Monday, March 16, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
Location: Kiva Patio
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DOE i2X FIRST Grid-Forming Inverter Workshop
Location: Kiva B
Workshop Chair: Julia Matevosyan, Associate Director, Chief Engineer, ESIG
**Requires separate registration**
Speakers:
Deepak Ramasubramanian, Principal Technical Leader, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Andrew Isaacs, Vice President, Electranix
Dominic Gross, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM)
Beibei Li, Manager of Strategic Assessment, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Li Yu, Manager, Transmission Planning, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
Benjamin Braun, Principal Engineer, Fluence (Germany)
Roland Singer, Head of Group Converter-based Power Grids, Franunhofer (Germany)
Alex Shattuck, Director of Grid Transformation, ESIG
Mostafa Sedighizadeh, Lead Engineer, Policy Planning and Research, Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
Sarah Walinga, Senior Staff Power Controls Engineer, Tesla
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tutorial: Increasing DER Hosting Capacity with Flexible Interconnections and Flow Control
Location: Kiva A
Tutorial Chair: Leo Jiang, Engineering Fellow, ESIG
**Requires separate registration**
This tutorial focuses on two proven, low-cost advanced grid technologies – flexible interconnections and power-electronics-based flow controllers – that can significantly increase hosting capacity for distributed energy resources (DERs). These can be faster and more cost-effective than traditional grid reinforcements, by maximizing the utilization of existing network assets, accelerating DER interconnections, reducing costs and environmental impacts, and providing the operational flexibility needed for future grids. While conventional reinforcements remain essential for long-term firm capacity, advanced technologies can defer or reduce the size of infrastructure upgrades and/or provide a transition while long-term firm capacity is being constructed. The tutorial features innovative solutions and guides participants through the full adoption lifecycle of these advanced applications, illustrated with real-world utility-scale demonstration projects and key lessons learned.
Speakers:
Leo Jiang, Engineering Fellow, ESIG
Mike Hanestad, Principal Power System Engineer and Team Lead, RLC Engineering
Jon Grooters, Director of the US Market, EnerNex
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Kiva Patio
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Research and Education Working Group Meeting
*Grab some food and join us for the WG meeting!
Location: Kiva A
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Special Joint ESIG Working Group Session: Operational Considerations in Planning
Session Chair: Hilary Brown, Manager of Energy Transport and Delivery Modeling – Transmission, Xcel Energy
Location: Kiva A
Planning models, data, and processes need to evolve to better capture the complexities of real-world operations and ensure that planning decisions support reliability in practice. This session will feature a panel of experts in planning and operations at both the utility and system operator level, focusing on gaps between planning assumptions and outcomes and the operational needs and realities they support. The session will conclude with interactive breakout discussions focused on identifying key challenges, sharing real-world experiences, and informing future improvement.
Speakers:
Obadiah Bartholomy, Manager, Distributed Energy Strategy, SMUD
John Simonelli, CEO and Managing Director, Flashover LLC
Jonathon Dyson, Executive General Manager, Services, AZZO
Supriya Tawde, Manager, Transmission Integration, NYISO
Matt Rhodes, Principal Electrical Engineer, Salt River Project (SRP)
Russ Philbrick, CEO/CTO, Polaris System Optimization
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Working Group Meetings
**Must be an ESIG member to attend. Click here to see if your organization is a member. Interested in membership? Reach out to info@esig.energy.
DER Working Group
WG Chair: Obadiah Bartholomy, SMUD
System Planning Working Group
WG Chair: Josh Novacheck, NextEra
System Operation & Market Design Working Group
WG Chair: Justin Sharp, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ESIG Meet & Greet
Location: Kiva Patio
This informal happy hour is designed for new participants to meet and mingle with the ESIG community – all are invited to attend to make introductions and form new connections. Enjoy your evening and find a new workshop lunch buddy!
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Kiva Patio
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Opening Session
Location: Kiva Ballroom
Opening Remarks
Mark Ahlstrom, ESIG Board President
Keynote Presentation
Mark Rothleder, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Industry Overview
Debbie Lew, Executive Director, ESIG
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Opening Plenary: Energy Affordability
Session Chair: Deborah Reynolds, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)
Location: Kiva Ballroom
What are the factors that impact electricity costs today and in the future? How can affordability be managed while maintaining reliability and delivering service to all customers?
