Elisabeth Monaghan
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Articles by Elisabeth Monaghan
Power Points | Beyond Transactions: How Utilities Are Rethinking Infrastructure, Engagement and the Customer
It is impossible to work in the electric energy sector without recognizing that rapid, ongoing change is constant. One thing, however, remains unchanged: electricity demand will only increase. While new technology and innovations evolve, grid modernization remains a priority for the utility sector. In this issue, our contributors provide updates on what they are doing to advance grid modernization, why they chose the approaches they’ve taken and what lessons they can offer the rest of us.
Power Points | Exploring Visibility
Whether the contributors to our publication work for utilities, manufacturers, software developers, field workers, consultants, etc., they each play a part in an interconnected system. Because they are all pushing to create and maintain a reliable, modernized grid that will meet an ever-increasing demand for more energy, none of them who want to be part of the industry's future can afford to be an island.
The Grid Transformation Forum | Accelerating Energy Innovation
For this issue's Grid Transformation Forum, EET&D spoke with Kim Getgen, co-founder and CEO of InnovationForce. Drawing on over two decades in the utility and cybersecurity sectors and a career rooted in marketing and innovation, Getgen has developed an SaaS platform designed to help utilities move faster, scale solutions and open the door to broader collaboration across the energy ecosystem.
Power Points | Powering the Grid's Next Chapter
This year, I attended CIGRE Canada for the first time. Typically, when I attend industry conferences, I have a full schedule of prearranged meetings with various exhibitors. For CIGRE, I arrived with no scheduled meetings, which allowed me to meet companies I had not spoken to before, or to connect with the Canadian colleagues of companies I’ve met at events in the U.S., like DISTRIBUTECH or IEEE PES T&D.
The Grid Transformation Forum | Innovation Through Collaboration: Establishing a Model for Utilities to Manage PCB Waste
For our Q2 Grid Transformation Forum, it is our pleasure to introduce Charles Johnson and Christopher Johnson with Ontario-based Amidyne Solutions. Here, we share a case study about Amidyne's innovative approach that is changing the way utilities manage PCB testing and inspecting transformers.
Powherful Forces | Forging the Future at the Edge: Sasha Wang, Durabook
Leading with vision and purpose As president of Durabook Americas, Sasha Wang drives the organization’s strategic direction and operational execution across North and Latin America. At the helm of a dynamic organization in an evolving market, Wang focuses on business growth and market positioning while delivering rugged computer solutions that serve mission-critical sectors.
Powherful Forces | Forging the Future at the Edge: Sasah Wang, Durabook
Leading with vision and purpose As president of Durabook Americas, Sasha Wang drives the organization’s strategic direction and operational execution across North and Latin America. At the helm of a dynamic organization in an evolving market, Wang focuses on business growth and market positioning while delivering rugged computer solutions that serve mission-critical sectors.
Power Points | Powering Progress: Collaboration Is Driving Grid Modernization
Since the Department of Energy first introduced the Grid Modernization Initiative, there has been a lot of talk about how utilities and other industry partners are approaching a modernized grid. After attending Distributech 2024, I wrote in my editor’s column for the Q2 2024 issue about the different ways industry experts I met with at the event interpreted grid modernization. I explained in that column how their responses depended on what role each company played in the electric energy sector.
Powherful Forces | Meet Susan Stone With Blue Current
EET&D: How would you describe your role at Blue Current? SS: Like most CEOs of startup companies, my role is to do whatever is needed. As a startup executive, every day is different. Sometimes, that means putting out fires all day, and sometimes, it means being locked away in a room to work on business goals or put together a presentation.
Power Points | Reflecting on Industry Trends
As we move into the second quarter of the year, this is a good time to reflect on how well electric energy experts did with their wrap-up of 2024 industry trends and predictions of what to expect in 2025. With the rapid pace of technological change, especially in the utility space, predicting the future of electric energy has never been easy. This year, it may be even more difficult.
