Welcome to the AiDASH Evolve 2024 podcast.

AiDASH makes critical infrastructure industries climate-resilient and sustainable with satellites and AI. Evolve 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana, was our inaugural event! We gathered industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore how cutting-edge technology in satellites and AI is safeguarding critical infrastructure and fostering biodiversity to ensure a sustainable future, amidst climate change challenges. It was a day and a half of speakers, sessions, masterclasses, networking—and a fair amount of fun.

We learned from so many leaders in and around the utility industry, from vegetation managers to regulators to politicians to technologists, including our sponsors: Maxar, UP42, BCG, and Schneider Electric.

In this podcast series, we are recapping the entire event—every speaker and session. In this episode, hear AiDASH Co-Founder and CEO Abhishek Vinod Singh open Evolve 2024 with remarks about groundbreaking technology solutions, which are now more critically important than ever. We must secure tomorrow and evolve to adapt to a changing climate.

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

In this episode, listen to former Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards deliver the opening keynote at AiDASH Evolve 2024. He expounds on how increasing storm intensity and frequency are putting American infrastructure at risk, creating danger for future generations. Learn what steps have been taken at both the federal and state levels to fight this problem by allocating budgets and making climate adaptation a priority.

Summary:

• Climate change-related disasters like storms are intensifying.
• We need to evolve to ensure climate resiliency, and technology is a key component of that effort.
• There must be collaboration on climate adaptation across academia and the public and private sectors.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/john-bel-edwards-keynote-securing-critical-infrastructure-in-a-changing-climate/

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

After his opening keynote, former Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards sat down with Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), for a fireside chat. They dug deeper on the items Governor Edwards discussed in his speech.

Summary:

• Technology is critical to the upcoming energy transition.
• Making the case for action includes talking about economic development, investment, and job creation.
• Where there are challenges, there are opportunities.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/a-fireside-chat-with-former-governor-john-bel-edwards-and-neil-chatterjee/

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

High above Earth’s surface, a new generation of satellites is recording more than just breathtaking images — they’re unlocking critical insights to secure tomorrow’s grid. Experts from Maxar Intelligence and AiDASH demonstrated how satellite technology and AI-driven platforms are reshaping infrastructure management and enhancing response strategies. Discover the future of data-driven operations and how this technological synergy is securing tomorrow’s grid today.

Summary:

• Very high-resolution satellite imagery, collected by Maxar Intelligence, provides a detailed view of Earth’s critical infrastructure. With 30 cm-class clarity and frequent updates, Maxar’s constellation of satellites monitors everything from environmental changes to disaster impacts, enabling faster, data-driven decision-making.
• AiDASH turns data into targeted action. By fusing enterprise client data, the SatelliteVision™ pipeline, and geospatial inputs with AI, AiDASH’s tools help utility companies manage vegetation, predict storm and wildfire risks, and enhance their resilience.
• Together, Maxar and AiDASH deliver monitoring solutions that combine satellite imagery with AI-powered analysis, enhancing grid reliability by swiftly identifying emerging risks and keeping assets secure.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/securing-tomorrows-grid-how-space-technology-and-ai-are-transforming-utility-operations-and-reliability/

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

How can leaders drive transformation while maintaining operational excellence?

At AiDASH Evolve 2024, our panel of industry experts shared their experiences leading change at every level, from front-line workers to the executive suite. They discussed how they set a clear direction, leveraged insights from technologies like AI and satellites, and adapted to external forces such as climate change and evolving regulations—all while improving risk mitigation and operational efficiency.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/leading-transformation-navigating-changes-in-the-environment-technology-and-operations/

Summary:

• Although their specific reasons were unique, the panelists agreed that change became necessary and unavoidable for their respective utilities.
• Change management requires planning, leadership, communication, and buy-in from front-line workers.
• Progress in achieving results from new technological solutions is usually gradual and iterative.

