The Evolving Grid in North Carolina - Seminar by Duke Energy and NCUC

ABSTRACT
This seminar will address how the grid is evolving in North Carolina. Dr. Sasha Weintraub from Duke Energy will discuss the future of natural gas as North Carolina’s grid evolves. Jeff Thomas from the Public Staff of the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission will discuss the role of the utilities commission and the public staff in North Carolina. The discussion will describe ratemaking processes and how the evolution of the grid is shaping those processes.

BIOGRAPHIES OF SPEAKERS

Sasha Weintraub, PhD serves as senior vice president and chief customer officer for Duke Energy. In addition to focusing on enhancing the customer experience, he is responsible for the development of new products and services, customer pricing, rate design, economic development and wholesale customers. Additionally, he has responsibility for the company’s electrification efforts, including continued development of long-term grid strategies and solutions.

Jeff Thomas, PE, is utilities engineering on the Public Staff at the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Jeff is deeply involved engineer with broad experience in the electric power sector, including energy system modeling, electric public utility regulation, cost benefit analysis, and implementation of major state level energy legislation. He is currently engaged in the execution of North Carolina’s 2021 decarbonization legislation, with a focus on collaborative work with stakeholders and least cost solutions that maximize benefits to ratepayers. Capable of conveying highly technical concepts to all audiences and breaking down complex problems into actionable solutions. Environmental Engineering M.S. and six years of manufacturing operations and supply chain leadership experience supports a new career focus on energy policy, decarbonization, and economics.