Episodes

  • How high-resolution outage and flood: What It Reveals About Grid Fragility

    How high-resolution outage and flood: What It Reveals About Grid Fragility
    Mar 9 2026
    In the latest episode of Forerunner: Powering the Edge, key discussions center around the importance of high-resolution outage and flood modeling in identifying the weaknesses in our utility infrastructure before they develop into critical issues. The podcast also highlights the fragility of our current energy infrastructure, plagued by aging systems and based on assumptions that may no longer hold true today, including the invulnerability of oil pipelines to extreme weather conditions and the unreliability of our electric grid during peak demand. It underscores the urgent need for modernizing our infrastructures, re-evaluating old assumptions, and the value of advanced modeling techniques for tactical energy planning, disaster response, and improving overall preparedness. The call to action for operators and planners is clear: invest in new technologies and maintenance protocols for a resilient energy future.
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    8 mins
  • Diesel Is Not Resilience: The Hidden Risks of Backup Power in 2026

    Diesel Is Not Resilience: The Hidden Risks of Backup Power in 2026
    Feb 24 2026
    In this episode of Forerunner: Powering the Edge, we explore the limitations and risks associated with the traditional reliance on diesel generators for backup power. We discuss how dependence on diesel leaves systems vulnerable to fuel supply chain disruptions, requires extensive maintenance, and struggles with delayed response times during critical power failures. We also highlight the potential regulatory repercussions due to diesel generators' environmental impact. We suggest the incorporation of modern technologies, such as onsite storage solutions, energy storage systems, and intelligent control systems, which can increase resilience, provide instant response times, adhere to stricter environmental regulations, and offer data for proactive adjustments. The episode wraps up by encouraging listeners to rethink their primary reliance on diesel generators and consider a more comprehensive power strategy.
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    3 mins
  • Batteries Booming: What It Reveals About Grid Fragility

    Batteries Booming: What It Reveals About Grid Fragility
    Feb 24 2026
    In the latest episode of the podcast 'Forerunner: Powering the Edge', the host explored various topics related to energy technology and infrastructure. The episode started by discussing the booming battery technology, highlighting lithium-ion and imminent solid-state batteries, and their critical role in efficient energy storage aligned with the global push for clean, renewable energy. The podcast then brought attention to the aging fuel and power infrastructure, underscoring its vulnerabilities and the need for significant overhauls to meet increasing electricity demands. Systemic failures in backup power and grid resilience were examined, emphasizing the need for robust solutions, such as microgrids and real-time monitoring technologies. The episode also delved into disaster preparedness and defense scenarios, advocating for advanced battery storage, microgrids, and renewable energy sources to improve resilience. The key takeaway for operators and planners is to prioritize infrastructure updates, stay informed about battery technology advancements, and implement diverse, resilient energy solutions.
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    12 mins
  • Surplus Energy Is Real — The Breakthrough Is Proving It and Settling It

    Surplus Energy Is Real — The Breakthrough Is Proving It and Settling It
    Feb 7 2026
    The podcast episode of Forerunner: Powering the Edge hosted by Michael Pierce delves into the underexplored concept of surplus energy, shedding light on why this resource has remained largely invisible economically. The episode discusses why energy production isn't the issue, but rather, the inefficiencies lie in handling overproduction, curtailment, and misalignment. It delves deeper into the problems of proof and settlement and the challenges the grid faces in absorbing surplus energy safely. The episode proposes computation as the game-changer, thanks to its attributes of being flexible, interruptible, and location-aware, allowing it to absorb surplus energy without adverse effects. The conversation concludes with the massive economic benefits and infrastructure shifts that can be realized if surplus energy is efficiently harnessed and transformed into irreversible computation.
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    4 mins
  • Why Indoor Cannabis Loses Yield Without Power Outages

    Why Indoor Cannabis Loses Yield Without Power Outages
    Jan 20 2026
    The script for the podcast episode of Forerunner: Powering the Edge focuses on the role of diesel generators in backup power and the emerging alternatives. The episode draws attention to the challenges of relying solely on diesel generators, such as fuel risk, maintenance, delayed response times and increasingly strict regulation. Instead of diesel, modern facilities are starting to embrace a combination of storage, microgrids, and intelligent controls. Battery storage systems offer immediate backup power, and microgrids provide added security during widespread outages. The podcast concludes by encouraging those responsible for critical infrastructure to reduce their dependency on diesel, advocating for a multi-systems approach managed via intelligent systems for a more resilient and compliant future.
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    4 mins
  • Why Outages Aren’t the Real Risk: The Power Failures Destroying Facilities Quietly

    Why Outages Aren’t the Real Risk: The Power Failures Destroying Facilities Quietly
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode of Forerunner: Powering the Edge, the host explores well-hidden yet operationally critical issues often overlooked in facility operation: voltage dips, frequency instability, transfer delays, and power quality problems. These seemingly minor disruptions can lead to significant operational disruptions, increased energy consumption, equipment malfunction, compliance exposure, and managerial scrutiny due to escalated operational costs. Unfortunately, traditional monitoring systems often miss these issues as they are designed mostly to detect complete failures or alarms instead of subtle, transient problems. Operators can intervene ahead of these problems by investing in advanced monitoring solutions that can detect even minor deviations and predict potential issues using data pattern analysis. By proactively managing facility health, operators can reduce costs, prolong equipment life, and ensure their facilities run at peak performance.
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    6 mins