Grid Modernization Virtual Summit

April 8-9, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0424-grid-modernization

The EUCI Grid Modernization Virtual Summit is a two-day online platform convening utility professionals and industry experts to discuss the pivotal challenges and opportunities in the journey towards a resilient, reliable, and technologically advanced grid. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning – hear from a powerhouse lineup of industry experts and visionaries who are leading the way in grid modernization.

Register now to examine strategies and gain insights on navigating the complexities of grid modernization. Be part of a transformative dialogue as we delve into the most pressing topics shaping the evolution of our nation’s electric grid. Uncover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and emerging technologies in optimizing grid operations and driving efficiency. With this conference, stay at the forefront of technological advancements and the evolving regulatory landscape driving the future of the U.S. electric grid.

Learning Outcomes

• U.S. Grid State of Affairs: Gain comprehensive insights into the existing state of the electric grid in the United States, encompassing its challenges, limitations, and opportunities for enhancement
• Technological Advancements and Innovations: Explore the latest technologies and innovations driving grid modernization, including renewable energy integration, smart grid advancements, IoT applications, and grid resilience solutions
• Policy and Regulatory Framework: Discuss the intricate interplay between governmental policies, regulations, and industry initiatives shaping the modernization of the electric grid, and their impacts on utility operations and consumer experiences
• Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: Identify strategies and best practices for the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, understanding their impacts on stability, reliability, and sustainability
• Grid Resilience and Cybersecurity: Explore the measures, protocols, and technologies employed to fortify the grid against cyber threats, natural disasters, and other potential disruptions, ensuring its robustness and reliability
• Economic Implications and Investment Strategies: Evaluate the economic landscape surrounding grid modernization, including investment opportunities, funding models, cost implications, and the financial viability of technological advancements
• Collaboration and Future Roadmap: Foster collaborations among stakeholders, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to collectively envision and strategize the future of grid modernization in the United States
• Ethical and Environmental Considerations: Examine the ethical implications and environmental impact of grid modernization initiatives, aiming for sustainability, equity, and responsible energy consumption practices
• Practical Implementations and Case Studies: Explore real-world case studies and successful implementations of grid modernization projects, understanding their challenges, successes, and lessons learned

Monday, April 8, 2024 : Central Time

 

8:45 – 8:50 a.m. :: Welcome Remarks, Event Overview and Virtual Instructions

Leo Martinez, Program Director, EUCI

8:50 – 9:00 a.m. :: Chairperson Opening Remarks

Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. :: Keynote Fireside Chat with FERC: Empowering Tomorrow: The Imperative of U.S. Grid Modernization

In the pursuit of a sustainable and technologically advanced energy future, the modernization of the U.S. transmission grid emerges as a linchpin for progress. This keynote fireside delves into the crucial importance of upgrading and modernizing the transmission grid to meet the evolving demands of our dynamic energy landscape and growing population.

We will touch upon the strategic significance of transmission grid modernization in enhancing grid reliability, accommodating renewable energy integration, and fostering a resilient energy infrastructure. Attendees will learn about the impact of modern technologies, such as advanced sensors, communication networks, and grid analytics, in optimizing grid operations.

Attendees will gain insights into the economic benefits, environmental considerations, and societal impacts associated with transmission grid modernization.

Moderator: Jon Wellinghoff, Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, GridPolicy, Inc

Commissioner Allison Clements, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. :: Keynote Fireside Chat with US Department of Energy

Moderator: Amy Gasca, Professor- Power and Alternative Solutions & Electric Trading Markets, University of Houston

Ariel Horowitz, Deputy Director, Grid Modernization, U.S. Department of Energy

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. :: Morning Break

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. :: ComEd’s Resiliency Journey and Industry Leadership

The session will highlight ComEd’s efforts and leadership in defining resilience metrics and their practical applications. ComEd is at the forefront of the IEEE Distribution Resiliency Taskforce, which is developing a guide for resilience metrics. The discussion will center on exploring resilience metrics and their application in enabling utilities to quantify and improve grid resilience.

