The Event Defining How AI + Load Growth Shape Tomorrow’s Grid

Rapid load growth from hyperscale data centers, the expansion of AI computing, and the rise of onsite generation needs are driving the largest shift in electricity demand in decades. Utilities, data center operators, EPC firms, and technology providers are all being pushed into the same urgent conversation: how to deliver reliable, scalable power fast enough to support the digital economy.

DTECH® Data Centers & AI unites all sides of this challenge to coordinate strategies, share solutions, and accelerate capacity deployment.

High-density data center loads are reshaping utility planning, grid modeling, protection engineering, and operational decision-making. Utilities are adopting AI tools to improve forecasting, outage prediction, DER coordination, and asset health, while data centers are exploring interconnection pathways, substation requirements, and alternative power architectures.

DTECH® Data Centers & AI brings engineers and technical decision-makers together to address capacity constraints, streamline studies, modernize infrastructure, and integrate onsite generation into both utility and customer-side systems.

DC&AI

Who Attends DTECH Data Centers & AI?

Professionals attend DTECH® Data Centers & AI to evaluate the engineering, operational, and regulatory frameworks required to support rapid MW- to GW-scale load growth, deploy onsite generation, integrate new technologies, and apply AI to grid and facility operations. The event is designed for experts responsible for system planning, grid integration, electrical design, mission-critical infrastructure, and operational reliability.

Electric Utilities

Utility engineers, planners, and operators attend to understand the technical requirements associated with large new loads and the adoption of AI across the grid.
 


 

Data Centers & Critical Infrastructure Owners
Electrical engineering, design, and operations teams from hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise facilities attend to evaluate power-system design, interconnection pathways, onsite generation, and redundancy strategies.
 
Technology Providers
OEMs, software and analytics companies, consultants, and EPC contractors attend to meet buyers, demonstrate solutions, and understand emerging utility and data center requirements tied to siting, permitting, onsite power, AI, automation, and efficiency.
 

Trending Topics

Data Center Load Growth & Grid Impacts
Data Center Load Growth & Grid Impacts
AI, cloud expansion, and edge compute deployments are creating the fastest electricity demand growth in decades. Sessions explore forecasting models, resource adequacy, interconnection queuing, substation planning, transformer constraints, and the evolving utility–data center partnership model.
AI Tools for Utility Operations
AI Tools for Utility Operations
Utilities are leveraging AI for outage prediction, vegetation management, DER forecasting, customer engagement, AMI analytics, grid-edge optimization, and asset-health monitoring. This stream examines applications that improve reliability, accelerate decision-making, and optimize capital deployment
Onsite Power & Backup Strategies
Onsite Power & Backup Strategies
With long interconnection queues and aggressive build timelines, data centers are increasingly turning to onsite power: gas turbines, CHP, SMRs, microgrids, energy storage, and hybrid backup systems. Sessions address permitting, emissions, commercial structures, and integration with utility systems.

News from DTECH®'s official media partner, Factor This

A grid operator’s playground: DTECH tours UCSD’s DERConnect

DTECH attendees had a chance to tinker around at The University of California, San Diego's DERConnect facility, which enables utilities to rigorously test distributed energy resources and grid management software.
February 19, 2026
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PJM picks partners for 300 mile Midwest electric transmission project

PJM Interconnection has approved a 300-mile electric transmission project in central Ohio, developed by Transource Energy and FirstEnergy Transmission, that will modernize and strengthen the local grid.
February 17, 2026
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What does DTECH mean to the utility landscape?

DTECH 2026 showcased utility innovations that span the entire energy sector.
February 13, 2026
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Electric utilities face policy uncertainty as large-load demand accelerates

Utility industry leaders at DTECH 2026 explored how federal actions, tariffs and data center demand are complicating grid planning.
February 05, 2026
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