Powherful Forces | Jennifer Sabetti, OldCastle Infrastructure
Working in energy As president overseeing the Trench and Metals business for OldCastle, I have full P&L ownership. Most of my team’s products fall in the energy space; although some are also used in rail and communication projects, such as data centers. Everything we create is designed to connect communities and enhance the way the world operates.
Power Points | Some End-Of-Year Thoughts on Grid Modernization Progress/Impediments
With 2030 arriving in just five years, will we see a greater push by energy providers and consumers to reduce global emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050? In this issue, EET&D Magazine wraps up 2024 with a great lineup of articles from experts, who have added to the conversation about how the electric energy sector is working to meet those net zero goals.
Power Points | Taking Steps to Mitigate Natural Disasters for a More Resilient Grid
The articles in this Q3 issue of Electric Energy T&D Magazine, cover a range of topics or trends affecting the utility sector. Some of our subject matter experts suggest adopting programs to improve energy efficiency and workforce productivity or how to tackle some of the most difficult challenges utilities are currently facing.
Powherful Forces | Bobbi Harris, UBBA
How I landed in the utility sector I began my career in high-tech, data analytics and software marketing more than 25 years ago and never once imagined that experience would ultimately lead me to the utility sector. At that time, utilities just mailed a bill once a month and didn’t seem very high-tech to the general public. Thankfully, as the industry embraced increasing digitalization, my career moves (whether planned or not) led me to work on software and analytics tools built for utility use.
Powherful Forces | Esen Kacar, Bentley Systems
How I ended up in the utility industry: I always enjoyed looking into problems with an analytic approach, so I became a software engineer with a master’s degree in data management, data mining and analysis. After graduation, I worked in various industries as a software developer and architect. Then, in my home country of Turkey, the natural gas distribution business started to be privatized.
Power Points | Interpreting Grid Modernization
In February, EET&D Publisher Steven Desrochers and I attended Distributech 2024, where more than 17,000 individuals gathered at the largest transmission and distribution event in the U.S. The theme this year was “Transforming Electricity.” Digital transformation, modernizing the grid and transforming electricity are all such broad terms for an initiative that all of our partners across the electric energy sector should have embraced, created a strategy for their approach and begun working on...
Love on the Streets — The Denver VOICE
JASON: I came to Denver with a guy from Wyoming. I’m a city boy, and I had been living in Wyoming for three or four months. When Larmarques presented an opportunity for me to move here, I took it. LARMARQUES: I understood why Jason wouldn’t want to go back to Wyoming. I jokingly commented that Wyoming is so exciting and a such great metropolis, that everybody loves to not go back there. I also let him know he was welcome to stay with me. How has your relationship changed since you first got together?
Power Points | Experts Discuss Industry Challenges and Solutions
Four years ago, we featured a conversation with Shay Bahramirad, Ph.D. about the role IEEE PES plays in collaborating with utilities and energy consumers. At the time, Bahramirad was with ComEd and served as IEEE PES vice president of new initiatives and outreach. Today, Bahamarid is senior vice president of engineering, asset management and capital programs at LUMA Energy, the power company responsible for electric service in Puerto Rico.
Power Points | The Challenges and Solutions Driving Widespread EV Adoption
With this issue, we say farewell to 2023. A few of the articles published in this issue touch on the electric vehicle market. We already have published numerous articles about the need for more charging stations and reliable solutions to ensure EV drivers have the battery power they need to get to their destinations.
Annual Vigil Honors Unhoused Neighbors Who Died in 2023 — The Denver VOICE
by Elisabeth Monaghan Photos by Giles Clasen On Thursday, December 21, hundreds of community members gathered in front of the Denver City & County Building to remember our neighbors who passed away in 2023, while experiencing homelessness. This was the 34th year the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless sponsored the event, which often is the only memorial for these individuals. Among more than 300 whose memories were honored were Denver VOICE vendors Brian Augustine and Patrick Balerio.
