Agenda

Thank you for your interest in the Energy Evolution Summit. We look forward to sharing the 2026 program with you as soon as possible.

 

Explore the 2025 Agenda

Strategies for an Affordable, Reliable, Equitable, and Clean Energy Evolution

Building on the inaugural summit, the 2025 Energy Evolution Summit will explore current challenges to achieving an affordable, reliable, and equitable clean energy system. During this customer-centric dialog, our goal will be not only to name these challenges, but also to start to identify a range of solutions.

Monday, March 31

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11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration, Badge pick-up, & Information
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Exclusive Utility Executive Cohort (UEC) Networking Activity
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Opening Plenary Session

Clean is not and cannot be the only goal of the clean energy evolution. This session will set the stage for the Summit’s deeper dives by outlining current challenges to the delivery of affordable and reliable electricity to customers, including increasingly frequent and severe weather events and wildfires, energy supply challenges, and rising costs.

Speakers

  • Sheri Givens, President & CEO, SEPA
  • Peter Muhoro, Chair, SEPA Board and Chief Strategy, Technology & Innovation Officer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
  • Melissa Washington, Chair Elect, SEPA Board, Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, ComED
  • Scott Harden, Senior Vice President / CTO Software, Home and Distribution, Schneider Electric
  • Caroline Choi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Edison International and Southern California Edison
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Opening Reception 

Tuesday, April 1

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7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration
7:30 AM – 8:45 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Plenary Session 1

Distribution System Resilience – Investing for the Future, Ensuring Safety, and Reliability Now

This discussion will explore technologies and tools to increase the resilience of the distribution system in light of increasing challenges and expanding reliance on the grid. Discussants will explore what has been successful in improving resilience and how that success is measured. They will also address the technical, regulatory, policy and financial impediments to making these investments.

Moderator

  • Jared Leader, Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Resilience, SEPA

Speakers

  • Emile C. Thompson, Chair, DC Public Service Commission 
  • Jeff Guldner, CEO, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation & Arizona Public Service Company
  • Sadia Raveendran, VP of Industry Solutions, Uplight
  • Caroline Choi, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, Edison International and Southern California Edison
9:40 AM – 10:00 AM Coffee Break & Refreshments
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM Breakout Discussions

Topic 1  – Equity, Investments, Affordability

Resilience and Equity – How do we manage investments for climate adaptation while ensuring equity and affordability? Who is leading on innovative approaches for siting of resources where they provide the most value while equitably compensating customers for grid services?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Mary Palmer, Director, Energy Equity & Inclusion, SEPA
Topic 2  – Planning, DERs

Distribution System Planning – Planning for the future and focusing on DERs for resilience. Who is having success integrating DERs/VPPs? What can we learn from these case studies and where does the industry need to focus technology research or implementation efforts?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Jared Leader, Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Resilience, SEPA
Topic 3  –  Climate Events, Planning

An Extreme Future – Planning for and dealing with wildfire and other extreme weather events as they become increasingly common, are impacting new regions, and are more severe. What investments have been most impactful in reducing risk? What regulatory or policy support is needed to continue to reduce risk and improve resilience?
11:30 – 11:55 AM Speaker report out of key insights and discussion takeaways
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Plenary Session 2

A Net-Zero Energy Delivery System: The Challenges of Coordinating Future Planning for the Gas and Electric Distribution System

While the coordination of the natural gas delivery system with power sector operations has dominated the conversation for years, a new form of gas-electric coordination is taking shape. States and utilities are exploring the costs of increased electrification and the importance of investing in the natural gas distribution system to support existing customers while also considering how to phase out reliance on this system. Can we coordinate the planning of these two distribution systems to maximize emissions reductions, minimize costs, and protect reliability in the near-term transition as we plan for a more electrified economy in the future? This conversation will explore key questions about what data is needed to effectively engage in coordinated system planning, how to create stakeholder support for coordinated planning, ensuring sound investments in the existing natural gas distribution system, and other options for managing the transition to greater electrification.

Moderator

  • Lakin Garth, Director, Research & Industry Strategy

Speakers

  • Alice Jackson, Vice President, Grid Modeling, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
  • Brian Jones, Partner, ERM
  • Hala Ballouz, President & CEO, Electric Power Engineers
  • Matt Nelson, Principal, Apex Analytics, LLC.
1:40 PM – 2:00 PM Coffee Break & Refreshments
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Breakout Discussions

Topic 1 – The Future of Gas and Emerging Alternatives

Electrification is an important decarbonization option, but might not be the right option for every community. This breakout will explore emerging fuels and technologies that reduce emissions, while also reducing pressure on the electric system and possibly make use of existing infrastructure. What pilots are showing progress? What policy or regulatory support is needed for additional pilots or otherwise encourage deployment?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Ann Collier, Senior Manager, Research & Industry Strategy, Emerging Technology, SEPA
Topic 2 –  Integrated System Planning

