Build DSO Business Models with Flexibility Markets: What Will Work and Why?
In this three-part session with industry expert Doug Houseman of 1898 & Co., we’ll first review the vital role DSOs play in enabling DERs, plus how and why DSOs differ from traditional distribution utility models, and the importance of local flexibility markets. In part two, our global experts from Denmark and the U.K. will present specific use case examples that demonstrate DSOs and flexibility markets in action.

Applying the lessons learned and the opportunities our experts have explained, we’ll pivot to break-out groups to collaborate around the question of whether our existing organizations, with their current products and services, can evolve into DSOs, and what that would require. We’ll report out the group discussions, then debrief this exercise in detail to determine next steps for a DSO evolution in the U.S.

Ross Malme Malme Energy Consulting

Michael Brown Berkshire Hathaway, NV Energy

Jon Hilowitz Orange and Rockland Utilities

Doug Houseman 1898 & Co.

More coming soon!

Workshop: Design a Fully Funded Electrification Program
Join us for a conversation about electrification and how its programs vary by building type and region across the country. We’ll share some short case studies, then break into groups to collaborate on the construction of some fully funded building electrification programs where the sky’s the limit! Learn from colleagues across the country about the ways they are advancing electrification opportunities for residential, commercial, industrial, retail and LMI buildings.

Mark Gentry Franklin Energy

Luke Surowiec ICF

Brittainy Pond Puget Sound Energy

Build DSO Business Models with Flexibility Markets: What Will Work and Why?
In this three-part session with industry expert Doug Houseman of 1898 & Co., we’ll first review the vital role DSOs play in enabling DERs, plus how and why DSOs differ from traditional distribution utility models, and the importance of local flexibility markets. In part two, our global experts from Denmark and the U.K. will present specific use case examples that demonstrate DSOs and flexibility markets in action.

Applying the lessons learned and the opportunities our experts have explained, we’ll pivot to break-out groups to collaborate around the question of whether our existing organizations, with their current products and services, can evolve into DSOs, and what that would require. We’ll report out the group discussions, then debrief this exercise in detail to determine next steps for a DSO evolution in the U.S.

Ross Malme Malme Energy Consulting

Michael Brown Berkshire Hathaway, NV Energy

Jon Hilowitz Orange and Rockland Utilities

Doug Houseman 1898 & Co.

More coming soon!

Redefining C&I Load Flexibility to address Customer Needs and the Grid
News Flash! Customers are demanding more from the grid than ever. Join us for an interactive session in which we’ll explore the unique flexibility challenges of small/medium commercial buildings, industrials, large commercial buildings, and the exploding data center segment. We’ll hit all of the sector’s hot topics and will invite the audience to determine priority issues in need of immediate attention.

Vasudha Lathey Olivine

Bruce Brazis Arizona Public Service

Tom Roberts IGS Energy

Isaac Barrow Portland General Electric

More coming soon!

Orchestrating DER Coordination: The PNNL Perspective
This presentation provides an overview of the three facets of PNNL’s experience in DER coordination:

1. Demonstrating load flexibility in a range of residential and commercial buildings, together with PNNL’s deployment partners;
2. Developing the required grid architecture and interoperability standards needed to enable advanced coordination; and
3. Assessing the engineering feasibility and economic impact when DERs are adopted at scale.

Hayden Reeve PNNL Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division

Engaging C&I Customers on Innovative Rates
Innovative rates like Time of Use (TOU) and Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) constitute a key demand flexibility engagement lever for C&I customers. However, as our session panelists can attest, engaging C&I customers on innovative rates is no easy task. This interactive session offers an opportunity to hear lessons from the field about the best strategies for engaging C&I customers on innovative rates. It will also include recent research from ACEEE and NREL on how rates can be both a solution and a barrier to incorporating new technologies in the C&I setting, plus we’ll delve into the real world challenges of engaging large customers on advanced rate plans.

Chetna Smith Southern California Edison	Shawn White Xcel Energy	Aditie Garg National Renewable Energy Laboratory	Richard Hart American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Jordan Folks Opinion Dynamics	Mahayla Slackerelli Calpine Community Energy	Michael Pirro GridX	Leigh Winterbottom ICF

Current Challenges for Public Power Organizations and Cooperatives
Join the Interest Group Co-Chairs as they outline a significant challenge facing this sector, then jump into a high energy brainstorming session to find solutions and alternative approaches, while identifying both obstacles and opportunities. To share specific sector challenges for discussion in this session, please contact Gary Smith at [email protected].

Gary Smith Sagewell

Lauren Schuettler Wabash Valley Power Alliance

Patrick Hermann Seattle City Light

3:00 - 3:45 pm | Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL)
Berkeley Lab Showcases Scalable Strategies for Demand Flexibility in Buildings
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s research in demand flexibility (DF) is exploring how to develop grid-interactive efficient buildings that combine the energy efficiency benefits of high-performance buildings with the capability to provide grid services. LBNL’s DF R&D includes early stage technology and controls development plus research on controls applications and technology performance verification. The Lab also supports DF demos from sponsors and in partnership with building owners, utilities, technology providers, and equipment manufacturers. LBNL’s research covers many applications and grid services, including emerging business models.

Cindy Regnier Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

3:45 - 4:30 pm | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Addressing Rising Energy Demand Through Innovation
The U.S. is facing a significant increase in energy demand, driven by AI advancements, the rapid expansion of data centers, manufacturing and industrial growth, and the electrification of transportation and buildings. Buildings alone account for approximately 75% of U.S. electricity consumption and 40% of total energy use. To address these challenges, NREL leverages its state-of-the-art research facilities, advanced energy modeling, hardware-in-the-loop emulation, and real-world demonstrations to provide data-driven insights. Together, these de-risk emerging energy solutions, increase efficiency and demand flexibility, optimize grid controls, and identify vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing our energy security. This presentation highlights NREL’s research ecosystem and its role supporting a more reliable, affordable, and adaptive energy infrastructure in the face of accelerating demand.

Rois Langner NREL Building Technologies and Science Center

Half-Baked: Valuing EV Load Management Programs
Ever wonder why EV load management programs have trouble passing cost effectiveness tests? In this session, a panel of evaluators who have analyzed utility programs will discuss what is necessary for robust, cost-effective EV load management programs, what value streams should be quantified further, and program designs that capture the most benefits.

Katie Parkinson Pipes and Wires Consulting	Kessie Avseikova Opinion Dynamics	Meghan Jennings Rappahannock Electric Co-op
Marwa Chowdhury Central Hudson Gas & Electric	Bill LeBlanc LeBlanc Energy Innovation