“These countries that our first project dealt with in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union were going through massive political change, opening to more democratic processes and transparency.”

NARUC’s Committee on International Relations has provided help and best practices for almost thirty years as energy market development needs grew overseas. The Committee manages NARUC’s outreach activities across the globe, including partnerships with numerous countries. PUF’s Paul Kjellander spoke with NARUC Senior Director of Professional Development Erin Hammel, Committee on International Relations Chair and Nevada Commissioner Tammy Cordova, and NARUC Executive Director Tony Clark.

“Japanese energy policy rests on three pillars: reliability and energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. We must balance these three pillars while recognizing that Japan is an electrically isolated island importing fossil fuels.”

“National carbon goals are actively under discussion right now, and that is important, but they are not the primary driver of new clean electricity projects. The main driver is rapidly increasing demand for electricity across all sectors.”

PUF talked with two prominent energy leaders who offered vital international perspectives on how market structures, geography, and policy choices shape power system architecture. Together, these conversations provide actionable insights into grid resilience, capacity adequacy, and load integration.

When we set aside regional silos and look across the map with genuine curiosity, we discover that grid operators, regulators, and technology partners half a world away are testing practical solutions to the very challenges sitting on our own desks.

“Power Up Academy was built to be a direct pipeline into entry-level engineering roles at ComEd and our employer partners. The most important decision we made was to remove the four-year degree requirement. In its place, participants earn college credits.”

“In many respects, the next breakthrough for advanced nuclear may not be the reactor itself, but how the sector delivers it.”

“A flexible resource only counts if we design the market, the rate, and the program that lets it participate – which is exactly where the work is, and it is well underway.”