Time: 10-10:50 a.m. CDT

Location: C147 / 154

Description: The impact of electrification on distribution systems is only part of the new load growth equation. While these loads are somewhat flexible, utilities in many regions of the country are also facing requests to support data centers and other tech facilities requiring 24-7 power. New, innovative approaches to load management are emerging, especially as the grid edge becomes more intelligent. In addition to real utility deployments, the national labs are also investigating new platforms for local energy flexibility. Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), transactive energy, new wholesale market models, and edge intelligence are rapidly transforming utility approaches to these issues. This panel reviews innovations at the grid edge that support the decentralized, real-time energy markets of the future.

Speakers: 

• Moderator – Fei Ding, Manager, Grid Automation and Controls Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Ifigeneia Stefanidou, Head of Global Product Management, Analytics & Flexibility Management, Landis+Gyr
• Arielle Bertman, VP, Product, SPAN
• Muhammad (Mo) Al-Ahmar, Principal Manager, AMI 2.0/Customer Grid Edge (CGE), SCE

Time: 10:00-10:50 a.m. CDT

Location: C3

Description:

As transportation electrification accelerates, utilities need for seamless integration between grid infrastructure and energy management solutions becomes critical. This session explores how Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Energy Management Systems (EMS) can optimize energy use, enhance grid stability, and reduce costs for fleet operators and charging infrastructure. We will examine strategies for leveraging grid edge intelligence from real-time energy data, demand response capabilities, and predictive analytics to support scalable and efficient EV adoption. Additionally, we will highlight the role of battery storage in managing peak demand, increasing energy resilience, and enabling cost-effective EV charging while maintaining sustainability and operational efficiency in industrial and commercial environments.

Session sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services

Speakers:

• Reguraman (Regu) Ayyaswamy, Senior Vice President & Global Head, IoT & Digital Engineering – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Amith Kota, Global CTO – Landis+Gyr

Time: 11-11:50 a.m. CDT

Location: C143 / 140

Description: Electricity load is forecasted to multiply over the next decade and beyond, and this trend is complicated – and helped – by policy goals set by utilities, legislators, and regulators alike. This panel discussion looks at state and national strategies being considered by policymakers and consultants to balance the impending imbalance between electricity generation and demand. Perspectives come from governmental and industry experts in the areas of demand management, EV infrastructure, and clean energy integration.

Speakers:

• Marguerite Behringer, Landis+Gyr
• Sarah Freeman, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
• Shelby Linton-Keddie, Sr. Director, Government, Regulatory Policy & External Affairs, PPL
• Mark Daus, Energy Field Director, Dell
• Tanuj Deora, Executive Director, Flex Coalition

Time: 11:00-11:50 a.m. CDT

Location: C148

Description: From inclement weather to supply and demand fluctuations, mounting challenges related to increasing demand and sustainability make advanced grid technologies crucial for the Lone Star State. Texas utilities have received a lot of attention as the state faces new extreme winter weather, load growth, and other reliability challenges. This panel will showcase how utilities are prioritizing grid data solutions to “wrangle” reliability issues, improve planning, and tackle resiliency with new tools. The panel will also discuss the unique needs of urban-area energy services with the rise of electrification and distributed energy in the state.

Speakers:

• Gina Garner, Landis+Gyr (moderator)
• Daniel Hall, Vice President Measurement and Billing, Oncor
• Michael Lattner, Planning Engineering Manager, United Cooperative Services
• Jared Leader, Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Resilience, SEPA

Time: 11:30-12:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Landis+Gyr Booth 2708

Description: Discover how Landis+Gyr and Sense are transforming energy management with real-time intelligence at the grid edge. Powered by Landis+Gyr’s Revelo grid edge sensor, Sense’s advanced applications provide unparalleled insights into home energy use and EV charging. See live demonstrations of the Real-Time Consumer Experience and EV Detection apps, and get a look at upcoming innovations designed to enhance consumer engagement and grid optimization. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of grid edge intelligence

Speakers:

• Colin Gibbs, Vice President, Sense
• Marcos Aguirre, Landis+Gyr

Time: 1:30-2:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Landis+Gyr Booth 2708

Description: Managing DERs effectively requires a seamless connection from the grid edge to utility operations. This session explores how integrating DERMS with AMI 2.0 improves grid reliability, streamlines DER integration, and enhances customer participation.

Speakers:

• Ifigeneia Stefanidou, Head of Global Product Management – Flexibility & Analytics, Landis+Gyr
• Linda Stevens, Sr. Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Smart Grid and Smart City, OATI

Time: 1:45 PM CDT

Location: Smart Energy Summit

Description: This panel of experts examines regulatory and technological advancements driving grid modernization efforts to accommodate renewable energy integration and EV charging infrastructure. The session explores the concept of virtual power plants and decentralized energy networks as solutions for optimizing grid orchestration and resilience.

