Shows
Energy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPJM Capacity Auction Results As Bad As Feared, Portending a Grim Future For CustomersThe energy landscape is transforming rapidly, with remarkable developments across multiple sectors reshaping how we generate, distribute, and consume power. Oregon leads the charge in grid modernization with groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that will enable both private and community microgrids, creating designated zones where these localized energy systems can flourish. Meanwhile, Native Hawaiians on Oahu are gaining access to affordable clean energy through innovative microgrids combining solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers at just 18 cents per kilowatt-hour—less than half the standard utility rate.On the global stage, China has begun construction on a mammoth $167 billion hyd...2025-07-2905 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner World$20 Billion Energy Shockwave: Nuclear Revival, AI Grids & EV Takeover!A potential nuclear revival emerges as Santee Cooper selects top contenders from fourteen proposals to complete the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear reactors in South Carolina. After $9 billion spent and construction halted in 2017, the site remains in "mostly excellent condition" according to recent inspections, breathing new life into nuclear energy's prospects. Meanwhile, Constellation Energy eyes new nuclear development in upstate New York, capitalizing on Governor Hochul's directive for at least one gigawatt of new nuclear power in the state.The battle over critical energy infrastructure intensifies with the $11 billion Grain Belt Express transmission project caught in political...2025-07-2106 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldU.S. Reverses Climate Bill, China’s Solar Surge & 7-Year Turbine BacklogThe energy landscape is experiencing a seismic shift with the passage of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" into law. This dramatic policy reversal dismantles much of the Biden-era renewable energy initiatives, triggering the cancellation of tens of gigawatts of renewable projects and creating what promises to be persistently tight power markets for years to come.The ripple effects are already visible throughout the energy sector. Major turbine manufacturers like GE Vernova, Mitsubishi, and Siemens face overwhelming demand with wait times stretching up to seven years and prices jumping by 50% in less than a year. With natural gas...2025-07-0803 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldGoogle, Gates & the Energy Tech Revolution: Fusion, Fission, and the FutureThe clean energy landscape is transforming rapidly as major tech companies stake their claims in next-generation power sources. Google has made a significant move by signing a power purchase agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems for 200 megawatts from their planned Virginia facility, showing serious confidence in fusion technology's commercial potential by the early 2030s.Advanced nuclear energy continues to gain momentum with Bill Gates-backed TerraPower securing a massive $650 million in funding, with NVIDIA's venture arm among the investors. Their innovative sodium-cooled reactor design paired with molten salt storage promises flexible power output of up to 500 megawatts. Meanwhile, X-Energy...2025-07-0204 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldAWS, Meta & the Military Go Nuclear: New Energy Deals Reshape the GridThe energy landscape is transforming rapidly as tech giants forge ahead with ambitious power supply strategies for their ever-expanding data center operations. Amazon Web Services has secured a monumental 1,920-megawatt agreement with Talon Energy to tap Pennsylvania's Susquehanna nuclear facility through 2042, cleverly restructuring a previously rejected proposal into a front-of-meter framework that sidesteps federal approval requirements.Meanwhile, Meta is pursuing multiple paths to power security. In Ohio, they've received approval for a $1.6 billion behind-the-meter gas-fired facility featuring 31 generating units that will remain completely isolated from the grid. Simultaneously, they're partnering with XGS Energy to develop 150 megawatts of...2025-06-1605 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldEV Grid Breakthrough, $2.9M Battery Grant, & Meta’s Massive Nuclear DealThe future of energy is unfolding through innovative solutions that merge transportation, storage, and grid management into integrated systems. Utrecht's groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid network demonstrates this perfectly—transforming electric vehicles into mobile power plants that balance renewable energy while providing shared mobility services. This dual-purpose approach could revolutionize how we think about EVs, changing them from mere transportation to crucial components of our