ACES Power Hour: Conversations on Energy

ACES
  • 4.8 (5)
  • Business

ACES Power Hour is a podcast where we speak with industry experts about solutions to the risks and challenges facing the energy industry. ACES is an electric cooperative-owned energy management company that partners with its Members and Customers to provide services to help manage their risk.

  1. 3d ago

    Grid Reliability with NERC

    Hosts Michael Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker return from a brief hiatus for a deep-dive episode on grid reliability, joined by two guests from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC): John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis, and Sue Kelly, a member of NERC’s Board of Trustees (speaking in her individual capacity, not on NERC’s behalf). Among other things, this conversation covers: NERC’s origins after the 2003 Northeast blackout and its relationship with FERC NERC’s Long-Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA) and how it has evolved from simple supply-demand math to a more complex risk framework Natural gas fuel assurance and cold-weather generator standards

  2. 12/04/2025

    You Can't Spell Dairyland without AI: A Conversation with Dairyland CIO Nate Melby

    In this episode of the ACES Power Hour, host Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker talk with Nate Melby, Dairyland Power Cooperative’s CIO, about Dairyland’s multi-year AI journey. They discuss building Voltwrite (a private generative AI), use cases from retrieval-augmented generation and agentic applications to augmented reality and workforce tools, plus the critical roles of cybersecurity, data protection, and governance. Nate shares practical lessons on adoption, training, and how co-ops can responsibly scale AI to improve efficiency and reliability while protecting critical infrastructure.

  3. 10/30/2025

    Indiana's Energy Future with Indiana State Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski

    Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Susie Jaworowski to discuss the state’s energy priorities. They cover Indiana’s resource mix, the governor’s focus on reliability and affordability, plans to deploy nuclear (including small modular reactors) through public‑private partnerships, and community education and siting efforts. The episode also addresses data center growth, water stewardship, regulatory and rate challenges, and the upcoming Purdue Nuclear Energy and Economic Summit.

  4. 09/29/2025

    The Search for Power Supply: What RFPs Teach Us About Power Markets with Kevin Suhanic

    In this episode, Mike and Courtney sit down with Kevin Suhanic, ACES’ Vice President of Portfolio Strategy and Origination, to explore ACES’ Origination services. Their conversation focuses on the requests for proposals (RFP) process that ACES manages on behalf of its Clients and highlights what this process reveals about the ongoing evolution of power markets.

  5. 08/07/2025

    Fueling Demand Growth: Discussing the State of Natural Gas with Scott Akin

    Join hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker as they sit down with Scott Akin, ACES Executive Director of Natural Gas Trading, to discuss the intricate world of natural gas. With fascinating insights from Akin’s background in meteorology, the episode delves into the vital role of natural gas in balancing energy demands.

  6. 06/30/2025

    Energy Outlook with ACES' CEO, Mike Steffes

    In this episode of the ACES Power Hour, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker welcome Mike Steffes, President and CEO of ACES, to discuss the current state of the energy market.

  7. 06/03/2025

    Status Quo is Not Company Policy: An Interview with Rayburn Electric Cooperative CEO David Naylor

    In this episode, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with David Naylor, the President and CEO of Rayburn Electric Cooperative. Discover the fascinating journey of David Naylor, from his roots in Arkansas to becoming CEO of the innovative Rayburn Electric Cooperative.

  8. 04/16/2025

    A Conversation on Mentoring with Meridian Cooperative CEO Chris Haas

    In this episode of ACES Power Hour, hosts Mike Bodnar and Courtney Stooksbury Parker sit down with Chris Haas, CEO of Meridian Cooperative, to discuss the pivotal role of mentoring in personal and professional development.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

ACES Power Hour is a podcast where we speak with industry experts about solutions to the risks and challenges facing the energy industry. ACES is an electric cooperative-owned energy management company that partners with its Members and Customers to provide services to help manage their risk.

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