2020 Grid Evolution Summit

The health, safety, and well-being of everyone involved in the Conference is our highest priority as we continue to monitor the impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). At this time, we intend to proceed with the Summit as planned.

What to Expect in 2020

Attend the only event in the electric power industry dedicated to building a game plan to reach carbon-free by 2050

Join a Diverse Community
Stakeholders from across the industry in a neutral environment including regulators, ISOs, utilities, technology providers and academics
Leave an Impact When You Walk Out the Door
GES is the event for energy professionals who want the tools, insights and expertise to achieve a carbon-free energy system by 2050
Enter a Collaborative Setting
Find collaborative, solution-driven sessions focusing on the biggest challenges for our industry

…I’ve come to this conference for three years now and I find it to be a good place to talk to others in the industry…This conference allows me to have that opportunity to engage with people that are in the leading-edge part of this industry, to push forward and say, how can we make it work?…It is a great opportunity to also see best practices without having to spend hours and hours and use consultants for it.

- Carlos Nouel, VP Smart Grid Solutions, National Grid

..I’ve been to this summit multiple times over the years. I see that it draws a great spectrum of people across the energy ecosystem that includes regulators, utilities, the vendor community, and consultants. I’ve found, especially from a utility perspective, that SEPA does a good job of attracting a broader mix of participants…

- Doug Staker, VP Business Development, Enel X

…The way we power homes, businesses, and our city’s transportation is all changing dramatically. The utility industry is undergoing this transformation and it’s quite exciting to be part of that. In my view, SEPA is at the forefront of this and that’s what makes the Grid Evolution Summit so relevant…Many of the industry thought leaders are here: utility leaders, technology leaders, and regulators. I also saw some national labs here; all coming together to talk about challenges in how to move the ball forward. It’s all very exciting. That’s a big reason I’m here.

- Cris Eugster, COO, CPS Energy

..Sacramento Municipal Utility District has been involved with SEPA for a number of years now. One of my executives sits on the SEPA board, and we wouldn’t commit that value of time and resources unless we didn’t think there were real benefits…The other big value for me is that it’s a good forum for investor-owned utilities and community-owned utilities like SMUD, to come together in a safe environment

- Arlen Orchard, CEO, SMUD

Top 2019 Speakers

David Eves

Group President, Utilities, Xcel Energy

Jennifer Potter

Commissioner, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

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Jennifer Potter

Jennifer M. Potter was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission by Governor Ige in March 2018 for a term to expire June 30, 2024.

Commissioner Potter was previously a faculty member at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), an independent research institute within the University of Hawaii, where she conducted research on demand response, Distributed Energy Resource (DERs) technologies, locational benefits of DERs, and energy efficiency.

Prior to joining HNEI, Commissioner Potter was a Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate in the Electricity Market and Policy group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where she was the project lead on the 2025 California Demand Response Potential Study for the California Public Utilities Commission. During her tenure, she conducted a number of studies on demand response and integrated demand side management for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Commissioner Potter previously worked at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) as the Project Manager on SMUD’s SmartSacramento team working on the Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded Consumer Behavior Study, known as SmartPricing Options pricing pilot. While at SMUD, she also worked as the Customer Strategy Planner for residential and small commercial EE and DR programs, as well as serving as the Enterprise Performance Data Manager. Commissioner Potter also worked as the Principal Market Analyst in the Pricing and Resource Planning department at SMUD.

Prior to her time at SMUD, Commissioner Potter worked at City of Roseville, Roseville Electric, as the principal load and revenue forecaster, load researcher, and business analyst for the utility.

Commissioner Potter holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Economics from Southern Oregon University.

Colette Honorable

Partner, Reed Smith (Former FERC Commissioner)

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Colette Honorable

Colette is a member of Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources Group resident in the Washington, D.C. office. Colette is a highly regarded thought leader and practitioner in domestic and international energy sectors. Colette recently served as Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She was nominated by President Barack Obama in August 2014, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2014 for a term that expired in June 2017. At FERC, Honorable focused on reliability oversight of the bulk power system, cyber and physical security, oversight of wholesale markets, transmission planning and cost allocation in regional transmission organizations, gas-electric coordination, renewables integration, energy storage integration and valuation, enforcement, ratemaking, infrastructure development, and enforcement matters. Colette joined the FERC from the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC), where she served since October 2007, and led as Chairman from January 2011-January 2015.

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