Batteries do more than store energy. They’re reshaping how the world is powered.In this episode of Power Onward, Kim sits down with Aaron to discuss the role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the global energy transition. From commercial buildings to remote islands, Aaron explains how this all-in-one technology brings cleaner, smarter power wherever it’s needed.Learn how large-scale batteries go beyond backup to become the brains of entire energy systems, and why Cummins’ latest innovation is a major step toward Destination Zero.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are changing how industries use and manage power.Why smart, containerized solutions offer faster setup and seamless grid integration.Why batteries are also storage devices that power every infrastructure we haveArticlesLearn more about Battery Energy Storage Systems | Cummins Inc. Types of applications for BESS and the benefits of incorporating BESS into your solutions | Cummins Inc. VideosCummins Power Generation Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Cummins Power Generation Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) launch unveil Additional ResourcesBattery Energy Storage Systems: Understanding key concepts and applications A focus on BESS: Synchronizing and load sharing in inverter-based technology and synchronous machinesInterested in learning more? Subscribe to the [3-minute Power Up] to get breakthrough stories and the latest innovations in power technology delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.cummins.com/news/podcast#subscribe Dive into the conversation:(00:00) This is Power Onward(00:33) How batteries became a global power solution(01:30) Massive batteries that also manage your energy system(02:43) Explaining how BESS works using a simple analogy(03:56) Inside Cummins’ new all-in-one battery system(05:35) Designing for speed, safety, and scalability(06:20) Powering through heat and grid limits in Dubai(09:07) The role of BESS in the energy future
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11:52
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11:52
B.Y.O.V. (Build Your Own Vehicle)
Picture a future where building a zero-emissions vehicle feels as simple as snapping together LEGO bricks. That’s the mindset Accelera by Cummins is bringing to clean energy, offering flexible solutions that meet customers wherever they are in their transition to smarter, cleaner power.In this episode, Kim and Kat get hands-on with the idea of building electric power systems like DIY kits. From batteries and motors to inverters, they break down how Accelera helps reconfigure powertrains for a cleaner future. In this episode, you’ll learn:How powertrain components are interchangeable and can fit together like building blocksWhy Accelera isn’t averse to the “messy middle” within the shift to clean energyWhat makes Accelera and Cummins uniquely equipped to meet customers ArticlesTop benefits of tiered battery designs for commercial electric vehiclesAccelera to unveil zero-emissions integrated battery electric powertrain for Isuzu F-series medium-duty truckVideosOur next breakthrough has a name: AcceleraAdditional ResourcesAdvanced LFPTiered battery platformAccelera showcases latest zero-emissions lineup for commercial vehicles at ACT ExpoTop benefits of tiered battery designs for commercial electric vehiclesDive into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction(00:31) Building the future of power like Legos(02:11) Transitioning from diesel to alternative power(03:27) Accelera’s role in modular technology(04:08) Cummins and Accelera's partnership(05:25) Customizable solutions for companies(06:06) Kat’s perspective on DIY power solutions(07:18) Scalability and efficiency in powertrain innovation(08:34) The complexity of energy transitions(10:20) Ensuring supportive and adaptable change(10:45) Accelera’s innovative legacy from Cummins(11:36) Empowering customers with choices(12:02) Guiding through the energy transition
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13:32
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13:32
READY™ to shape the future
Behind every powerful engine is a company powered by purpose. In this episode of Power Onward, Kim is joined by Jim to explore how Cummins shows up in communities around the world. From its legacy of civil rights advocacy to its forward-thinking Cummins READY™ education strategy, Jim shares how Cummins connects innovation with impact.Discover how aligning company goals with community needs creates lasting value, and why education, equity and the environment are part of Cummins’ DNA.