Wednesday, April 22, 2026
10:00am – 12:00pmlo
Pre-Forum Workshop (for Utility and Government Attendees Only)
Paul Reid, Azusa Light & Water and Eric Xu, PG&E
Candid roundtable discussion on current issues. Topics will be determined based on results of a survey that will be sent out in January. Note that this session is limited to 3 participants per organization due to room capacity. Please coordinate among your staff to determine who will attend.
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch Buffet
12:45pm – 1:00pm
First-timer Orientation and Welcome
1:00pm – 1:15pm
Welcoming Remarks
1:15pm – 2:15pm
Opening Keynote
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Networking Break and Energy Quiz
2:45pm – 4:10pm
Strategic View
Katie Cort, PNNL and Ron Horstman, WAPA
4:10pm – 4:15pm
Quick Break
4:15pm – 5:10pm
Meet the Exhibitors
Cody Graves, Brillion and Adrianne Rogers, City of Colton Electric Utility
5:10pm
Presentation of the Graham Parker Lifetime Achievement Award
5:15pm
Adjourn
5:15pm – 6:15pm
Reception
6:30pm
Dinner
8:00pm
Networking Event & Game
Unwind at a casual gathering with hot beverages to reflect on the day's discussions and engage in a fun networking game designed to get to know one another. Prizes will be awarded!
Thursday, April 23, 2026
7:30am – 8:30am
Breakfast Buffet
8:30am – 9:45am
Artificial Intelligence and the Electric Utility
Paul Reid, Azusa Light & Water and Drew Johnstone, Burbank Water & Power
9:45am – 10:10am
Networking Break with Energy Quiz
10:10am – 11:00am
Utility Program Stand-up Challenge – Round 1
Cheri Davis, SMUD and Kamryn Hutson, City of Redding Electric Utility
Join us for the craziest round of concurrent sessions ever! Imagine speed dating meets the lightning round of a TV game show! Visit up to 4 storyboards detailing utility-sponsored energy programs or research. Each storyboard presenter has up to 5 minutes (plus up to 7 minutes for Q&A) to share with you the program’s goals, successes and lessons learned. A bell rings, you choose another storyboard, and the 12-minute clock starts again.
No Upgrade Needed: SCE Study Demonstrates Smart Panels In-Field Potential
Ivy So (APTM) Sage Quinn (EPRI), Mark Martinez (SCE)
As electrification accelerates, can the grid keep pace without costly upgrades of $10-20k per household? Smart panels could be key to unlocking new demand flexibility, avoiding expensive service upgrades, and giving customers enhanced visibility/control of their energy use. SCE and EPRI in its Smart Panel Field Study are installing advanced panels in 18 low-medium income homes to pave a roadmap for best practices. The project installs and monitors a variety of manufacturer smart panels in residences undergoing electrification or with on-site DERs. The study assesses the technical performance of this technology- evaluating its circuit-level monitoring capability and disaggregation of loads for identification of end-use peak drivers. This pioneering implementation is helping utilities navigate permitting pathways, develop installer training, and foster customer engagement. This session will share our field experience, customer outcomes, and insights into how smart panels can enable entire homes as grid-interactive assets, for reliability and community resilience.
11:00am - 12: 00pm
Midpoint Keynote
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch Buffet
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Utility Program Stand-up Challenge – Round 2
Cheri Davis, SMUD and Kamryn Hutson, City of Redding Electric Utility
Join us for the craziest round of concurrent sessions ever! Imagine speed dating meets the lightning round of a TV game show! Visit up to 4 storyboards detailing utility-sponsored energy programs or research. Each storyboard presenter has up to 5 minutes (plus up to 7 minutes for Q&A) to share with you the program’s goals, successes and lessons learned. A bell rings, you choose another storyboard, and the 12-minute clock starts again.
Building Utility–Community Trust for Inclusive Energy Access
Cameo Konfrst - Community Resource Project
Utilities across the country are striving to expand participation in energy-efficiency and clean-energy programs among low-income households. Yet enrollment barriers, complex verification processes, and historical mistrust often limit impact. This poster highlights best practices from Community Energy Project’s work with Oregon utilities to build trust, streamline access, and increase enrollment in energy-saving programs for frontline communities. Through community-based partnerships, simplified verification models, and culturally responsive outreach, CEP has helped utilities achieve deeper participation and measurable savings. Attendees will learn practical, scalable approaches to strengthen collaboration between utilities and community organizations, improve program reach, and ensure that the benefits of clean energy are shared equitably.
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Technology View
Eric Olson, NEEA and Mark Martinez, Southern California Edison
3:30pm – 4:00pm
Networking Break and Energy Quiz
4:00pm – 5:15pm
Customer View
Marie Krisa, Brighton Energy and Mary Medeiros McEnroe, Silicon Valley Power
5:15pm – 6:15pm
Reception
6:30pm
Dinner and Team Trivia Game
Pick your dinner companions wisely because you’ll be competing as a team in our Trivia Night. Prizes will be awarded to the table with the highest score!
8:00pm
Wine Tasting & Networking
Nonalcoholic beverages are available, too!
Friday, April 24, 2026
7:30am – 8:30am
Breakfast Buffet
8:30am – 10:00am
Microgrids
Kapil Kulkarni, California Public Utilities Commission and Scott Mayfield, Evergreen Energy Partners
10:00am – 10:30am
Networking Break with Energy Quiz
10:30am – 12:00pm
Utility Programs Snapshot
MaryDawn Buntin, Kittitas PUD and Adrianne Rogers, City of Colton Electric Utility
12:00pm
Adjourn
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch