A modern energy economy depends on a grid capable of meeting challenges its original designers could never have anticipated. More extreme weather, growing electricity demand, new generation resources and rapidly evolving technologies are all testing the system at once. The Grid Modernization & Resilience track at AEC 2026 will confront a central question: What investments will make the greatest difference over the next decade?
The day opens by examining how incentives, standards and public policy can accelerate resilience investments in automation, storage, sensors and other advanced technologies. A stellar group of featured voices, led by Sarah Orban Salati, chief commercial officer of National Grid Ventures, includes Charles Conwell, CEO of Novele; Courtney Allen, president and CEO of Williams & Allen Infrastructure Solutions; and Simon Critten, Americas Energy Business Leader at Arup. Together, they will connect emerging hardware and infrastructure innovation with the operational realities utilities face in preparing for severe weather and new load.
From there, the discussion turns to commercialization. James T. Gallagher of Clarkson University, Umair Zia, vice president of electric systems operations at LIPA, Clément Cid, CEO of Mitico, and Gabe Cowles, interim CEO of Urban Electric Power, will explore why some promising technologies advance from demonstration to standard utility practice while others never achieve widespread adoption. Their combined experience in utility operations, carbon capture, energy storage and innovation strategy will illuminate the roles of cost, reliability, procurement and partnership in closing the gap between a successful pilot and deployment at scale.
The final session asks who benefits from modernization. Rosalie Drago of Haugland Group, Adam Zurofsky of Columbia University, Anthony Kinslow II of Gemini Energy Solutions and Stanford University, and Rick Wertheim of United Way will connect infrastructure strategy to the frontline customers and climate-vulnerable communities that experience service disruptions most acutely.
AEC 2026 is where technical strategy meets real-world consequence. If your work touches utilities, infrastructure, technology, regulation or community resilience, this track belongs on your agenda. Join the conversation November 4-6 at the New York Hilton Midtown.