Best Geographic Solutions Podcasts (2025)

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189. Optimizing Supply Chain Processes to Ensure a Reliable Electric Power System 19:40

5d ago19:40

19:40

The power industry supply chain is facing unprecedented strain as utilities race to upgrade aging infrastructure against a backdrop of lengthening lead times and increasing project complexity. This supply chain gridlock arrives precisely when utilities face mounting pressure to modernize systems. As the industry confronts this growing crisis, innov…

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E13: Tech, Data, and the Human Touch: Evolving VR Services 14:18

6d ago14:18

14:18

In this episode we welcome Brittny MacIver, Technical Consultant and founder of Cali Madison Solutions, to share her unique journey from corrections counselor to leadership roles in vocational rehabilitation (VR). Brittny discusses the vital role of performance data in improving outcomes for program participants, the importance of measurable skills…

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188. DOE’s Loan Programs Office Offers Game-Changing Possibilities 25:06

19d ago25:06

25:06

As the presidential inauguration loomed on the horizon in January this year, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Loan Programs Office (LPO) published a “year-in-review” article, highlighting accomplishments from 2024 and looking ahead to the future. It noted that the previous four years had been the most productive in the LPO’s history.“Under t…

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187. TVA’s Clinch River Nuclear Power Project: Where Things Stand Today 23:09

28d ago23:09

23:09

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has for many years been evaluating emerging nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, as part of technology innovation efforts aimed at developing the energy system of the future. TVA—the largest public power provider in the U.S., serving more than 10 million people in parts of seven states—current…

1
186. How Virtual Power Plants Enhance Grid Operations and Resilience 27:35

1M ago27:35

27:35

A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of decentralized, small- to medium-scale power generating units, flexible power consumers, and storage systems that are aggregated and operated as a single entity through sophisticated software and control systems. Unlike a traditional power plant that exists in a single physical location, a VPP is distribut…

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185. AI-Powered Energy Forecasting: How Accurate Predictions Could Save Your Power Company 29:31

2M ago29:31

29:31

Net-demand energy forecasts are critical for competitive market participants, such as in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and similar markets, for several key reasons. For example, accurate forecasting helps predict when supply-demand imbalances will create price spikes or crashes, allowing traders and generators to optimize their …

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E12: Designing for Everyone: ArcTouch's Approach to Digital Accessibility 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

In this season two premiere of the VOScast podcast, we are joined by Ben Ogilvie, Head of Accessibility at ArcTouch, who shares his personal journey into accessibility work influenced by his father's paralysis and son's brain injury. Ben discusses how ArcTouch helps clients view accessibility as an opportunity rather than just a compliance requirem…

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184. Nuclear Power Renaissance Underway in West Texas 35:13

2M ago35:13

35:13

When you think of innovative advancements in nuclear power technology, places like the Idaho National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology probably come to mind. But today, some very exciting nuclear power development work is being done in West Texas, specifically, at Abilene Christian University (ACU). That’s where Natura Resou…

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183. Geothermal Energy Storage: The Clean Power Solution You Haven’t Heard Of 22:54

2M ago22:54

22:54

Geothermal energy has been utilized by humans for millennia. While the first-ever use may be a mystery, we do know the Romans tapped into it in the first century for hot baths at Aquae Sulis (modern-day Bath, England). Since then, many other people and cultures have found ways to use the Earth’s underground heat to their benefit.Geothermal resource…

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182. Space-Based Solar Power: The Future of 24/7 Clean Energy Generation 43:58

2M ago43:58

43:58

Imagine a field of solar panels floating silently in the endless day of Earth’s orbit. Unlike their terrestrial cousins, this space-based solar array never faces nighttime, clouds, or atmospheric interference. Instead, they bathe in constant, intense sunlight, converting this endless stream of energy into electricity with remarkable efficiency.But …

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181. A New Paradigm for Power Grid Operation 41:18

3M ago41:18

41:18

Power grids operate like an intricate ballet of energy generation and consumption that must remain perfectly balanced at all times. The grid maintains a steady frequency (60 Hz in North America and 50 Hz in many other regions) by matching power generation to demand in real-time. Traditional power plants with large rotating turbines and generators p…

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180. Data Centers Consume 3% of Energy in Europe: Understand Geographic Hotspots and How AI Is Reshaping Demand 30:59

3M ago30:59

30:59

The rapid rise of data centers has put many power industry demand forecasters on edge. Some predict the power-hungry nature of the facilities will quickly create problems for utilities and the grid. ICIS, a data analytics provider, calculates that in 2024, demand from data centers in Europe accounted for 96 TWh, or 3.1% of total power demand. “Now,…

