July 13, 2022
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
Virtual Event
A panel of grid experts explaining why grid resiliency matters and how to mitigate events like wildfires in the era of climate change.
- Standard ticket: $15
- This event is complimentary for all WCS members. No promo codes needed.
- Refer to the membership options here. Become a member here.
- All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event.
Our electric grid is in an imperative transition period. Power outages happen increasingly, either planned for safety reasons or unplanned due to unforeseen natural events (wildfires). The Oregon-based Bootleg fire from July 2021 brought the most populous and affluent US state to the brink of a blackout. In California alone, PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric are expected to collectively spend more than $15 billion to reduce the threat of wildfires caused by their power grids through 2022, according to Greentech Media. Meanwhile, the grid needs to adapt to support an increased share of renewables which adds to the complexity of matching supply and demand. What can be done to remedy the situation?
This panel of grid experts will cover:
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what is grid resiliency and why does it matter
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the link between wildfires and grid resiliency
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initiatives which help improve grid resiliency
We will welcome:
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Elizabeth Reid, CEO, Olivine Inc
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Timothy Barat, CEO, Gridware
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Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director, Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety
Panel Agenda (time in PT)
- 5:00 – 5:05 Arrival, introductions, and housekeeping
- 5:05 – 5:40 Panel discussion
- 5:40 – 5:55 Q&A from the audience
- 5:55 – 6:00 Thank you and wrap-up
CEO, Olivine Inc
Speaker
Beth Reid is the Founder and CEO at Olivine, Inc., and has previously held senior management positions at multinational corporations such as APX, ABB and VECTRA Technologies. Deeply involved in the advancement of Demand Response (DR) integration and grid resiliency efforts, Beth has most recently been spearheading the development and execution of the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), of which Olivine is the program administrator on behalf of PG&E and Southern California Edison. Furthermore, she has overseen the evolution of Olivine’s own proprietary solution known as ClimateResponseTM, which engages end-users by delivering real-time information when energy prices and local GHG emissions are high, or when the energy grid is stressed, and educates them on what actions to take to save energy while offering incentives for program participation. Under Beth’s leadership, Olivine received the 2021 PLMA Thought Leader Award for the Sonoma Clean Power Grid Savvy Community Program.
CEO, Gridware
Speaker
Tim Barat is the CEO and co-founder of Gridware. He was recently named in Forbes’ annual 30 under 30 list of innovators for developing a 24/7 monitoring system that increases the visibility of potential threats along the power distribution line. The state-of-the-art system streamlines the health of the grid directly into the hands that need it most, utilities and first responders.
Director, Energy Safety
Speaker
Caroline Thomas Jacobs was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2021 as the first Director of the new Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety under the California Natural Resources Agency. The Office was created by the Legislature to address the growing threat of utility-caused wildfires in California. Prior to standing up the new Office, Director Thomas Jacobs held leadership roles at the California Public Utilities Commission and California Office of Emergency Services where she worked on disaster response and utility-related wildfire issues, including the initial implementation of Public Safety Power Shutoffs by California utilities. Prior to public service, Director Thomas Jacobs worked in the technology sector in Silicon Valley.
Moderator
Julie Gaudin is an investor at the corporate VC fund of global power utility EDF. Prior to that, Julie worked as a strategy consultant for Energy & Utilities clients at Capgemini. On the side, she strives to share her passion for cleantech and empower people to take action against climate change through her involvement in WCS and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. She holds a Master of Sciences in Management from ESSEC Business School.
