Utilities face barriers to innovation in energy transition, executives say

PG&E and Microsoft leaders discuss structural obstacles preventing electric utilities from experimenting with and deploying new technologies at the pace needed to decarbonize the grid.

First covered Aug 21, 2026 · 1:08 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Utilities face barriers to innovation in energy transition, executives say — Image via volts.wtf

Coverage

36d Volts (David Roberts) Why can't utilities innovate? — A conversation with Quinn Nakayama of PG&E and Hanna Grene of Microsoft.

Primary sources

cpuc.ca.gov California Public Utilities Commission

energy.ca.gov Electric Program Investment Charge Program - EPIC

gridcatalyst.org Accelerating Utility Innovation And Startup Collaboration (gridcatalyst.org)

More coverage from around the web

microsoft.com Microsoft highlights innovation in power and utilities - Microsoft Industry Blogs

eepower.com PG&E Tackles Energy Demand With AI and Grid-Edge Computing - News

microsoft.com Transformation in power and utilities with the Microsoft Cloud and AI | The Microsoft Cloud Blog

pge.com PG&E to Host Innovation Summit presented by DISTRIBUTECH on Nov. 13 | PG&E

pge.com Research & Development | PG&E

Discussion

Bluesky: @volts.wtf David Roberts · 36d ago · 36 ♥ Today on Volts: why, even in the face of rapid load growth and intense political pressure from all sides, do utilities still have such a difficult time incorporating & scaling up innovative new technologies? What needs to change inside these organizations?

Appeared in: 2026-08-21 (#17) · 2026-08-22 (#19)

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