Factors Influencing Recent Trends in Retail Electricity Prices
Galen Barbose, Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
The Energy Wallet: U.S. and State-level Household Energy Expenditures, Past, Present, and Future
Geoff Blanford, Principal Technical Executive, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Assessment of Energy Affordability in New Jersey
Sanem Sergici, Principal, The Brattle Group
Stakeholder Perspectives on Energy Affordability
Andrew McAllister, Commissioner, California Energy Commission
Laurie Williams, Senior Vice President, Integrated Planning and Transmission Development, PNM
Cynthia Zwick, Director, Arizona Residential Utility Consumer Office (AZRUCO)
12:00 p.m. – 12: 15 p.m.
Annual Membership Meeting
Location: Kiva Ballroom
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Kiva Patio
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 1A: IBR Dominated Systems
Session Chair: Katie Iversen, Senior Manager, Generation Modeling Engineering
Location: Kiva A
Foundational assumptions around protection, voltage control, and resource capabilities are being redefined in IBR-dominated grids. This session highlights real-world experience and emerging requirements for operating and planning reliable grids with very high inverter penetration.
Protection of Inverter-dominated Transmission Systems: Evaluation for Hawai’i Island
Ulrich Münz, Principal Key Expert Advanced Control and Optimization, Siemens
Overload Requirement from IBRs to Support the Needs of the Grid
Sai Gopal Vennelaganti, Manager, Global Power System Lead, Tesla
Use of Battery Energy Storage Systems in IBR Dominated Grids
Benjamin Braun, Principal Engineer – Power Controls, Fluence (Germany)
Observations on Voltage Control in the Australian NEM: Potential Impacts on Operations and Forecasting
Jonathon Dyson, Executive General Manager, Services, AZZO (Australia)
All Together – Working as a Team for a Reliable IBR Dominant Grid
Katie Iversen, Senior Manager, Generation Modeling Engineering
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 1B: The Expanding Role of Electricity Markets Across the West
Session Chair: Steve Beuning, Consultant (Former Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Energy, Guzman Energy)
Location: Kiva B
Across the West, electricity markets have always had a troubled history. However, in 2026 the launch of the extended Day-Ahead Market is planned, which is followed by the expansion of the SPP RTO in the Western Interconnection, its Markets+ option, and the Western Resource Adequacy Program. Some form of electricity markets will soon be apart of a large majority of the Western Interconnection within the next two years, a long way from where the West was just 15 years ago. The session will discuss the history and the importance of how far the west has come in embracing electricity markets, while discussing key challenges such as seams, GHG pricing, and other key topics.
Chairman Eric Blank, Commissioner, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Scott Miller, Executive Director, Western Power Trading Forum
Cathleen Colbert, Senior Director of Western Markets Policy, Vistra
Kelsey Martinez, Director of Regional Markets & Transmission Strategy, Power New Mexico
Sam Rugel, Director, System Control & Reliability, Tucson Electric Power
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 2A: Proactive Distribution System Planning
Session Chair: Juliet Homer, Chief Systems Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Location: Kiva A
What emerging approaches and practices are utilities and regulators using to proactively address distribution system load growth, and how do they manage associated challenges and risks?
Proactive Planning at Xcel Energy
Zach Pollock, Director of Grid Strategy & Emerging Technology, Xcel Energy
Integrated Planning and Solutions
Kyle Brazell, Senior Engineer, National Grid
Proactive Planning at Con Edison to Support Electrification
Alexander Buell, Director of E-Mobility, Con Edison
Proactive Planning Initiative
Hanna Terwilliger, Analyst Coordinator for Distribution Planning, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Survey of Current Practices for Proactive Planning and Anticipatory Investment
Jessica Shipley, Principal Research Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 2B: Expanding the Grid in the Western U.S.: Planning, Coordination, and Delivery
Session Chair: Jennifer Galaway, Senior Manager, Transmission Strategy & Regulation, Portland General Electric
Location: Kiva B
This panel will examine transmission expansion in the Western U.S., highlighting successes, how the landscape is changing, and where gaps remain.