energy infrastructure.Meanwhile, advancements in sodium battery technology offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion dominance. Unigrid's new manufacturing facility in California represents a significant step toward commercializing these salt-based batteries that boast exceptional longevity, safety, an...2025-06-1205 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldThe Solar Duck Is Too Fat?! California’s Grid Crisis + Texas & Louisiana ShakeupsRenewable energy curtailment has hit new highs in California, with the state forced to turn away 3.4 million megawatt hours of clean electricity in 2024 - a 29% jump from the previous year. The solar "duck curve" continues to deepen as midday generation vastly outpaces demand, especially during spring months when solar output soars but air conditioning needs remain low. This imbalance leaves grid operators in a precarious position, requiring some gas plants to keep running during peak solar hours just to ensure they can ramp up quickly enough when evening demand spikes.Looking forward, California is taking steps to...2025-06-0305 min
Climate+ | Purpose and Prosperity in an Unprecedented WorldClimate+ | 39 | Peter Kelly-Detwiler @ Northbridge Partners𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 -- 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 -- 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝?In this episode of Climate+ Podcast, Lincoln and Peter Kelly-Detwiler discuss the complexities of decarbonizing the electricity grid, exploring historical developments, the evolution of utility management, and the challenges posed by renewable energy integration. They emphasize the importance of understanding the physics of electricity consumption and the shifting perspectives of customers. The conversation also highlights emerging technologies, interconnection challenges, and investment opportunities in energy solutions, while stressing the need for a deeper understanding of atmospheric chemistry in addressing climate change.2025-05-2941 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner World$20B Nuclear Bet, $1B Fusion Boost, & Solar Grid WarsThe energy landscape is rapidly evolving in mid-2025, with groundbreaking developments that could reshape our energy future. Canadian nuclear ambitions come with a hefty price tag as Ontario Power Generation reveals its planned 300-megawatt small modular reactor will cost $7.7 billion Canadian—significantly more expensive than conventional generation. Meanwhile, NuScale Power reports manufacturing progress and potential deals that could see its modular reactors operational by 2030, while fusion startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems secures over $1 billion in funding from data center developers and tech giants to accelerate its timeline for commercial fusion.A troubling security development has emerged as...2025-05-2006 min
Computer Talk with TABComputer Talk 5-10-25 HR 2Peter Kelly-Detwiler is the Co-Founder of NorthBridge Energy Partners LLC, an independent consulting organization with expertise and perspective on US energy markets. Will explain the Spain Power Outage last Week. Win 11 Updated but my memory integrity is off, More Energy Talk, Win 11 issue my TPM not Active, Got Cyber Insurance? Your Ransomware attack might be more costly! Brother Printer solution?2025-05-1039 min
Deep Dives & Light LaughsRow, Row The BoatIn this episode of Deep Dives and Light Laughs, we sit down with Peter Kelly-Detwiler, the principal of NorthBridge Energy Partners, as well as Advisory Council member of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the local waters of the South Shore. Our conservation conversation with Peter dives into the critical work of protecting our local waterways and examines emerging energy technologies transforming our power grid. Listen to hear him share his extraordinary adventures rowing across Boston Harbor and his passionate work with the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.2025-05-0847 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldMassive Solar Tariffs, Fast-Track Energy Permits, & Big Wins for EV BatteriesSeismic shifts are reshaping America's energy landscape as the Biden administration concludes a year-long investigation with massive tariffs on solar imports. The shocking 3,521% duty imposed on Cambodian products has sent shockwaves through the industry, with similar punitive measures hitting Vietnam (400%) and Thailand (375%). These tariffs target countries representing 75% of US solar panel imports worth nearly $13 billion annually—a critical supply chain disruption that will reverberate through the renewable sector.Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's electricity market braces for price shocks as Governor Shapiro establishes new capacity auction parameters that could see costs skyrocket. With rising demand from data centers colliding with st...2025-04-2905 minComputer Talk with TABComputer Talk 4-26-25 Hr 2Peter Kelly Detwiler talks Energy - Co-Founder of NorthBridge Energy Partners LLC, an independent consulting organization with expertise and perspective on US energy markets. NorthBridge works with retail energy companies, institutional energy consumers, technologists and investors providing strategic business development, market research, and technology development services.2025-04-2637 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldGeothermal Surges, AI Powers the Grid & EVs BoomThe clean energy transition is accelerating across multiple fronts, with groundbreaking developments reshaping how we generate, store, and manage electricity. Geothermal energy takes center stage as Fervo Energy secures a 15-year agreement with Shell for 31 megawatts from their Utah project, enabling expansion to 500 megawatts without additional drilling through advanced well design and fiber optic sensing technologies. Meanwhile, Google's investment in Taiwan's geothermal sector promises to double the country's output, highlighting growing interest in this reliable renewable resource.Wind energy continues its technological evolution with Siemens Gamesa completing work on a massive 21.5 megawatt prototype offshore turbine in Denmark – cu...2025-04-2106 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldTexas Energy Crisis Deepens, Nuclear Projects Rise, & Gas Projects CollapseThe energy world stands at a critical inflection point as grid operators scramble to maintain reliability in the face of unprecedented demand growth. Southwest Power Pool CEO Lenny Nickel delivers a sobering assessment: reserve margins could collapse to a dangerous 5% by 2029, down from a comfortable 24% in 2020. With generation projects unable to deploy quickly enough, SPP is forced to bet on demand response as its near-term savior against peak load projections that could nearly double to 97 gigawatts by 2035.Against this backdrop of grid pressure, both promising developments and concerning setbacks are reshaping America's energy landscape. Dandelion Energy's partnership...2025-04-0804 min
Amped UpThe Future of Clean Energy with Peter Kelly-DetwilerIn this conversation, Peter Kelly-Detwiler discusses the latest advancements in electric generation technology, focusing on the integration of renewable energy sources, the challenges faced in transmission, and the role of AI in accelerating technological development. He emphasizes the importance of long-term storage solutions for renewable energy and the commercial viability of new technologies in the energy market. In this conversation, Peter Kelly-Detwiler discusses innovative energy storage solutions, particularly focusing on a new technology that utilizes rusting iron to store energy. He also explores the future of nuclear energy, emphasizing the potential of small modular reactors and the advancements in...2025-03-2750 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldEV Battery Wars, AI-Powered Grids & Green Hydrogen BreakthroughsBattery swapping is gaining serious momentum in Asia. California-based Ample is building a network in Tokyo that can support over 100 electric delivery trucks, while Chinese giants CATL and NIO are joining forces to create what they claim will be the world's largest EV battery swapping network. With over 3,100 swapping stations already operational in China and partnerships extending to Volvo and Polestar, the technology's footprint continues to expand.But what if ultra-fast charging eliminates the need for battery swapping altogether? Chinese EV maker BYD has unveiled their game-changing Super E platform featuring flash charging batteries and silicon carbide...2025-03-2506 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldGM’s Big EV Incentives, Military Geothermal Plans & AI’s Energy Shakeup!The energy transition is accelerating across multiple fronts, as demonstrated by a flurry of recent announcements from major players. General Motors has partnered with Pacific Gas & Electric for a groundbreaking vehicle-to-everything pilot offering customers up to $4,500 in incentives when using compatible EVs like the Chevrolet Silverado and Cadillac Lyric. While pilots generate buzz, what matters more is whether GM and PG&E will share results that help other utilities replicate successful strategies.Military installations aren't being left behind, with the US Air Force and Department of Defense teaming up with GE Vernova and Sage Geosystems to explore...2025-03-1906 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Wars, EV Revolution & Texas Nuclear Boom!A high-stakes power struggle is unfolding at the US-Canadian border as Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to "shut electricity off completely" to Michigan, New York, and Minnesota in response to Trump administration tariffs. This 25% retaliatory tariff represents approximately $7 USD per megawatt-hour, potentially creating