Schweitzer Drive: Recent Episodes
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Schweitzer Drive explores what goes on between the generation of electricity and the light switch. Join Dave Whitehead as he interviews the entrepreneurs, innovators, and experts who are inventing the future of electric power.
What does it take to ensure there's enough electricity available when people need it most?
In this episode, host Dave Whitehead sits down with Scott Corwin, President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), to discuss one of the electric power industry's most pressing challenges: resource adequacy.
For 65 years, the Washington State University TRIGA nuclear reactor has been an invaluable resource for research, education and innovation. In this episode, Dave Whitehead visits the university to talk with President Betsy Cantwell and the Director of the WSU Nuclear Science Center, Corey Hines, about the origins and impact of the research reactor and how WSU is building on its legacy with new investments, expanded facilities and programs designed to train the next generation of nuclear professionals.
U.S. utilities are navigating a rapidly evolving threat environment shaped by unprecedented load growth, increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, and the growing overlap between cyber and physical risks. In this episode of Schweitzer Drive, guest host Frank Harrill, vice president of security at SEL, speaks with Sharla Artz, security and resilience policy area vice president at Xcel Energy. The discussion explores how AI, data centers, and the electrification of everything are changing the risk profile for utilities—and how technology and policy are evolving to keep pace with emerging threats.
In this episode, Robert Bryce returns to Schweitzer Drive for an in-person conversation recorded during a break at the University of Idaho Energy Symposium, where he delivered the keynote address. Host Dave Whitehead speaks with the veteran journalist and filmmaker about some of the hottest topics in energy and power.
The conversation also explores Bryce's latest short-form documentary, Yacht Zee$, which examines the disconnect between public climate advocacy and the private, carbon intensive lifestyles of some of its most vocal supporters.
Power systems quietly and reliably move enormous amounts of energy every day. But when things go wrong—when there is too much current or a fault on the line, something has to act fast. That job belongs to the circuit breaker. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead and guest Kylan Robinson, engineering director at SEL, discuss how circuit breakers sense trouble, interrupt currents as powerful as a lightning bolt, work with protective relays to keep the grid safe, and are evolving to meet new demands.
In this follow-up to our "Ask Dave Anything" episode, SEL President Dave Whitehead is back in the hot seat to tackle another round of listener‑submitted questions. Guest host Nic Seeley, senior vice president of Engineering Services at SEL, guides the conversation asking about everything from the challenges facing the electric power industry to how SEL is approaching innovation today—and how leaders can stay grounded while navigating rapid change.
Dave also shares personal insights, lessons learned over his career, and a few stories that didn't make it into the first episode.
If you enjoyed the candid, wide‑ranging discussion in Part 1, we think you will appreciate this deeper dive into the ideas shaping Dave's thinking and the future of our industry.
In this episode, we turn the tables on host Dave Whitehead and put him in the hot seat. Guest host Bryan Fazzari, SEL vice president of marketing, takes over the mic to ask Dave questions submitted by listeners.
They wanted to know everything—from the future of electric power and emerging technologies to Dave's thoughts on leadership and innovation. If you've ever wondered what shapes his perspective on the industry and where technology is headed, this is your chance to find out.
Peter Godart, co-founder of Found Energy, visits Schweitzer Drive to discuss a novel approach to energy: using aluminum as a high-density, carbon-free fuel. Learn how this technology works, why it's 40x more energy dense than batteries, and how it could transform everything from long-duration storage to container ships and coal plant retrofits.
What do electric power and emergency response have in common? More than you might expect. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with radio engineer Jordan Coreson and communications and cybersecurity expert Ryan Bradetich about how precision timing—originally developed for the electric grid—is now helping solve big challenges in 911 systems.
In this episode, host Dave Whitehead sits down with Wayne Manuel, Chief Information and Security Officer at Avista, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the utility industry. From predictive maintenance to customer service enhancements, Wayne shares how Avista is leveraging AI and machine learning to optimize operations across its Pacific Northwest service area.
