From Itron Inspire to Action: Dr. Webber’s Vision for Smarter Utilities - [an Energy Central Power Perspectives Interview]
This past October at Itron Inspire, thought leaders from across the utility industry gathered to share insights and strategies for navigating today’s rapidly evolving energy and water landscapes. Among the event’s highlights was an Executive Roundtable moderated by Dr. Michael E. Webber, Professor at The University of Texas at Austin where he is the Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs and John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering.
The roundtable discussion focused on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing utilities, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), grid-edge intelligence, the exponential growth of the grid, and achieving sustainability goals. As an ongoing partner of Itron, Energy Central is committed to ensuring the valuable insights from events like Itron Inspire reach professionals across the utility space, including those who couldn’t attend in person. To that end, we spoke with Dr. Webber about his role at the event, the key takeaways from his roundtable, and his broader thoughts on the energy transition.
In the interview below, Dr. Webber shares his expertise on the energy-water nexus, the transformative potential of AI and grid-edge intelligence, and why breaking down silos across sectors is critical for future innovation. He also invites the Energy Central community to join the conversation, reflecting on how utilities can rise to the challenges of this pivotal moment for the industry.
Dr. Michael Webber
Energy Central: I know you regularly share your insights and thought leadership with the industry, and I'm thrilled that you do so. When you're preparing for an event like Itron Inspire, how did you go about identifying what your main message should be given the timing of the presentation as well as the audience?
Dr. Michael Webber: When I prepare for an event like Itron Inspire, I start by thinking about what the audience might care about and what's timely. This particular audience is composed of leaders and professionals from utilities and related industries, so I try to focus on the topics that will resonate with them. I also consider what's happening in the world—whether it's the current state of energy and water systems, recent innovations, or policy developments—and align my message with those trends.
For this event, I highlighted the importance of efficiency, particularly in the way we use resources like water and energy, and how digital tools can help us be more efficient. The main goal is to give the audience something actionable and relevant, while also challenging them to think beyond their usual scope. Events like this are an opportunity to connect ideas with an audience ready to take action.