Central Hudson's Crew on Site Project | Grid Mod Pod Ep. 70 with Ryan Hawthorne

Central Hudson's Crew on Site Project | Grid Mod Pod Ep. 70 with Ryan Hawthorne

by AEIC

Applied Sciences & Engineering Economics & Finance KNBEnergy industries and utilitiesKNBLElectrical power generation and distribution industries
🎙 AEIC 👥 981 📅 January 20, 2026 ⏱ 29 min 👁 391 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

ADMSCrew on Sitesafetychange managementdistribution automation

Summary

In this episode of the Grid Mod Pod, host Dr. Elizabeth Cook interviews Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Engineering at Central Hudson Gas and Electric, about the award-winning ‘Crew on Site’ project. The project enhances the utility’s Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) by adding a tagging feature that allows field crews to report their location and work status, which then disables automated switching in the area to prevent accidental re-energization. Hawthorne discusses the importance of change management, frontline communication, and building trust with crews during the transition from local to centralized control. He shares lessons learned, including the need to prioritize reliability features before more complex efficiency features like Volt-Var Optimization. The episode also touches on the history of grid operations, the cultural shift towards innovation, and future goals for full ADMS deployment and VVO implementation. The conversation emphasizes safety, collaboration, and the value of sharing knowledge across the utility industry.

151 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The podcast provides valuable insights into the practical challenges of deploying grid modernization technologies, particularly the importance of change management and safety. The argumentation is based on real-world experience and is persuasive, though it lacks quantitative data or external validation. The discussion is coherent and well-structured, with clear explanations of technical concepts.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The content is presented by an industry expert, lending credibility, but no external sources are cited within the episode. The title accurately reflects the content. The podcast is produced by AEIC, a reputable industry association, which adds to its trustworthiness. However, the lack of references and the anecdotal nature limit its scientific rigor.

120 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the Crew on Site project and featuring Ryan Hawthorne.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The podcast features an industry expert (VP of Engineering) discussing a real project with practical insights. However, it is primarily anecdotal and lacks peer-reviewed data or external verification.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • AEIC Website — The organization's mission aligns with the podcast's emphasis on knowledge sharing.

Contribution & Novelties

The episode offers a detailed case study of a specific safety enhancement within an ADMS deployment, highlighting the often-overlooked human factors in grid modernization. It provides practical lessons on change management and frontline engagement.

Pour aller plus loin :

68 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows balanced scores across information quantity, quality, technical level, and reliability, with a slight emphasis on quality and technical depth. This indicates a well-rounded but not exceptional episode, typical of an expert interview.

Reliability 6/10

💬 No comments were provided for analysis.