Power Points | Access and Collaboration Play Key Roles in Grid Modernization
As the world’s population grows, so does the amount of energy people consume, and utilities have always been tasked with figuring out how to meet those increased energy demands. Meanwhile, utilities also must be ever watchful of the latest trends and advancements in technology that will allow them to compete and grow at the same pace as the rest of the power sector.
Powherful Forces | Felicia Kohlenberger, S&C
A bit about me As chief human resources officer, I am responsible for the entire HR function and our Food Services department. This covers all aspects of HR, including Payroll, Benefits, Total Rewards, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), our Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) who support our team members, our Talent Enablement group — which creates the development programs and classes that we offer — and our talent acquisition teams who are responsible for hiring.
Brewability's Clean-ish Comedy Showcase: Inclusive fun for everyone — The Denver VOICE
Tiffany Fixter, who launched Brewability and Pizzability, went from special education teacher to business owner. While her restaurant is known for its made-to-order pizza and craft beer, Brewability has become a popular spot because it is a safe and inclusive space. It’s also a welcoming venue for community gatherings and free events, including drag bingo, goat yoga, book signings, and trivia nights. Recently, Brewability added to its roster of events with its Clean-ish Comedy Showcase.
Powherful Forces | Mary Brown, OATI
EET&D: Describe your role and how you came to work in the industry. MB: As the senior executive vice president and chief legal officer, I oversee the Enterprise Services of OATI, which includes administrative support, proposals, finance, compliance, communications and human resources. If you think of OATI as a table, I consider my divisions as the legs – we support the areas of the company that support customers – the things our customers see and experience.
Power Points | AI: Here, There and (Soon) Everywhere
When industries rely upon technology to improve their operational efficiencies, better serve their customers and remain competitive, they cannot afford to be late adopters. This is especially true of the electric energy sector, where new technology is introduced at a rapid-fire pace, making it difficult for utilities and other industry partners to keep up.
Powherful Forces | AutoGrid's Sadia Raveendran Charts Her Energy Transition
One in four college students graduates without knowing where they will land. But Sadia Raveendran, VP of Industry Solutions, industry solutions for AutoGrid, not only knew that she wanted a career in clean energy but began actively planning her path when she was 17 years old. As a high school student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Raveendran was encouraged to research local solutions to global problems as part of her graduation thesis.
Power Points | The Changing Industry Landscape: More Than New Technology
DISTRIBUTECH International is considered the leading annual T&D industry event. With 17,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors, DISTRIBUTECH 2023 broke a record. Even with so many booths and various groups gathered to share or see the latest industry innovations, it was relatively easy to navigate the exhibit floor. This year, the exhibitors seemed to have upped their game.
Powherful Forces | Claire Gotham
When Claire Gotham first began working in the electric energy sector in the 1990s, it was a very different industry than it is today.
Power Points | In-Person Gatherings: The Highlight of 2022
This past year presented its share of challenges. While the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, many are feeling the after-effects. Some businesses did not survive the shutdowns, a lot of companies that laid off employees are still struggling to fill the roles that were vacated, and disruptions to the supply chain continue to make it difficult for even the most successful companies to operate.
Powherful Forces | Hamideh Bitaraf
Elisabeth Monaghan – Describe your role at Hitachi Energy. Hamideh Bitaraf – I am a senior advisor for Hitachi Energy’s Grid Edge Solutions business. I help customers develop microgrids and energy storage systems. For instance, I have analyzed the energy quality for a utility in the Bahamas and determined how we could use 10 MW energy storage to improve their power quality and fluctuation issues. The energy storage was installed in 2019, right before Hurricane Dorian.