Author and journalist Robert Bryce returns to Schweitzer Drive for a candid conversation with host Dave Whitehead about the president’s bold plan to expand nuclear power in the United States. Drawing on decades of energy research, Bryce explains why the goal of quadrupling nuclear capacity by 2050 is unlikely, but offers a realistic view of the challenges ahead and how we can make meaningful progress.
In this episode, we continue our exploration of how utilities are working to mitigate the threat of wildfires with a look at how PG&E is transforming its grid to reduce ignition risk throughout its 70,000-square-mile service area. Host Dave Whitehead is joined by James Tuccillo, manager of distribution and asset planning, to discuss PG&E’s multi-pronged strategy, which includes an ambitious plan to underground 10,000 miles of power lines. James also shares insights into how advanced, staged-fault testing and high-impedance fault detection technology are reshaping how utilities detect and respond to downed conductors—before they spark a fire.
As the wildfire threat has grown across the western U.S., utilities have stepped up to protect communities and critical infrastructure. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Josh DiLuciano, vice president of Energy Delivery at Avista, about how the utility is tackling wildfire risk head-on. From grid hardening and vegetation management to advanced technologies and community partnerships, Josh shares how Avista’s Wildfire Resiliency Plan is designed to safeguard people, property, and the power that keeps the region running.
As our reliance on electric power continues to grow, so does the need to protect the grid from cyber threats. In this episode, guest host Frank Harrill, VP of Security at SEL, talks with cybersecurity expert Andre Ristaino about how industry standards, specifically IEC 62443, are shaping the future of industrial cybersecurity, including their impact on the electric power grid.
In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with power systems experts Gerardo Urrea and Bryan Fazzari about the U.S. power grid and some of the reasons why it enjoys an impressive 99.95% reliability, despite often being described as an old, cobbled together system. They also discuss the new technologies they are most excited about.
As the demand for clean energy and the push for decarbonization intensify, there's a renewed focus on large-scale nuclear reactors in the United States. In this episode, host Dave Whithead sits down with Dr. Luca Oriani, President of Long-Term Operations at Westinghouse, a company that has been leading nuclear power innovation for over a century. Dr. Oriani shares insights into the latest advancements in nuclear technology, the challenges and successes of the AP1000 reactors, and the future of nuclear power in the United States, globally, and potentially beyond.
Data centers face big challenges, from processing trillions of search queries and storing billions of emails and photos to serving countless hours of video every day, while at the same time developing ways of decreasing their energy usage and carbon footprints and increasing data security. In this episode, Angad Sandhu, director of data center infrastructure at Google, talks with Dave Whitehead about how the company continues to keep the internet humming 24/7 while building, maintaining, and powering its fleet of data centers around the world.
In the 1980s, power system protective relays underwent a revolution from electromechanical to digital. Now, new innovations are shifting the focus from individual devices to a centralized, software-based approach. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with SEL Chief Technology Officer Greg Zweigle about the history of electric power system protection and the future improvements in simplicity, safety, reliability, flexibility, and cost.
Historically, nuclear power plants have been easy to identify by the massive water-cooling towers that have been the hallmark of these generation sites for decades. However, that’s changing. In this episode, guest host Nicholas Seeley talks with Brian Gitt from Oklo, a company developing next-generation nuclear technology, including a smaller nuclear reactor that’s housed in what looks more like a vacation retreat than industrial site.
Nuclear power is the largest source of low-carbon energy in the United States and Europe. Its potential to provide a clean, steady—and increasing—baseload is currently unmatched. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Eric Williams, senior vice president and design authority at TerraPower, the Bill Gates-founded company building the only advanced, non-light-water reactor in the Western Hemisphere.
Even a very short power outage can have dire consequences for a hospital, transportation system, or large campus. This is where microgrids can add real value. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with microgrid expert Dr. Mahmoud Kabalan about these small, stand-alone power systems that can keep electricity flowing regardless of what’s happening on the bulk power grid.
