4–7 May 2026 • Chicago, IL
The 2026 IEEE PES T&D Super Sessions bring together today’s most influential voices to explore the forces shaping the future of energy. These thought-provoking, high-visibility sessions are a cornerstone of the Technical Program, offering big-picture insights and timely discussions on grid modernization, energy equity, resilience, decarbonization, and more.
Held in our largest program spaces, Super Sessions are open to all full conference registrants and are eligible for PDH credit.
Stay tuned for the line-up of Super Session speakers and panelists, as they will be announced as confirmed.
| Date | Topic | Abstract |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 5 May, 2026 – 9:00 AM | Lessons from the Frontline: Practical Experiences in Achieving Resilience | With extreme weather events, cyber and physical threats, and outage risks on the rise, utilities are adopting novel resilience strategies. It is important to implement new frameworks for defining, measuring, and enhancing resilience. Measuring grid resilience includes integrating adaptive technologies and predictive analytics. This session brings together industry leaders to share firsthand accounts, best practices, and innovative grid-hardening solutions. |
| Wednesday, 6 May, 2026 – 8:00 AM | The Power Puzzle: Solving the Demands of Large Load Integration While Considering Affordability and Reliability | As the rapid growth of data centers is reshaping energy demand, regulators, utilities, and data center developers must rethink grid interconnection policies, how best to allocate costs for the needed generation and the grid, and its overall impact on the grid. This session examines evolving regulatory frameworks, permitting challenges, economic models, and how utilities can proactively build grid infrastructure that accommodates data center expansion without compromising grid reliability. |
| Wednesday, 6 May, 2026 – 9:00 AM | TBD | A session dedicated to the latest industry-shaping news, from policy shifts to groundbreaking technological breakthroughs. This slot remains open to accommodate real-time developments leading up to the conference. |
| Thursday, 7 May, 2026 – 8:00 AM | Carbon Goals vs. Grid Reality: Achieving Resource Adequacy and Grid Flexibility Through Nuclear, Solar and Alternative Energy | Achieving carbon neutrality requires a pragmatic mix of energy sources. Ensuring long-term resource adequacy requires leveraging a mix of generation technologies and enhancing grid flexibility. This session explores how nuclear, solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles can support system stability, meet peak demand, and defer costly infrastructure upgrades. Panelists will discuss the operational capabilities and trade-offs of various energy sources, as well as strategies to maintain reliability in an evolving energy landscape. |
| Thursday, 7 May, 2026 – 9:00 AM | Future of Grid Automation: Securing ADMS, DERMS & Beyond | The next generation of grid automation is here, powered by AI, edge computing, and advanced sensors. AI-driven automation is enhancing grid efficiency but also introducing new cyber vulnerabilities. This session explores how utilities are leveraging tools such as ADMS and DERMS to create a more responsive, efficient, and reliable power grid. It also explores the regulatory and security considerations for AI in critical infrastructure. |
Explore how the rise of hyperscale and edge data centers is influencing grid planning, energy infrastructure, and sustainable load management.