Shikhar Pandey, Sr. Manager DER Planning & Engineering, ComEd

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Cutting the Queue and Emissions in the US Power Sector

• Two trends are associated with backup in the interconnection queue: energy transition and lack of substantial transmission build-out of the electricity network
• The wait times to get through interconnection process have gone up, 1.5 years to 3 years
• A new federal regulation can help improve the queue and fully unleash decarbonization

Will Gorman, Research Scientist, Electricity Markets, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. :: Chairperson Closing Remarks

Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

12:10 p.m. :: End of Day One Grid Modernization Virtual Summit

12:14 – 2:55 p.m. :: Enjoy the Solar Eclipse

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 : Central Time

8:45 – 8:50 a.m. :: Log In and Welcome Remarks

Leo Martinez, Program Director, EUCI

8:50 – 9:00 a.m. :: Chairperson Opening Remarks

Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. :: Keynote Presentation: Integrated Planning for the Electric Grid

• Review DOE efforts on advancing planning methods and tools to address issues posed by increasing levels of renewable and distributed energy resources.
• Initiate a discussion to explore gaps and recommend further efforts by DOE to advance planning methods and tools to address the changing resource mix while sustaining security, resilience, and reliability objectives.

Joe Paladino, Senior Advisor Grid Controls and Communications (Office of Electricity), U.S. Department of Energy

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. :: Next-Gen Grid Technologies: Smart Inverter and New Grid Topology

As we stand at the intersection of technological innovation and grid evolution, this session aims to unravel the transformative potential of smart inverters and their pivotal role in shaping a new grid topology.

Key topics include, but are not limited to:

Smart Inverters Unleashed:
Explore the capabilities of smart inverters as game-changers in grid modernization. Understand how these intelligent devices are revolutionizing energy flow management, voltage regulation, and overall grid resilience.

Grid Integration Strategies:
Delve into innovative strategies for integrating smart inverters seamlessly into existing grid infrastructures. Discover best practices for deploying these devices to optimize energy distribution and enhance grid reliability.

Dynamic Grid Topology:
Embrace the concept of a new grid topology enabled by smart inverters. Learn how these devices contribute to the creation of dynamic grid structures, fostering adaptability and responsiveness to changing energy demands.

Enhanced Grid Stability:
Uncover the impact of smart inverters on grid stability. Examine case studies demonstrating their role in mitigating voltage fluctuations, reducing power losses, and ensuring a stable and efficient electric grid.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Integration:
Investigate the synergy between smart inverters and distributed energy resources. Understand how these technologies collaborate to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the grid, accommodating the rise of decentralized energy generation.

Grid Intelligence and Control Systems:
Explore the integration of smart inverters with advanced grid intelligence and control systems. Witness how these technologies work in tandem to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and efficient grid management.

Simon Odie, Sr. Research Engineer/Technical Manager, Research & Development, Con Edison

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. :: Splight Case Study

Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

Carlos Caldart, Chief Product Officer, Splight

Eric Schroeder, PE, Vice President of Operations & Maintenance, LS Power

11:15 – 11:30 a.m. :: Chairperson Closing Remarks

Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

11:30 a.m. :: End of Grid Modernization Virtual Summit

• Bill Bojorquez, Acting Chief Operating Officer, Splight North America

• Carlos Caldart, Chief Product Officer, Splight

• Commissioner Allison Clements, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

• Amy Gasca, Professor- Power and Alternative Solutions & Electric Trading Markets, University of Houston

• Will Gorman, Research Scientist, Electricity Markets, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

• Ariel Horowitz, Deputy Director, Grid Modernization, U.S. Department of Energy

• Simon Odie, Sr. Research Engineer/Technical Manager, Research & Development, Con Edison

• Joe Paladino, Senior Advisor Grid Controls and Communication, U.S. Department of Energy

• Shikhar Pandey, Sr. Manager DER Planning & Engineering, ComEd

• Eric Schroeder, PE, Vice President of Operations & Maintenance, LS Power

• Jon Wellinghoff, Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, GridPolicy, Inc

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Grid Modernization Virtual Summit

April 8-9, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before March 08, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.8 CEUs for this event

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in for the entirety of the program to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations, open discussion and examples will be used.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 9.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

Attendees across utilities, transmission owners and operators, transmission developers, project managers and engineers, renewable energy developers EPCs and solutions providers, power grid solutions providers, environmental planners, financiers and investors.