Power Points | Reaping the Benefits of Resilience
In April, EET&D Magazine Publisher Steven Desrochers and I attended IEEE PES T&D in New Orleans. I know I wasn't the only one there who was thrilled to see so many colleagues in person — especially since the 2020 IEEE PES T&D conference in Chicago was canceled just weeks before it was supposed to take place. To gear up for the event, we asked Wayne Bishop, Jr. to give a preview of the 2022 IEEE PES T&D in our Q1/Q2 issue. Bishop is a senior member of IEEE and sits on the IEEE PES Governing Board.
Construction on net zero workforce housing development begins in Breckenridge — The Denver VOICE
Alta Verde Workforce will provide 172 apartment homes located within four buildings serving those earning between 80% and 120% of the Area Median Income. The project will include studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units. Future residents will have direct access to the Summit Stage bus routes and the Blue River Bikeway. “Similar to other resort towns, Breckenridge has a dire need for affordable housing to serve our locals and workforce.
Adrian Michael: An eye for stories — The Denver VOICE
“I saw how he captured what was going on around us — all of the people within the school, the football team in action, those photos, frame them, and then give them to people. I thought that was an interesting approach to storytelling, which prompted me to get a digital camera and teach myself how to take pictures.” From that point, picture-taking became Michael’s passion. After graduating from high school, Michael attended Metro State University, where he received a B.S. in business.
The role of a teacher is more than teaching a subject, its inspiring potential — The Denver VOICE
By Elisabeth Monaghan Photos Courtesy of University Prep One can’t underestimate the value that a teacher brings to the classroom. Knowledge. Experience. Encouragement. And, sometimes, it’s believing – even when students don’t believe in themselves. Mostly, it’s understanding that education is the path to achieving whatever one might dream of and helping them get there. That’s what is happening at University Prep School in Denver.
Powherful Forces | Meet Didem Cataloglu, CEO of Montreal-based DIREXYON Technologies
Before joining DIREXYON in 2020 as their Chief Revenue Officer, Cataloglu spent more than 20 years in global enterprises, such as Nakisa and Fresche Solutions. After establishing a highly successful customer-centric approach, that resulted in significant revenue gains for the company, Cataloglu was promoted to CEO a year later. Now that the Infrastructure and Jobs Act has been passed, EET&D asked Cataloglu, to talk about what the transition to clean energy really means.
Power Points | Two Years Later
It’s a little over a quarter of the way through 2022, and we’ve hit another COVID-19 milestone. After all, it was two years ago that most of us experienced some sort of mandated shutdown. For the magazine, it was also when our contributing writers first mentioned COVID-19. Since then, no one profession or industry has escaped at least some disruption due to the pandemic. And our magazine is no exception.
Street Enforcement Team activity raises questions about Denver’s framework for responding to homelessness
A review of the Street Enforcement Team’s (SET) daily work log raises questions about Denver’s framework for responding to homelessness. Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Denver VOICE and was shared via AP StoryShare. Denver officials have consistently described SET as an alternative response model akin to the SupportTeam Assisted Response (STAR) program, which is comprised of mental health professionals.
Power Points | Climate Change Isn't New, but the Battle Is Just Beginning
By mid-October of this year, 66% of Colorado, the state in which I live, experienced moderate drought conditions, or worse, 29% of the state was in severe drought and 14% saw extreme drought.* Late this past summer, because of the wildfires burning in California, and a few burning in Colorado, we had several days in a row when our air quality was poor. One day in August, our air was ranked the worst in the world.
Powherful Forces | Women's Resource Network
EET&D – When was the Women's Resource Network formed and why did the company establish the group? Amber Deighton – We formed Oatey's Women's Network in 2021. The group was crated to support women's professional, personal and leadership development. We have a diverse group of associates both in manufacturing and distribution, and the resource network helps ensure that each group's needs are met across the country and internationally.
Power Points | Empowering Utility Workers
In a few months, we will hit the two-year mark since most of us first heard of COVID-19. Early on, when cities in the U.S. were shut down, many of us weren’t sure how serious the pandemic was or the indiscriminate impact it would have on us or those in our social and professional circles. Was this something that would unite all of us, or would we see a further division between those who called the virus a hoax and those who took it seriously?
