From Innovation to Impact: Exploring Grid Flexibility and AI at DTECH 2025
As we head into the week, I’m gearing up for DISTRIBUTECH (DTECH) 2025, taking place in Dallas, TX from March 25-27. This event is always a highlight of the year for me – it’s not just another conference, but a hub of energy where utilities, technology providers, system integrators, and more come together to exchange ideas and push the industry forward. The level of engagement, collaboration, and thought leadership that happens on the show floor is unmatched, and I can’t wait to be part of it again.
Why Grid Flexibility Matters More Than Ever
The energy industry is evolving rapidly, and grid flexibility is becoming a more important priority. The current geo-political landscape, among other things, has placed new pressures on the power grid, forcing us to rethink how we build resilience, agility, and adaptability into our systems. With the rise of renewable energy, electrification, and digitalization, utilities need new approaches to keep pace with the evolving demands of the electrical grid.
In my role at GE Vernova, I focus on innovation and emerging technologies, so it’s an organic fit for me to be exploring these critical themes at DTECH this year. I’ll be delivering two presentations that will dive into the technological shifts we’re driving and the challenges we need to address to accelerate the energy transition.
Grid Flexibility and the Role of AI/ML
One of my key sessions will focus on “Grid Flexibility to Accelerate the Energy Transition with Innovations in Software-Defined Automation with AI/ML”. In this presentation, I’m eager to cover:
1. Trends and innovations: I’ll be sharing insights from real-world projects, highlighting how software-defined automation and AI-driven solutions are shaping the future of the grid.
2. Lessons learned: Innovation isn’t just about breakthroughs; it’s also about what works, what doesn’t, and how we adapt to drive better results and further fast-track the eruption of technology.
3. Exploring the GridBeats™ portfolio: Our software-defined automation solutions are designed to improve grid resilience and flexibility, and I’ll be showcasing how these solutions are making an impact.
4. AI/ML use cases at the substation level: AI and machine learning are some of the most transformative forces in the industry today, but their implementation at the substation level presents unique considerations and opportunities. I’ll be diving into specific use cases and real-world applications of AI/ML to enhance grid operations.
While technology and investment play a critical role in achieving our energy goals, people are the most crucial factor in making this vision a reality. That’s why my second presentation with GE Vernova’s Senior HR Partner, Caroline Kurowski, titled “Bridging Academia and Industry: Charting a Career Path for Engineering Graduates” will focus on the criticality of the right talent and skillsets in our industry.
The power sector hasn’t historically been the most “attractive” field for new graduates, and that’s becoming a challenge as we seek to bring AI, automation, and digitalization into the field. The demand for AI/ML is skyrocketing, but finding the right skillset remains difficult: AI is expanding rapidly, but applying it to the power grid requires a specialized hand.
So, how do we fix this?
Building a Talent Pipeline for the Future
To ensure we have the right expertise in the industry, we need stronger collaboration. This means:
- Creating clearer career paths for engineering students, highlighting why the power grid is an exciting and impactful place to be.
- Developing specialized AI/ML programs tailored to power systems to equip graduates with the skills needed for real-world applications.
- Fostering partnerships between universities, utilities, and technology providers to ensure students gain hands-on experience.
At the end of the day, technology alone won’t solve the energy transition – we need the right people, the right vision, the right investments, and the right trajectory. DTECH is a great place to drive these conversations, and I’m looking forward to connecting with industry leaders and innovators to chart a path forward.
If you're heading to DTECH 2025, let's make this event a launchpad for meaningful progress in the industry!