2026 Spring Technical Workshop
March 16 - March 19
The 2026 Spring Technical Workshop will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.
EXPLORE THE WORKSHOP AGENDA
Monday, March 16:
8:00 am – Noon: Tutorial: Increasing DER Hosting Capacity with Flexible Interconnections and Flow Control
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: i2X Special Topic Hybrid Workshop: GFM
Noon – 5:00 pm: ESIG Working Group Meetings (Must be an ESIG member to attend)
5:15 – 7:15 pm: ESIG Meet and Greet
Tuesday, March 17:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Technical Workshop
6:00 pm – 8:o0 pm: Networking Reception
Wednesday, March 18:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm: Technical Workshop
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Local hike in the Sonoran Desert
Thursday, March 19:
8:00 am – Noon: Technical Workshop
EXPLORE THE WORKSHOP AGENDA
DOE i2X FIRST Grid-Forming Inverter Workshop
Monday, March 16, 2026 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
As inverter-based resources become a dominant share of new generation, grid-forming (GFM) inverter technologies are emerging as one of the key tools to support stability of power systems with high shares of inverter-based resources. To advance understanding and practical deployment experience, ESIG supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) Forum for the Implementation of Reliability Standards (FIRST), in hosting a one-day workshop focused on grid-forming inverters during the ESIG Spring Technical Workshop in Tucson.
This hybrid workshop will bring together system operators, utilities, researchers, technology providers, and developers to explore the current state of grid-forming technology, performance specifications and real-world applications.
The workshop agenda will begin with a concise educational tutorial covering GFM fundamentals, including how GFM controls differ from grid-following (GFL) approaches, what capabilities they offer, and where current limitations remain. The workshop will then shift to panel discussions and presentations examining:
- Why and where grid-forming is being required by some ISOs and utilities, and why others have taken more cautious approaches
- Study methodologies, monitoring considerations, and operational implications that inform GFM adoption decisions
- Emerging grid-forming requirements and standards, including regional implementations and ongoing joint IEEE/IEC efforts
- Real-world project experience from utilities, developers, OEMs, and planners implementing grid-forming inverters in the field
The workshop is intended for participants seeking a practical, systems-oriented view of grid-forming inverters, grounded in current experience and forward-looking collaboration.
Click here to register for the workshop as a VIRTUAL attendee.
Tutorial: Increasing DER Hosting Capacity with Flexible Interconnections and Flow Control
Monday, March 16, 2026 | 8:00 am – noon
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
ESIG Working Group Meetings
ESIG’s Working Groups provide the opportunity for members to weigh-in on the direction of ESIG’s efforts. Working Groups are driven by member interests with support from ESIG staff, and members may propose new Working Groups, or new Task Forces within a Working Group, to the ESIG board as an ongoing activity or for a temporary defined purpose. At a high level, the purpose of a Working Group or task force is to create a working community to pursue existing ideas or develop new concepts. Working Group meetings offer a great opportunity to sit-in on technical presentations and conversations within specific areas of interest, as well as connect with peers from around the world.
ESIG Meet and Greet
Join us on Monday night for an informal Meet and Greet outside of the Kiva Ballroom at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. This event is designed for newcomers and ESIG-veterans alike to meet new folks and say hello to old friends before the technical workshop begins. Enjoy the beautiful Sonoran desert, learn more about ESIG activities, and meet your next Workshop lunch buddy!
** A limited number of complimentary student registrations and travel stipends are available for the 2026 Spring Technical Workshop. Please reach out to brooke@esig.energy for more information. Special thanks to Polaris Power System Optimization for their support!
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS FEBRUARY 6, 2026
The 2026 Spring Technical Workshop will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.
The special ESIG room rate is $249/night. The last day to make your reservation is February 23, 2026. We highly encourage you to book your room for the 2026 Spring Technical Workshop as soon as possible – if your plans change, you can cancel your reservation up to 24 hours before arrival with no penalty. We do expect the room block to sell out.
Click here to book your room.
*Please note: the hotel is currently completely sold out the night of Wednesday, March 18, including the ESIG room block. If you need a room on this night, here are several nearby options:
- The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa (5 miles)
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson Paloma Village (7 miles)
- Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites (8 miles)