significant economic inefficiencies for consumers on both sides of the border.The western power market landscape is shifting dramatically with Bonneville Power Administration's draft decision to join Southwest Power Pool's Markets Plus platform instead of California ISO's competing market. Despite potentially greater financial benefits from the California option, BPA cited concerns about governance, resource...2025-03-1205 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldGame-Changer for EVs & Energy Policy!Are you ready to dive into the electrifying world of vehicles and energy? This episode explores groundbreaking initiatives that are shaping our transportation landscape. We discuss the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program, which showcases how electric vehicles can serve as energy sources for homes and the grid. By providing bidirectional chargers to 100 participants, this initiative highlights the potential for EVs to not only draw power but also give back, transforming how we view personal and commercial transportation.Our conversation shifts to the innovative strides in battery technology, notably the exciting developments from Mercedes-Benz in...2025-03-0506 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grid Crisis: 10,000 MW Shortfall by 2030?!Uncover the hidden intricacies of the energy sector's most pressing issues and pioneering breakthroughs in this week's thought-provoking episode. Is the answer to our energy grid's slow progress and growing demand found in FERC's bold approval of PJM's new Reliability Resource Initiative? With energy sector leaders and experts gathering at RE Plus Northeast in Boston, we dissect the critical challenges plaguing interconnection and transmission, while also exploring innovative projects aimed at fast-tracking generation and storage assets to alleviate capacity shortfalls. Pioneering regulatory changes promise to reshape the landscape, but are they enough to meet the looming energy demand?2025-02-2005 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldRethinking Data Center Demand: The Future of AI, Energy Consumption, and Load ProjectionsCan AI revolutionize the way we think about energy consumption and power grid demands? Venture into the world of cutting-edge AI technology with us as we examine the projected 125,000 megawatt surge in data center electricity demand, driven not just by traditional needs but also by the expanding crypto universe. We uncover the breakthrough of DeepSeek, China's open-source AI model that claims to match the performance of leading proprietary models at a fraction of the energy and cost. This development shook Wall Street, as tech giants like NVIDIA faced significant market value losses, sparking intense scrutiny over the legitimacy of...2025-02-0608 min
Smart Energy VoicesHeard at Net Zero Forum: The Current State of Clean EnergyIn this episode of Smart Energy Voices, Peter Kelly-Detwiler delves into the latest advancements and challenges in decarbonization and clean energy across the U.S. He highlights progress in geothermal energy, nuclear energy, and long-duration storage solutions while addressing efficiency hurdles. Kelly-Detwiler explores the rising energy demands of AI-driven data centers and their implications for power grids, alongside updates on electric vehicles, hydrogen projects, and virtual power plants as utilities shift toward decentralized capacity. He also examines the volatility of voluntary carbon markets due to credibility issues and stresses the need for collective effort and innovative strategies to tackle...2024-12-2033 min
Renewable RidesEp 68: Peter Kelly-Detwiler on Decarbonizing the Energy EconomyHow is the global energy transition reshaping the way businesses approach sustainability? In this episode, Peter Kelly-Detwiler unpacks the challenges and opportunities in decarbonization, grid modernization, and renewable energy integration. Drawing on decades of experience and insights from his book, The Energy Switch, and upcoming work, A Matter of Degrees, Peter shares how companies can adapt to the evolving energy landscape. From understanding energy market dynamics to investing in storage solutions and sustainable technologies, this discussion offers actionable advice for staying competitive and profitable in a carbon-conscious world.Peter also dives into the complexities of distributed energy...2024-12-1754 min
Bigger Than Us#257 Peter Kelly-Detwiler, reviews 2024 and looks to 2025Peter Kelly-Detwiler has 30 years of experience in the electric energy arena. He writes for Forbes.com and other publications on topics related to disruptive innovation and its impact on the electricity infrastructure. He provides strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate this transitional period. Peter is also the author of The Energy Switch - a book about how companies and customers are transforming the electrical grid and the future of power.
