In the rapidly evolving energy sector, conferences are a great way to learn about various aspects of the field, as well as network with colleagues and find new vendors and suppliers. They can help you discover emerging trends and new ideas, gain new tools and strategies, and learn from thought leaders – or even position yourself as one!
However, there are enough conferences to keep your calendar booked until next December. We’ve highlighted five that explore important emerging trends in energy – grid infrastructure, cyber security, artificial intelligence, smart homes and tough tech.
- Association of Energy Service Professionals National Conference and Expo, “Bigger in Texas: Ideas, Solutions, Networking, Fun,” Jan. 21-24, San Antonio, Texas. This is an ideal conference for any employee working in demand-side management, energy efficiency, demand response and integrated demand-side management. Conference attendees will explore consumers adopting energy efficiency, how electric cars will impact infrastructure planning and developing customer-centric marketing. The conference also includes a utility-only roundtable on DSM; a variety of workshops, panel discussions and professional development – more than 50 – and networking – it’s estimated that 1,000 utility professionals will be attending the event.
- DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition, Feb. 5-7, New Orleans. Since this event is open to energy, water and sewer utility professionals, there’s a plethora of subjects to investigate, from blockchain and cyber security to smart grids and clean energy. Luke Williams, New York University Stern School of Business marketing professor, W.R. Berkley Innovation Labs founder and executive director and Frog Design fellow, will be the keynote speaker, talking about disruptive innovation and innovation strategy. Book early, because more than 500 companies will be exhibiting and more than 13,000 professionals will be in attendance. It will be a prime opportunity to network and explore synergetic services.
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power and Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies, “Ten Years of ISGT – Innovation for a Flexible and Resilient Grid,” Feb. 17-20 in Washington, D.C. As our aging infrastructure is transformed into smart grids and incorporates grid-edge technology, innovation is a must, and you’ll find it here. IEEE is where utility professionals, policy makers, scientists and technology innovators come together to discuss the emerging trends, the future of energy and what tomorrow’s smart grid will be. Seminars review transmission and distribution systems, monitoring and storage, and go to the grid edge with block chain and artificial intelligence.
- SMART Energy Summit, “Engaging the Consumer,” Feb. 18-20, Austin, Texas. Leah Barton, Direct Energy home protection vice president and general manager; Aaron Berndt, Nest/Google Head of Central Region Energy Partnerships; and Erika Diamond, Energy Hub utility and market services vice president, will be the keynote speakers at a conference that will look at consumer energy usage, the future of smart home tech, electrical vehicles and renewable energy. Seminars include using analytics and apps to help consumers become more efficient to the demands the growing electric vehicle market will place on the grid and how energy providers can move into the smart home marketplace.
- MIT Energy Conference, “Tough Tech and the 2040 Grid,” April 4-5, Cambridge, Mass. Hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Club, this student-led conference lets the energy innovators of tomorrow mix it up with industry leaders, policy makers, financiers and technology leaders. This conference examines the emerging trends and challenges that security and the environment will bring to the energy industry in the future and how they can be addressed through policy and technology. Two years ago, MIT received a $200 million grant to study “tough tech,” or innovations in hardware, so students and faculty should have some interesting insights in this field.
HomeServe participates in a number of conferences every year. If you would like to set up a meeting at an event or would like more information about our program, please contact us.
Search