About 50 percent of energy generated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States comes from hydroelectric power. According to Rick Dunn, general manager of Benton PUD, that puts the region in an unbelievably unique position. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Rick about the impact hydro has on reliability and rates, the politicization of the resource, and why he became an author.
It might seem like a stretch to talk about the healthcare system on a podcast about electric power. However, more than three million Americans report to energy sector jobs every day, and we all depend on these folks for the steady flow of electricity in our homes, businesses, hospitals, and data centers. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with SEL Senior Director of Health & Wellbeing Michele Beehler about what can be done to help ensure these employees (and others) have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.
In this episode, host Dave Whitehead chats with SEL Engineers Lyssa Blood and Cameron Blegen. Both in the third year of their careers, Lyssa and Cameron talk about their experience in the SEL Engineer Rotation Program which allowed them to explore different jobs before settling into their full-time roles. They offer advice to those just starting engineering careers and to employers looking to increase retention.
In this episode, guest host Diane Maceri, supply chain director at SEL, talks with Tyler Gould, senior electronic sales engineer at Phoenix Contact and Tom Schrader, president of Interconnect Sales, about why good partnerships are key to a more secure supply chain and moving manufacturing to the U.S.
In this episode, author, filmmaker and podcaster Robert Bryce talks about his new docuseries Juice: Power, Politics & The Grid with guest host David Costello, SEL chief sales & customer service officer.
The shift to renewables and growing demand for electricity are driving utilities to problem-solve like never before. In this episode, host Dave Whitehead talks with Philip VanSant, manager of T&D Services, System Protection at Dominion Energy, about how the utility has come up with an innovative method to construct and commission new digital substations in an efficient and cost-effective way.
Rini Paiva, executive vice president of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, joins Dave to discuss the common traits inventors share, the importance of honoring their work, and how they're inspiring future innovators.
In this episode, guest host Nicholas Seeley talks with cybersecurity expert and author Andrew Ginter about the challenges of protecting operational technology used in industrial environments and critical infrastructure, like the power grid, from growing cyber threats.
One of the most significant limiting factors of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, is intermittency. When the wind isn’t blowing or sun shining, there’s no generation. This is why billionaires like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson are all looking for a way to store energy and are investing heavily in grid-scale battery research. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Brian Starling, from Dominion Energy, about a different kind of battery—the Bath County Pumped Storage Station, which is often referred to as the biggest battery in the world.
The number of STEM related careers has increased by nearly 80 percent in the last thirty years, and it’s a trend that continues. However, based on current statistics, filling these roles in the future is going to be a challenge. In this episode, Dave talks with Laura Harris and Caden Perry, two recent high school graduates who are already on the path to careers focused on science, technology, engineering and math. They discuss what inspired their career choices, share what excites them about the future, and offer advice for getting more young people excited about STEM.
Hydroelectric power is reliable and renewable, but it’s not without its challenges. That’s changing with innovative companies like Natel Energy. In this episode, Gia Schneider, Natel CEO, discusses the fish-safe turbine the company has developed and how they are reinventing the future of hydroelectric power.
If you’ve ever tried out a new technology and thought “Wow, that was easy!”—chances are a user experience (UX) designer played a part in your delight. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with UX expert Bryan Foutch about the origins of UX and the hard work that goes into making products that are easy to use.
In this episode, Dr. Jacob Leachman breaks down why hydrogen might be the coolest fuel in the universe. The Washington State University Associate Professor joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss the benefits and challenges of hydrogen as a fuel source, ways it’s already being used and the innovation happening at WSU’s cryogenic hydrogen research lab.
One quarter of the energy homeowners use is electric, and that’s predicted to double by 2050. Larry Bekkedahl, senior vice president of Portland General Electric, joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss how the push toward electrifying everything, from appliances to vehicles, combined with the rapid adoption of intermittent energy sources is challenging how utilities provide customers with a reliable flow of power.
