Power Markets and Grid Resilience – panel discussion

Topics to discuss:​
- The spring 2025 blackouts in Spain and Portugal -- interesting case study in grid reliability; opportunity for industry to showcase to energy system planners and policy makers the value of hydropower. This panel will share: What was the cause of the blackout? How would a more balanced grid have fared? What role did pumped storage play? What lessons were learned we could adopt in the U.S.?​ - Inertia – how to explain this in laymen’s terms – why does it matter to grid reliability? ​ - Benefits of incorporating batteries and the PPA structures that can maximize the advantages of battery-hybrid hydropower plants​ - Various PPA structures available to hydropower plants to reduce risk and improve revenue for all parties involved under the contract​ - Focusing on LDES (long-duration energy storage) – how does your operation change to provide this service

Presenters

Lisa Martindale

Moderator

Reservoir Management Manager at Alabama Power Company

Venkat Durvasulu

Panelist

Power Market Research Engineer at Idaho National Laboratory

TJ Ferreira

Panelist

Senior Process and System Architech at GridSME

Jason MacDowell

Panelist

Senior Director, Technology, Strategy and Policy at GE Energy Consulting