Speakers:

• Moderator – Daniel Holcomb Senior Analyst, Smart Home Research, Parks Associates
• Astrid Atkinson CEO & Co-founder, Camus Energy
• Amith Kota, CTO, Landis+Gyr
• Josh Wong, CEO, ThinkLabs AI
• Joe Zhou, VP & Sr. Managing Director | Co-Chair, Black & Veatch | TGO Alliance

Time: 3:15 PM – 4:15 p.m. CDT

Location: Hall A

Description: In a rapidly evolving world where change is constant, utility leaders face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Join Sheryl Connelly, the former Chief Futurist at Ford Motor Company, for a transformative keynote that explores how organizations can adapt and thrive in the face of disruption. Drawing from her two decades leading Ford’s global consumer trends and futuring strategies, Sheryl will reveal the tools and mindset required to anticipate what’s next and build resilient strategies for long-term success.

Known for her unmatched ability to identify emerging trends and navigate uncertainty, Sheryl brings a wealth of experience collaborating with executives, designers, and strategists to challenge conventional thinking. At DISTRIBUTECH, she will share actionable insights on identifying signals of change, embracing innovation, and fostering adaptability to stay ahead in the utility industry.

Speakers:

• Introduction by Peter Mainz, CEO Landis+Gyr
• Sheryl Connelly, Former Manager, Global Consumer Trends and Futuring, Ford Motor Company

Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. CDT

Location: D4

Description: This is part of a 2-part workshop with the first part taking place on Monday, March 24, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Tuesday, March 25CEO Panel Australia’s Energy Challenge: Leading the Net Zero Transformation.

Speakers:

• Marc England, Chief Executive Officer – Ausgrid
• Audrey Zibelman, Vice Chairman of the Board — Landis+Gyr, Former Chief Executive Officer — Australian Energy Market Operator, Founder — Zibelman Energy Advisors
• Andrew Linnie, Executive General Manager, Distribution – AusNet
• Guy Chalkley, Chief Executive Officer – Endeavour Energy
• Mark Vincent, Chief Operating Officer – SA Power Networks

Time: 4:00-4:30 p.m. CDT

Location: Landis+Gyr Booth 2708

Description: Discover how Landis+Gyr and LED Roadway are revolutionizing smart lighting with advanced hardware and software solutions. Learn how AI-powered substation security cameras enhance grid protection with real-time intrusion detection, video recording at the edge, and NDAA-compliant security. Explore how our PM 2.5/PM 10 sensors, initially designed for air quality monitoring, are being evaluated for wildfire detection. Join us to see how smart lighting is driving intelligent, adaptable infrastructure.

Speakers:

• Greg Jacklin, Director – Smart Cities, Liveable Cities
• Bill Mitchell, Portfolio Manager, Landis+Gyr

Time: 10:30-11 a.m. CDT

Location: Landis+Gyr Booth 2708

Description: The next evolution of grid sensing is here—Revelo Cellular delivers real-time intelligence without the need for dedicated network infrastructure. Built to complement the Revelo family, this flexible solution allows utilities to deploy advanced sensing quickly and cost-effectively. In this session, we’ll explore both the strategic benefits of cellular connectivity and the tactical steps to deploying it efficiently, ensuring utilities maximize grid awareness with minimal complexity.

Speakers:

• Jonathan Staab, Head of Product Management, Landis+Gyr
• Dave Lekatz, Director of Operations, Landis+Gyr

Time: 11:00-11:30 a.m. CDT

Location: Expo Hall, Grid Edge Technologies Hub

Description: Grid edge intelligence plays a key role in managing increasing supply and demand fluctuations that threaten reliability. Edge data processing, combined with applications and analytics, provides real-time awareness for automating grid management and consumer engagement. Portland General Electric launched a multi-vendor pilot project to test a variety of edge app scenarios – from grid location awareness to DER orchestration. The utility will share project learnings, while Landis+Gyr discusses the role technology platforms play in future edge app development and use cases.

Speakers:

• Jay Lasseter, Landis+Gyr (Moderator)
• Ananth Sundaram, Sr. Manager of Integrated Grid, Portland General Electric
• Matt Hubbard, Manager of Distributed Device Strategy, Portland General Electric
• Heather Lancaster, Grid Edge Computing Principal Technical Program Manager, Portland General Electric

Time: 11:00-11:50 a.m. CDT

Location: C156

Description: Customers adoption of DERs and new electric loads continues to challenge distribution planners and strain system operators. Existing cloud-integrated load flexibility resources cannot provide the confidence to impact grid investment decisions. This session will explore utility advances in Intelligent Service Points to achieve reliable load shaping with minimal customer impact, through a combination of software-dispatchability backstopped by an Energy Management System.