Only 30% of women who earn bachelor's degrees in engineering are still working in the field 20 years later. Burns & McDonnell Engineering Director and Society of Women Engineers Board Member Kerrie Greenfelder joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss ways to help decrease that statistic and increase inclusivity in the field.
Of the 1.3 billion people on the planet without access to reliable electricity, 600 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dedicated to solving this problem are organizations like Power Africa, a U.S. government-led partnership that advances inclusive, low-carbon economic growth. Power Africa Coordinator Mark Carrato joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss how they’re collaborating with local communities, U.S. businesses, and others to bring sustainable power to 60 million homes and businesses in the region by 2030.
Of the 1.3 billion people on the planet without access to reliable electricity, 600 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dedicated to solving this problem are organizations like Power Africa, a U.S. government-led partnership that advances inclusive, low-carbon economic growth. Power Africa Coordinator Mark Carrato joins host Dave Whitehead to discuss how they’re collaborating with local communities, U.S. businesses, and others to bring sustainable power to 60 million homes and businesses in the region by 2030.
Inverter-based resources put a new spin on power generation, replacing the large rotating masses that have been the mainstay of power generation for the past 100+ years. Join host Dave Whitehead and Dr. Normann Fischer, SEL vice president of Research & Development, as they discuss the challenges of bringing resources that don’t abide the laws of physics into the power grid.
Between 2013-2021, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs jumped 350 percent. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with Dr. Jim Alves-Foss, director of the University of Idaho Center for Secure and Dependable Systems, about how UI is preparing students to fill those roles and solve the world’s toughest cybersecurity challenges.
Power system telecommunication networks have very different needs than those driving internet and broadband technology. Can you imagine a utility having to wait to learn about a fault while their network buffered? In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with communications experts Ken Fodero and Paul Robertson about the history of power system communications and why reliable, high-speed, deterministic communication networks are critical to keeping the lights on.
Revered basketball coach John Wooden once said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” In this episode, guest host David Costello talks with human performance expert and coach James Merlo about how human factors engineering can help utilities, organizations, and individuals to not only improve efficiency and reliability, but also greatly reduce the frequency and severity of errors.
Oscillations on the electric power system are normal, but sometimes they get out of sync and can wreak havoc, potentially causing a blackout. In this episode, Dave Whitehead sits down with power system expert and professor Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian to talk about how we can monitor and manage oscillations to keep power flowing—even across borders.
Oscillations on the electric power system are normal, but sometimes they get out of sync and can wreak havoc, potentially causing a blackout. In this episode, Dave Whitehead sits down with power system expert and professor Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian to talk about how we can monitor and manage oscillations to keep power flowing—even across borders.
Oscillations on the electric power system are normal, but sometimes they get out of sync and can wreak havoc, potentially causing a blackout. In this episode, Dave Whitehead sits down with power system expert and professor Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian to talk about how we can monitor and manage oscillations to keep power flowing—even across borders.
Oscillations on the electric power system are normal, but sometimes they get out of sync and can wreak havoc, potentially causing a blackout. In this episode, Dave Whitehead sits down with power system expert and professor Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian to talk about how we can monitor and manage oscillations to keep power flowing—even across borders.
Industrial control systems (ICSs) across industries have experienced increased security risk in the last decade, and those within the electric power system are no exception. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with ICS cybersecurity expert Dale Peterson about today’s threat landscape and where ICS asset owners should focus their efforts to address this risk.
It’s an exciting time to work in the electric power industry. The rapid pace of innovation is creating both opportunities and challenges. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Dr. Hector Altuve, a 40+ year industry veteran who has worked across continents in both academia and business, about the role the industry plays in filling the gap between traditional education that instills fundamentals—the things that don’t rust—and specialized training that keeps pace with the latest technologies.
The electric power grid is the largest man-made machine ever created. It’s vast, complex, and essential to modern life. And, as it continues to serve more people and industries and accommodate new challenges, it will require a steady pipeline of smart, well-educated people to invent, design, build, operate, and secure the power systems of the future. In this episode, I talk with educator John Cassleman, who manages SEL’s K-12 Education Outreach program, about how we can get more kids excited about science, technology, engineering, and math—and maybe even inspire the next Thomas Edisons, Nikola Teslas, and Ed Schweitzers.