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179. District Energy Systems: The Invisible Giant of Urban Efficiency 51:20

3M ago51:20

51:20

District energy systems employ a centralized facility to supply heating, cooling, and sometimes electricity for multiple buildings in an area through a largely underground, mostly unseen network of pipes. When district energy systems are utilized, individual buildings do not need their own boilers, chillers, and cooling towers. This offers a number…

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178. Why LVOE May Be a Better Decision-Making Tool Than LCOE for Power Companies 33:33

4M ago33:33

33:33

Most POWER readers are probably familiar with levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and levelized value of energy (LVOE) as metrics used to help evaluate potential power plant investment options. LCOE measures the average net present cost of electricity generation over a facility’s lifetime. It includes capital costs, fuel costs, operation and maintenanc…

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177. How Nuclear Power Could Help Decarbonize Industrial Steam Needs 32:29

5M ago32:29

32:29

Steam is used for a wide variety of critical processes across many industrial sectors. For example, pulp and paper facilities use steam to power paper machines, dry paper and wood products, and provide heat for chemical recovery processes. Steam is used by metal and mining companies, as well as in the food and beverage industry, petroleum refining,…

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E11: Accessibility Matters: How AI and New Guidelines Are Changing the Digital Landscape 28:55

5M ago28:55

28:55

This episode features a conversation with Britt Otter, an accessibility expert who shares valuable insights on the intersection of AI and digital accessibility. Britt discusses current trends in AI tools and their potential to enhance accessibility when properly implemented, while also highlighting important considerations and potential drawbacks. …

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176. Hydrogen Use Cases for the Power Industry 31:19

5M ago31:19

31:19

Hydrogen is becoming increasingly important to the electric power generation industry for several reasons.One is that hydrogen offers a promising pathway to decarbonize the power sector. When used in fuel cells or burned for electricity generation, hydrogen produces only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a zero-emission energy source. This is c…

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175. Communication Is Key to Successful Power Projects 20:07

5M ago20:07

20:07

Power plant construction and retrofit projects come in all shapes and sizes, but they all generally have at least one thing in common: complexity. There are usually a lot of moving pieces that must be managed. This can include sourcing the right materials and components, getting equipment delivered to the site at the right time, finding qualified c…

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174. Kingston Coal Ash Spill: Cleanup Workers Were the Unfortunate Losers 33:36

6M ago33:36

33:36

On Dec. 22, 2008, a major dike failure occurred on the north slopes of the ash pond at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) Kingston Fossil Plant. The failure resulted in the release of approximately 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash spilling onto adjacent land and into the Emory River.The Kingston spill is considered one of the most signific…

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173. Why Data Center Developers Should Think ‘Power First’ 42:10

6M ago42:10

42:10

You don’t need me to tell you how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the power grid; you can just ask AI. Claude, an AI assistant created by Anthropic, told POWER, “AI training and inference are driving unprecedented demand for data center capacity, particularly due to large language models and other compute-intensive AI workloads.” It also …

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172. What Are Microreactors and How Soon Could We See One in Operation 33:56

6M ago33:56

33:56

Microreactors are a class of very small modular reactors targeted for non-conventional nuclear markets. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports a variety of advanced reactor designs, including gas, liquid-metal, molten-salt, and heat-pipe-cooled concepts. In the U.S., microreactor developers are currently focused on designs that could be deplo…

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E10: Workforce Development 2.0: Adapting to a Changing Job Market 22:29

7M ago22:29

22:29

This episode features a conversation with Chad Carter, a 10-year veteran of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Chad shares his insights on the evolution of workforce development, including the shift from unemployment offices to employment centers, the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery, and the importance of alternative career pat…

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171. The Domestic Content Bonus Credit and How to Maximize Incentives for Solar Projects 24:25

7M ago24:25

24:25

The domestic content bonus credit is available to taxpayers that certify their qualified facility, energy project, or energy storage technology was built with certain percentages of steel, iron, or manufactured products that were mined, produced, or manufactured in the U.S.“What we’ve seen happen is just a proliferation of investments into U.S. dom…

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E09: Serving Those Who Served: A Peek at North Carolina's Veteran Workforce Programs 16:43

8M ago16:43

16:43

This episode features a conversation with Chris Silvers from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions. The discussion covers services for veterans in North Carolina, including the NCWorks Veterans Portal, the NC Veterans at Work program, and the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. Chris shares information about the state'…

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170. How Trump or Harris Would Alter the U.S.’s Energy and Power Landscape 31:01

