Energy Evolution

US power prices are climbing, pushing utilities to the forefront of a national debate over the cost of living. Demand for electricity is growing, and is set to accelerate as tech companies race to build massive data centers to support AI and other technologies. These trends have power providers, regulators and grid operators scrambling to accommodate and prepare. So what can we see expect to see in the US power and utility sector in 2026? In this episode, Dan Testa speaks with Travis Miller, a senior financial analyst at Morningstar Securities Research, and Sam Huntington, research director on the North American power team for S&P Global Energy CERA, to get their perspectives.  The discussion digs into the factors driving power prices, utility capital expenditure plans topping $1 trillion, the outlook for renewable power and gas plants in key markets, and how AI is drawing a different kind of investor to utility stocks. 

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte explores the seismic shift transforming America's electricity landscape as artificial intelligence drives unprecedented power demand after years of flat growth. The discussion features Benjamin Levitt, associate director of research and analysis for gas power and energy futures, and Christopher Wilfong, director of North America power and renewables consulting, both at S&P Global Energy CERA. They talk about the infrastructure challenges facing the power sector while addressing concerns about grid reliability, impact on electricity prices and the potential for an AI bubble reminiscent of the dot-com era. Eklavya also speaks with Tom Falcone, CEO of the Large Public Power Council, who reveals how utilities handle gigawatt-scale requests from tech giants and explains the critical challenge of ensuring rapid load growth doesn't compromise affordability for existing customers. The conversations examine how utilities, caught off guard by the AI boom, are grappling with the stark reality of needing to double grid capacity in some regions within a decade, while navigating supply chain bottlenecks, permitting delays, and the critical question of who pays for this massive infrastructure expansion.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte explores how energy traders are turning to sophisticated weather analytics for a competitive edge. From weather derivatives to advanced AI-enhanced weather models, these tools are becoming more sophisticated by the day. The discussion features insights from two of Munich Re's weather derivatives specialists, Theresa Kammel and Pierre Buisson, who shed light on how the energy industry is increasingly using this market to hedge against weather-related financial risks, especially in the renewables space. Eklavya also speaks with Sean Kelly, CEO of energy forecasting company Amperon, about how AI is transforming weather analytics and reshaping how traders anticipate electricity demand, renewable generation and power prices.

The European hydrogen industry has experienced a turbulent 2025, with project delays and cancellations dominating the headlines. But the data tells a more nuanced story, with large volumes of projects starting construction. In this episode, senior energy transition reporter James Burgess speaks to Christian Stuckmann, Uniper's head of hydrogen business development, and Shell president for hydrogen Andy Beard to discuss the complexities of the nascent energy transition sector. They examine the challenges facing the industry and explain how they have been able to progress projects despite headwinds from policy delays and demand uncertainty, with the refining industry emerging as a leader in the green hydrogen space.

Nuclear power is back in vogue, with shuttered reactors being restarted, existing plants having their operating lives extended and a growing market of new companies racing to build advanced reactor designs. But questions persist about whether the nuclear industry can execute to deliver these generation projects on schedule and on budget in an era of rapidly rising power demand.  In this episode, Dan Testa discusses these trends with Platts reporter Abbie Bennett and Bill Freebairn, Platts associate director of price reporting for nuclear fuels. Also joining the episode are Adam Stein, a nuclear analyst at the Breakthrough Institute, as well as Drew Marsh, CEO of Entergy Corp. and the new chair of the Nuclear Energy Institute.