The Industry Is Very Hungry for Ideas | Ben Lanz, Osmose

The Industry Is Very Hungry for Ideas | Ben Lanz, Osmose

by Ben Lanz, Osmose; Alan Ross, APC Media

Applied Sciences & Engineering Economics & Finance KNBEnergy industries and utilitiesKNBLElectrical power generation and distribution industries
🎙 Ben Lanz, Osmose; Alan Ross, APC Media 👥 556 📅 June 29, 2026 ⏱ 33 min 👁 50 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

grid replacementasset life extensionCAPEX modelDER wasteESARA

Summary

In this interview at the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show, Ben Lanz of Osmose discusses the critical state of the US power grid with Alan Ross of APC Media. The conversation centers on the staggering $6.5 trillion replacement value of the grid, contrasted with only $63 billion in annual investment, resulting in a replacement rate of less than 1% per year. This forces assets to last 100 years, a challenge Osmose addresses through life-extension solutions that double asset life at five times lower cost and five times faster than replacement. Lanz highlights the regulatory bottleneck, citing Kevin Geraghty of SDG&E, who noted that investor-owned utilities won’t accelerate replacement without mandates. The broken CAPEX-driven model incentivizes capital spending over OPEX-based maintenance. The discussion also covers the inefficiency of DER, where 63% of generated power is wasted, and the need for battery storage. Lanz criticizes procurement-driven RFP processes that stifle vendor collaboration and innovation. He introduces APC Media’s new podcast aimed at elevating utility practitioners’ voices and discusses ESARA, an association focused on electrical safety and reliability, bringing together industrial and data center experts. The interview underscores the urgent need for collaboration, education, and regulatory reform to address the grid crisis.

199 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides valuable insights into the challenges facing the US power grid, supported by specific figures and expert opinions. The argumentation is coherent, emphasizing the need for life extension, regulatory reform, and collaboration. However, some claims lack rigorous evidence, such as the 37% DER utilization figure, which is presented as an unverified premise. The discussion is persuasive but relies heavily on anecdotal experiences and personal assertions rather than comprehensive data.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate; the conversation references industry studies and expert panels but does not provide formal citations. The sources mentioned include Bank of America analysis, Kevin Geraghty, and panels from ComEd and National Grid, but these are not detailed. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the industry’s hunger for ideas. The description provides links to APC Media’s website and LinkedIn pages, which serve as additional resources but are not direct citations to the claims made.

165 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the core theme of the interview: the industry's need for innovative ideas and collaboration to address grid infrastructure challenges.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The discussion is grounded in specific data points (e.g., $6.5 trillion replacement value, $63 billion annual investment, 37% DER utilization) and references industry experts and panels, but lacks formal citations and relies on anecdotal evidence and personal assertions.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • IEEE PES T&D Conference — The conference where the interview took place, providing a platform for industry discussions.

Dissenting Sources

  • Bank of America Analysis — The specific analysis is not cited, and the figures may be disputed by other sources.

External References

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a unique perspective on the grid crisis by combining insights from a vendor (Osmose) with regulatory and operational viewpoints. It highlights the underappreciated issue of DER waste and the need for regulatory incentives for asset life extension. The discussion on procurement culture and the role of podcasts in knowledge dissemination is forward-thinking.

Pour aller plus loin :

97 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity and quality, with moderate technical depth and reliability. This indicates a content-rich discussion that is accessible but could benefit from more rigorous sourcing.

Reliability 7/10