Grid Forward marks 100th GridPulse episode on grid modernization

Grid Forward released the 100th episode of its GridPulse podcast, bringing together Jigar Shah, Audrey Zibelman and Herman Trabish to discuss the electric grid’s biggest challenges and the path ahead. The episode underscores the podcast’s role as a long-running forum on modernization, costs, reliability and new technologies across the U.S. and Canada.

Why it matters: - GridPulse has become one of the more widely listened-to podcasts focused on the electric grid in the U.S. and Canada, with tens of thousands of downloads. - The 100th episode arrives as utilities, policymakers and technology companies are weighing how to manage rising electricity costs, reliability concerns and grid investment needs. - The conversation centers on modernization topics that affect how the grid is planned, operated and paid for.

What happened: - Grid Forward released the 100th episode of its GridPulse podcast on October 15, 2026. - The episode is titled “Our Big 100th Episode Tackles the Big Questions for Today's Grid.” - Grid Forward Executive Director and CEO Bryce Yonker hosted and guided a 50-minute discussion. - The guests were Jigar Shah, Audrey Zibelman and Herman Trabish. - Grid Forward said the podcast began in May 2020 to keep industry engagement and education going during the COVID pandemic.

The details: - Jigar Shah is a former director of the U.S. DOE Loans Program Office, president of Generate Capital and current co-managing partner of Multiplier. - Audrey Zibelman is chairman of the board at NYSERDA and Landis+Gyr and former CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator. - Herman Trabish is a contributing editor at Utility Dive and a 20-year reporter on the energy system. - The episode covers how AI and distributed energy resources could change grid operations. - The discussion also examines how the industry can rebuild public trust amid higher electricity costs and reliability concerns. - The panel addressed the need for more coordinated grid planning to help manage costs. - The guests discussed whether traditional electricity rate structures should change and who should pay for grid investments. - The episode also looks at ways to strengthen domestic energy supply chains and reduce investment risks. - Listeners can hear the episode on Grid Forward’s website and on podcast apps including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. - Grid Forward is encouraging listeners to subscribe to GridPulse for future episodes and to receive announcements about other grid-focused events and activities. - GridPulse has featured leaders from utilities and grid operators including Avista, CPS Energy, Duke Energy, ERCOT, Exelon, NextEra Energy, PG&E and SPP. - The podcast has also hosted technology companies including Black & Veatch, Fervo, Google, Microsoft, Siemens, Tesla and Uplight. - Other guests have included data center developers from AWS, Cloverleaf, Google, Iron Mountain and Microsoft. - Universities and industry organizations represented on the show include the Brattle Group, MIT, NARUC, NASEO and RMI. - Government experts have included representatives from ARPA-E, the states of Virginia and Washington, the U.S. Congress and White House, and the U.S. Department of Energy. - GridPulse was previously called Grid Forward Chats and Grid Forward Forum. - Season 7 sponsor is Virtual Peaker.

Between the lines: - The episode signals that grid modernization has moved from a niche industry topic to a broad strategic issue touching technology, regulation, finance and reliability. - The guest lineup suggests Grid Forward is using the milestone episode to elevate voices that shape policy, investment and operating decisions. - The range of past guests shows the podcast is designed as a cross-sector forum rather than a narrow trade discussion.

What's next: - Grid Forward said listeners should expect more GridPulse episodes and related grid-focused programming. - The organization is also asking energy industry leaders to subscribe for announcements about future podcast episodes and activities. - More information is available on Grid Forward’s website.

The bottom line: - Grid Forward used its 100th GridPulse episode to spotlight the urgent questions now shaping grid modernization, from AI and distributed energy resources to planning, pricing and resilience.