8M ago31:01

31:01

A new U.S. president will be inaugurated in less than five months. Polls show the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to be very close, with potentially only a few swing states deciding the election. While energy policy may not be a deciding factor for many Americans in choosing who they will vote for, it is very important to power industry…

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169. Fuel Cells: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They’re Important 32:06

9M ago32:06

32:06

Fuel cells are not some novel new technology. In fact, most history books credit the invention of the fuel cell to Welsh chemist and physicist William Grove, who, in the late 1830s and early 1840s, conducted experiments proving that electric current could be produced from an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catal…

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168. Landrieu: Natural Gas Is ‘Not the Enemy, It Is Part of the Solution’ to Achieving Climate Goals 38:10

9M ago38:10

38:10

Former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who is now a senior policy advisor for the law firm Van Ness Feldman and co-chair of the Natural Allies Leadership Council, is keen on natural gas and believes it is part of the solution to reaching both domestic and global climate goals.“Natural gas in America is not the enemy,” Landrieu said as a guest on T…

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167. Shifting from Coal to Gas: One Co-op’s Award-Winning Journey 50:38

10M ago50:38

50:38

In 2018, Cooperative Energy, a generation and transmission co-op headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, had an issue to deal with. Several years earlier, it had joined the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), giving the power provider access to a competitive market. However, Cooperative Energy’s R.D. Morrow Sr. Generating Station, a…

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S2 Ep4: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 4: Patients Presenting With Comorbidities 4:32

10M ago4:32

4:32

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 4, the final segment, Jones offered his insights…

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S2 Ep3: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 3: Stewardship Considerations 3:30

10M ago3:30

3:30

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 3, Jones covers concerns around empirical antimi…

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S2 Ep2: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 2: Proper Dosing and Clinical Management of Concurrent Therapy 3:53

10M ago3:53

3:53

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 2, Jones offers clinical considerations for pati…

1
S2 Ep1: ABSSSI Clinical Care Series – Episode 1: Patients Presenting With Comorbidities 4:38

10M ago4:38

4:38

In this Contagion News Network series, Clinical Care for Hospitalized ABSSSI Patients with Comorbidities, we're joined by Bruce Jones, PharmD, FIDSA, BCPS, who offers his commentary and thoughts on the clinical management of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. In Episode 1, Jones discusses treating challenging patients…

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E08: Navigating UI Trends: Transforming Unemployment Services in Pennsylvania 23:22

10M ago23:22

23:22

This episode features a conversation with Susan Dickinson and Nsungwe Shamatutu from Pennsylvania's Office of Unemployment Compensation Service Centers. They explore current trends in unemployment insurance, including system modernization, plain language initiatives, and the impact of remote work. The guests also share their experiences managing th…

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166. Analyst Says Nuclear Industry Is ‘Totally Irrelevant’ in the Market for New Power Capacity 43:13

10M ago43:13

43:13

Nuclear power has consistently provided about 19% to 20% of total annual U.S. electricity generation since 1990. It provides significant amounts of electricity in many other countries as well. According to data from The World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR), a total of 414 reactors were operating in 32 countries, as of July 1, 2024. Prelimin…

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165. How to Improve U.S. Power Distribution System Reliability 17:47

11M ago17:47

17:47

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports SAIDI and SAIFI values in its Electric Power Annual report, which is regularly released in October each year. In the most recent report, the U.S. distribution system’s average SAIDI value including all events was 335.5 minutes per customer in 2022. If major event days were excluded, which is …

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164. Why the U.S. Government Should Fund Cybersecurity Efforts to Protect Power Grid 25:38

11M ago25:38

25:38

FBI Director Christopher Wray, while speaking at the Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats in Nashville, Tennessee, in April, warned that U.S. critical infrastructure is a prime target of the Chinese government.“The fact is, the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China’s] targeting of our critical infrastructure is both broad and unrel…

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163. Effective Training and Mentoring Programs Are Critical to Power Project Success 17:01

11M ago17:01

17:01

The power industry has long been lamenting its aging workforce. While turnover has been happening for years, there remains a large percentage of power professionals on the verge of retirement. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster than average job growth for engineering occupations. That means experienced workers with the…

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162. How PG&E Is Reducing Wildfire Risks Using Satellite Imagery 47:59

11M ago47:59

47:59

Wildfires have had a devastating impact on California and on the state’s largest utility company, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).Potential wildfire liabilities exceeding $30 billion led PG&E to file for bankruptcy in January 2019. The company emerged from bankruptcy on July 1, 2020, with a renewed focus on mitigating wildfires within its 70,000-sq…

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161. How Regulatory Burdens and Misguided Incentives Are Degrading Power System Reliability 29:21

