PODCAST · technology
Changing Energy
by Wake Electric Membership Corporation
A casual conversation about the transformation of energy
Episodes
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Episode 41: How Disaggregation Tells Your Energy Story
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria get into data disaggregation! The episode opens with banter, where Kirk reveals how much mileage his four-wheelers acquire. Then the gang gets into some timely news articles, including an article about a co-op on Kaua‘i island handling the threat of a...
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Episode 40: The Night the Lights Went Out in Spain
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria cover a recent news story that got international attention out of Spain. The episode opens with Kirk giving a big research update regarding his prize idea: the lightning box. For news, Shawn covers an article that discusses the growth of renewable…
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Episode 39: Staying Ahead of Wildfires
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria discuss a literal hot topic in the utility space - wildfires! The episode opens with banter about what the hosts have been busy doing, including Don's experience seeing self-driving cars in the wild. Later, they are joined by special guests Corey Parr,...
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Episode 38: The Rise of Cybersecurity
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria return with a special collaboration on cybersecurity! The hosts kick things off by touching on the unprecedented cold weather we experienced in January. For the main topic, the team explores how IT and cybersecurity have become essential pillars in the...
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Episode 37: All about Hydrogen
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria discuss the hot topic of the moment: nuclear energy. The hosts open the episode by reflecting on their respective Thanksgiving holiday experiences. The team reviews news articles covering topics such as sci-fi billionaires' climate change efforts,...
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Episode 36: Now With a Live Studio Audience!
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria have a live studio audience! Live from the Youngsville Boardroom, Changing Energy welcomes the RAMblings Podcast Club from Franklinton High School. Don discusses an interesting article concerning researchers harnessing the power of lightning to help…
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Episode 35: Helping after Helene
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria focus on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and the monumental recovery efforts that followed. The hosts discussed the power of cooperative mutual aid as Wake Electric sent linemen to assist one of our sister co-ops in...
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Episode 34: All Data Tells a Story
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn talk about how they miss Maria as she vacations in Europe and plans to see Taylor Swift in concert. This sparks further discussions about the sustainability of rock concerts before diving into an article about the current challenges of the grid. Maria rejoins...
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Episode 33: The Degree Days of Summer
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria are ready for the 4th of July. The impact of the Tesla Cybertruck continues! Don banters about his experience driving it around town and people’s reactions to it. Kirk and Maria talk about hosting an EV Truck event in June as well as an employee...
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Episode 32: We're Back!
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria are thrilled to be back after a long break! The hosts banter about their busy schedules during the unintended hiatus, sharing stories from attending various conferences and being busy at the co-op. They also discuss the arrival of the new Tesla...
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Episode 31: The Future of Data Analytics
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria celebrate the upcoming eclipse! Everyone banters about the Annual Meeting that just occurred and talk about new safety procedures for dispatchers, as well as a conference where Don talks (again) about microgrids. Don, with assistance from Shawn, goes...
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Episode 30: The AI Revolution
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria begin by explaining their long absence. The hosts have been busy wrangling Cybertrucks, hosting MAC meetings, attending cool technology conferences, and gearing up for their annual meeting. Don and Kirk discuss TechAdvantage and the interesting panels...
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Episode 29: Coffee Is for Reclosers
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria celebrate the first episode of the new year! Everyone discusses their hopes for 2024 and what is coming up for the cooperative in the new year. Chief among those plans is a project involving cooperative-wide meter inspection for the first time in over...
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Episode 28: Sunny Calculations
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria open up the show with some holiday-themed banter! Kirk talks about his recent trip to Las Vegas and shares news about Nevada's "Greenlink" project and the Sphere. Shawn preps everyone for New Year's with an article discussing the evolution of the Times...
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Episode 27: Going Back to School
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria begin by bantering about Kirk's recent shocking electric bill, Spotify Wrapped, and the drain of Christmas lights on the grid. The gang dives into some interesting news articles, starting with a new EV that will hit the market in 2025, involving solar...
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Episode 26: Cryptocurrency, AI and Data Centers, Oh My!
In this special Halloween episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn and Maria speak about blockchain, cryptocurrency and AI and the impact it has from an energy perspective. Because it's a Halloween episode, the group talks about energy vampires that may be draining your power bill. The group welcomes special...
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Episode 25: Unveiling Upcoming Fan Favorites
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria provide a sneak peek at some upcoming topics to be featured on the podcast. The podcast opens with everyone stating how thrilled they are that Shawn is back! The hosts also discuss what they've been busy with since the last episode: attending...
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Episode 24: The Wrath of Zeus
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Maria (sadly without Shawn) delve into a collection of listener questions that have built up over the weeks. The group explores the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing infrastructure grant funds to establish EV charging stations in the region. They dive into...
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Episode 23: Driven by Data
In this episode, Don, Kirk, Shawn, and Maria discuss a hot topic in the utility space – EV telematics! The episode opens with some banter and a discussion about the most recent storm that affected the Wake Electric territory. Later, the group welcomes this episode’s special guest, Will Stein,...
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Episode 22: California (Energy) Dreamin'
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn formally welcome last week's guest host, Maria, to the podcast as their fourth host. The group dives into some banter about Don's recent Hawaii trip and a visit to the new Knightdale substation. They talk through two articles: one regarding California's...
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Episode 21: Cool Communications
In this Season 2 premiere episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn sit down to talk about the progression of communications in the utility space. The group welcomes special guest and Changing Energy super-fan, Kristie Aldridge, Vice President of Strategic Communications & Marketing at North Carolina's...
