Energy Central-News Article

To highlight just how critical the modern focus on utility R&D is, the Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast welcomed this week a guest who is guiding that discovery and advancement journey at one of the nation's most well-respected utilities. King Look, the Director of R&D at Con Edison, joins the podcast booth to share what he sees as the top priorities in a successful R&D program as well as preview some of the landscape changing technologies and programs he and his team at Con Edison are currently working to bring to the field.

Between rapid technological advancement, the newfound availability of investment funds for grid and program upgrades, and the hyperfocus on meeting the challenges of clean and reliable energy, utility companies today are more dynamic than ever before. With this fast-paced environment comes the need for R&D to identify the best opportunities and integrate the most successful processes. Highlighting how decisions are made in this wide and important area, King notes:

Our primary objective is always driven by our clean energy vision and commitment to our core priorities of safety, operation excellence, and enhancing the customer experience. If making our innovation commercially available helps to drive down the cost that's required, we will do so.

We also have other metrics of success. One metric is the number of patents we have, and we currently have 100 patents. Last year alone, we were awarded five patents, including one that is jointly owned with the Palo Alto Research Center on optical monitoring to detect corrosion of power grid components.

Another metric of success is external award. For example, we were the recipient of three Electric Power Research Institute Technology Transfer Award. And the truest metric of success, I would say, is the adoption of the R&D developed tools by the operating organization for their everyday use.

This entry into the podcast, like all of the series episodes, can be found on all major podcast outlets, including iTunes and Spotify, or it can be listened to directly on the Energy Central platform. Give it a listen and share your reaction in the comments.

Episode #81: ‘Utilities Embracing the R&D Role for the Future' with King Look, Director of R&D at Con Edison [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast]

About Energy Central Podcast Series:

The ‘Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast’ features conversations with thought leaders in the utility sector. At least twice monthly, we connect with an Energy Central Power Industry Network community member to discuss compelling topics that impact professionals who work in the power industry. Some podcasts may be a continuation of thought-provoking posts or discussions started in the community or with an industry leader that is interested in sharing their expertise and doing a deeper dive into hot topics or issues relevant to the industry.

The ‘Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast’ is the premiere podcast series from Energy Central, a Power Industry Network of Communities built specifically for professionals in the electric power industry and a place where professionals can share, learn, and connect in a collaborative environment. Supported by leading industry organizations, our mission is to help global power industry professionals work better. Since 1995, we’ve been a trusted news and information source for professionals working in the power industry, and today our managed communities are a place for lively discussions, debates, and analysis to take place. If you’re not yet a member, visit www.EnergyCentral.com to register for free and join over 200,000 of your peers working in the power industry.

The Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast is hosted by Jason Price, Community Ambassador of Energy Central. Jason is a Business Development Executive at West Monroe, working in the East Coast Energy and Utilities Group. Jason is joined in the podcast booth by the producer of the podcast, Matt Chester, who is also the Community Manager of Energy Central and energy analyst/independent consultant in energy policy, markets, and technology.

If you want to be a guest on a future episode of the Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Podcast, let us know! We'll be pulling guests from our community members who submit engaging content that gets our community talking, and perhaps that next guest will be you! Likewise, if you see an article submitted by a fellow Energy Central community member that you'd like to hear about in more detail, feel free to send us a note to nominate them. To contact us, email community@energycentral.com. Podcast interviews are free for Expert Members and professionals who work for a utility. We have package offers available for solution providers and vendors.