Tuesday, June 24, 2025
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Tues. 6/24: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tutorial: System Operations in the US and Europe
Location: Cumberland North
The Tutorial will cover the following topics:
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- Overview of Information Flow and Decision-making in Typical Grid Operation Environments
- Overview of Market Operations Processes
- Sensitivity of Operation/Markets to Meteorological and Other Information
Speakers to include:
Erik Ela, Director of System Operation and Electricity Markets, ESIG
Yonghong Chen, Chief Scientist, Grid Planning and Analysis Center, NREL
Jean Gillain, Business Development Manager – APAC & ME, N-SIDE
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Tues. 6/24 : 1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Introduction / Opening Remarks
Location: Cumberland North
Opening Remarks
Mark Ahlstrom, NextEra Energy & ESIG Board of Directors’ President
Industry Overview
Debra Lew, Executive Director, ESIG
Tues. 6/24: 1:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Opening Plenary Session: Recent Advancements in Wind, Solar and Load Forecasting
A fireside chat with leading experts on forecasting research and state-of-the-art developments in forecasting methods.
Session Chair: Jeff Freedman, Research Faculty, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, SUNY at Albany
Location: Cumberland North
John Zack, CEO, MESO
Sue Haupt, Senior Scientist, Research Applications Laboratory, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
Stan Benjamin, Senior Scientist, NOAA (retired)
Thomas Haley, Lead Data Scientist, Clean Power Research
Lars Rohwer, Senior Meteorologist, energy and meteo systems GmbH (Germany)
Tues. 6/24: 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
Tues. 6/24: 3:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Session 2A: Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Applications in Forecasting
Session Chair: Justin Sharp, Senior Technical Leader, EPRI
Location: Cumberland North
Overview of AI Weather Predictions – How Does it Work and What are The Implications to Power System Applications
Sue Haupt, Senior Scientist, Research Applications Laboratory, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
Subseasonal to Seasonal Forecasting Advances Using Machine Learning Methods
Karl Critz, CTO, Salient Predictions
Comparison of AI Weather Predictions and Traditional Numerical Weather Predictions
Jared Lee, Project Scientist, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
Let’s Not Forget About Machine Learning – Forecasting Beyond the AI Buzz
Andrew Akman, Principal Data Scientist for Operational Forecasting, AEMO (Australia)
Tues. 6/24: 3:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Session 2B: Evolving Capacity Markets and their Value in Achieving Resource Adequacy
Session Chair: Bethany Frew, Group Manager, NREL (invited)
JHU Performance for Capacity Markets
Ben Hobbs, Deputy Chair, Dept. Environmental Health & Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, and Chair, CAISO Market Surveillance Committee
MISO’s Reliability-based Demand Curve
Zhaoxia Xie, Director – Market Design and Development, MISO
ISO-NE Benefits of Prompt and Seasonal Markets
Tongxin Zheng, Chief Technologist, ISO New England
Forward Prices: A Path to Reliable & Resilient Electricity
Peter Cramton, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Maryland and International Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute
Tues. 6/24: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Location: Patio
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Wed. 6/25: 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 3A: New Forecasting Methods and Integration of Forecasts into Operations and Markets
Session Chair: David Larson, Senior Team Leader, EPRI
Location: Cumberland North
Why Forecasts were Off in February 2025 in the South
Jeff Baskin, Senior Technical Analyst/Meteorologist, Southwest Power Pool
Alternative Forecast Error Metrics
Will Hobbs, Renewable Energy and Storage R&D, Southern Company
Forecasting Data Center Load for Operations
Marija Marković, Power System Engineer, EPRI
ERCOT Forecasting Large Load Behavior in Operations
Luke Butler, Manager for Forecasting & Analysis, ERCOT
From Forecasts, Procurements to Operations: Perspective of a Community Choice Aggregator
Gabriel Head, CAISO Day Ahead Manager, Ava Energy
Wed. 6/25: 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 3B: Long Duration Energy Storage: Operations, Value and Accreditation
Session Chair: Mahika Sri Krishna, Senior Research Analyst, Long Duration Energy Storage Council
Location: Cumberland South
Operations, Optimization and Dispatch of TVA Hydro
Gabe Miller, Hydrologist, TVA
Opportunities and Valuation for Pumped Storage Hydropower: Case Study with Tennessee Valley Authority
Stuart Cohen, Electric Systems Modeler, NREL
Challenges Assessing the Contribution and Accreditation of Long Duration Energy Storage to System Adequacy
Donny Holaschutz, Energy and Sustainability Consultant – Managing Partner, inodú
Accreditation for Long Duration Energy Storage in Hawaii
Ryan Deyoe, Power Markets Specialist, Telos Energy
Wed. 6/25: 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
Wed. 6/25: 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 4A: Advancements in Forecasting: From DERs and Data Centers to New Methods for Wind and Solar Forecasting
Session Chair: Jon Black, Manager, Advanced Forecasting and Analytics, ISO New England
Location: Cumberland North
During this session, we’ll investigate the state-of-the-art in load forecasting including behind-the-meter resources, electrification impacts, large loads such as data centers, as well as new machine learning methods and use of new technologies for forecasting load, wind and solar.