Speakers:

• Moderator: Arch Rao, Founder and CEO of SPAN
• Prasanna Venkatesan, EVP and Head of Americas for Landis+Gyr
• Shinjini Menon, Senior VP System Planning and Engineering, SCE
• Siva Gunda, Vice Chair, California Energy Commission

Time: 11:30-12:00 p.m. CDT

Location: OATI Booth 3744

Description: Managing DERs effectively requires a seamless connection from the grid edge to utility operations. This session explores how integrating DERMS with AMI 2.0 improves grid reliability, streamlines DER integration, and enhances customer participation.

Speakers:

• Ifigeneia Stefanidou
  Head of Global Product Management – Flexibility & Analytics, Landis+Gyr
• Linda Stevens, Sr. Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Smart Grid and Smart City, OATI

Time: 1:00-1:50 p.m. CDT

Location: C143 / 149

Description: In an era marked by escalating challenges such as extreme weather events, the swift adoption of electric vehicles, and heightened demands from burgeoning sectors of the American economy, the resilience and reliability of our electric grid face unprecedented trials. While traditional grid reinforcement strategies remain essential, the emergence of DER and advanced grid edge technologies introduces a realm of flexible, targeted, and potentially cost-effective solutions for grid operators, regulators, and policymakers.

Policymakers have shown attention to these issues via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, including a substantial $12.5 billion allocation through the GRIP Program, $9.7B to the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, and others. These program sparked widespread exploration of energy and resiliency solutions, resulting in an 800% over-subscription in GRIP applications. Since the federal government paused a variety of federal funding programs, including GRIP, many organizations are left with unexpected questions about their projects and newfound solutions to resiliency issues. How will resiliency projects advance in the changing political environment?

How do DERs and grid edge innovations bolster grid resilience and reliability? And crucially, how can policymakers and regulators navigate the strategic deployment of these technologies to realize resilience and reliability objectives in an ever-evolving landscape? Join us as we delve into these pressing questions and explore evolving flexibility management topics.

Join utility experts from Rayburn Electric Cooperative as they delve into these pressing questions and explore evolving flexibility management topics.

Speakers:

• Jeffrey D. Groenewold, Distributed Energy Resources Specialist, Rayburn Electric Cooperative
• Bryce Yonker, CEO and Executive Director of Grid Forward
• Marguerite Behringer, Director of Regulatory Policy and Industry Relations Landis+Gyr
• Kara Saul Rinaldi, President & CEO, Anndyl Policy Group
• Sarah Chatterjee, Senior Director, Electrification – Strategies & Programs, Electric Power Engineers

Time: 1:15-1:45 p.m. CDT

Location: The Expo hall, Grid Transformation Hub

Description: The future of energy isn’t just at the edge—it’s powered by it. As utilities integrate Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) with an AMI 2.0 connected grid edge, they unlock smarter, more flexible energy ecosystems that benefit both the grid and the customer. But technology alone isn’t enough—real transformation happens when consumers are engaged and empowered. This session will explore how the fusion of DERMS, intelligent grid sensors, and AI-ML driven edge computing is reshaping demand flexibility, optimizing DER operations, and accelerating non-wires alternatives adoption. Learn how utilities can harness this new energy equation to enhance reliability while enabling customers to take an active role in energy markets. The result? A grid that’s more dynamic, resilient, and responsive than ever before.

Speakers:

• Jeff Scheb, Director, Solution & System Architecture, Landis+Gyr
• Dr. Farrokh Rahimi Executive Vice President Market Design & Consulting (SG Advanced Apps Development), OATI
• Jason McGrade, Deputy Director, SECC

Time: 4:00-4:50 p.m. CDT

Location: C142

Description: Last-mile broadband connectivity is driving a convergence between the telecommunications and electricity sectors in the form of enabling widespread and equitable access to energy programs and technologies. How are regulators, providers, and stakeholders leveraging this opportunity to expand access to high-speed broadband as well as utility programs? What is working, what isn’t, and what are the barriers to success?

Speakers:

• Hon. Karen Charles, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable
• Christine Hallquist, Executive Director, Vermont Community Broadband Board
• Jeremy Konkle, COO, Tipmont
• Josh M. Shallenberger, President/CEO, Shelby Electric Cooperative
• Marguerite Behringer, Director of Regulatory Policy, Landis+Gyr

Time: 3:30-4:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Landis+Gyr Booth 2708

Description: As electrification accelerates, utilities face growing challenges in managing new electric loads without overinvesting in infrastructure. In this session, we’ll showcase the newly released Intelligent Service Point and highlight how Landis+Gyr and SPAN are redefining residential energy management. Learn how advanced grid edge intelligence and software-dispatchable load flexibility enable real-time, reliable load shaping—giving utilities the confidence to integrate DERs efficiently while empowering consumers with greater energy control.

Speakers:

Arch Rao, CEO and Founder of SPAN

Amith Kota, CTO, Landis+Gyr