Grid Talk: Austin Energy Accelerates Green Goals

"We've got batteries that are tied to large-scale grids. We have the ability to reduce, significantly reduce load off the system at the grid level."

THOMAS PIERPOINT, VICE PRESIDENT OF ELECTRIC SYSTEM ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, AUSTIN ENERGY

Austin Energy is taking a new, market-based approach to accelerate reduction of carbon emissions in its energy portfolio. In this episode of Grid Talk, Marty Rosenberg talks with Thomas Pierpoint who is the Vice President of Electric System Engineering and Technical Services at the municipal utility. Mr. Pierpont explains how the market-based approach works to benefit and protect ratepayers. He also talks about implementing new technologies to better manage the grid, including the advantages of battery deployment and energy storage. 

Thomas Pierpoint joined Austin Energy in September 2019 as Vice President of Electric System Engineering and Technical Services. Mr. Pierpoint has more than 30 years of experience in the utility industry. He was a strategic consultant in the energy and utility industry providing support to a number of utility and energy companies as well as the Congressional Budget Office, the Department of Energy, and FERC.

Mr. Pierpoint earned an advanced certificate for executives in management, innovation, and technology from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Pierpoint also holds a Master of Business Administration and a master’s in project management, both from Keller Graduate School of Management, in addition to a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology from Old Dominion University.