Grid Modernization & Resiliency Summit

The 8th Grid Modernization & Resiliency Summit 2026 is a focused, networking-centric forum dedicated to the engineering, operational, and regulatory requirements of a rapidly evolving power system. The Summit brings together executives from utilities, system operators, national labs, and solution providers to address the practical challenges of upgrading North America’s distribution and transmission infrastructure.

As electrification accelerates, DER penetration increases, and extreme-weather events intensify, utilities face unprecedented system complexity and the need to modernize their networks. Indeed, over 70% of U.S. transmission lines are more than 25 years old -- nearing the end of their typical 50-to-80-year lifecycle -- and almost 70% of large power transformers in the U.S. are over 25 years old, increasing vulnerability to failure. This Summit is designed to address this situation by focusing on applied solutions, implementation strategies, and technology deployments for improving grid reliability, services flexibility, stability and operational resilience.

• Grid Reliability & Resilience — Hardening infrastructure, improving outage performance, and preparing for extreme weather.

• Distribution System Modernization — ADMS, automation, and upgraded protection schemes for a more flexible and observable grid.

• DER & Inverter-Based Resource Integration — Managing high-penetration DERs, VPPs, and EV load impacts on distribution systems.

• Emerging Smart Grid Technologies and Strategies — Learning from industry leaders at the cutting edge of innovation and performance in increasingly demanding environments.

• Microgrids & Local Resilience Systems — Design, control strategies, and operational lessons from campus, community, and industrial microgrids.

• Energy Storage Deployment — Storage applications for reliability, stability, and peak management, plus evolving safety and code requirements.

• OT System Modernization — Upgrading SCADA, field devices, and operational platforms to support a more adaptive, data-rich, and distributed grid.

• Change Drivers & Grid of the Future — Current market trends, requirements, challenges and opportunities facing the grid.

• And more

The summit is designed for professionals responsible for planning, operating, or securing electric system assets, including:

• T&D engineering teams

• System planning and reliability engineers

• Grid modernization and capital planning groups

• OT cybersecurity teams

• DER integration and interconnection engineers

• Microgrid and storage project engineers

• Utility operational technology and SCADA teams

• Regulators and technical policy analysts

"Great forum, great group and list of attendees and presenters."

- Hitesh Tanwani, GE Renewable Energy

"Good access to key contacts and prospects. Timely and varied topics of discussion.
Length of sessions and breaks maximized discussions and networking opportunities."

- Garrett Johnston, Trynzic

"The information exchanged here was incredibly useful."

- Melanie Moore, Union of Concerned Scientists

Benefits of Attending

• Learn from real-world deployments — Hear case studies and technical lessons from utilities implementing modernization, automation, and resilience upgrades

• Stay ahead of emerging requirements — Understand upcoming regulatory, operational, and technology shifts shaping grid reliability from 2026–2030

• Exchange practical engineering insights — Engage directly with peers facing similar challenges in DER integration, storage, and distribution system performance

• Discover proven tools and methods — Gain exposure to advanced platforms, modeling techniques, and field-tested modernization approaches

• Strengthen regional collaboration — Connect with Midwest utilities, operators, engineers, and solution partners working on similar system needs

• Bring back actionable guidance — Leave with concrete strategies, frameworks, and implementation ideas ready to apply to your organization’s grid modernization roadmap

Plan to Participate

There are several opportunities to take part in the proceedings -- save the date and share your thought leadership and innovation:

Call for speakers is currently open
Share your expertise and insights

Showcase your innovations and solutions to executive utility decision-makers

Early bird rates are currently available -- register today and reserve your seat