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Episode 20: Be Kind, Rewind
In this extra special episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn come together to celebrate the 20th episode of their podcast. They take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the past 19 episodes and the memorable moments they've shared. The guys treat their listeners to a highlight reel, featuring some of…
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Episode 19: Dipping our toes into Microgrids
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn open up the podcast by discussing new and exciting NHL energy initiatives. Later they discuss the main topic of microgrids with this week’s guest Erik Hall, the Director of Energy Services and Technology at the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives. The group...
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Episode 18: Cooperative Grassroots
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss reliability and the software technology that utilities are using to track that important parameter. Also, the group discusses the EPA and Goldman Sachs predictions of EV adoption within the next 15 years. The main topic includes a guest interview with...
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Episode 17: What makes Electricity so Beneficial?
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss how Disney manages their electric grid and how that system compares to Wake Electric’s system. The group talked with Jim Musilek, VP of Innovation and Business Development of North Carolina EMC about Beneficial Electrification and its goals of saving...
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Episode 16 – Miracle Meters
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn discuss an article about Tesla offering unlimited overnight charging in Texas. The main topic consists of the group talking with Derl Rhoades an electric meter professional about where we have come and where we might go with meters. They end with a listener...
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Episode 15: News of December 2022 – Part 3
In this episode, the final of a three-part series about energy news of December 2022, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with some Lightning Box discussion, as well as news about an Oregon company, NuScale, that has received design approval for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR). For the main topic, the group...
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Episode 14: News of December 2022 – Part 2
In this special episode of a three-part series, Don, Kirk and Shawn interview Lee Ragsdale, Vice President of Energy Delivery of North Carolina EMC to review the events of Winter Storm Elliott. The group specifically shared information concerning rolling blackouts and how they are effective at...
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Episode 13: News of December 2022 – Part 1
In this special episode of a three-part series, Don and Kirk interview Dennis Mabe of Randolph EMC about that cooperative’s experiences of recovering from the effects of the December 3rd, Moore County Substation attacks. Afterwards, Shawn joins the group to highlight the resiliency of utilities...
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Episode 12: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Changing Energy Podcast
In this Episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn welcome Mike Pristas, Vice President of North America Sales, of Firmatek, into the studio to highlight the main topic of Drones in the Utility Industry. The discussions begin with Thanksgiving Energy Trivia, followed by a news article about South Dakota’s fast...
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Episode 11: A Halloween Duck Curve
In this episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn discuss how Mary Shelley wrote the story of Dr. Frankenstein, sixty-five years before electricity was commercially distributed. The team discusses a couple of news articles regarding the recycling of electric vehicle batteries and “agri-voltaics.” As a main...
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Episode 10: Hurricane Ian; Storm Prep and Response
In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn are joined by Wake Electric’s Operations Manager, Jeff Garrett, to talk about statistics from Hurricane Ian, which devastated parts of Cuba, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The team discusses how utilities prepare for and respond to big...
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Episode 9: Light ’em Up, Baby!
Episode 9: Light ’em Up, Baby! In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn introduce yet another animal from Kirk’s ever-growing family, Dustybuns. The team reviews two pieces of news, including a small moisture/fabric-based energy generator and a cooperative that is offering real time pricing to...
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Episode 8: Summer Technology Expo
Episode 8: Summer Technology Expo
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Episode 7: Putting the Mach E into the Wind
In this episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with a discussion about Momo the cow, before exploring the benefits and disadvantages of offshore wind farms. The main topic includes two interviews. The first includes a conversation with local town commissioner, Dan Alston, talking about his…
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Bonus Episode 6A: Singing Stihl
This is a quick, bonus episode to supplement Episode 6 by adding a couple short stories from Ed Wheeler.
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Episode 6: Headin' Down South to the Land of the “Pines”
In this episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with a discussion about movies seen over the holiday weekend, as well as news about non-line-of-site drones and Tesla Powerwall projects. The main topic includes information about Utility Vegetation Management and an interview with retired, Right-of-way...
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Episode 5: Electric Vehicle and Rooftop Solar True Confessions
In this episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with a discussion of the new vehicle-to-grid marketing around the Ford F150 Lightning. Then, Don is joined by three Wake Electric members that discuss their electric vehicle, rooftop solar, and battery experiences. Finally, the gang answers a very…
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Episode 4: My Meter is So Smart…
Episode 4: My Meter is So Smart… In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn begin with a news article about moratoriums for power disconnections during the COVID Pandemic. The main topic includes more history on electric meters before busting certain myths about Smart Meters. In the question and…
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Episode 3: Life on the Lines
Episode 3: Life on the Lines In this episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn begin with news articles about the new Ford F150 Lightning and the reality of carbon offsets. The group then hosts the recently retired, Odie Pernell, a 42-year career lineman, so that he can tell the stories of life as a lineman....
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Episode: 2 The Grid Is Getting Smarter
Episode 2: The Grid Is Getting Smarter In this episode, Don, Kirk, and Shawn begin with news articles about electric vehicles and cybersecurity. IT Manager, Steve Ballard, explains the dangers of “phishing.” The group then helps to define the “Smart Grid,” before addressing listener questions…
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Episode: 1 Changing Energy - A Little History
Episode 1: A Little History In this first episode, Don, Kirk and Shawn introduce the concept of the “Changing Energy” podcast. In the news segment, Don explains the difference between “fishin’” and fusion nuclear reactions. Finally, the podcast provides a brief history of electricity by sharing...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A casual conversation about the transformation of energy
HOSTED BY
Wake Electric Membership Corporation
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Changing Energy have?
Changing Energy currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Changing Energy about?
A casual conversation about the transformation of energy
How often does Changing Energy release new episodes?
Changing Energy has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Changing Energy?
You can listen to Changing Energy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Changing Energy?
Changing Energy is created and hosted by Wake Electric Membership Corporation.
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