how do you manage load growth, improve customer outcomes, and modernize DSM programs—all at once?Kate shares her winding path into the energy world (including a disastrous solar thermal install she’ll never forget), why small businesses struggle to access deeper retrofits, and how Allumia’s “energy efficiency as a service” model helps utilities and customers capture real, verified savings.They dive into AI’s practical role in program administration, what “crawl, walk, run” looks like for utility innovation, and how Allumia teams up with implementers and utilities to unlock deeper, faster energy savings with less friction.A smart, human conversation about modernizing utility programs without losing the people-first touch that makes them work.To learn more about Allumia, visit www.allumia.com and connect with Kate on LinkedIn. And don't forget to join their problem solvers session at AESP Annual!

On this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, we explore how to build community-first grid resilience amid extreme weather and aging infrastructure. Don McPhail, VP of Market Development at eSmart Systems, sits down with Ian to discuss why traditional mitigation strategies aren't enough, how to approach critical infrastructure through a community lens, how AI can improve resilience planning, and more. Resources/recommendations mentioned in this episode:- Don recommends the book California Burning by Katherine Blunt- Ian recommends the Parks and Recreation episode, Emergency Response

Energy costs are rising, devices are getting smarter, and customers expect utilities to meet them with clear choices, not generic messaging. On this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, Ian chats with Alex Corneglio, VP of Product Management at Brillion, to unpack the importance of precise and proactive utility-customer outreach and the role that data plays in those communications. They cover how utilities can use data to better segment, target, and communicate with customers, how more effective customer connections benefit both the customer and the utility, and rethinking customer trust.

Green banks and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are rewriting the rulebook on climate finance, creating pathways for communities traditionally left behind by conventional lenders. These mission-driven organizations bring flexibility, creativity, and deep community connections to the table, allowing them to finance projects that might otherwise fall through the cracks.Shawna Cuan, Co-Founder and CEO of Sustain Energy Finance and Chris Kramer, a green lending consultant at CK Financing, join Ian to discuss the role of green lenders in the evolving climate finance space. Resources mentioned in this episode: The GB50 Network of Green BanksChris's maps of Utility-Financing Partnerships and CDFI Green Loan Products

Kevin Scarborough, Director of Energy Services at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA, and a member of the Energy Management Association, and Bob Knoedler, Vice President & Executive Consultant at Hanson Professional Services and a member of the AABC Commissioning Group join Ian Perterer and the Energy Beat Podcast to discuss how AI is affecting energy management for utilities and facilities managers. We cover impacts of AI on the grid, opportunities and challenges AI brings, and the need to incorporate the energy workforce into AI planning and strategies. For more information, the AI landscape for utilities, you can check out AESP’s State of AI in the Utility Industry report with research conducted in partnership with Bidgely Special thanks to AABC Commissioning Group for partnering with us on this episode. 

In this episode of the Energy Beat podcast, procurement expert Marvelene Jones joins Jen Szaro to discuss best practices around procurement for diverse suppliers. Marvelene shares insider knowledge gained from her nearly 30-year career in procurement, including strategic opportunity selection, building trust with communities, partnership dynamics, and more.

Phil shares his inspiring journey in establishing MD Energy Advisors, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, customer service, and effective networking in entrepreneurship. Through his experiences over the years, he highlights key strategies for navigating challenges, fostering relationships, and achieving profitability in a competitive market. • Journey from a small startup to a thriving energy solutions company • Emphasizing cash flow management and early profitability • The role of networking and associations in business growth • Customer service as a cornerstone of MD Energy Advisors' success • Insights on navigating the political landscape for future opportunities • Importance of hiring and maintaining a positive company culture

Discover the transformative world of clean energy workforce development with Paul Douglas, the dynamic president and CEO of the JPI Group. Join us as Paul shares his personal journey from a minority-focused workforce development program to leading one of the largest minority-owned companies in the energy efficiency sector. Explore how the JPI Group is harnessing state and federal funding to create high-paying jobs, bridge the wealth gap, and ensure underserved communities thrive. Learn about the challenges and triumphs in meeting Justice40 requirements and the essential role of genuine opportunities for minorities and small, minority-owned companies in today's energy landscape.Uncover the power of mentorship and inclusivity as we discuss the strategies that major companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook use to nurture talent and foster diverse, supportive work environments. This episode shines a light on the critical need for diverse recruiting teams and inclusive hiring practices in the rapidly growing clean energy sector. From personal stories of transformation to actionable insights, envision a future where clean energy jobs break generational cycles and make a meaningful impact on communities. Tune in for an engaging conversation that highlights the necessity of inclusivity and mentorship in driving industry growth and creating sustainable career paths.

In this episode of The Energy Beat Podcast, we dive deep into the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy management with special guest Dr. Bill Burke, CEO of Virtual Peaker. Get ready to explore how AI is not just a buzzword but a powerful tool transforming the energy industry from the ground up.We kick off by tracing the origins of AI in popular culture and quickly shift to the present day, where Bill shares his journey of founding Virtual Peaker in 2015. Hear about his ambitious vision to make energy demand as controllable as a gas turbine generator and how his company is turning that vision into reality. From the early days of programmable thermostats to the latest AI-driven innovations, Bill walks us through the evolution of demand management technology.Discover how AI is helping utilities manage the unpredictability of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Bill explains the role of machine learning in predicting energy consumption, balancing grid demand, and even optimizing when electric vehicles should charge to avoid overloading the grid. We also delve into the challenges of AI adoption, including the trust issues utilities face and the importance of seamless customer engagement.This episode is packed with insights on how AI can enhance customer support, predict grid constraints years in advance, and ultimately smooth the path towards a fully sustainable and efficient energy grid. Bill and host Jen Szaro discuss real-world applications of AI, like Virtual Peaker's top-line demand control technology, which offers precise control over energy demand and promises to delay costly infrastructure upgrades.Finally, we look ahead to the future—what does AI adoption in the energy sector look like over the next five years? How can utilities and consumers prepare for this technological shift? And what are the limitations of AI in solving the industry's biggest challenges?Whether you're an energy professional, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of how artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the way we produce, consume, and manage energy.🎧 Tune in to learn how AI is leading the charge towards a greener, more efficient energy future—no Terminator scenarios included!

Join Jen and Franklin Energy's Lee Ann Head and Elizabeth Turnbull as they detail a surprisingly complex suite of customer attitudes towards managed charging based on their recent research. This episode offers a deep dive into how consumer attitudes are shifting on managed charging solutions and how we as an industry will need to reexamine our approaches based on consumer attitudes.Discover demographic shifts and consumer preferences, key trends (such as the rise of female and older EV buyers), and dissect how we might revisit our managed charging plans based on their consumer research.