12M ago29:21

29:21

It’s no secret that the U.S. electric power system has undergone a remarkable transition that continues today. Coal-fired generation, which was the leading source of power generation during the 20th century, often providing more than half of the country’s electricity supply, fell to about 16.2% of the mix in 2023. Meanwhile, the U.S. solar market i…

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160. How Grid Enhancing Technologies Are Expanding Electric Power Transmission System Capabilities 17:13

12M ago17:13

17:13

It’s no secret that power grids around the world need to expand to accommodate more renewable energy and the so-called “electrification of everything.” The latter, of course, refers to the growing trend of using electricity to power various sectors and applications that have traditionally relied on fossil fuels, such as natural gas or petroleum-bas…

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Mouth-Body Connection: Not all dentistry is equal 33:24

1y ago33:24

33:24

In this episode, I discuss the need to distinguish between individuals with good oral health and minimal dental work, and those with extensive dental treatments, which may contribute to systemic health issues. Not all dental care is created equal, and there are significant gaps in diagnostic techniques within the field. Many patients may be unaware…

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E07: Adapting to the Future of Work Through Education: Lemoore College's Forward-Thinking Approach 30:49

1y ago30:49

30:49

Tune in to another episode of VOScast, as host Evan Brenner is joined by Lemoore College’s Vice President of Educational Services, Kris Costa, President, James Preston. Located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, they discuss the college's recent rebranding and meaning behind their new slogan "Flex Your Future." Kris and James share how Lemoore Col…

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159. Navigating the Interconnection Queue Is One of Many Challenges Clean-Energy Projects Face 26:45

1y ago26:45

26:45

There are several obstacles to overcome when building a clean-energy project, but perhaps the biggest is getting through the generator interconnection queue (GIQ). Every regional transmission organization (RTO) and independent system operator (ISO) in the U.S. has a significant backlog in its GIQ and processing interconnection requests can take yea…

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E06: Transforming the HHS Workforce: Creative Approaches to Recruitment, Retention, and Development 35:34

1y ago35:34

35:34

Tune in for another episode of VOScast as host Evan Brenner welcomes Geographic Solutions' consultant Tim Walker and Carole Hussey, President of Evolv Strategy Group, to discuss workforce issues in health and human services agencies. Tim and Carole share their extensive experience working with state and local governments and explore the root causes…

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158. Molten Salt Reactor Technology Solves Several Nuclear Industry Problems 37:44

1y ago37:44

37:44

Today, molten salt reactors (MSRs) are experiencing a resurgence of interest worldwide, with numerous companies and research institutions actively developing various designs. MSRs offer several potential advantages, including enhanced safety, reduced waste generation, and the ability to utilize thorium as a fuel source, as previously mentioned.“The…

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E05: The Workforce Data Landscape: Challenges, Opportunities, and Trends 25:30

1y ago25:30

25:30

This episode features a conversation with Kevin Mohajerin from the Alabama Department of Commerce, as he shares insights on the importance of data in workforce development, particularly within WIOA and performance analytics. You'll discover the opportunities for analysts to leverage performance analytics, including using optional performance measur…

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157. How Utilities Are Planning for Extreme Weather Events and Mitigating Risks 21:58

1y ago21:58

21:58

In mid-January, scientists who maintain the world’s temperature records announced that 2023 was the hottest year on record. NASA researchers say extreme weather across the planet, including heat extremes, wildfires, droughts, tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation, floods, high-tide flooding, and marine heat waves, will become more common and sever…

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156. Community Solar Projects Bring Renewable Energy to the Masses 27:00

1y ago27:00

27:00

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) explains that community solar, also known as shared solar or solar gardens, is a distributed solar energy deployment model that allows customers to buy or lease part of a larger, off-site shared solar photovoltaic (PV) system. It says community solar arrangements allow customers to enjoy advantages of…

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155. Improving Nuclear Plant Construction Processes: How to Build Projects More Efficiently 30:32

1y ago30:32

30:32

If you have paid any attention to nuclear power plant construction projects over the years, you know that there is a long history of cost overruns and schedule delays on many of them. In fact, many nuclear power plants that were planned in the 1960s and 1970s were never completed, even after millions (or billions) of dollars were spent on developme…

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E04: Workforce Training Trends for 2024 and Beyond 26:36

1y ago26:36

26:36

In this episode of VOScast, host Evan Brenner interviews national workforce consultant Melanie Arthur about trends in workforce training and development in 2024 and beyond. Melanie reveals how states are reinvesting in staff training and getting back to basics after high turnover during the pandemic. She also discusses the pros and cons of webinar-…

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Geographic Solutions Podcasts

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