In the CRA Sessions podcast series Always on: Reliability in focus, CRA Vice President and host Andrew Dressel interviews Rob Kondziolka, Governing Body Member of the Western Energy Imbalance Market, to discuss the evolving challenges and strategies related to the reliability and resiliency of the Western US electric system.
Drawing on decades of industry experience, Kondziolka emphasizes the critical distinction between reliability—everyday service delivery—and resiliency—the ability to withstand and recover from extreme, low-frequency events like wildfires, storms, and cyber threats.
The conversation highlights tools like the Transmission Resiliency Maturity Model (TRMM), the importance of continuous improvement, and the role of emerging technologies such as smart inverters, dynamic line ratings, and AI in enhancing grid performance. The episode emphasizes the urgency of proactive planning and innovation in the face of climate change and increasing system complexity.
