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

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.

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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.

As customer expectations evolve, utilities are reimagining engagement through digital platforms, personalized communications, energy programs, and equity-focused solutions. This track highlights how utilities build trust, improve satisfaction, and deliver value while addressing the diverse needs of customers. Learn how data, technology, and human-centered design strengthen utility-customer relationships.

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.

As distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate across the grid, utilities need advanced tools to manage their growing complexity. Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) give utilities the visibility, control, and intelligence needed to integrate and optimize DERs across both transmission and distribution systems. This topic explores how DERMS supports real-time grid operations, enhances forecasting and load flexibility, and enables grid services from customer and community energy assets. Sessions will highlight DERMS architectures, utility implementation strategies, case studies and technical analysis. .

Digital transformation is reshaping how utilities operate, plan, and serve customers—unlocking new levels of agility, efficiency, and insight. This topic explores how utilities are embracing digital tools and platforms to modernize everything from grid operations and asset management to customer experience and enterprise decision-making. Topics include data architecture, cloud adoption, IoT integration, digital twins, AI/ML applications, and change management. 

Energy storage is a critical tool for electric utilities navigating the demands of a more dynamic, distributed, and decarbonized grid. This topic explores how utilities are testing and deploying storage to enhance grid flexibility, support peak load management, enable renewable integration, and provide fast-responding ancillary services. Sessions will highlight storage applications across transmission, distribution, and behind-the-meter contexts—along with evolving business models, ownership structures, and regulatory considerations. Learn how utilities are leveraging storage as a strategic asset to improve reliability, reduce system costs, and accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future

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® Northeast, 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.

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Evolving policies and regulations shape how utilities plan, operate, and invest—especially regulated utilities balancing innovation, reliability, and compliance. This session covers federal, state, and regional policy developments, interconnection rules, GET incentives, reliability standards, and market reforms. Learn how utilities align regulatory compliance with modernization, resilience, and clean energy goals. 

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.