EPRI

EPRI’s celebration of Nuclear Science Week continues with this EPRI Current episode featuring chief nuclear officers Kimberly Cook-Nelson (Entergy) and Steve Swilley (EPRI). Listen in to learn what inspired their interest in the nuclear industry, their career paths, opportunities for people to join, and the how the industry is rising to the challenge of increasing demand for carbon-free nuclear power. Listen here (https://lnkd.in/gj2CF573) #NucSciWeek #nuclear #jobs #EPRICurrentPodcast

𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗜, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 EPRI has launched the DCFlex Initiative, bringing together leading energy and technology companies to explore how data centers could enhance grid flexibility and reliability. Electricity demand is rising due to the continuing growth of data centers. In response, DCFlex will establish five to ten flexibility hubs, demonstrating innovative data center and power supplier strategies that may help enable operational and deployment flexibility, streamline grid integration, and transition backup power solutions to grid assets. In addition to EPRI, DCFlex’s founding members include Compass Datacenters, Constellation Energy, Duke Energy Corporation, ERCOT, Google, Meta, New York Power Authority, NRG Energy, NVIDIA, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, PJM Interconnection, Portland General Electric, QTS Data Centers, Southern Company, and Vistra Corp. Learn more about DCFlex and its goal of building a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable grid of the future here (https://lnkd.in/eW7RUJT2). #CleanEnergy #GridReliability #DataCenters #Innovation https://lnkd.in/e5a4sMYK

From Dammam, Saudi Arabia, EPRI just wrapped up a two-day international forum, in collaboration with GCC Interconnection Authority ( GCCIA ), GO 15. Reliable and Sustainable Power Grids. and Med-TSO, on “Powering the Future Toward Net Zero”. The event featured more than 35 speakers from nearly a dozen countries.   The theme of the event centered around the need for collaboration and transformation to meet net zero challenges head on, and to bring regional learnings to the broader global energy sector. EPRI’s President and CEO, Arshad Mansoor, offered the opening keynote, focused on #AI, emerging technologies, and the collaboration opportunities in the region. Sessions were moderated by EPRI leaders Neva Espinoza, Daniel Brooks, Neil Wilmshurst, and Aidan Tuohy.   Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, said: “At GCCIA, we are dedicated to enabling the Gulf region’s energy transition through stronger interconnections, efficient power trading, and regional cooperation.” Distinguished guests included H.R.H. Prince Saud bin Naif and James Sindle Consul General U.S. Embassy, KSA.   To hear the discussions for yourself, check out the live-streamed videos: 🎥 https://lnkd.in/erj2rRTN 🎥 https://lnkd.in/eC44s7tz

EPRI VP David Porter moderated a panel at United States Energy Association ’s (USEA) EnergyTech Connect, discussing collaborative solutions for managing the grid’s rising demand due to the adoption of AI, digitalization, electrification of transport, and other factors. EPRI is leading work with hyperscalers, utilities, government, and other key stakeholders on ways to ensure we can power the needs of AI while maintaining reliable, affordable power for all customers. According to a recent EPRI white paper (https://lnkd.in/e26aqNpe), electricity usage by hyperscalers more than doubled between 2017 and 2021. This increase is expected to continue, with data centers projected to consume 5% to 9% of U.S. electricity generation annually by 2030, up from 4% today.   The USEA panel, which included Carla Frisch, Director – Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Clay Rikard, Vice President of System Planning, Southern Company, and Levi Patterson, Director of Energy, Science, and AI Infrastructure Policy, NVIDIA, discussed the interdependencies between all sectors and the continued importance of collaboration in the energy transition.   Thank you to USEA for hosting a great event at the beautiful National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

🚨 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #CyberSecurityAwarenessMonth: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 🚨 A routine social media post could be all cyber attackers need to attack your workplace. To avoid becoming the entry to a cyber attack, make sure not to post about the details of your work to your personal social media accounts, especially any proprietary information. Before sharing anything work related on social media make sure to have it reviewed by the appropriate channels and posted to the official organization social media accounts. Stay vigilant and protect not only your data but your company's as well. View more cybersecurity tips here: https://lnkd.in/e6pY3TDF.

Energy companies face the dual challenge of building and maintaining a skilled workforce in a rapidly evolving industry today while helping employees develop skills to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. EPRI’s Training & Development team recently visited Rolls-Royce’s Nuclear Skills Academy in the UK and came away with helpful insights that apply to effectively supporting workforce development in most any industry. These insights will be valuable in further shaping EPRI’s 500+ course offerings to help workers in generation, nuclear, and power delivery expand their foundational knowledge and learn new skills.

As England’s largest electricity provider, UK Power Networks delivers power to nearly nine million homes. So when the company saw an opportunity to reduce emissions with one of EPRI’s new sealing techniques, it reached out for help—and became the latest #EPRISuccessStory. The challenge? Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a gas with immense benefits for the electric industry, has an atmospheric impact 23,500 times that of CO2. With EPRI researchers working on sealing solutions for years, a team was sent out to UK Power Network’s Braintree substation to test some of its innovative methods. Though several successful field tests were performed, the real proof came when a leak occurred at an 11kV primary substation. A UK Power Networks technician—trained by EPRI—was able to apply the technique and seal the leak while keeping operations running. “With the training we received from EPRI, we can keep assets in service, keep the lights on, and keep SF6 out of the environment.” Check out the full story to see how EPRI and power companies are working together to grow #decarbonization.  https://lnkd.in/eJQqgqXp

For decades, EPRI has led research to bolster grid resilience and adapt to shifting energy demands. Talking to WRAL, EPRI’s Andrew Phillips discusses some of the projects researchers have been working on (right in North Carolina!) 👩🔬 From stress tests that simulate 40 years of weather stress in just two years, to self-healing systems that reroute power automatically—which Duke Energy successfully deployed during Hurricane Helene—EPRI’s research also prioritizes renewable and battery storages technologies for more sustainable solutions. Phillips notes “grid resilience hinges on two main components: fortifying the infrastructure against extreme conditions and ensuring a swift recovery from disruptions.” Check out the full discussion with reporter Liz McLaughlin to learn how EPRI is helping protect power systems from a changing climate! https://lnkd.in/gatmTEm8

Yesterday, State officials from California, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Minnesota, NYSERDA, and NARUC toured EPRI’s Lenox, Mass., lab to learn more about the cutting-edge transmission research and testing underway. This includes manhole explosions, insulator aging, autonomous inspection capabilities, wildfire mitigation strategies, and more. The group concluded the tour with a working lunch and dialogue with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials and EPRI staff.