Since 1948, T&D World media brand has been the industry’s trusted source for information. Beginning in October, that brand will include the newest way to connect…in person. The inaugural T&D World Conference and Exhibition will soon be held in Charlotte, NC. The event, scheduled for Oct. 5-7, 2022, will be one of the first face-to-face industry gatherings post summer 2022, which for many electric utilities and transmission operators has been challenging. It will be the perfect event for power delivery companies and solution providers to discuss their challenges, their wins and losses, as well as their future plans while they navigate an industry in transition… one being influenced by the race to decarbonize, new federal and state regulations, mother nature’s wrath, the need for upgraded and new infrastructure, changing customer behavior, electrification and much more.
The conference program for the upcoming event is set. More than 60 industry experts will present in the four general sessions and 33 breakout sessions that will be offered over the three-day event. Nearly 40 of these presenters represent electric utilities.
Technical Tours
The conference program begins at 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Oct. 5, but the event kicks off at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning with two technical tours. One tour showcases Duke Energy’s Emerging Technology Center, which is a testing ground for projects that will help modernize the electric grid – everything from near-term and existing technologies, like home and utility storage batteries, EV charging and solar, to longer-term projects that focus on technologies that don’t yet exist at the commercial scale. Not only is Duke Energy hosting a technical tour, but the Charlotte-based utility is also serving as the event’s host utility.
A guided tour of the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) Charlotte Transmission and Substation laboratory is also scheduled for Wednesday morning. Attendees will see T&D equipment testing in action. The lab focuses on sensor development, and unique research for overhead and underground assets. One demonstration test investigates the behavior of underground cables, another investigates performance of advanced overhead conductors at high temperature and under tension. Those attending this tour will receive an up-close view of how this testing is done and will have an opportunity for Q&A with an EPRI team member.
The technical tours are free for utility and $50 for non-utility full-conference attendees; however, they require advanced registration: https://events.tdworld.com/tdw2022/registration.
Preconference Seminars
In addition to the Technical Tours, the event also offers two, three-hour preconference seminars, both beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The Accelerated Learning Forum focused on Spatial Analytics for a Resilient Grid is the first live event of a monthly series that began in July with virtual sessions. The Accelerated Learning Forum was created by Utility Analytics Institute and T&D World content experts, with the help of founding partner, Utiligent. It brings utilities together to collaborate on building a successful business case around spatial analytics, which can improve grid resilience and reliability. This face-to-face preconference seminar will allow attendees to share their knowledge, learn from experts in this space, and collaborate and exchange information with other utilities.
A preconference seminar aimed at bringing together fleet owners and electric utilities will also be offered on Wednesday morning. T&D World editorial staff worked with editors from Fleet Owner magazine, another Endeavor Business Media brand, to create a face-to-face event that will put fleet owners, commercial electric vehicle manufacturers, utilities and other stakeholders in the same room to get a better understanding of each other’s needs and barriers to electrifying fleet vehicles. The event will include presentations, as well as enough time for questions, answers and discussion.
Attendees must register for these events separate from the T&D World Conference and Exhibition. Pricing and additional session and speaker details are available at https://events.tdworld.com/tdw2022/Program.
Conference
The T&D World Conference was created by an advisory board compiled of industry subject matter experts. These individuals helped T&D World’s editors create sessions based on the latest trends and technologies. Conference goers will hear subject matter experts talk about the dramatic changes occurring in the power industry, where it’s heading next, and what new solutions, technologies and processes will facilitate the industry’s transition. T&D World Conference and Exhibition’s intimate, nimble conference sessions will provide opportunities for attendees ask questions and discuss what’s challenging them the most.
They will hear panel discussions, use cases and formal presentations about the latest trends and cutting-edge technology. The schedule also includes ample networking opportunities for casual conversation with colleagues and peers.
The conference content is extensive and can’t be adequately covered in this article, but session and speaker details about the general and breakout sessions are available on the event website at www.events.tdworld.com/tdw2022/program. In addition, content focus areas include
- Data Analytics
- Asset Management
- Black Sky Hazards and Grid Resiliency
- Vegetation Management
- Response and Recovery
- Climate Change/Weather Events
- Transmission Planning and Construction
- Operation and Maintenance
- Wildfire Mitigation
- Future Distribution Grid
- Digitalization
- Advance Metering Infrastructure
- Renewables and DER Integration
- DERMS
- Microgrids
- Energy Storage
- E-mobility and Electrification
Networking
After more than two years of no face-to-face events, we know that those who are once again traveling to industry events are anxious to visit with peers and old friends, as well as make new ones. For that reason, T&D World Conference and Exhibition is designed to provide plenty of time for attendees to network with other attendees, as well as the 65 solution providers that are exhibiting and sponsoring.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, attendees will have the opportunity to attend the unique networking luncheon. It allows for small group discussions on a variety of topics. Attendees pick the topic and sit at a table with others who are interested in the same topic. Each table discussion is moderated by a leading professional in the field. Utility attendees may attend at no cost but must register in advance. Non-utility attendees are welcome to attend for a minimal cost. A list of topics and more details on registration can be found here: https://events.tdworld.com/TDW2022/session/807147/powerup-lunch-roundtables.
Other networking opportunities include breakfast on Thursday and Friday, lunch in the exhibition hall on Thursday and two networking receptions on the exhibition floor on Wednesday and Thursday.
Now is the time to register and make you travel plans to attend T&D World Conference and Exhibition. All event activities will take place at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel. Located in Charlotte's Uptown district, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel is centrally located near Bank of America Stadium, NASCAR Hall of Fame and many art museums. Reserve your room before September 12 to receive the best room rate. Details are available here: https://events.tdworld.com/tdw2022/venue.
For full details and registration for T&D Conference and Exhibition 2022 visit https://events.tdworld.com.