The electric power industry is changing and so are the skills and expertise needed to keep the power flowing around the world. At the same time, we’re hearing about worker shortages in many fields. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with human resources expert Stacey Doty about the challenges and opportunities of recruiting and hiring for technical roles.
As communities grow, the distribution systems bringing power into neighborhoods are becoming more complex. Utilities are increasingly focused on efficiently managing this complexity while solving new challenges—like the addition of distributed energy sources, including microgrids, rooftop solar, and battery storage. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with distribution system expert John Thorne about the innovative ways he and the team at Alabama Power are dramatically reducing the number of customers experiencing power outages.
As communities grow, the distribution systems bringing power into neighborhoods are becoming more complex. Utilities are increasingly focused on efficiently managing this complexity while solving new challenges—like the addition of distributed energy sources, including microgrids, rooftop solar, and battery storage. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with distribution system expert John Thorne about the innovative ways he and the team at Alabama Power are dramatically reducing the number of customers experiencing power outages.
The concept of zero trust has been gaining momentum. In fact, the Biden Administration recently released a new strategy for federal agencies that will move the government toward a "zero trust" security model in the next two years. In this episode, Dave Whitehead explores the idea of trust, particularly as it applies to industrial control system cybersecurity, with SEL VP of Infrastructure Defense Nicholas Seeley.
The electric power grid has been called the largest machine in the world. Communication systems provide additional visibility and control of large electric networks but also introduce cybersecurity challenges. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with network communications expert Rhett Smith about a new approach that enables engineers to write their own rules for their communication networks while also making them more secure.
The products and technologies used in electric power systems need to be highly reliable. These devices must withstand high voltages, severe weather, extreme temperatures, and more to keep the power flowing to hospitals, factories, schools, and businesses—24/7. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with manufacturing and product service expert Gurvinder Singh about the importance of getting to root cause and how it leads to high reliability.
We’ve all heard terms like “contractor-grade” or “medical-grade,” which convey information about the quality of a product. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with quality expert Adrian Genz about what it takes for a product to earn the designation of “utility-grade” and why it’s important to reliability.
Electric utilities have a challenging job. No matter what’s happening—extreme weather events, the emergence of new sources of generation and the phasing out of others, changing government mandates and regulations, etc.—we expect our utilities to provide continuous service to our homes and businesses at an affordable price. Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with Avista’s Heather Rosentrater about how the utility strikes the right balance to keep the lights on.
With the ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and around the globe, it’s a good time to reconsider the role nuclear power plays in the energy mix. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest, about this zero-emission energy source that currently provides about 1/5 of the nation’s power but has the potential to play a much bigger role in a clean-energy future.
In the latest episode, host Dave Whitehead sits in the chair normally reserved for guests on Schweitzer Drive. Join Stephanie Schweitzer, who leads SEL Marketing & Communications, as she talks with Dave about how he got interested in engineering, his path to CEO, thoughts on the future of electric power, and what he’s excited about.
Historically, electric utilities independently determined their generation portfolio based on customer demand, local resources, available technologies, agreements with neighboring utilities, etc. Increasingly, government mandates related to decarbonization goals are limiting the options. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with energy policy expert Tom Pyle and power system protection pioneer Dr. Ed Schweitzer about how outside forces are shaping the future electric power and challenging grid reliability.
We often talk about the tools and technology that help prevent cybersecurity attacks. These are important. However, attackers are often able to gain access by someone who is just going about their daily activities, answering email or phone calls. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with cybersecurity expert Frank Harrill about the importance of cultivating a culture of security where every employee understands their role in protecting company assets.
There are many things that go into creating a successful business. You need a good strategy, a strong team, and a great product or service to sell. But these alone don’t ensure success. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with business leaders David Costello and Tony Lee about an essential ingredient that fortifies all the others and can take the recipe from good to great: culture.