NERC Reliability Guidelines for DER Forecasting Practices
Shayan Rizvi, Senior Engineer, Northeast Power Coordinating Council
DER Impacts on Load Forecasts
Amir Javanbakht, Senior Analyst Load Forecasting, Clean Power Alliance
Forecasting of Electrification and Data Centers
Farnaz Farzan, Principal Advisor, Team Lead, Quanta Technology
Improved Short-term Forecasting with Skycams and LIDAR
Lars Rohwer, Senior Meteorologist, energy and meteo systems GmbH (Germany)
Probabilistic Day-Ahead Forecasting of Wind, Solar and Load
Ranjit Deshmukh, Associate Professor, University of California at Santa Barbara and Guillermo Terren-Serrano, Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California at Santa Barbara
Wed. 6/25: 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 4B: Integrating Electric Storage Resources into Electricity Markets: Enhancements to Improve Efficiency and Reliability
Session Chair: Jason Burwen, VP, Policy & Strategy, GridStor (invited)
Location: Cumberland South
Energy Storage in Electricity Markets: A Roadmap
Serena Patel, Energy Research Associate, The Brattle Group
Real-time Co-optimization Plus Batteries
Kenneth Ragsdale, Principal, ERCOT
Energy Storage, State of Charge Management in the CAISO
Becky Robinson, Director of Markets and Policy, CAISO (invited)
How Can Energy Storage Best Participate in Electricity Markets?
Gary Cate, Principal Director, Energy Markets, Fluence
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Wed. 6/25: 1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 5A: Utility, ISO & Meteorology Probabilistic Forecasting Developments
Session Chair: Nitika Mago, Senior Manager, Electric Grid Operations, ERCOT
Location: Cumberland North
This panel will focus on providing insights into how Utilities/ISOs are using or planning to use probabilistic forecasting for applications in uncertainty estimation, reserve determination or risk assessment in the near-term operations timeframe. The panel will also have a forecast vendor perspective and will share what is new with probabilistic forecast development space.
Recent Developments in Incorporating Weather for Operational Forecasting at AEMO
Andrew Akman, Principal Data Scientist, AEMO (Australia)
Probabilistic Forecasting Developments in CAISO
Rebecca Webb, Manager of Operational Forecasting, CAISO
Update on Probabilistic Near-term Uncertainty & Risk Assessments at ERCOT
Riaz Khan, Senior Operations Engineer, ERCOT
What’s New With Probabilistic Forecast Development – Meteorologist Perspective
Craig Collier, Chief Meteorologist, Head of Operations, Energy Forecasting Solutions, LLC
Wed. 6/25: 1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 5B: The Increasing Need And Value For Long- And Short-Term Price Forecasts
Session Chair: Robin Hytowitz, Program Lead, Electricity Markets, EPRI
Location: Cumberland South
Price forecasts have been essential to the energy industry for decades. Many rely on them for day-to-day operations and planning, but the fundamentals of price forecasting are often overlooked by energy researchers. We will explore issues for both long- and short-term forecasts including answers to questions such as: What makes a forecast good? How important is forecasting volatility? Has the increased number of storage assets changed the need for price forecasts? Is tail risk becoming more important to forecast with demand-side assets coming online? What types of models are best for long vs short term forecasts?
