Navigating the Currents of Change: Insights from Alfonso Mugueta, VP of Planning & Coordination at AVANGRID [Power Perspectives Conversations at IEEE PES T&D 2024]

Throughout the conversation, several key themes emerged, echoing the broader discourse unfolding at the conference: the growing load and capacity constraints, the imperative to address climate change impacts in real-time, and the delicate balance between short-term reactions and long-term planning.

The Panel Lineup

Growing Load and Capacity Constraints

In the panel session and in our exclusive conversation, Mugueta emphasized the pressing challenges utilities face in accommodating the rapidly growing demands on the grid. He highlighted the convergence of multiple factors contributing to this strain, including escalating energy needs alongside climate change and the imperative for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

“The needs are growing day by day, and there is a capacity related to that with external factors from climate change, as I mentioned on the panel, but also the net zero carbon emissions policies that are all across the board.” – Alfonso Mugueta

Contrary to viewing climate change impacts as distant or future concerns, Mugueta underscored the AVANGRID observation of its palpable effects on daily operations. From heightened risks of extreme weather events like storms and wildfires, to the imperative for resilience and reliability in the face of such challenges, utilities like AVANGRID are already navigating the complexities of climate-induced disruptions.

“We’re dealing with the climate consequences already today,” he noted. “It’s not a forward-looking concern, it’s an issue today.” Mugueta’s acknowledgment of this reality serves as a clarion call for proactive measures and underscores the industry’s need to integrate climate resilience into core operational strategies.

These factors collectively underscore the urgency for utilities to upgrade their infrastructure swiftly to maintain reliability and effectively meet customer expectations. This sentiment resonates strongly with the broader industry discourse, where discussions increasingly focus on the need for agile responses to evolving energy dynamics. Mugueta’s perspective highlights a critical reality: the grid’s design and capacity must adapt promptly to address both present and future energy demands.

Balancing Short-Term Reactions with Long-Term Planning

In our conversation, Mugueta expounded upon the delicate balance utilities must strike between immediate responses to crises and long-term strategic planning. Notably, he highlighted AVANGRID’s commitment to swift reaction times in restoring service following outages, especially in the context of severe weather events. However, Mugueta also stressed the importance of forward-thinking initiatives to prepare the grid for future challenges. Such efforts include significant investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure to accommodate burgeoning demands from initiatives like electric transportation and renewable energy integration. His insights highlight the industry’s dual imperatives: addressing immediate concerns while strategically positioning utilities for long-term sustainability and resilience.

Alfonso Mugueta Presenting at the Panel Discussion

Leaning into the Human Side and Opportunities Ahead

Mugueta spotlighted the significance of collaboration among utilities and talent development initiatives in ensuring the industry’s future resilience. He highlighted AVANGRID’s efforts to nurture young talent through apprentice programs and global graduate initiatives, emphasizing the importance of knowledge-sharing and skill development.

“We need to attract talent, and I think the utilities should lean into attracting and building up that talent so we have our apprentice program and we have our graduate global graduate program as two examples.” – Alfonso Mugueta

His emphasis on collaboration also underscores the industry’s collective responsibility to address shared challenges collaboratively. By fostering a culture of collaboration and investing in talent development, utilities can cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and navigating the complexities of the energy transition effectively.

Despite the myriad challenges facing the industry, Mugueta conveyed a message of optimism regarding the opportunities for positive change. “I think we are in the moment that we can accomplish these goals,” he shared. “I don’t think we are going to miss this opportunity.” He emphasized the industry’s unique position to leverage technological advancements and supportive policies to drive meaningful improvements in grid resilience and sustainability.

“We are including more technology in our systems, like self-healing and automation, to make the grid stronger, resilient, and sustainable, but also, we are improving our design, execution, and operation processes to be more efficient in order to make the investment more affordable to our customers. We have to think in the long-term benefit, make it sustainable. “ – Alfonso Mugueta

This optimistic outlook serves as a rallying cry for utilities to seize the moment and enact transformative change. By harnessing innovation and embracing forward-thinking strategies, utilities can not only address current challenges, but also lay the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable energy future. Mugueta’s message resonates with a broader narrative of industry optimism, underscoring the potential for positive transformation amidst evolving energy landscapes.

Seizing the Moment for a Resilient Energy Future

In a world where the energy landscape is rapidly evolving, Mugueta’s message of optimism rings true. Amidst the complexities of climate change, growing energy demands, and technological innovation, utilities have a unique opportunity to drive positive change and shape a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

From the urgency of grid modernization to the imperative of talent development and collaboration, Mugueta’s reflections underscore the multifaceted nature of the challenges ahead. Yet, they also highlight the industry’s resilience and capacity for innovation in the face of adversity.

As the power sector navigates the currents of change in the power sector, Mugueta’s call to action to seize the moment for transformative change must be heard. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and investing in talent development, utilities can chart a course toward a brighter tomorrow — one where reliability, resilience, and sustainability are not just aspirations, but realities.

In the words of Alfonso Mugueta: ”We have the technologies, we have the policies…we just have to use it and accomplish the greater good of our goals. This is the moment to set up the foundation of the future of the next generations”