Never has resilience in the electric utility industry been more critical than it is right now. Extreme weather -- heatwaves, hurricanes, and arctic blasts -- and constant cyber threats are everyday occurrences. These events can interrupt power supply calamitously at any time and without a scintilla of warning.

Interconnectivity, the electrification of transportation, and even data mining are demanding greater grid resilience from the utilities which serve them. Smart city planners talk about resilience as the key to the future. Indeed the prosperity, well-being, and quality of life in the United States depend on the resilience of the electric power system.

How should one measure a utility’s resilience? How should it be enhanced? What are the lessons that utilities can teach each other?

The United States Energy Association will address the importance of utility resilience in a virtual press briefing featuring a panel of industry experts who will be questioned by reporters. The event will be opened by USEA Acting Executive Director Sheila Hollis. It has been organized and will be moderated by Llewellyn King, veteran print and broadcast journalist.

Guest Speakers:
Joseph Fiksel, Professor Emeritus, Integrated Systems Engineering, Ohio State University
Richard S. Mroz, Esq., Immediate Past President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
Paula Gold-Williams, President & CEO, CPS Energy
Mark McGranaghan, EPRI Fellow, EPRI

Journalists:
Ken Silverstein, Forbes
Jeff Beattie, The Energy Daily
Robert Walton, Utility Dive
Diego Mendoza-Moyers, San Antonio Express-News