Energy Central

Check out our latest YouTube video diving into the "nuclear is back" headlines!

12 hours ago | [YT] | 1

Energy Central

Nuclear energy is making headlines declaring its comeback! But did nuclear ever really go away?

In this episode, Energy Central's Matt Chester unpacks what’s behind nuclear’s renewed moment in the spotlight. He traces the industry from its massive buildout in the 20th century through Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, and explores the role nuclear has quietly continued to play on the U.S. grid.

He also digs into what’s changing now.

Watch now to learn what’s behind nuclear’s comeback, what utilities need to know about public perception, and what’s to come in the next decade.

1 day ago | [YT] | 2

Energy Central

No weekend plans? We've got the perfect idea for you. This week, we posted a conversation with City Labs CEO Peter Cabauy to explore the emerging world of nuclear micro power. This technology can help build the infrastructure needed to explore Moon and Mars and the deep sea. Watch the full episode out now on our YouTube!

5 days ago | [YT] | 1

Energy Central

What if a nuclear battery the size of a grain of rice could power critical sensors for decades—or help build the infrastructure needed to explore the Moon and Mars?

In this episode of Energy Central’s Power Perspectives Podcast, host Molly Glick sits down with City Labs CEO Peter Cabauy to explore the emerging world of nuclear micropower. City Labs develops long-lasting betavoltaic power sources that generate electricity offering continuous power for applications where conventional batteries and solar energy can fall short.

The conversation follows City Labs’ journey from an idea inspired by quantum physics to a major milestone: launching what the company calls the world’s first commercial nuclear-powered satellite aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-17 mission.

Peter explains how betavoltaic technology works, why tiny amounts of continuous power can be valuable, and where City Labs sees opportunities—from sensors embedded across the power grid to pacemakers, lunar infrastructure, Mars exploration, and deep-space missions. He also discusses the regulatory and technical hurdles involved in bringing nuclear technology to space.

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Energy Central

Today’s episode of Power Perspectives tackles one of the most contentious issues in the energy industry today: should states pause the rapid expansion of AI data centers?

Energy Central’s Molly Glick and Carrie Klein break down New York's first-in-the-nation temporary data center moratorium, why more than a dozen states are considering similar policies, and the arguments on both sides of the debate.

The conversation explores concerns over rising electricity costs, grid reliability, water use, and whether ratepayers should bear the cost of powering AI infrastructure. At the same time, they examine the economic benefits data centers can bring through jobs, investment, and innovation.

Whether you're for or against data center moratoriums, this discussion offers a balanced look at one of the biggest policy debates shaping the future of AI and the electric grid.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Energy Central

The North American grid remains one of the most reliable in the world—but is that changing?

As electricity demand surges from AI data centers, electrification, and new manufacturing, utilities are racing to keep pace while balancing an increasingly complex mix of resources. So how reliable is the grid today? Where are the biggest risks emerging? And what needs to happen to keep the lights on over the next decade?

In this episode of Power Perspectives, Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and System Analysis at NERC, to unpack the organization's latest long-term reliability assessment. They discuss why some regions face greater reliability risks than others, how the rapid growth of wind, solar, batteries, and data centers is reshaping grid planning, and why data centers may actually strengthen reliability if integrated thoughtfully. Moura also explains why traditional planning metrics are becoming outdated and what utilities, regulators, and policymakers should do now to build a more reliable grid for the future.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

Energy Central

Wildfire risk is changing—and so is the way utilities respond. In this episode of Power Perspectives, we take an inside look at Arizona Public Service's first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and the high-stakes decision-making behind intentionally turning off power to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Host Matt Chester is joined by Wade Ward, Manager of Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Science at Arizona Public Service, and Steve Vanderburgh, Vice President of Weather & Risk Solutions at Technosylva. 

Together, they explain how advanced weather modeling, wildfire analytics, and operational planning helped guide one of the utility's most difficult decisions. They also discuss how utilities can balance reliability with public safety, why today's wildfire threat extends far beyond California, and what lessons every utility can apply before the next extreme weather event.

Watch the full episode now!

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Energy Central

New podcast episode out! Mike Wilding, Vice President of Energy Supply Management at PacifiCorp, explores the Extended Day Ahead Market (EDAM) and how it could reshape electricity markets across the western United States.

https://youtu.be/tsXGg212zz8?si=9gSM1...

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Energy Central

What's the most underrated investment utilities should be making right now?

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Energy Central

Next week, we’re sitting down with a C-Suite member of a major utility whose role is focused on resilience and emergency preparedness / response. We'll be talking about one of the biggest challenges facing the grid today: how to keep customers and communities safe, prepared, and resilient when the unexpected happens.

What questions would you want us to ask? Drop them in the comments — whether it is about storm response, emergency planning, wildfire risk, grid resilience, or how utilities are preparing for a more unpredictable future.

2 months ago | [YT] | 0