Join us at EPIC26, in Fort Worth, Texas, October 11–13, 2026, to connect with industry thought leaders, share your expertise, exchange groundbreaking ideas, and play an active role in shaping the future of the electrical power industry at this premier knowledge-sharing summit.
How will power infrastructure and workforce challenges impact business strategy moving forward?
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- C-Level and D-Level Organizational Leaders
- Senior Operations and Project Managers
- Sales and Marketing Leaders and Managers
- Forward Thinking Power Professionals
Make your voice count as subject-matter experts and conference attendees collaborate on strategies and pathways to advance the electrical power systems industry.
DRIVING INNOVATION IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER INDUSTRY
EPIC26 is more than a conference—it is a catalyst for innovation, uniting thought leaders, engineers, manufacturers, power providers, and service specialists to explore the emerging technologies and strategies reshaping electrical power systems management.
From grid modernization and renewable integration to digitalization, AI, cybersecurity, and fueling the next generation of professional workforce talent, the conference addresses the electrical power sector’s most urgent challenges and cutting-edge opportunities. Attendees gain actionable insights from top experts and collaborate on strategies to advance the industry. For professionals committed to driving progress, EPIC26 is an essential gathering for knowledge, connection,
and leadership, and your voice needs to be part of the conversation.
EPIC26 SESSION THEMES
- Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Energy
- Grid Optimization and Smart Grid Management
- Electrical Power Service Futures–Fueling the Next Generation of Talent
This three-day EPIC event features keynote presentations, knowledge-sharing sessions, workshops, and panel discussions led by industry experts from Black & Veatch, Oncor, NERC, Doble, Siemens, Wesco, Eaton, and Texas State Technical College. More than 20 leading experts will share insights on emerging technologies, grid modernization, and the future of electrical power services.
Discover how the future of electrical infrastructure is becoming smarter, faster, and more connected.
EPIC26 KEYNOTES
How do you manage cyber risk when intelligent systems become active participants in operations?
Hector Perez, Black & Veatch, presents the Welcome-Reception Keynote — From Protecting Assets to Protecting Outcomes: Cyber Risk in the Age of Intelligent OT.
Perez reframes cybersecurity as an enabling design discipline for intelligent operations, not a barrier to innovation. Drawing on realworld industrial scenarios, the session introduces return on mitigation (RoM) as a practical way to connect cyber decisions to operational and financial outcomes that matter: uptime, safety, reliability, and trust.
How will industry leaders develop practical solutions for tomorrow’s electric power systems?
Mark Carpenter, ONCOR, offers the Day 2 Keynote — Powering Progress: Past Lessons, Present Realities, Future Solutions.
The electric power grid is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by evolving customer expectations, regulatory complexity, technological change, and workforce constraints. Carpenter examines how historical transmission and distribution (T&D) lessons inform today’s challenges and guide future grid strategy.
Can organizations trust AI-driven operational technologies to make critical decisions?
David Speidelsbach, Wesco, presents the Day-3 keynote, Scaling Your Supply Chain at Hyper Speed: A Roadmap for the AI Era.
Speidelsbach explores the trends reshaping the data center market and shares practical strategies for accelerating deployment while mitigating risk. Attendees learn how early planning, supply chain resiliency, and cross-functional partnerships can help align stakeholders to overcome infrastructure challenges and support scalable growth.
KNOWLEDGE-SHARING SESSIONS—EXPERT PRESENTATIONS
Beyond education, EPIC26 offers unparalleled access to a diverse network of professional peers and industry experts, creating partnerships and insights that extend well beyond the conference. EPIC26 stands as a pivotal forum for navigating the evolving electrical power industry—combining innovation, strategic foresight, and crosssector collaboration.
Each day begins with 60-minute presentations exploring the strategic questions organizations must address to capitalize on the electrical power sector’s rapid growth and evolving opportunities.
GRID OPTIMIZATION & SMART GRID MANAGEMENT
How are smart sensors transforming installation, commissioning, and maintenance practices?
How Sensors Will Change the Landscape of the Electrical Infrastructure and Installation
The future of electrical infrastructure is smarter, more connected, and increasingly driven by data. Learn how sensors are transforming installation, commissioning, maintenance, and asset management while improving reliability, safety, and energy efficiency across critical facilities and industrial operations.
Pruthish Shah, Segment Leader – Electrical Markets Division, 3M
What are the risks of overlooking the unique realities of electrical infrastructure?
Practical Strategies in OT Environments
This session provides practical strategies for electrical professionals to assess their environment, understand specific risks, and implement protections that truly fit—not just follow the latest trend. Learn how to strengthen resilience without compromising operational priorities.
Matthew Cosnek, Sr. OT Cybersecurity Services Business Development Manager, Eaton
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Which strategies will drive next-generation operation and protection?
Microgrid Operation, Control, and Protection—Part 1 and Part 2
Microgrids are reshaping the future of power resilience and flexibility. GE Vernova’s Wayne Hartmann brings insights into one of the fastest-growing areas of the power industry.
