Where optimization meets real-world utility decisions

The Powering Decisions: Optimization Summit brings together leaders from utilities, national laboratories, research institutions, and solution providers to explore how advanced optimization techniques are shaping real operational and planning decisions across the power and utilities industry.

The summit is focused on practical application, strategic insight, and peer exchange.

Why attend?

Unlike large industry expos or webinar-style conferences, this summit prioritizes depth over scale and application over theory.

You’ll gain:

• Insight into how utilities are applying optimization today—not hypotheticals
• Exposure to emerging research and methods grounded in operational reality
• Peer-level conversations with practitioners facing similar constraints
• A clearer understanding of where optimization delivers measurable value

Sessions are designed to encourage discussion, comparison of approaches, and candid conversation—both on stage and off.

Still Deciding? Preview the Summit before you register.

Get a clearer picture of what to expect from the Powering Decisions Optimization Summit before you register.

In this on-demand session, Kathryn Walter, Senior Operations Research Analyst at Avista and a member of the summit planning committee, walks through the event agenda, highlights key themes and sessions, and explains why utility professionals, analysts, and decision-makers should attend.

She also shares a simple, general optimization use case to demonstrate how these approaches support real-world decision-making.

▶ Watch now:

Who should attend?

This summit is designed for professionals actively involved in decision-making, modeling, planning, and operations within the power and utilities ecosystem, including:

• Utility planners, operators, and system engineers
• Energy analytics and decision intelligence leaders
• Grid modernization and capacity expansion teams
• Applied researchers and national laboratory professionals
• Technology and solution providers supporting utility operations

What to expect

Across two days, the summit will explore topics including:

• Advances in energy system modeling and decision-support tools
• DER, storage, alternate fuels, and DERMS integration
• Balancing model complexity with real-world practicality
• Interconnection backlog challenges and solutions

All content is curated to ensure relevance to professionals actively working in or with utilities.

Registration & participation

Early-bird registration is available for a limited time.  Register now.

“Early Bird” pricing from now until March 20, 2026
$299

Regular pricing starting March 21, 2026
$449

Interested in contributing as a speaker or sponsor? Opportunities are available for organizations aligned with the summit’s mission and audience.

For speaking opportunities, apply here:
https://forms.office.com/r/2kQh3SR9jQ

For sponsorship opportunities, apply here:
Powering Decisions: Sponsorship Application Form – Fill out form