As the electric grid evolves to support greater complexity, resilience, and sustainability, utilities are deploying advanced tools and strategies to optimize operations across both transmission and distribution systems. This topic explores cutting-edge developments in grid monitoring, automation, and system flexibility. Sessions will examine how utilities are leveraging data, real-time analytics, and emerging technologies— such as DERMS, ADMS, SCADA, and grid-enhancing technologies- to manage and control the future grid through orchestration, flexibility and stability

 

In an era of record-breaking demand and aging infrastructure, maintaining equitable rates is a strategic necessity. This topic explores how digital innovation, regulatory reform, and transparent communication strategies can be leveraged to address these issues on all sides. Sessions focus on bridging the gap between operational reality and consumer perception to allow utilities to move from awareness to empowerment, ensuring the benefits of grid modernization are both visible to the consumer and sustainable for the ratepayer.

 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the energy landscape—and electric utilities are uniquely positioned to utilize generative AI and large language models (LLMs) to drive innovation, improve resilience, and enhance customer experience. This topic explores how AI-driven technologies, including machine learning, data collection and, data analytics, are optimizing operations, improving decision-making, and increasing efficiency in power distribution and management.

 

As utilities face mounting pressure to do more with aging infrastructure, effective asset management has become essential to grid performance, safety, and long-term planning. This topic explores how utilities are adopting data-driven strategies to assess asset health, prioritize investments, and extend the life of critical infrastructure. Topics include condition-based monitoring, risk modeling, digital twins, GIS integration, and lifecycle planning. Learn how utilities are evolving from reactive maintenance to strategic, value-based asset stewardship that supports reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

 

The FBI has issued a stark warning to the utility industry: critical infrastructure is now the top target for U.S. adversaries. Attacks, both cyber and physical, are becoming more frequent, threatening the reliability of grid operations, as well as sensitive customer information and asset performance. 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.

 

Data analytics plays a critical role in optimizing grid operations, enhancing reliability, and improving decision-making for utilities. This topic explores how utilities are leveraging big data, AI-driven insights, and predictive analytics to improve asset management, outage detection, demand forecasting, and customer engagement. Discussions will also focus on integrating real-time data, improving situational awareness, and developing strategies to harness the full potential of utility data.

 

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are reshaping the power grid by integrating renewable energy sources, battery storage, and demand response mechanisms. This topic covers advancements in DER deployment, management strategies, interconnection challenges, regulatory frameworks, and the role of DERs in improving grid resilience and reliability.

 

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.

 

With increasing pressure from extreme weather, aging infrastructure, and new demand patterns, utilities are prioritizing reliability and resilience across both transmission and distribution systems. This track explores how utilities are hardening assets, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening the bulk power system to minimize disruptions and accelerate recovery.

 

Disaster Response is a crucial area for utilities, focusing on the preparedness, response, and recovery from natural or man-made disasters. This topic will explore best practices in emergency planning, real-time communication, wildfire mitigation, and grid restoration strategies. Emphasis will be placed on leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance situational awareness, minimize downtime, and ensure quick and safe power restoration in the aftermath of disasters.

 

A strong business strategy must align with a skilled, adaptable workforce. This track covers how utilities equip field teams with tools like mobile management, drones, and AR to improve safety and productivity, while also addressing talent attraction, upskilling, leadership development, and building diverse, inclusive teams. Learn how utilities invest in technology and people to strengthen today’s operations and build tomorrow’s workforce.

 

Vegetation contact remains one of the leading causes of outages, wildfire ignition, and reliability events—making vegetation management a core component of utility operations and risk mitigation. This topic explores how utilities are modernizing vegetation programs with the help of advanced technologies like satellite imagery, LiDAR, AI-enabled analytics, and mobile field tools. Sessions will also cover regulatory compliance, contractor coordination, risk prioritization, and strategies for operating in high-fire-threat or storm-prone areas. Learn how utilities are evolving vegetation management from a reactive task to a data-driven, proactive discipline.