Learn how advanced operation, control, and protection strategies are enabling smarter,
more reliable energy systems.
Wayne Hartmann, Advanced Applications Advisor – NAM, GE VERNOVA
Which emerging technologies will define the future of grid stability and resilience?
Navigating the Energy Transition: Emerging Technologies Address Challenges and Opportunities.
The energy transition is accelerating—but can the grid keep up? Mark Lauby of NERC explores the emerging technologies helping utilities integrate renewables, manage growing loads, and maintain reliability in an increasingly complex energy landscape.
Mark Lauby, NERC Fellow and Chief Engineer, NERC
Why is DC power emerging as a game-changing technology for AI-driven data centers?
The Imperative of DC Power in AI Data Centers: Driving Efficiency, Safety, and Power Density from Grid to Rack
AI is transforming data centers—and power infrastructure must evolve to keep pace. Discover why DC power is emerging as a critical solution for improving efficiency, enhancing safety,
and delivering the power density required by next-generation AI applications.
Simon Loo, Protection and Automation Division Siemens
ELECTRICAL POWER SERVICE FUTURES
Does today’s relay testing workforce have the skills needed for tomorrow’s digital substations?
Modernizing the Workforce for Next-Generation Relay Testing
Today’s workforce must adapt and acquire new skills to meet the evolving requirements for effective commissioning and testing of modern protection relays. This session provides an overview of protection relay technologies and highlights the specific skills required by testing personnel for each type.
Pedro Quijada, Senior Technical Application Engineer, Doble Engineering
How can organizations attract, develop, and retain the next generation of electrical talent?
The Talent Imperative: Engineering a Resilient Electrical Workforce Now, Tomorrow, and Beyond
Technology alone won’t power the future—people will. Siemens’ Darwin Newton discusses innovative strategies for recruiting, developing, and retaining the skilled workforce needed to support grid modernization, digital transformation, and the next generation of electrical power systems.
Darwin Newton, Head of Operations, Siemens
What lessons can be learned from more than a decade of implementing a mixed workforce?
Integrating Contract Test Workforce into Utilities
Co-authored with a large utility’s Substation Construction and Maintenance Manager, this presentation discusses the implementation of transitioning from a 100% in-house utility test program to a mixed workforce, including the reasons to engage a contract workforce, challenges with bringing on a contract workforce, and the unexpected synergies of a mixed workforce.
Chasen Tedder, Vice President–Utility Testing, Hampton Tedder Technical Services
How can technology revolutionize electrical workforce development, paving the way for a more resilient and capable industry?
New Technologies for Workforce Development Challenges
The electrical workforce faces significant development challenges, including skill gaps, an aging workforce, and evolving industry demands. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring a safe, sustainable and efficient future. We will explore innovative solutions to these challenges through the adoption of new technologies.
Alan Lo, Product Manager, Eaton
PANEL SYMPOSIUMS
The panel discussions will serve as an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas, insights, and experiences. Guided by the interests and priorities of EPIC participants, these sessions will foster meaningful dialogue on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the electrical power industry. Leaders and EPIC attendees will come together to collaborate on three central themes:
Grid Optimization and Smart Grid Management Symposium
Moderator: Mark Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Oncor
Electrical Power Service Futures: Fueling the Next Generation of Talent Symposium
Moderator: Karla Flanagan, Associate Vice Chancellor, Texas State Technical College
Emerging Technology: AI, Monitoring, Digitization Symposium
Moderators: Shahyar Farhang, Senior Applications Engineer, Megger, and Pruthish Shah, Segment Leader–Electrical Markets Division, 3M
EPIC26 WORKSHOP SERIES
Building on the insights shared throughout the conference, the EPIC26 workshops will bring participants together to develop actionable strategies, identify key takeaways, and explore future-shaping initiatives. Through collaboration and partnership, attendees will help create solutions that address the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. EPIC26 Workshop Focus:
Grid Optimization and Smart Grid Management Workshop
Discussion Leader: Karla Flanagan, Associate Vice Chancellor, Texas State Technical College
Electrical Power Service Futures–Fueling the Next Generation of Talent
Discussion Leader: Mark Carpenter, Senior Vice President, Oncor
EPIC26 IS FOR POWER PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO DO MORE THAN KEEP PACE WITH CHANGE—THEY WANT TO LEAD IT.
As AI, grid modernization, cybersecurity, infrastructure demands, and workforce challenges reshape the market, attendees will gain insights needed prepare for what’s next.
More than a conference, EPIC26 is an opportunity to turn industry change into business advantage. Participants will leave with practical knowledge, new connections, and a clearer vision for driving innovation, improving performance, and leading their organizations into the future.
REGISTER TODAY
To register for EPIC26 | Electrical Power Innovations Conference and learn more about the three-day program, visit EPICpower.org or contact the NETA office at 888.300.6382. Go here for session details: Session Agenda—EPIC26 Conference
