Power Perspectives

Editorial episodes of Power Perspectives, the Energy Central podcast.

What The Rise of Plug-In Solar Means for Your Utility

Plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar, is gaining popularity as homeowners look for affordable ways to generate their own electricity. But could this growing technology pose unexpected risks to consumers and the power grid?

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What political candidates are getting wrong about the climate conversation

Energy costs, AI data centers, and grid reliability are becoming major issues in the 2026 midterm elections. But some of the most consequential decisions about America's energy future aren't being made in Washington. They're happening in state legislatures, local elections, and public utility commissions.

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Should your utility be using AI agents?

What could AI agents actually do for a utility today? Power Perspectives host Matt Chester talks to AI strategist Jeff Wilser about the work beyond the buzzword.

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How Clean Energy Became a Republican Issue, Too

Heather Reams spent about a decade working to bring more Republicans into the conversation around climate and clean energy policy.

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The Clean Energy Transition, Explained Through Football

In this episode of Power Perspectives, Ahmed Moussa, founder of Electric Bridge Consulting, uses football to break down the path toward 100% clean energy. He explains why utilities can’t rely on a “Hail Mary” approach and instead need to move strategically down the field, balancing reliability, resilience and affordability along the way. We also explore where utilities are today, how AI and data centers are changing the game, and what utility leaders should prioritize next.

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What Alaska Can Teach Us About the Future of the Grid

What can a remote Alaskan town teach the rest of the power industry about building the grid of the future?

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Google’s Energy Head Says We’re Thinking About AI All Wrong

AI is transforming the utility industry rapidly, but does that mean it’s going to eliminate all utility jobs?

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Harvard Law Expert Explains How AI Data Centers Could Change Your Electricity Bill

AI data centers are driving unprecedented electricity demand—but who should pay for it all?

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The truth about nuclear's comeback

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

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This Tiny Nuclear Battery Could Unlock the Next Era of Space Exploration

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?

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Inside the Heated AI Data Center Debate

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

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Can Data Centers Actually Lower Your Electric Bill?

As electricity demand surges and customer bills come under increasing pressure, utilities are being challenged to balance affordability, reliability, and economic growth. But can bringing more data centers and large industrial customers onto the grid actually help lower costs for everyone else?

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Why Keeping The Lights On Is Getting Harder

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

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The New Market That Could Make Power Cheaper

As electricity demand grows and the grid becomes more complex, utilities are looking for smarter ways to deliver reliable, affordable power.

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From wildfires to the Olympics: Inside one utility's resilience overhaul

In January 2025, the LA wildfires became one of the most destructive weather events in American history—and LADWP, the largest municipally-owned utility in the United States, had to respond in real time...while simultaneously planning for the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics.

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Can DERs save the power grid?

Over 80% of installed DER capacity isn't enrolled in a virtual power plant. The technology is ready. The economics are increasingly compelling. What's missing is the regulatory alignment and system-wide planning to bring it all together.

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Why data centers should run on solar—not gas

Renewables are now the cheapest source of electricity in history—cheaper than gas, cheaper than coal, and with prices still dropping fast. So why are utilities still planning like the economics haven't changed?

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Inside the biggest utility corruption scandal in decades

Ohio’s House Bill 6 scandal has become one of the most consequential utility corruption cases in US history, and its fallout is still shaping politics, regulation, and public trust in the energy sector.

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Utilities are getting their messaging all wrong...here's how to fix it

California has long been the proving ground for America’s energy transition, and it’s also where the politics, culture, and storytelling around that transition are being tested in real time. Messaging comes from all corners of the public landscape, including movies, sports, and video games, in addition to the institutions like utilities. Where is there potential to do more with that storytelling?

Power Perspectives

Power Perspectives

What The Rise of Plug-In Solar Means for Your Utility

What political candidates are getting wrong about the climate conversation

Should your utility be using AI agents?

How Clean Energy Became a Republican Issue, Too

The Clean Energy Transition, Explained Through Football

What Alaska Can Teach Us About the Future of the Grid

Google’s Energy Head Says We’re Thinking About AI All Wrong

Harvard Law Expert Explains How AI Data Centers Could Change Your Electricity Bill

The truth about nuclear's comeback

This Tiny Nuclear Battery Could Unlock the Next Era of Space Exploration

Inside the Heated AI Data Center Debate

Can Data Centers Actually Lower Your Electric Bill?

Why Keeping The Lights On Is Getting Harder

The New Market That Could Make Power Cheaper

From wildfires to the Olympics: Inside one utility's resilience overhaul

Can DERs save the power grid?

Why data centers should run on solar—not gas

Inside the biggest utility corruption scandal in decades

Utilities are getting their messaging all wrong...here's how to fix it

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