Using DERs and AI to Build a Resilient Customer-Centric Grid

Using DERs and AI to Build a Resilient Customer-Centric Grid Minimizing customer pain from AI’s gain - How DERs can level the electricity playing field The rapid rise of AI data centers is having adverse impacts on residential customer rates. North American residential electricity rates have gone up nearly 15% in the last three years. Combined with declining reliability and continued climate change-related resilience concerns, residential customers are feeling more pain with no short-term relief in sight. While the electric system on AI infrastructure is skyrocketing, the potential for AI technology to help bring cost relief and resilience to the grid is skyrocketing too. The application of grid-edge and DER technologies to mitigate customer impacts from data center penetration is still in its infancy. While DERs offer cost savings and opportunities for customer empowerment, finding the right technology, integrations, and program infrastructure remains as complex as ever. The question is no longer if you should integrate DERs, but how to build for a rapidly changing operating landscape. Join us for an exclusive webinar with experts from Virtual Peaker and Tesla as we explore why Next-Gen Grid-Edge Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) are a crucial investment to make for 2026 success. We'll show you how a modern Grid-Edge DERMS platform provides the visibility, control, and intelligence needed to effectively manage this growing complexity and transform DERs from a grid liability into a valuable asset. Discuss proven strategies for robust next-gen demand flexibility programs and talk about how OEM partnerships are key to the overall success of demand flexibility initiatives. Potential Speakers: Jeff Quigley, Sr. VP of Client Solutions, Virtual Peaker Doug Middleton, VPP Business Development, Tesla Date: February 11, 2025, at 10 am PST, 1 ET Key Takeaways Unlock New Value from DERs: Understand how a Next-Gen Grid-Edge DERMS solution with the right device integrations enables you to orchestrate behind-the-meter assets for grid services, enhancing reliability, deferring costly infrastructure upgrades, and creating new revenue streams. The Power of Partnership: Learn how the strategic collaboration between a DERMS provider and an OEM partner simplifies the integration of new technologies, ensuring seamless communication and a scalable, future-ready ecosystem. Real-World Success Stories: Hear about utilities that are already leveraging DERMS to optimize their operations, reduce peak load, and enhance customer satisfaction through innovative programs. This webinar is a must-attend for utilities. Don't just react to the future of the grid—build it.

Beyond Traditional T&D: Digital Strategies for a Resilient, Adaptive Grid

Beyond Traditional T&D: Digital Strategies for a Resilient, Adaptive Grid Traditional approaches to transmission and distribution planning are no longer sufficient in the face of accelerating demand growth, extreme weather events, aging infrastructure, and a changing supply mix. Utilities need new strategies that leverage internal and customer side advanced digital capabilities, with a focus on breaking down internal and external stakeholder silos to meet these challenges head-on. This webinar will explore two critical innovations shaping the future of T&D grid planning and resilience. First, how AI-driven digital twins and risk modeling can give utilities a true, component-level view of asset health, enabling smarter prioritization of capital investments and preventative maintenance programs—while reducing critical extreme weather failure exposure such as ignition risk in wildfire-prone areas. Second, how flexible interconnection strategies, already being applied to large loads like data centers, can help utilities integrate new demand – quicker, cheaper, and more equitable - without compromising reliability or resilience. Join us for practical insights, utility case studies, and an interactive Q&A session with industry leaders from Camus Energy and eSmart Systems. Learn how these approaches can help utilities move beyond traditional T&D planning toward a more adaptive, resilient future. --- Speakers: Donald McPhail, VP Market Development, eSmart Systems - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldmcphail/ Sarah Colvin, Chief Revenue Officer, Camus Energy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/colvins/

