Elon Musk Virtually Attends PG&E Innovation Summit In San Ramon

SAN RAMON, CA — PG&E, the utility company that serves 16 million people across California, kicked off its first annual Innovation Summit on Tuesday with panels featuring figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and discussions of the utility giant's goals as California becomes increasingly dependent on electrical power.

Hundreds attended in person and online at the event held at the Roundhouse event center in San Ramon.

PG&E CEO Patti Poppe, donning a bright-green blazer and a PG&E T-shirt, interviewed Musk, who appeared via video call. Musk warned of increasing demand for electric power as California phases out gas power and traditional combustion engine vehicles in favor of all-electric vehicles.

"The magnitude of the energy problem that lies ahead is enormous," Musk said. "Whatever your expectations are with energy consumption, it's too low."

Poppe and Musk also discussed their company's partnership, allowing PG&E to tap into home EV charging units during outages. Poppe said that these home charging units amount to an additional 9,000-megawatt capacity for the utility company's electrical grid.

Poppe said in a panel with Schneider Electric CEO Annette Clayton and Microsoft vice president of energy and resources Darryl Willis that one of their goals in the conference was to connect with Silicon Valley's startup community. The company will host a "Pitch Fest" in September, inviting participants to bring their ideas to the utility company and other industry leaders.

"We want Innovation to come and thrive at PG&E," said Poppe.

Significant focus was put on the company's efforts to reduce wildfires in the state. Poppe said that last year, the company reduced the number of ignitions caused by their equipment by 68% and a 99% reduction of acres burned thanks to new innovations in automatic shutdown technology that ceases power flowing to wires that connect with foliage and other potential fuel sources for wildfires.

In the afternoon, the event continued with breakout discussions on the company's efforts to modernize their gas system, reduce the risk of wildfires and prepare the grid for increased demand due to EV usage.


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