Xcel Excels in Carbon Slash, Microgrid Boost

Xcel Energy delivers power to homes and businesses in eight
states in the Midwest and West. In this episode of Grid Talk, we
hear from the Chairman and CEO of Xcel, Ben Fowke. Mr. Fowke
discusses his company’s goal of being carbon-free by 2050 and
what we need to invest in now to accomplish the last 20%.


“The technologies that I think about to get that last 20% out are
things like the hydrogen-- development of hydrogen fuel as well
as storage, advanced nuclear, carbon capture, dispatchable
renewable generation, and of course additional storage and demand
side management type opportunities.”


Mr. Fowke also predicts a more and more customer-centric grid.


“Customers want to understand more increasingly where their
energy is coming from. They want different billing options. They
want you to assist with them on electric vehicles. We have some
great programs that basically allow for a more seamless
transaction through customers that are electing to buy an EV and
then giving them billing opportunities that help them save money
and actually support the entire grid.”


Mr. Fowke has been Chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy since 2011. He
has been with the company for more than 20 years. During that
time, he has held a variety of executive positions including
Chief Operating Officer (COO) vice president and chief financial
officer (CFO) and vice president and CFO of Energy Markets.


He has a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance from
Towson University. He is the current Chairman of Chairman of
Edison Electric Institute, the national association of
investor-owned electric companies.


Snippet: 


On investing in technologies to ensure grid reliability, while
meeting carbon-free goals 


“I think it's important that we preserve the existing nuclear
fleet and seriously invest in what could be the next generation
of nuclear.”