AESP Academy - AI in Energy Programs: From Primer to Practice

AI in Energy Programs: From Primer to Practice In-person, LIVE Instructor-Led Training Course Date: Monday, February 23, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT) Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt (1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA 92101) Earnable CEUs: 0.3 Earnable PDHs: 3 Fee: $295 or group points for members, $399 for non-members Please note: Registration fees and membership points are charged per participant . Each individual attending must register separately. This is required for IACET compliance to ensure we can accurately track attendance, award CEUs, and provide course materials. * To register with Group Member Points, email elearning@aesp.org Course Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how energy programs are designed, delivered, and evaluated. This pre-conference session helps participants at every experience level build confidence using AI in practical, responsible ways that advance both innovation and inclusion. The first portion, AI Foundations, provides a clear, accessible introduction to AI concepts, capabilities, and trends. The second portion, AI in Action, connects those fundamentals to real-world examples from an industry practitioner who is applying AI today to improve customer segmentation, personalization, program design, and evaluation. Participants will also discuss privacy, data safeguards, and ethical considerations to ensure equitable and transparent use of AI tools. By the end of the session, you will understand AI fundamentals and be ready to identify opportunities to apply these tools responsibly within your own organization. You’ll leave this session able to: Define key AI concepts and terminology relevant to energy programs and customer engagement. Explain how AI technologies can support equitable and data-driven decision-making in program design and delivery. Analyze real-world examples of AI applications across energy initiatives. Evaluate the benefits, challenges, and ethical implications of integrating AI tools in program work. Identify practical, inclusive strategies to begin applying AI responsibly within your organization. Who Should Attend? This session is designed for anyone interested in how AI can support innovation and equity in energy programs, including program managers, evaluators, regulators, implementers, consultants, analysts, and communications professionals. No technical background is required. Key Takeaways : Build confidence with AI concepts and terminology that relate to energy programs. See how AI is being used across the industry to improve customer engagement and program outcomes. Learn how to navigate privacy, data, and ethical considerations in AI applications. Gain ideas to integrate AI tools responsibly and inclusively in your own work. * You’ll earn 0.3 CEUs for this course by attending the full session and passing the final quiz with a score of 70% or higher. *We want everyone to feel welcome and supported. If you need any ADA accommodations, just let us know — we’re happy to help. Email us at elearning@aesp.org. Cancellations received no later than 14 days prior to the training date will receive a refund, minus a 5% processing fee if paid with a credit card. Cancellations received after the cutoff date and no-shows will not receive a refund (cash or points). AESP reserves the right to cancel a training course at any time with reasonable notice given to all participants. AESP is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). AESP complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, AESP is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. AESP instructors disclose in advance that they have no interest in any product, service, or material discussed during the course. This information is stated orally and in the training course handbook.

Annual Conference 2026

AESP’s 2 026 Annual Conference Simplifying Energy. Amplifying Impact. February 23-26, 2026 AESP’s 2026 Annual Conference & Expo will take place February 23-26, 2026 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, CA. This is the premier energy industry conference that draws the top program managers, implementers, marketers, evaluators, policy makers, consultants, and manufacturers in Demand-side Management, Energy Efficiency, Demand Response, and IDSM. Highly regarded experts in their respective fields will lead over 40 sessions that cover a range of current topics in marketing, implementation, program design, technology, research, evaluation, diversity, and more. Whether learning or networking is your priority, you’ll get to experience the best of both with an agenda that balances top notch educational sessions and pre-conference workshops with valuable networking events. Close to 1,000 energy professionals will attend this annual conference and there will be many opportunities to connect with peers, make new contacts, learn something new, and enjoy the sights and tastes of San Diego, CA. Conference Rates - USD Early Bird Rates: Through January 14 Member: $1,495 or 15 Points (Please contact membership@aesp.org to register using points.) Non-member: $1,745 (includes one year of individual AESP membership) Speakers, Moderators, Panelists, Board Members, AESP CARE, Program Planning Committee, Topic Committee Chairs, Chapter Leaders, and Gov't Rate: $895 or 9 points Regular Rates: January 15 - February 11 Member: $1,675 or 17 Points ( Please contact membership@aesp.org to register using points. ) Non-member: $1,925 (includes one year of individual AESP membership) Speakers, Moderators, Panelists, Board Members, AESP CARE, Program Planning Committee, Topic Committee Chairs, Chapter Leaders, Gov't Rate: $945 or 10 points Late Rates: February 12 - February 26 Member: $1,745 or 18 Points ( Please contact membership@aesp.org to register using points. ) Non-member: $2,105 (includes one year of individual AESP membership) Speakers, Moderators, Panelists, Board Members, AESP CARE, Program Planning Committee, Topic Committee Chairs, Chapter Leaders, Gov't Rate: $995 or 11 points Cancellation Policy Cancellations received by 1/14/2026 will receive a refund, minus a $200 processing fee. Cancellations received after 1/14/2026, and no shows, will not receive a refund.

Annual Conference Emerging Pros Scavenger Hunt