This topic showcases how advanced distribution operations and tools — such as DERMS and ADMS — are working to manage and control the future grid through orchestration and flexibility on both the distribution and transmission systems.

Explore the transformative potential of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) at DTECH Midwest. This topic will focus on the critical role AMI plays in enhancing grid operations, optimizing energy usage, and improving customer engagement. Sessions will cover key topics such as real-time data utilization, outage management, advanced billing systems, and integrating AMI with other smart grid technologies. Attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge AMI deployments, innovative use cases, and strategies for leveraging AMI to drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Join us to learn how AMI is shaping the future of utilities in the Midwest.

 

This topic will unpack how electric utilities are utilizing AI throughout the organization, both in the field and the c-suite.

 

Utility asset management strategies are critical to ensuring consistent reliability and resilience of the transmission and distribution grids, including storm and disaster management, vegetation management, outage management, and more.

 

This topic presents communication network strategies and modernization plans for electric utilities, including private LTE adoption and integration, mesh networks, automation, field area networks, wide area networks, and more.

 

This topic will cover the implementation of cyber and physical security frameworks, asset security standards for distributed energy resources, software integration considerations, and NERC CIP requirements for the bulk power system.

 

Grid modernization aims to fortify the distribution and transmission grids through physical infrastructure investments, as well as software, to improve system operability and resilience. This topic covers system hardening, undergrounding, ADMS, AMI, grid-enhancing technologies, and non-wires alternatives.

 

Dive into the evolving world of interconnection at DTECH Midwest, where experts and utility professionals will tackle the challenges and advancements in connecting distributed energy resources (DERs) to the grid. This topic will explore critical topics such as streamlining the interconnection process, maintaining grid reliability, integrating renewable energy, and meeting regulatory requirements. Attendees will gain insights into innovative tools, technologies, and strategies that ensure a seamless and efficient interconnection process while supporting grid resilience and sustainability.

 

This track focuses on the operational priorities of public power and cooperative utilities, including grid modernization, resource management, distributed energy integration, and enhancing member and community engagement. Dive into tailored sessions that highlight innovative approaches to improving reliability, maintaining cost-effectiveness, and navigating the evolving energy landscape.

 

Regulated utilities rely on supporting and complying with sound policies in order to fulfill obligations to customers and facilitate the energy transition. This topic focuses on the local, state, and federal policies that govern transmission and distribution utilities.

 

Above all else, transmission and distribution utilities are charged with maintaining safe and reliable power grids. Fulfilling that mission requires a nuanced examination of both distributed energy resources and the bulk power system, as well as where the two intersect. This topic incorporates how DERs are used to weather outages and defer network upgrades, bulk power operations and reliability, and system planning.

 

Electric vehicles, both residential and fleets, present near and long-term challenges for transmission and distribution utilities, including hardware integration, system planning, and managed charging. This topic will cover how transportation electrification impacts the grid, as well as the solutions available to ease and facilitate the transition.