Scott Bruns, Director, US Power Markets, Enverus
Jennifer Newman, Vice President of Research, REsurety
Amir Mousavi, Technical Staff, Gridmatic
McKenzie Fowler, Director, Energy Modeling, PowerIntel
Norm Richardson, President & Founder, EnCompass
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 6A: Emerging Forecasting Applications Beyond Renewables and Load Forecasting
Session Chair: Adria Brooks, Director of Transmission Planning, Grid Strategies
Location: Cumberland North
New Developments in the Application of Weather Information in Electric Grid Analysis – Power Flow
Tom Overbye, Professor, Texas A&M
Hydrology Forecasting and Drought Conditions
Shih-Chieh Kao, Program Manager, Water Power Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Wind Forecasting for Dynamic Line Ratings
Jake Gentle, Program Manager, Secure Renewables & Grid Integration, Idaho National Laboratory
A New Approach for Grid-Wide Wind Measurement with Embedded Optical Fibers
Tiffany Menhorn, Vice President, North America, Prisma Photonics
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 6B: Dynamic Operating Reserve Methods: Forecasting Reserve for Improved Operations
Session Chair: Jimmy Nelson, Director, Energy & Environmental Economics
Co-optimized Markets – Lessons from Denmark and Vietnam
Energinet and NSMO (Vietnam) (invited)
Regulation Reserve Forecasting in MISO
Christine Ross, Lead, Markets Research and Development, MISO
Uncertainty Reserve in NYISO
Frankie Biancardi, Market Design Specialist, NYISO
Dynamic Dimensioning in the Netherlands
Giancarlo Marzano, Senior Account Management Lead, N-SIDE
Thursday, June 26, 2025
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Thurs. 6/26: 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 7A: Weather, Extreme Events and Resilience
Session Chair: Allison Campbell, Power Systems Data Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Location: Cumberland North
This panel will discuss methods for developing time-series weather data as well as extreme event data. Panelists will also discuss how this data is used in system planning (eg transmission planning) as well as extreme event planning such as wildfire risk and power safety shutoff events.
Reliability, Resilience and Extreme Weather
Maria Kachadurian, Senior Analyst, Performance Analysis, NERC
Probabilistic Time Series Modeling for Improving Grid Reliability
Chris Hayes, Principal Meteorologist, DNV
Rob Cirincione, CEO, Sunairio
Downscaled Earth System Model Data for Resilient Energy System Planning
Grant Buster, Data Scientist, NREL (invited)
Incorporating Multivariate Weather Hazards into System Planning with Long Duration Energy Storage
Neal Mann, Energy Systems Engineer, Argonne National Laboratory (invited)
Thurs. 6/26: 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 7B: Technology Neutrality and Market Participation Models
Session Chair: Paul Sotkiewicz, President and Founder, E-Cubed Policy Associates
Location: Cumberland South
Gabe Murtaugh, Director of Market Development, Hydrostor
Michael Milligan, GridLab
Daniel Harless, Lead Engineer, Market Development, SPP
Zach Ming, Partner, Energy & Environmental Economics
Mark Ahlstrom, Vice President of Renewable Energy Policy, NextEra Energy Resources
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
Thurs. 6/26: 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closing Plenary: Future Needs for Forecasting in Power System Applications
A fireside chat bringing together the meteorologists with the utilities/ISOs to discuss gaps, needs, and better alignment of these communities.
Session Chair: Erik Ela, Director of System Operation and Electricity Markets, ESIG and John Zack, Owner, MESO
Location: Cumberland North
Rebecca Webb, Manager of Operational Forecasting, CAISO
Brent Duncan, Senior Renewables Resource Planning Engineer, Southern Company
David Larson, Senior Team Leader, EPRI
Jon Black, Manager, Advanced Forecasting and Analytics, ISO New England
Leah Campbell, Senior Scientist, Weather Desk, Vaisala
Matthew Cote, Director of Forecasting, Grid Solutions, UL Solutions
Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Large Loads Workshop
**Must be an ESIG Member to attend, requires separate registration.**
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Thurs. 6/26: 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
LLWS Session 1: Review of Load Forecasting, Market Options and Operations, and Resource Adequacy Project Teams
Location: Cumberland North
Thurs. 6/26: 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
Thurs. 6/26: 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
LLWS Session 2: How Different Levels of Flexibility Impact Markets
Location: Cumberland North
Thurs. 6/26: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Large Loads Workshop Networking Event
Location: Pins Mechanical Co.
Friday, June 27, 2025 – Large Loads Workshop
**Must be an ESIG Member to attend, requires separate registration.**
Fri. 6/27: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Tennessee Ballroom/Hartman Gallery
Fri 6/27: 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
LLWS Session 3: How Different Levels of Flexibility Impact Resource Adequacy
Location: Cumberland North
10: 15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Break
Location: Cumberland South Foyer
Fri. 6/27: 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
LLWS Session 4: Large Loads in Capacity Markets
Location: Cumberland North