Highlights of the Program
2 days business program:
Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.
SHOWCASING INNOVATION:
Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.
leaders talk:
Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
MULTIPLE STREAMS:
A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.
SMART TECHNOLOGIES:
Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.
roundtable discussion:
Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.
Program
Day 1 :
WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL, 2026
08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:00 - 09:10
OPENING ADDRESS
09:10 - 09:35
PERFORMANCE-BASED REGULATION AS AN ENABLER OF GRID MODERNIZATION
Raj Sharma
FortisAlberta
- Exploring how traditional frameworks influence utility investment decisions related to DSM, demand response, and grid modernization
- Examining how existing regulatory and utility behaviors affect outcomes for utilities, regulators, customers, and technology providers
- Reviewing performance‑based regulation as a mechanism for aligning utility financial incentives with efficiency, reliability, and non‑capital solutions
- Discussing observed examples where incentive alignment has influenced vendor participation, DER deployment, and grid modernization strategies
09:35 - 09:40
Q&A SESSION ON ALIGNING INCENTIVES THROUGH PERFORMANCE REGULATION
09:40 - 10:05
PRACTICAL INTEROPERABILITY FOR GRID MODERNIZATION: DESIGNING MODULAR AND SCALABLE ARCHITECTURES
Auquib Rasul
Alectra Utilities
- Examining how fragmented IT and OT systems hinder control room and field decisions
- Applying modular architectures that reduce vendor lock-in while preserving reliability
- Enabling grid modernization through interoperability and data harmonization strategies
- Sharing real-world lessons from enterprise architecture work at a regulated utility
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON PRACTICAL INTEROPERABILITY IN UTILITY MODERNIZATION
10:10 - 10:35
INCREASING GRID EFFICIENCY THROUGH HVDC TECHNOLOGY: INNOVATIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR TRANSMISSION PLANNING
Orestes Macchione
Siemens Energy
- Examining new HVDC converter designs and their role in enhancing grid stability
- Enabling efficient long-distance transmission from remote renewable energy sources
- Integrating HVDC into smart grids to support resilience and modern planning practices
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON HVDC'S ROLE IN MODERN GRID DESIGN
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
Sponsored By INDUSTRIAL DATA WORKS LLC
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON BUILDING THE FUTURE: CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY STORAGE, AND GRID OPTIMIZATION
- Preparing for North America’s energy buildout using data cloud and AI to guide utility planning and workforce evolution
- Optimizing equitable fast charging and storage placement with AI partnerships and resilience planning to prevent charging deserts
- Exploring disruptive distribution technologies EV grid support and deployment timelines shaping future grid stability
| New Math Data
| University of Ottawa
| First Point Energy
11:30 - 11:55
ASSET LOADING ANALYTICS AND METER INTELLIGENCE HUB FOR GRID RELIABILITY
Joyce Solomon
Southern Company
- Fusing high-resolution AMI data with predictive models to reveal feeder and transformer stress
- Orchestrating a utility-owned MIH with geospatial views for proactive planning and operations
- Governing cloud-native data pipelines and real-time visualization to improve forecast confidence
- Scaling predictive asset management to support DER and EV growth with earlier intervention
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON CLOUD-NATIVE PREDICTIVE GRID OPERATIONS
12:00 - 12:25
INTEGRATION OF RENEWABLES – WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Mark Stephens
EPRI
- Identifying PQ issues like voltage flicker, harmonics, and inverter-based equipment conflicts
- Explaining how DERs impact voltage stability, inrush, and compatibility in modern grids
- Reviewing real-world cases of industrial disruption tied to poor PQ and rapid voltage shifts
- Exploring standards, testing, and analytics for proactive mitigation and utility readiness
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON POWER QUALITY IN RENEWABLES INTEGRATION
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE SMART GRIDS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
OVERCOMING DER INTEGRATION CHALLENGES AND ENHANCING GRID PARTICIPATION THROUGH ADVANCED INTELLIGENCE
Prabhakar Nellore
Myers EPS
- Coordinating local microgrid controllers with cloud-based VPPs for grid-wide optimization
- Unifying diverse DERs using emerging and legacy protocols for seamless interoperability
- Addressing integration and customer engagement to boost DER participation and revenue
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON INTELLIGENT DER COORDINATION STRATEGIES
14:00 - 14:25
OPTIMISING AMI DEPLOYMENT: SPEED, SAVINGS, AND RELIABILITY
Rory Fox
EDX Wireless
- Reducing deployment time and CAPEX using advanced RF planning and simulation tools
- Building resilient AMI networks with data-driven strategies and mesh optimization
- Supporting smart grid performance through trusted, specialised RF toolsets
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON STRATEGIC AMI NETWORK DEPLOYMENT
14:30 - 14:55
SMART FIBRE AS A FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR MODERN GRID INFRASTRUCTURE
Alex Freylekhman
LiteLinx Fiber
- Improving visibility, cutting costs, and speeding deployment through intelligent fibre and digital twins
- Enabling real-time tracking, lifecycle control, and warehousing to support high grid availability
- Providing examples of utilities modernising workflows and improving reliability with Smart Fibre
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON SMART FIBRE FOR OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY
15:00 - 15:30
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:30 - 15:55
ADVANCED DETECTION: HOW TO PREVENT THERMAL RUNAWAY IN LI-ION BATTERIES
