T&D World Live

This episode is sponsored by Integral Analytics.

This episode is sponsored by Prysmian Cables & Systems.

In this episode of the T&D World Live Podcast, we speak with Vladimir Abdelnour, an energy researcher at Arizona State University’s Laboratory of Energy and Power Solutions (LEAPS), about how crisis-driven resilience in Lebanon shaped his perspective on grid modernization, decentralization, and AI-enabled energy systems.

In this episode of the T&D World Live podcast, we speak with Chris Root, former Chief Operating Officer of Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and current industry advisor at Danovo (formerly Quanta Technology). The conversation previews the upcoming TechCon conference in Puerto Rico, hosted by H2B, and explores the broader workforce and infrastructure challenges reshaping the electric power industry.

In this episode of the T&D World Live podcast, we sit down with Rachel Williams, Vice President of Transmission Field Operations at Georgia Power, to discuss how utilities are navigating unprecedented load growth and the operational challenges of building the next generation of the transmission system. Williams reflects on her nearly 29-year career with Southern Company, sharing how a family legacy in the utility industry and an engineering background led her to leadership roles across multiple electric utilities, all within transmission and distribution.

According to new analysis from Grid Strategies the grid is now facing its fastest demand growth since the mid-20th century. In this episode we speak with Sophie Meyer, Director of Power Systems at Grid Strategies, about what’s driving the sudden surge in demand, how utilities and grid operators are struggling to keep up, and what the implications are for reliability, affordability, and long-term planning.

In this episode of T&D World Live, we dig into one of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — facing utilities today: how to modernize the grid while building the broadband connectivity needed to support everything from DERs and automation to resiliency and future-ready operations.

We sit down with Russ Ehrlich from Exelon and Jeff Pittman from Nokia to talk through the entire modernization journey — from early evaluation and business-case development to funding, deployment, and long-term operations. They also share lessons learned from the recent Utility Broadband Alliance Plugfest and offer a forward-looking view on the advanced applications gaining traction as we head into 2026.

We cover where utility broadband fits into grid modernization, how to ask the right questions early on, or what capabilities will define the next decade of utility evolution.

Tune in to hear practical insights, real-world experience, and a thoughtful look at what’s coming next for the industry. 

Bob Crossen, Vice President of Content for Endeavor B2B’s Water and Energy Group discusses his first visit to ADIPEC, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. While traditionally viewed as an oil and gas event, ADIPEC revealed a much broader focus on power, electricity, digitalization and emerging technologies shaping the global energy landscape.