Flexible Interconnections for Large Loads Workshop
June 17, 2026 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- This event has passed.
Workshop recordings will be available soon!
Session 1I: What We’ve Learned from Generator and DER Flex Interconnections
Session Chair: Robin Hytowitz, Electricity Markets and Data Center Program Lead, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
What can large loads learn from flexible generator and DER interconnections about making flexibility work in planning, markets, and operations?
- Connect and Manage for Large Loads: Lessons Learned from Generation Interconnection and Application to the Batch Zero Study
Agee Springer, Director, Grid Interconnections, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Flexible Service Connection for Distribution Assets and Expectations for Flexible Transmission Interconnections
Amir Sajadi, Principal Engineer, Grid Research, Innovation, and Development, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) - Integrating Load Flexibility into Resource Adequacy
Anna Lafoyiannis, Program Lead, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) (Canada) - Flexible Connections – Learnings from Distribution Initiatives
Cody Davis, Associate Technical Director, Grid Modernization, Electric Power Engineers (EPE)
Session 2I: Planning for Flexible Interconnections
Session Chair: Carlo Brancucci, CEO, encoord
How should flexible large load interconnections be studied in transmission planning, resource adequacy, and forecasting?
- Bringing Data Center Flexibility into Resource Adequacy Planning
Aaron Schwartz, Senior Engineer, PowerGEM - Accelerating Interconnection of Large Loads co-located with Generation Facilities
Aniruddh Mohan, Energy Associate, The Brattle Group - Flexible Interconnection Studies – An Integrated Planning Process
Wallace Kenyon, Chief Product Officer, encoord - Integrating Flexible Large Loads in Planning and Operations
Ahmed Rashwan, Vice President, Transmission Planning and Operations, Utilities, Electric Power Engineers (EPE) - Advancing Flexible Interconnections at PG&E: T-Flex, SPEED, and Other Solution Pathways
Jon Stallman, Chief, Strategic Projects and Programs, Commercial Growth Organization, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
Session 3I: Operations for Flexible Interconnections
Session Chair: Beth Garza, Senior Fellow, R-Street Institute
What does it take to operate flexible large load interconnections in practice, including controls, telemetry, participation models, market and operating rules, and performance assurance?
- Large-Load Flexibility in SPP: From Market Design to Real-Time Operations
Yasser Bahbaz, Sr. Director Operations Support, Southwest Power Pool (SPP) - ERCOT’s Operational Approach to Managing Large Loads under State Reliability Requirements
Luke Butler, Manager, Resource Forecasting and Analysis, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - Grid-Aware, Compute-Aware Flexibility: Operating Large Loads as Reliable Grid Resources
Gabe Tabak , Head of Energy Policy, Verrus - Emerald AI/National Grid:Demonstrating Compute Flexibility for Large-Load Interconnections
Michael Panfil, Head of Legal & Policy, Emerald AI
Session 4I: Regulatory and Tariff Considerations for Flexible Interconnections
Session Chair: Mark Dyson, Managing Director, Electricity, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
How can tariffs support flexible interconnections? Do we need regulatory changes to support flexible interconnections?
- Tariff Design to Enable Large Load Flexibility
Miles Farmer, Partner, Roselle - Tyler Norris, Head of Market Innovation, Advanced Energy, Google
- Leslie Henry-Sermons, Rate/Financial Analyst, Colorado Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate
- Flexible Interconnections for Large Loads: Regulatory and Tariff Considerations
Long Lam, Managing Energy Associate, The Brattle Group