Mike Clouthier
Honeywell
- Identifies thermal runaway risks in Li-ion BESS, transport, and storage environments
- Examining how external heat sources trigger cascading battery failure events
- Evaluating advanced detection and protection options for energy storage facilities
15:55 - 16:00
Q&A SESSION ON MITIGATING THERMAL RUNAWAY IN BATTERY SYSTEMS
16:00 - 16:25
MODULAR CONTROL CENTER SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING 100% RENEWABLE GRIDS
Arya Fazilat
50Hertz Transmission GmbH
- Transitioning from legacy OT systems to modular IT platforms for real-time grid operations
- Building MCCS as a plug-and-play control center architecture for scalable functionality
- Co-creating grid operation modules with TSOs, DSOs, vendors, and research partners
- Sharing digital transformation lessons from 50Hertz’s in-house software journey
16:25 - 16:30
Q&A SESSION ON MODULAR CONTROL CENTERS FOR RENEWABLE GRIDS
16:30 - 16:55
THE EVOLVING CFR OPPORTUNITY
Hazel Saffery
Dentons Canada LLP
- Assessing CFR-driven financial impacts on EV charging and intrareader project development
- Exploring new biomass and RNG opportunities from recently proposed CFR amendments
- Comparing Canada’s CFR framework with California’s regulatory approach and outcomes
16:55 - 17:00
Q&A SESSION ON CANADA’S CLEAN FUEL REGULATION OPPORTUNITIES
17:00 - 18:00
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
THURSDAY, 30 APRIL, 2026
08:30 - 09:00
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
09:00 - 09:10
OPENING ADDRESS
09:10 - 09:35
HOW UTILITY OWNED VPPS CAN REDUCE EVERYONE'S COSTS
Tom Chapman
The Brattle Group
- Demonstrating how smart EV charging and heat pumps form grid-supporting virtual power plants
- Explaining how transparent pricing enables stacking of energy, capacity, and T&D value streams
- Using Ontario’s case to show economic, policy, and sustainability impacts of utility-led VPPs
09:35 - 09:40
Q&A SESSION ON ECONOMICS OF UTILITY-LED VIRTUAL POWER PLANTS
09:40 - 10:05
BUILDING AN AUTONOMOUS MICROGRID ON COASTAL BC
Katherine Arnot
BMT Canada Ltd.
- Delivering a hybrid renewable microgrid for an off-grid coastal client and research use
- Automating system control to improve efficiency, resilience, and autonomous operation
- Integrating diverse generation, storage, and control equipment in a unified system
- Navigating logistics and construction challenges in a remote coastal environment
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON DESIGNING AUTONOMOUS MICROGRIDS IN REMOTE REGIONS
10:10 - 10:35
BUILDING CANADA'S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHAIN
Jay Wilson
Electricity Canada
- Expanding domestic manufacturing capacity for critical grid and power equipment
- Strengthening supply chain resilience to support electrification and infrastructure buildout
- Mitigating tariff exposure and trade risks impacting utility and energy project delivery
10:35 - 10:40
Q&A SESSION ON STRENGTHENING CANADA’S POWER SUPPLY CHAIN
10:40 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:25
PRACTICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE FOR ELECTRIC UTILITIES: DOING MORE WITH LESS
Daniel Ricci
Industrial Data Works LLC
- Outlining cost-effective response methods when full automation is not feasible
- Developing manual IR playbooks using open frameworks and tabletop exercises
- Reinforcing small-team agility through clear roles, cross-training, and peer networks
- Advancing affordable automation for log analysis, patching, and compliance tracking
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON BUDGET-CONSCIOUS CYBER RESPONSE STRATEGIES
11:30 - 11:55
BEHIND-THE-METER GENERATION FOR AI & DATA CENTER GROWTH: A SCALABLE PATH TO RELIABILITY, SPEED, & SMART GRID INTEGRATION
Matthew Swinamer
Collicutt
- Outpacing grid constraints using BTM modular power to meet rapid AI and data center demand
- Highlighting engine vs turbine performance for reliability, efficiency, emissions, and speed
- Evaluating BESS as a smoothing layer for volatile AI loads to boost stability and plant output
- Detailing economics, siting, staging, and hydrogen ready systems for future grid participation
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON POWERING DATA GROWTH BEYOND THE GRID
12:00 - 12:25
THE INTEROPERABLE SUBSTATION: SECURE EDGE CONNECTIVITY FOR MICROGRIDS
Daniel Noiseux
Dimonoff
- Securing legacy relays, PLCs, DERs, and sensors into one event-driven architecture
- Linking edge gateways and zero-trust patterns with SCADA, MES, and cloud platforms
- Mapping phased modernization to boost reliability, maintenance optimization, and efficiency
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON SECURING EDGE INTEROPERABILITY FOR MICROGRIDS
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE SMART GRIDS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 14:00
RESERVED PRESENTATION
14:00 - 14:25
ACCESS AT THE GRID EDGE: ECONOMICS OF MULTI-USE AND MULTI-UTILITY BUILDS
Robert Petruk
Dura-Line
- Facilitating shared ROW strategies that align utilities, policy goals, and infrastructure investment
- Futureproofing grid-edge builds to support capacity growth and simplify adds and changes
- Quantifying lifecycle cost savings and faster service delivery through standardized designs
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON SHARED INFRASTRUCTURE ECONOMICS AT THE GRID EDGE
14:30 - 14:55
FROM DATA SILOS TO INTELLIGENT ANSWERS: A UNIFIED VIEW FOR SMART GRIDS
Traey Hatch
New Math Data
- Unifying SCADA, GIS, and topology into a graph-based digital twin of distribution networks
- Enabling LLM-driven queries to answer complex grid planning and operational questions
- Modeling EV growth, DER integration, and aging assets beyond limits of legacy tools
- Simulating future grid states to support optimization and confident capital investment
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON UNIFYING GRID DATA FOR INTELLIGENT DECISIONS
15:00 - 15:30
RESERVED PRESENTATION
15:30 - 15:45
FEEDBACK AND RAFFLE DRAW
15:45 - 16:00
CLOSING REMARKS
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