How to build a smarter grid on a tighter budget

How to build a smarter grid on a tighter budget

June 23, 2026 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how utilities can leverage data for smarter asset management and maintenance strategies.

Utilities have more data than ever before—AMI readings, drone footage, transformer sensors, SCADA signals. The question is no longer whether to collect it. It's how to actually turn it into decisions that keep the lights on. In this roundtable, host Kinsey Grant Baker sits down with Christina Park of Skydio, Mark Gabriel of United Power, Trevor Stiles of ATC, and Sean Vanslyke of SEMO Electric to explore how utilities are evolving their approach to asset management in real time—moving from gut-call prioritization to condition-based maintenance, getting their teams on board with new technology, and building toward a future where failures get caught before they happen. This episode is brought to you by Skydio. Skydio helps utilities move beyond outdated time based maintenance to smarter, safer and more scalable condition-based maintenance. Powered by autonomous remote operated drones, over 280 utilities trust Skydio. Because with real time aerial data and remote inspection, utilities can spot issues early, reduce forced outages and make confident, efficient, cost effective decisions. Learn more about Skydio here: https://www.skydio.com/solutions/utilities

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