WestTEC as a Planning Spine for the West: Methods and Findings from the 10-Year Plan
Keegan Moyer, Principal, Energy Strategies
Bridging Planning and Development: An Independent Transmission Developer Perspective in the Western U.S.
Gimond Matthew, Vice President, Strategy & New Initiatives, Grid United
Planning at Scale: CAISO’s Approach to Long-Term and Regional Transmission
Jeff Billinton, Director, Transmission Infrastructure Planning, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Northern Grid Planning in Context: How Regional Processes Differ and Where They Can Connect
Ben Hutchins, Principal Engineer, Regional Transmission Planning Services, Western Power Pool (WPP)
Steve Martz, Head of Operations – Energy Transformation, General Catalyst (invited)
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Networking Reception and ESIG Excellence Awards
Location: Coyote Corral
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Kiva Patio
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 3A: EMT Modeling and Studies
Session Chair: Dave Mueller, Vice President of Energy System Studies, EnerNex
Location: Kiva A
In inverter-dominated grids, EMT simulations are becoming essential for interconnection, planning, and operations. This session covers large-scale EMT applications, model tuning, NERC guidance, workforce training needs, and emerging online EMT-based dynamic security assessment.
EMT Training Needs
Alex Shattuck, Director of Grid Transformation, ESIG
Tuning IBR Plant EMT Models for Interconnection Requirements
Mariana Kamel, Principal Consultant, EnerNex
NERC EMT Modeling Guidelines, Resources and Applicable Standards
Aung Thant, Principal Engineer, Engineering and Security Integration, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
EMT Simulations for Large-Scale Power Grids – NYPA Perspective
Reza Pourramezan, Manager, Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy (AGILe), New York Power Authority
Online Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA) Based on EMT simulations
Anton Stepanov, Research And Development Specialist, EMTP (Canada)
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 3B: FERC Order 2222 on DER Aggregation Participation in Wholesale Markets: Five Years Later, Has it Lived Up to its Potential?
Session Chair: Kristin Swenson, Blue Note Energy
Location: Kiva B
Five years after FERC issued its landmark Order 2222.
Anja Gilbert, Lead Policy Developer, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Mary McColgan, Distributed Resources Operations Engineer, New York Independent System Operator
Roman Grod, Director of Energy Markets, Rodan Energy Solutions
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 4A: System Strength Metrics and Impedance Scanning Methods
Session Chair: Shahil Shah, Principal Engineer, National Laboratory of the Rockies
Location: Kiva A
As traditional short-circuit metrics fall short in IBR-dominated grids, planners need alternative metrics for system strength. This session explores impedance scanning, new screening tools, and new system strength metrics to assess stability risks and guide when EMT studies are truly needed.
From SCR to Frequency-Dependent Strength: Using Impedance Scanning to Screen IBR Interactions and Target EMT Studies
Behrooz Bahrani, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Monash University; Director at GridZync Pty Ltd. (Australia)
Don’t Panic: Hitchhiker’s Guide to Short Circuit Strength
Matt Richwine, Founding Partner, Telos Energy and Nick Miller, Principal, HickoryLedge
New Metrics and Tools to Evaluate Need for EMT Study
Rachel Bernhardt, Power Systems Analyst, Electranix
Redefining System Strength for the Modern Grid
Beibei (BeiLi) Li, Manager of Strategic Assessment, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Reliability and Stability of Large IBR and Large-Load Sites
Reza Salehi, Director, T&D Engineering and Consulting, RMS Energy (Canada)
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 4B: Major Market Reform Experiences from Regions around the World
Session Chair: Robin Hytowitz, Electricity Markets and Data Center Program Lead, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Location: Kiva B
With regards to electricity market design reform, 2025 was a big year. Major changes to several key electricity market regions occurred around the world. This session will describe some of those major reforms sharing the insights into how they accomplished the major implementation, working with stakeholders and regulators to accomplish such large-scale changes, and then describe how the changes have been impacting the markets since their implementation.