Mr. Kelly-Detwiler has spent much of his career in various areas of competitive power markets. As Senior Vice President at Constellation Energy, he...2024-12-1743 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldHow AI is Revolutionizing the Grid: Efficiency, Reliability, and ResilienceCan you imagine a world where artificial intelligence revolutionizes the way we power our lives? Discover how AI is fundamentally reshaping the energy sector by enhancing grid efficiency, reliability, and resilience. We explore the challenges faced by our energy infrastructure—from rising demand to weather-related vulnerabilities—and reveal how AI-driven solutions like predictive maintenance, dynamic line rating, and topology optimization are enabling smarter use of resources. Learn about the promising developments in streamlining interconnection times for new projects and the ways AI is optimizing generation operations using precise weather forecasts and sensor data.Uncover the significant role of gene...2024-12-1308 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grab Part 5: AI’s Impact on Utilities and the Future of Power InfrastructureWhat if the race for AI supremacy is not just about algorithms and data, but also about the massive energy demands reshaping our power infrastructure? Join us as we explore the critical intersections of AI-driven data center loads and the immense challenges faced by distribution utilities that are compelled to build and own their infrastructure. From the complexities of wholesale power markets to the sustainability of current business models, we unravel the urgent need for new generation assets. Discover whether innovations in cooling technologies and chip efficiencies can transform the industry and what this means for the future of power...2024-11-2605 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grab: Data Centers and the Grid Part 4 - AI & Wholesale Power MarketsWhat if the explosive demand for data centers could transform power grids across the nation? Join us as we unravel the latest developments in data center supply strategies and the energy market's evolving dynamics. From Vista’s power sales discussions with major companies to California's innovative district energy system marrying data centers with residential units, this episode is packed with groundbreaking insights. We explore the potential of modular nuclear startup Oklo’s partnerships and the intriguing collaboration between Sharon AI and New Era Helium Corporation for a new data center venture in New Mexico. Plus, Bloom Energy’s significant deal w...2024-11-1908 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grab: Data Centers and the Grid Part 3 - Supply StrategiesCan data centers sustain their rapid growth without jeopardizing our energy future? In this episode, we promise to uncover the intriguing dynamics of power supply challenges faced by data centers and the innovative solutions needed to address exponentially increasing energy demands. As data centers become ever more essential, they transform into energy-hungry giants, especially during intensive AI training and inference processes. Our discussion highlights collaborations with nuclear power plants, like Amazon's link with Talon Susquehanna and Microsoft's efforts at Three Mile Island, along with groundbreaking alternatives such as modular nuclear plants and geothermal projects. These strategies reveal the intricate landscape...2024-11-1309 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grab: AI Data Centers and the Electric Grid - Part 2Picture a future where AI not only writes a quarter of Google's new code but also reshapes entire industries with unparalleled cost-efficiency. This is not a distant possibility but a current reality, as we unpack the transformative power of AI in our latest episode. We promise a comprehensive understanding of the staggering $200 billion investments by tech giants in AI data centers, a move redefining infrastructure landscapes. Discover how the might of GPUs is propelling AI models to new heights, amid challenges of chip shortages and the complex dance of data availability. Delve into the intricacies of tokenization and its...2024-11-0608 minEnergy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner WorldPower Grab: AI and the Electric Grid - Part 1Prepare to be shocked by the truth behind the AI-driven data center boom and its colossal impact on our electricity landscape. With predictions suggesting a staggering leap in power consumption by 2030, this episode promises to unpack the complexities of this rapid development. From exclusive insights gathered from the Electric Power Research Institute and various utility companies, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of why this exponential demand for data center hookups is blindsiding even seasoned industry insiders. Journey with us through pivotal regions like Virginia and Texas, where the grid is under unprecedented pressure, and explore the surprising predictions from McKinsey...2024-10-3006 min