By Patrick Ingraham
DistribuTECH International is an annual conference that brings together leaders, experts, players, and more from every segment of the electric transmission and distribution industry to network, share knowledge, and learn about the newest developments and products from service providers. This year’s conference from May 23-25 is being held in Dallas, Texas, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
The event was previously scheduled for January 26-28 but was delayed due to concerns about COVID-19 pandemic conditions in early 2022.
An exciting host of more than 100 educational sessions and panels, over 275 speakers, and 13,500 attendees are expected to take part—along with additional keynote addresses from industry experts—are planned for this year’s event. Additionally, the conference will have allotted time for exhibiting, networking, and outreach.
Each individual session is organized under a few different categories. First, there are the Knowledge Hubs, which serve as broad categories offering “quick hits” (half-hour or hour-long sessions) on a variety of industry topics. The five Knowledge Hubs are:
- Digitizing the Grid
Exploring how digitalization and data analytics are being applied to advanced metering infrastructure, distribution automation, asset management, and more to improve utility operations.
- Grid Edge Technologies
In-depth sessions on grid-edge intelligence, EVs, communication technologies, and customer engagement on the grid.
- Renewables and Energy Storage
Focused on technologies, methodologies, and processes including solar PV, energy storage, microgrid, and their impacts on the transmission system.
- Smart Cities, Communities, and Homes
Exploring topics related to smart city/community developments that utilities are using to provide electric, communications, and device infrastructures allowing cities, municipalities, homeowners, and more to reach energy usage and sustainability goals quicker and easier.
- Utility of the Future
New developments and technologies that utilities are beginning to implement like blockchain, AI, machine-to-machine learning, drones, 3D imaging, and more will be covered in this hub.
At each conference, an impressive host of keynote speakers take the stage to discuss the latest industry trends and provide their outlook on where the sector is headed—which attendees will be particularly interested in as more innovation, international factors, and more influence the industry’s ongoing transition. One of the speakers includes Nancy Giordano, an expert in the advertising industry, Founder and CEO of strategic leadership consultancy, Play Big Inc., and author of the Amazon bestselling book, “Leadering: The Ways Visionary Leaders Play Bigger.” She will discuss her views on leadership and how they can be applied to utilities, energy providers, players, partners, and more.
Rick Perry, the former Governor of Texas and former US Secretary of Energy during the first two years of the Trump Administration, will also address attendees. Perry oversaw expansion of the largest utility-scale wind pipeline during his time as governor and will provide insight into the growing emphasis on clean energy resources.
As with every DTECH conference, a wide array of panels, presentations, and lectures are in store on topics from cybersecurity to energy storage to Smart Cities and more relating to the transmission and distribution network. Be sure to check out the full program online to see what content appeals most to you and your peers.
If you are interested in meeting with the Mercom Capital Group team during the conference, please reach out to us at media@mercomcapital.com or call our office at 512-215-4452. Don’t miss the panel, “Energy Storage Safety: Codes & Standards Update and Discussion” at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24 in Room D221—which will be moderated by Mercom Capital’s Wendy Prabhu.