Electric power grids are designed to withstand a wide variety of destructive forces. Whether lightning is striking or hurricane winds are blowing, people depend on the grid to continuously deliver electricity to their homes and businesses. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Travis Mooney, an electronics design and testing expert, about high-altitude electromagnetic pulses and how the industry is working together to ensure the grid is resilient against the threat.
With every major automaker working to give Tesla a run for its money, and the government’s push for half of all vehicles sold to have plugs by 2030—the age of the electric vehicle has arrived. And with it comes a number of interesting challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Purdue’s Dr. Steve Pekarek about advancements in EV charging, including continuous charging via electrified roadways.
The number of electric vehicles on U.S. roads and highways is projected to grow 36 percent annually, according to the IEA, reaching 245 million vehicles by 2030. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with University of Idaho’s Dr. Brian Johnson about the additional infrastructure and generation needed to power these mobile loads.
When Dr. Ed Schweitzer introduced the first microprocessor-based protective relay in 1982, an invention that revolutionized power system protection, he built in several cybersecurity features, including layered passwords. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with the inventor about this early emphasis on cybersecurity and how he and the team at SEL are working to develop next-level solutions that are inherently secure.
Large generation facilities turning coal, gas, and water into electricity have been the mainstay of the electric power system for decades. They produced a steady flow of power—24/7. But as more, smaller intermittent generators, like wind turbines, and solar panels are added to the system, that predictability diminishes. In this episode, Purdue University Professor Dr. Steve Pekarek joins Dave Whitehead for a discussion about how this challenge is driving new methods of power system control.
At the current growth rate, global energy demand will double in 18 years. Meanwhile, governments are instituting mandates and offering subsidies to speed the move to an all renewable energy future. Nineteen U.S. states have released goals for achieving 100 percent renewable power in the next 20–50 years. While the promise of “clean energy” is appealing, will intermittent sources of energy be able to meet global needs? Join Dave Whitehead as he explores this important topic with author Robert Bryce.
Ransomware attacks, like the one that temporarily shut down the Colonial Pipeline on May 6, causing fuel shortages in the eastern part of the U.S., are becoming big business. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with cybersecurity expert Samantha Madrid about what energy providers, companies, hospitals and others can do to keep ahead of the bad guys.
While it’s true that more women are going into STEM fields, their numbers are still lagging—especially in fields like electrical and mechanical engineering. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Washington State University’s Dr. Noel Schulz about the numbers, the reasons behind them, and things we can do to improve opportunities for woman—and other underrepresented groups—in technical fields.
It would be difficult to overstate the positive impact of electric power on humanity—from creating and storing food to producing clean water and medicine to manufacturing things that make our lives easier, and the list goes on. Many parts of the world enjoy abundant access to electricity and often take it for granted. However, more than a billion people live without access to this essential resource and the safety and comfort that it provides. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with David Dolezilek, principal engineer at SEL, about his work to help lower that number.
In this episode, inventor and entrepreneur Dr. Ed Schweitzer shares his thoughts on where creativity comes from, how it fuels innovation, and how both benefit from the goal of simplicity. (This episode was recorded on 04/22/20)
Conversations about when and where to vertically integrate so often focus on the expense. While cost is an important factor, in this episode Dave Whitehead and Jessi Hall, senior director of Vertical Integration at SEL, explore how the many benefits of building things in-house stack up for companies and customers.
Electric power is critical to people’s lives. We need look no further for an example of this than what happened in Texas in February. Because reliability and security are essential to the power grid, the communication systems—or operational technology (OT)—that connect the control devices that manage electric power systems have historically remained independent of connections to the information technology (IT) side. However, in recent years, the electric power industry has begun to explore how to safely benefit from merging OT and IT. In this episode, Dave Whitehead discusses the topic with Phil O’Reilly, vice president global head of enterprise for Juniper Networks, a leader in the development of IT and networking solutions.
