Summit Course Topics

Leading expert Charles Durant provides an assessment of foreign cyber threat to the U.S. including areas of greatest vulnerability, strategies to detect and deflect attacks on critical utility infrastructure, and challenges in building up the resiliency of our infrastructure to withstand disruptions.

Leading experts explore how innovative utilities across diverse markets, regulatory environments, and geographies are collaborating to understand emerging technologies and business models to prepare for the utility of the future.

A panel of industry CIOs discuss the opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation. Topics include the search for new talent, investing in new technologies, launching new products and services, and cybersecurity.

A panel of industry experts examine how big data is transforming the energy industry. Topics include using predictive analytics to prioritize risk, how energy companies are using big data to deliver what customers want, and machine learning.

A panel of operations officers discuss the challenges of operating and coordinating a more complex grid with more information, distributed resources, and diverse customer expectations. Topics include managing a distribution system in transition, and balancing supply and demand by enabling more flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness.

An energy industry CFO and an investment banker discuss the economic impact of new technologies, customer expectations, and changing business models. Topics include the impact of disruptive technologies on the planning and investment cycle, how customer expectations and changing policies are impacting investment decisions, and how rating agencies and Wall Street perceptions affect raising capital.

A panel of industry experts explore the legal and regulatory issues facing utilities in the new marketplace. Topics include solar, electric vehicles, community energy, microgrids and storage, and home energy management.

A panel of human resource executives examine challenges in the energy industry and the impact on the workforce. Topics include the digital workforce, culture and engagement, talent crisis, and the workforce of the future.

A panel of industry CEOs explore today’s fast-paced change and discuss how they are aligning their vision with changing policy, regulation, and business models. Topics include increasing customer and employee expectations, new competitors, integrated grid, growing threats to resilience, and decarbonization.

A panel of energy industry leaders discuss the role advocacy plays in informing and shaping public policy and the tension between customer preferences, stable prices, and reliable service. Topics include the changing customer landscape, new technologies, and how best to align business objectives across diverse stakeholders.

A panel of industry experts discuss how their companies are building strategic partnerships by providing technical expertise, new technologies, and innovative services to attract and retain businesses. Topics include power companies as partners in economic development; innovative programs to support and attract business, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and challenges and opportunities.

A panel of energy industry leaders will discuss how their organizations are integrating sustainability into their vision, strategy, risk management framework, operations, and investment decisions. Topics include how organizational core values guide ESG strategy, balancing the needs and expectations of stakeholders while maintaining a focus on core values over the long term, and tailoring ESG goals to the unique characteristics of your customer needs, geographic location, and company size.