Market Renewal in Ontario
Darren Matsugu, Director of Markets, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)(Canada)
Day-ahead Ancillary Services
Andrew Withers, Senior Economist, Independent System Operator – New England (ISO – NE)
Real-time Co-optimization Plus Batteries
Gord Drake, Director of Market Design & Analysis, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
15-minute Market Intervals Across Europe
Jean Gillain, Power Market Associate, N-SIDE (Belgium)
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Kiva Patio
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 5A: Oscillation Detection and Analysis
Session Chair: Sarah Walinga, Senior Staff Power Controls Engineer, Tesla
Location: Kiva A
With IBRs driving system dynamics, oscillatory interactions pose a growing reliability risk. The session highlights practical methods for detection, root-cause analysis, and mitigation using grid-forming controls, post-event measurements, EMT modeling, and stability frameworks.
Grid Forming Mitigating Weak Grid Oscillations
Mohammed Nassar, Staff Power System Engineer, Americas Power System Lead, Tesla
Data-driven Post-event Analysis of IBR-induced Oscillation
Balarko Chaudhuri, Professor of Power Systems, Imperial College London (United Kingdom)
Oscillations: A Global Perspective on Behavior and Management
Duncan Burt, Chief Strategic Growth Officer, Reactive Technologies (United Kingdom)
Oscillation Assessment Using Black-Box EMT Models of Inverter-Based Devices
Weiqing Jiang, Principal Engineer II Strategic Assessments, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Andrew Musgrave, Engineer II (EIT) Engineering Applications, Powertech
A Stability Analysis Framework for Oscillation Analysis and Mitigation
Jing Wang, Principal Engineer, National Laboratory of the Rockies
1:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Session 5B: Integrated Capacity Expansion and Resource Adequacy Methods
Session Chair: Jon Cook, Ph.D., Senior Principal Analyst, Salt River Project
Location: Kiva B
This session will highlight advances in how modern planning models integrate capacity expansion and resource adequacy, focusing on new methods, key tradeoffs, and lessons from large-scale applications.
Integrating Capacity Expansion and Resource Adequacy in Modern Planning Models: Concepts, Capabilities, and Tradeoffs
Genna de Mijolla, Technical Leader, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Incremental Expansion in Modern Planning Models to Maintain Resource Adequacy in Long-Term Generation Planning
Kevin Carden, Chief Product Officer, PowerGem
Integrating Direct Probabilistic Adequacy Constraints in Capacity Expansion Optimization
Gord Stephen, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London
Parameterizing Resource Adequacy Need and Capacity Accreditation in Capacity Expansion Modeling
Arne Olson, Senior Partner, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3)
Integrating Investment and Adequacy in Large-Scale Planning Models: The ERAA Experience
Ralph Pfeiffer, Head of System Development – International Planning Products, Amprion GmbH (Germany)
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 6A: Advanced Technology for Grid Optimization and DER Integration
Session Chair: Murali Baggu, Laboratory Program Manager, National Lab of the Rockies
Location: Kiva A
This panel will share advanced technologies for utility applications in breaking down data silos to accelerate DER integration, implementing DERMS programs for DER dispatch, and adopting emerging technologies, such as dynamic line rating, to optimize grid operations and enable higher levels of DER integration. Key lessons learned and implementation challenges will be discussed.
HECO’s Experience with High DERs
Ken Aramaki, Director for Integrated Planning, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
Optimizing HC Solutions to Remove Interconnection Bottlenecks
Alvina Brieff, Senior Manager, Envelio
How DLR can help Grid Optimization and DER Integration (European Persepective)
Duarte Fleming, Chief Growth Officer, Enline
Implementing DERMS at PG&E
Ajit Renjit, Principal Architect, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
Professor Fred Geth, UQ-Springfield Chair in Energy, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Queensland (Australia) (invited)
3:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Session 6B: FERC Order 1920: Assessing Benefits of Transmission
Session Chair: Rachel Levine, Senior Transmission Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center
Location: Kiva B
Issued in 2024, FERC Order 1920 calls for the assessment of at least seven benefits of transmission. What are the leading methods, tools, and processes for estimating these benefits?
Building a Common Framework for Order 1920 Benefits
Adria Brooks, Director of Transmission Planning, Grid Strategies
Modeling Transmission Benefits Under FERC Order 1920: Methods, Tools, and Tradeoffs
Eknath Vittal, Technical Executive, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Implementing Order 1920 at NYISO: Proposed Processes and Open Questions
Supriya Tawde, Manager, Transmission Integration, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)
Applying Order 1920 in MISO’s Planning Framework
Armando Figueroa, Senior Engineer, Strategic Assessments, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Order 1920 Benefit Evaluation in CAISO’s Planning Process
Biju Gopi, Senior Manager, Transmission Interface Coordination, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
5:30 p.m.
Optional Hike
Location: Resort Hiking Trail
Thursday, March 19, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: Kiva Patio
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 7A: Large Loads: Stability Impacts, Interconnection Requirements, Modeling Considerations
Session Chair: Julia Matevosyan, Associate Director, Chief Engineer, ESIG
Location: Kiva A
As data centers and other large, power-electronic loads connect at scale, their dynamic behavior is becoming a material stability and reliability risk. This session examines interconnection requirements, EMT modeling approaches, operational readiness, and interaction risks, with a focus on practical assessment and mitigation.
Considerations for EMT Modeling of Data Center Loads
Amin Zamani, Senior Director of Advanced Technology Integration, Executive Advisor, Danovo Energy (fka Quanta) (Canada)
Data Center Modeling, Colocation, and Digital Twin Solutions with AI Load Simulator and RTDS-Based HIL Testbed
Arman Ghasaei, Founder and CEO, EdgeTunePower Inc. and Sam Maleki, Chief Growth Officer, Data Centers, EdgeTunePower Inc. (Canada)
Operational Readiness for Data Centers
Scott Anderson, Director – Operational Readiness, Salt River Project
Large Load Reliability Requirements in MISO
Beibei Li (BeiLi), Manager of Strategic Assessment, MISO
Understanding Risks to Synchronous Machines Due to Load Variability
Andrew Isaacs, Vice President, Electranix (Canada)
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Session 7B: Integrated Planning
Session Chair: Angela Long, Founder & CEO, Rockcress Consulting
Location: Kiva B
Integrated planning (e.g., T&D, G&T) can lead to more efficient solutions for the system as a whole. What processes and methods are being proposed or are being implemented for successful integrated planning?
Use of DERs to Serve Bulk System and T&D Operational Needs in APS
Michael Dzurak, Energy Innovation Advisor, VPP Expansion and Development, Arizona Public Service (APS)
Integrated System Planning: A Distribution System Perspective
Julie Koo, Principal Planning Analyst, Distribution Strategy, Salt River Project (SRP)
Survey of Integrated Planning Processes
Jonathan Surls, Head of Solutions, Energy Exemplar
Deploying Distributed Batteries for Integrated System Capacity
Patrick Dalton, Director of System Engineering, Sparkfund
Toward Cost Curves to Capture Distribution Value and Needs within Bulk Electric Grid Capacity Expansion Optimization
Bryan Palmintier, Group Manager, Transmission & Distribution Interactions Group, Grid Planning and Analysis Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closing Plenary: Flexibility from Large Loads
Session Chair: Margarita Patria, Principal, Charles River Associates
Location: Kiva Ballroom
Large loads can have large integration challenges, but they can also bring flexibilty solutions. What form does this flexible take, what value does it have, and how do we realize it?
Deep Flexibility Through Energy Parks with Thermal Energy Storage
Eric Gimon, Senior Fellow, Energy Innovation
State-regulated Utility Tariffs and Processes to Enable Flexibility
Miles Farmer, Partner, Roselle LLP
Flexible Data Centers: A Faster More Affordable Path to Power
Astrid Atkinson, CEO & Co-founder, Camus
Vulcan Test Platform: Demonstrating the Data Center as a Flexible Grid Asset
Ben Wheeler, VP, Product Development, Verrus
A Utility’s Perspective on Large Load Flexibility Requirements
Jesse Waters, Manager, Balancing Authority Function, Tucson Electric Power (TEP)