Safe, reliable, and economical electric power is essential to our daily lives. The recent events in Texas are a reminder of just how important these adjectives are when it comes to providing power for homes, daycares, schools, businesses, hospitals—and the power generation facilities themselves. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with SEL president and power system protection pioneer Dr. Ed Schweitzer and power systems expert David Costello about what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.
In our increasingly technology dependent world, cybersecurity threats have become an unfortunate feature of our daily lives. So many of us have been victims of identity theft or data breeches. But what happens when the target is an industrial control system like those that control large campuses, industrial operations, or the power grid? In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks about industrial control system cybersecurity with Robert M. Lee, the CEO of Dragos and a leading expert in the fields of industrial security incident response and threat intelligence.
One of the most important concepts for a business to understand is that a customer is never under any obligation to buy its product or service again. Repeat business and customer loyalty must be earned. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Todd Bridges, vice president of Sales & Customer Service at SEL, about one of the most powerful competitive advantages there are—outstanding customer service.
When innovation is key to your company’s success, building the right team is critical. But what does that mean? Do you need more specialists—people with deep expertise in one area? Or do you need more generalists—folks who have a working knowledge of many disciplines? In this episode, Dave talks with SEL Distinguished Engineer Tony Lee, a veteran product developer and leader, about finding the right mix.
One of the best ways to attract and retain great employees is to offer great benefits. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Joey Nestegard, SEL Chief Business and Financial Officer about one of the most valuable benefits a business can offer employees—ownership.
We’ve all experienced the frustration of having to wade through layers of automated phone prompts trying to get through to a customer service rep or had to wait weeks for a technician to come out—and even then you have to block a half day window. In this episode, Dave Whitehead discusses how this model can look very different with two SEL experts, Dr. Ed Schweitzer, founder, president and chief technology officer and David Costello, chief Sales and Customer Services officer.
It’s been said that teaching is selling. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks about the art of teaching and selling with Laura Stento, Senior Sales Manager. Laura talks about the work she does to help customers solve their challenges and the importance of providing value first.
Whether in engineering or business, Dr. Ed Schweitzer, a prolific inventor and founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, always encourages going back to first principles. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Dr. Schweitzer about how creativity, innovation, business and economies thrive in a free, flat, fair, and open environment.
Did you know that the power system can reconfigure itself when a fault occurs, and that it can automatically adjust line voltage so that the energy delivered to your house is just right? Did you know that adding wind and solar power to the grid can make it less reliable? Join Dave Whitehead as he talks with automation engineer Bryan Fazzari about how distribution automation is meeting these engineering challenges head-on.
Often in the wake of a blackout, the focus is on what caused the power to go out, but we seldom hear how utilities get the power back on. In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Bill Cook, a power system expert with more than four decades of experience, about how he worked operations team at San Diego Gas & Electric to get the lights back on after the 2011 blackout in Southern California.
In this episode, SEL Supply Chain Director Diane Donnermeyer talks with Dave Whitehead about how to keep the links of a supply chain connected and strong—even during a pandemic.
In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks to Dr. Ed Schweitzer about power system protection, why speed is so important, and what the future might look like.
Join Dave Whitehead and Greg Zweigle for an in-depth conversation about synchrophasors—the eyes and ears of the electric power system.
Greg serves as a Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories fellow engineer and leads a research team developing wide-area power system analysis and control solutions. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science, a Master of Science degree in (physical) chemistry, and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University.
Welcome to Schweitzer Drive! In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks to Edmund O. Schweitzer III, the founder, president and chief technology officer of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) about the early days of SEL and the development of the company's culture and principles of operation.
Welcome to Schweitzer Drive! In this episode, Dave Whitehead talks with Edmund O. Schweitzer III, the founder, president and chief technology officer of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) about the company’s beginnings, and the idea and invention that were the creative spark.
Schweitzer Drive is for anyone interested in what goes on between the generation of electric power and the light switch. The podcast explores a broad range of topics impacting the electric power industry from integrating new sources of energy and securing the grid, to advancements in design, manufacturing, business, education and more.