Integrated and Coordinated System Planning – How are industry leaders thinking about coordinating the planning of these two systems? What new tools and data access might be needed? What can we learn from early projects to electrify some end-use gas customers?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Lakin Garth, Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Emerging Technology
Topic 3 –  Regulatory Landscape

Fully coordinated planning is in the future, but there is pressure on natural gas utilities now to carefully justify investments in both the expansion and maintenance of the existing gas distribution system. How are companies and regulators assessing non-pipe alternatives? How can companies justify investments that might be needed for safety? More broadly, is the obligation to serve an impediment to pilots and progress? Are Massachusetts and California, which have altered this bedrock regulatory requirement, exceptions – or the start of a trend?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Kate Strickland, Senior Manager, Research & Industry Strategy, Policy, SEPA
3:30 PM – 3:55 PM Speaker report out of key insights and discussion takeaways
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Networking Reception

After a day of candid talks, take a moment to unwind with a drink and refreshments. Keep the conversation going in this beautiful setting.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Dinner and Power Player Awards

Keynote Speaker: Kim “KC” Campbell, Retired Colonel, US AirforceHear from a distinguished fighter pilot on how she has had to make mission-critical decisions in the face of danger, led teams of over 1,000, and what she does to keep herself grounded as a mom to two boys.

Power Player Awards

Celebrate the best and most novel projects in the energy industry at this exclusive event! SEPA will recognize the best in the industry in each of its six focus areas (resilience, energy storage, emerging technology, policy, transportation, and equity). Winners and their projects will be revealed over dinner!

*This event will not adhere to Chatham House Rules.

Wednesday, April 2

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7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Plenary Session 3

Demand Growth – Strategies for Meeting Demand Growth Reliably, Cleanly, and Affordably for All Customers

After years of flat or declining electricity usage, data centers and economic development are driving increased electricity demand – which likely will be compounded by future electrification, particularly transportation electrification. Electric companies are turning to new fossil generation to meet increased demand quickly. What strategies are there for meeting this demand while also achieving emissions reductions goals and protecting retail customers from potential price increases?

Speakers

  • Todd Hillman, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, External Affairs, MISO
  • David Springe, Executive Director, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
  • Jeff Ressler, CEO, Clean Power Research 
  • Bill Murray, SVP Corporate Affairs & Communications, Dominion Energy
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM Coffee Break
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM Breakout Discussions

Topic 1 – Collaborating to Meet Load Growth

Working Together – Strategies for electric companies and large companies preparing for demand. How do electric companies and large customers work together? How do we wrap our arms around anticipated load growth and understanding what is really needed? Are there ways to meet demand faster?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Ann Collier, Senior Manager, Research & Industry Strategy, Emerging Technology, SEPA
Topic 2 –  Rate Structures and Regulatory Approaches

Rate structures and regulatory approaches – What regulatory approaches, including innovative tariffs, are supporting the deployment of new clean energy and protecting customers? Are there ways to use these tools to decarbonize the grid, not just provide clean power to large customers? What does demand growth mean for resource planning and adequacy? Are new approaches needed to ensure a reliable grid going forward?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Lakin Garth, Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Emerging Technology, SEPA
Topic 3 – Technology for Meeting Demand
New utility-scale generation will play a role in meeting growing demand for electricity, but distributed resources, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility also will be necessary. How do we work to ensure that these resources and the value that they may provide is fully considered? What information do utilities need to better include these resources in their planning processes to meet new demand? And, do we need to consider different compensation regimes to maximize the potential value of these resources not only for customers but for the grid as a whole?

Discussion Facilitator

  • Jared Leader, Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy, Resilience, SEPA
10:55 AM – 11:10 AM Speaker report out of key insights and discussion takeaways
11:20 PM – 12:00 PM Final Closing Plenary

Summarizing Key Insights and Charting Opportunities for a Carbon-Free Future

Join us for the grand finale as we reflect on the valuable insights gathered throughout our discussions. Together, let’s define the challenges ahead and explore the promising opportunities within our industry to pave the way for a carbon-free energy future.

Speakers

  • Sheri Givens, President & CEO, SEPA
12:15 PM – 4:30 PM Technology Tour and Luncheon (separate registration required)

San Diego Gas & Electric Wildfire and Climate Resilience Center

Following a light lunch, there will be an executive tour of SDG&E’s center highlighting cutting-edge technologies used by SDG&E to mitigate wildfire risk and build a more resilient energy grid. The center is a hub for research, development, and implementation of innovative solutions to address climate change. The tour will include details of how the center uses advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning to predict and mitigate wildfire impacts. Experts will share how the center is fostering collaboration with regional safety partners, government agencies, and local communities.

*Additional registration is required and space is limited to 25 participants
Adjourn