2026 Preliminary Agenda
The Experience POWER conference program is shaped by a single idea — that the energy industry must deliver power faster, at greater scale, and with unwavering reliability. Developed by POWER editors and our expert Advisory Board, this preliminary program spans seven tracks covering grid infrastructure, nuclear, natural gas, digital technology, policy, workforce development, and more.
Speakers and session details will be announced soon. Program is subject to change.
Opening Keynote
The Genesis Mission: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of American Science and Energy
Dr. Dario Gil, Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy and director of the Genesis Mission, makes the case that we're at an inflection point as consequential as the invention of the Internet—and that the convergence of AI supercomputing, high-performance computing, and quantum computing is about to transform how the nation does science. From fusion reactors to the Texas power grid, Gil maps the breakthroughs already underway, the infrastructure being built right now, and what it will take to produce 50 to 100 "AlphaFold moments" across every domain of science in the next five years.
Panel
Industry Outlook: Power Company Executives on Challenges, Trends, and the Path Forward
This executive panel brings together leaders from across the power sector for an in-depth discussion of the issues shaping the industry today. The discussion may explore current trends in generation, transmission, and distribution, along with the regulatory environment, supply chain pressures, demand growth, and workforce considerations influencing strategic decisions.
Panel
Inside the Issues: How Industry Associations Are Helping Members Navigate a Changing Energy Landscape
Executives from several of the industry's most influential associations share what's at the top of their members' agendas, the challenges keeping their members up at night, and the work their organizations are doing to help meet those challenges head-on.
Panel
Powering the AI Era: Nuclear, Gas, and EPC Leaders on Meeting Unprecedented Demand
Senior leaders from across the generation value chain — a nuclear OEM, a gas turbine OEM, and a major EPC contractor — discuss how their companies are responding to surging demand. Expect frank conversation on the resurgence of large-scale nuclear, multi-year gas turbine backlogs, EPC capacity constraints, supply chain bottlenecks, and realistic in-service timelines for projects entering development today.
Panel
Women in Power: Leading Change from the Inside
Women are driving innovation and transformation across the power sector. This panel highlights how diverse leadership strengthens organizational resilience, fosters inclusive practices, and fuels progress in a rapidly evolving industry. Trailblazers share strategies for recruiting women into energy roles, advancing careers, and breaking barriers.
Session
Accelerating Grid Reliability with Strategic Storage
Demand is outpacing supply. Transmission queues now stretch for years and permitting lead time is just as long. Panelists compare behind-the-meter, co-located, and front-of-meter applications, and explore how domestic supply chain and regulatory shifts influence bankability and long-term reliability.
Session
More Megawatts without New Buildouts: The Strategies for Plant Updates
For many utilities and IPPs, the fastest, most cost-effective path to additional capacity is to upgrade the existing fleet. This session focuses on varied products and supply chain issues, air permitting, PJM, and the increase of reactive power output (Q-up) and purchasing.
Session
PJM Fast-Track Interconnection — Explained
This session explains the steps PJM is taking to bring new generation online as fast as possible while protecting rate payers from high-capacity prices.
Session
Battery Energy Storage System: Scenario-Driven Predictive Analytics
A practical operations playbook for employing machine learning-enabled analytics to detect losses and uncover corrective actions at speed, demonstrated through real-world scenarios.
Panel
Leveraging AI Across the Utility Lifecycle
This panel focuses on AI's role across the utility lifecycle — from generation, control systems, and emission monitoring to security and predictive maintenance.
Session
Enhancing Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Flexibility through Automation and AI
Panelists demonstrate how combined cycle plants can improve reliability, flexibility, and market appeal for maximizing their operational profile — even within regulated power markets — using advanced automation and AI.
Session
Hybrid Gas Systems for Rapidly Growing Data Center Loads and AI Workflows
A demonstration of how a combined cycle plant can enhance reliability, flexibility, and market appeal for maximizing its operational profile, even within regulated power markets using advanced automation and AI.
Panel
Straight Talk on Nuclear: From Lab to License to Load
Leaders spanning the full arc of nuclear's future — from advanced technologies moving from concept to reality, to regulatory frameworks being built to meet them, to what it actually takes to run safe, reliable nuclear plants today — deliver real answers for skeptics and believers alike.
Session
Restart the Kickstart — The Nuclear Renaissance 2.0
As the nation grapples with power demand, many are looking to recommission retired assets like Three Mile Island, as well as new SMRs. This session asks: have we learned from our past?
Session
Can Multi-Prime Contracting Get Your Next Gas-Fired Plant Built?
The rapid resurgence of gas-fired generation driven by data center demand, grid reliability needs, and retirement of legacy assets has created unprecedented challenges for utilities and developers. This session explores whether multi-prime contracting offers a viable path forward.
Session
Future Proofing Power — The Strategic Value of Carbon Capture and Storage
This session explores how carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can extend the operational life of baseload generation. Topics include monetizing captured CO₂ through enhanced oil recovery and supply chains for industries such as fertilizer and food processing, as well as Section 45Q tax credits.
Session
The Role of Gas Engines for Growing Power Demands
Gas power plants are facing new operating environments, especially around operational flexibility. This session provides insight into modular plug-and-play solutions to provide both backup power and primary power for grid support.
Session
The Storm that Changed the Playbook
Freezing temperatures, ice, and snow cannot stop power plant operators from reliable operations. This session explores lessons learned and risk mitigation strategies from extreme weather events.
Session
Beyond Lithium: Alternatives to Lithium Energy Storage
Panelists discuss alternatives to lithium-based energy storage and BESS solutions, including commercialization timelines and real-world examples.
Session
Distributed Applications for Emerging Geothermal Technologies
Panelists focus their discussion on distributed and onsite applications of emerging geothermal technologies.
Session
Challenges in Preparing Former Power Plant Sites for Repowering
This session examines key considerations in both full plant retirements and fuel conversion projects, including demolition planning, management of surplus equipment, environmental compliance, and site remediation.
Session
Financing & Developing Solar + Storage Projects Amid Shifting Policy Landscapes
Speakers discuss strategies for financing solar and storage amid shifting federal policy priorities.
Session
Fuel Flip — Is Coal Generation Becoming Lower-Cost Than Natural Gas?
With increasing equipment costs and the potential for natural gas prices to rise, coupled with constrained pipeline capacity, panelists discuss the possibility that coal generation becomes cheaper than natural gas — from multiple perspectives.
Session
Policy Whiplash and Power Demand: Community Engagement and Environmental Regulation
This session provides an update on environmental regulations and litigation trends likely to influence rulemaking and permitting through 2026 and beyond, while reframing permitting as both a technical compliance function and a political process shaped by community sentiment and organized advocacy.
Session
Powering the Cloud Next Door: Siting Data Centers with Co-Located Generation
This session dives into all the regulatory and technical considerations needed to succeed at behind-the-meter power generation for data center applications.
Session
Building the Bench: Strategies for Powering the Next-Generation Workforce
This session explores a framework for achieving development and operational excellence in the workforce of the future.
Session
Fitness for Service 2.0
This session discusses multiple low-carbon energy technologies — including geothermal, fusion, space-based solar, and small modular reactors (SMRs) — that are poised to power the future.
Session
State Policy + Regulatory Opportunities for Speed to Power
All fifty states are dealing with load growth and rising costs. Some are taking proactive steps. This session examines the policies, regulatory programs, and initiatives that have worked for responding to growth while keeping costs down.