Powherful Forces | Nooshin Behoryan, Paxon Energy & Infrastructure
Nooshin Behroyan is no exception. After graduating from high school a year early, Behroyan went directly to college, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Working for an architectural firm, Behroyan designed mixed-use high-rises sites in California, India and the Philippines, as well as major cities around the globe.
Power Points | Adapting In a Pandemic
Power Points | Adapting In a Pandemic by Elisabeth Monaghan, Editor in Chief Considering that the international presence of COVID-19 affected almost every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder so many of us are dealing with pandemic fatigue. Perhaps I should speak for myself. While it is a relief to have received my COVID-19 vaccinations, I’m still reticent about being part of large crowds at live performances, sporting events, special event celebrations or restaurants.
Electric Energy T&D Magazine
ELECTRIC ENERGY T&D MAGAZINE CBSA Moves Forward with Investigation into Dumping of Small Power Transformers May 4, 2021 By Elisabeth Monaghan, Editor in Chief The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced on April 15, 2021, that it has initiated an investigation to determine whether small power transformers from South Korea, Taiwan, and Austria have been dumped into the Canadian market.
Electric Energy T&D Magazine
ELECTRIC ENERGY T&D MAGAZINE Canadian Transformer Manufacturers File Anti-Dumping Complaint April 13, 2021 By Elisabeth Monaghan, Editor in Chief, EET&D Magazine On February 23, 2021, Canadian manufacturers of small, medium and large power transformers, Delta Star, Northern Transformer & PTI, filed a complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requesting an investigation into the suspected dumping of small power transformers (SPT's) from South Korea, Taiwan and Austria into the...
Power Points | Not Quite There
Most of the articles we’ve published in the past few issues of EET&D have focused on the pandemic. In this issue, only about half of our contributors write about recovering from the impact of COVID-19 or how to ensure we are prepared for the next major event that could negatively impact the power grid. Chances are, we will be talking about the pandemic for years to come, but with each passing month, utilities and energy consumers are getting a better grip on our current reality.
Powherful Forces | Melissa Carmine-Zajac, Doble Engineering Company
A series of happy accidents As a kid, I went through these obsessions over how things worked, but they were always science- or technology-related. I was the weird kid in class that was obsessed with dinosaurs. And then, as toys came out that were more technologically advanced, I’d be the one that would rip them apart and try to figure out how they worked. It’s something that I’ve always done.
Power Points | Innovation and the New, Virtual Norm
In March, I wrote about the uncertainty utility providers and consumers around the world were facing because of COVID-19. At the time, the United States was just beginning to adopt policies to address the pandemic. Without a consensus among state and federal leaders on the severity of the virus, medical professionals, schools and businesses had to figure out quickly how best to connect with their employees, customers, industry partners and countless others while practicing social distancing.
Power Points | EET&D's Community of Experts: Here to Guide Us Through COVID-19
Over the past months, all of us – whether we live in rural or urban areas, in North America. or on the other side of the planet – have been affected by the COVID crisis. Depending on our ages, health conditions, jobs or countless other circumstances, we and the people we love may have experienced the pandemic. Regardless, we all share in reacting to the impacts of COVID-19 and the fact that we are part of a seminal experience that future generations will read about in history books.
The Grid Transformation Forum | Transforming Canada's Electricity Industry
EET&D – How has the Canadian electricity sector transformed over the last number of years? FB – For more than 100 years, Canadian electricity companies had a simple mandate: provide reliable, safe power to all. Keep the lights on. And they did just that. For many decades, the business model was remarkably stable.
Powherful Forces | Emilie Nelson
Perhaps it’s fitting that two decades ago, as a college student majoring in mechanical engineering, Emilie Nelson’s curriculum included such far-flung subjects as electronics, economics, history and women’s studies. Today, as executive vice president of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), she is overseeing a sea change in the energy industry that encapsulates all of those topics.
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