Moderator: Azum Ali, VP of Customer Success and Transformation, AiDASH

Panelists:

• August Ridder, Operations Manager, Vegetation Management, Xcel Energy
• Kristen Bridges, Vegetation Management and Contract Services Manager, Alabama Power
• Shubham Kumar, Managing Director and Partner, BCG
• Don Adcock, Senior Manager, Power Delivery, Vegetation Management Operations, Entergy

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

Discover how a diverse group of customers has leveraged AiDASH’s solutions to drive transformative change. Panelists shared insights on enhancing grid resilience, optimizing vegetation management, and making communities safer and more sustainable.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/customer-success-stories-real-world-impacts-of-climate-resilience-initiatives/

Summary:

• These utilities face risks and challenges that include acquiring restoration resources after storms, changes in vegetation growth, and changes in wet/dry seasons.
• Having the right data, analyzing that data, and generating actionable insights from that data allow utilities to make meaningful changes, including telling the story of what they’re doing (or not doing) and why.
• This ability to quickly transform data into actionable insights will be crucial for the future. Advancements in technology are exciting, too, but utilities need to maintain and value the core skills and expertise of people like engineers and arborists.

Moderator: Isabella Espinel, Product Consultant and Customer Success, AiDASH

Panelists:

• Ryan Moe, Lead Specialist Vegetation Strategy, National Grid
• Orlando McKoy, Director of T&D Asset Optimization and PMO, Jamaica Public Service Company
• Carl de Haan, Engineering Reliability Manager, Powerco, New Zealand

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

At a panel discussion, moderated by Gary Huntley, Retired VP of Distribution Services, leaders from utility co-ops discussed innovative strategies that cooperatives can adopt to effectively meet the surging demand while minimizing service disruptions and mitigating risks associated with environmental, infrastructure aging, and operational challenges.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/co-op-innovation-meeting-increased-demand-minimizing-disruptions-and-mitigating-risk/

Moderator: Gary Huntley, Retired VP of Distribution Services

Panelists:

• Jacob Barlow, VP of Engineering and Operations, Randolph EMC
• Don Bowman, VP of Engineering and Operations, and Assistant General Manager, Wake EMC
• OJ Johnson, Construction and Right of Way Supervisor, Mitchell EMC
• Dragan Savic, Manager, Engineering, ENWIN Utilities

Summary:

• Utilities need real-time data to help them deal with extreme weather events.
• Linemen have proven to be rapid technology adopters.
• Data-driven insights are essential for improving communication and transparency with co-op members.
• Technology is critical for helping co-ops manage OpEx in multiple areas, like hardware lifecycles and trim costs.

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers

State commissioners and customer advocates discussed regulatory challenges and best practices. Hear them share their perspectives on balancing reliability, costs, and resilience through innovative vegetation management.

More here: https://www.aidash.com/regulators-roundtable-leveraging-ai-to-enhance-grid-reliability-and-manage-costs/

Moderator: Angela Navarro, President, ALN Policy & Law

Panelists:

• Erik M. Helland, Chair, Iowa Utilities Commission
• Davante Lewis, Commissioner, Louisiana Public Service Commission
• De’Keither Stamps, Commissioner, Mississippi Public Service Commission
• Neil Chatterjee, Former Commissioner and Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Summary:

• State and federal regulators work with utilities as they explore technologies to enhance grid resilience in a way that benefits ratepayers.
• Regulators are increasingly using data and analytics to shepherd the investments utilities are making, and then measure the return from those programs.
• Collaboration between regulators and utilities fosters a proactive approach to modernizing infrastructure, meeting today’s energy demands—and preparing for tomorrow’s.

We have all sorts of additional content for you from Evolve 2024, including videos of each session, blog recaps of each session, and a full event report. You can find it all on our content hub at: aidash.com/evolve2024.

Check out more resources:

• AiDASH blog: https://www.aidash.com/blogs
• AiDASH YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU1Xuncxsn0YXY-YigOoJg
• AiDASH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aidash
• AiDASH case studies and customer stories: https://www.aidash.com/customers