676: Understanding Energy Demand in the Face of Extreme Weather with Sean Kelly of Amperon

As more frequent extreme weather events become the new normal, grid operators and project developers alike seek improved data sources and market signals to help balance their daily load forecasts. The surge in electricity demand during such crises not only escalates power costs but also exposes the vulnerabilities of our energy grid, underscoring the urgency for innovative forecasting strategies. How do we harness data technology to better prepare for and respond to these environmental challenges? 

Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon, provides nearly 2 decades of energy market & trading expertise to help us understand the implications. His firsthand encounter with the devastating effects of Winter Storm Uri highlights the tangible impact of these weather phenomena, and his stories help anchor the hard truth for his team and clients. At Amperon, Sean leveraged his extensive background in energy trading to pioneer the use of advanced analytics and machine learning in creating precise load forecasts based on real-time weather data. Their work enhances grid reliability and efficiency, offering a proactive approach to managing the unpredictability of weather patterns and their impact on energy systems.

Here are a few things Sean teaches us in today’s Tactical Tuesday:

• the increasing relevance of data in forecasting and preparing for extreme weather events;
• how clean energy is a response to natural disasters and can help balance the grid; 
• the imperative for regulatory agility to accelerate the clean energy transition; 
• the financial wisdom in adopting a 'merchant mindset' for project optimization and security;
• the growing focus on asset management and risk assessment in energy investments; 
• and the evolution of weather data as a key constituent to the clean energy transition. 

This conversation is a clarion call for collaborative efforts towards building a resilient and reliable clean power grid.

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