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Cummins READY™ is helping over a million people build skills for the jobs of the future.Why aligning business goals with community needs leads to stronger impact.What happens when corporate responsibility is treated as a core value, not just a department.ArticlesREADY™ to Inspire the Next Generation: Sparking STEM curiosity through playCummins at the READY™ to help tackle the education crisisEffective corporate responsibility in times of changeVideosCummins READY™Cummins Corporate ResponsibilityInterested in learning more? Subscribe to the [3-minute Power Up] to get breakthrough stories and the latest innovations in power technology delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.cummins.com/news/podcast#subscribeDive into the conversation:(00:00) This is Power Onward(00:33) A morning at the WNBA STEM event and what it says about Cummins(01:30) Jim’s personal journey into community involvement(03:12) The moments that shaped Jim’s passion for impact(04:03) The legacy of J. Irwin Miller and Cummins’ long-standing values(06:22) What makes Cummins’ community engagement model unique(08:45) The strategy behind Cummins READY™ and how it started(10:16) The global vision: education, upskilling, and impact by 2030(12:10) Bringing it full circle: passion, purpose and power
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14:15
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14:15
Worker bees & engines
Engines and bees may not seem alike at first, but for Matt, they both represent systems built on precision, purpose, and connection.We often overlook what powers our everyday lives, but behind the scenes are people like Matt who troubleshoot, innovate, and uphold the reliability that keeps industries running. At Cummins, that sense of purpose is passed down through generations, shaping not just careers but the way communities grow and thrive.From early memories of punch cards to supporting fleets across the globe, Kim and Matt explore how legacy, curiosity, and technical expertise come together to create meaningful impact.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Cummins engines are trusted across critical industriesHow problem-solving and personal relationships go hand in handWhat beekeeping reveals about the power behind progressAdditional Resources:Cummins.com/podcastCummins Technical Center celebrates 50 years of innovationCummins PowerStore Dive into the conversation:(00:00) This is Power Onward(00:31) A buzzing beehive meets engine power(01:24) Carrying on three generations at Cummins(03:39) How IT started with punch cards in the 60s(05:07) From racing dreams to Cummins support(07:20) Troubleshooting on the front lines(08:40) Earning trust through personal connections(11:16) From seasonal allergies to beekeeping(12:54) Engines and bees: a shared ecosystem(16:00) Beyond trucks: Cummins across land and sea(19:04) Keeping hospitals and society running(24:42) The engine that changed small-haul transport(26:50) Smarter engines than the moon landing(28:22) Purpose, legacy and innovation intertwined
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30:08
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30:08
Honoring the legacy of Cummins and the Indy 500
There is something timeless about the roar of engines and the spirit of a community coming together for a legendary race.Each year, the Indy 500 brings the energy of Indianapolis to life, and behind the scenes, Cummins plays an important role in weaving history, innovation, and community into the experience for guests and race fans alike.Kim and Maggie walk through how Cummins’ rich legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to be honored today, from historic race cars to personalized race day experiences for customers and colleagues.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Cummins’ history is tied to the first Indy 500What guests experience during a full race weekend with CumminsWhy connecting with local businesses makes the race experience even strongerAdditional Resources:Cummins.com/podcastCummins and the Indianapolis 500: A Time-Honored Tradition in Racing Cummins PowerStore: No. 28 Car Indy 500 Tee A Love Letter to the Indy 500, by John Green I spy: A Cummins-powered scavenger hunt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Dive into the conversation:(00:00) This is Power Onward(00:32) Indy 500 legacy: community, history, innovation(01:31) Why the race is special for Maggie and Cummins(03:50) Cummins’ 1911 pit-crew origin story(05:22) Spotlight on the vintage lap tradition(06:50) Inside a VIP race-weekend itinerary(08:24) Tower Terrace views and pit-lane access(09:03) Feeling the green flag and race-day adrenaline(10:12) “Greatest spectacle” sights and sounds(12:29) How the Cummins hospitality team plans it all(13:36) Partnering with local Indiana businesses(14:48) Big idea: history, community, innovation
Power Onward is the podcast that unveils how power technology shapes your everyday life.
From the tech powering your daily life to the innovations driving industries forward, we talk about it all.
Brought to you by Cummins, each episode explores what’s fueling the future and why it matters for your mission, business, and community.