DistribuTECH 2026 will take place in San Diego, California, from February 2-5, 2026, bringing together utility leaders, technology innovators, regulators, and modernization specialists.
As the largest annual event focused on transmission, distribution, and customer operations, it serves as a central forum for exploring the future of grid modernization, advanced analytics, operational resilience, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
Here are the core elements that define DistribuTECH 2026:
- Large-scale exhibition showcasing modernization and grid-technology solutions
- Multi-track conference program across transmission and distribution
- Utility-led case studies demonstrating measurable modernization outcomes
- Sessions on data governance, analytics, and real-time operational insights
- National lab and regulatory perspectives shaping compliance and resilience
- Networking forums connecting utilities, vendors, and public agencies
- Demonstrations of new technologies supporting field and customer operations
Utilities participate to assess emerging technologies, evaluate modernization pathways, and benchmark approaches with industry peers navigating similar operational, compliance, and customer-experience challenges.
In this blog post, you’ll find an overview of the event, reasons to attend, what to expect from the program, confirmed speakers, and guidance to help utility leaders prepare for DistribuTECH 2026.
What is DistribuTECH International?
DistribuTECH International is the leading annual event dedicated to modernizing electricity delivery systems across North America and beyond.
The conference unites executives, engineers, policymakers, and technology providers to address how utilities can strengthen reliability, improve efficiency, expand customer engagement, and accelerate modernization initiatives. Its program covers a wide range of topics, including grid automation, cybersecurity, data strategy, distributed energy resources, workforce transformation, and storm resilience.
Attendees gain access to technical deep dives, utility case studies, product demonstrations, and opportunities to evaluate emerging solutions. With a large expo floor and multiple session tracks, the event enables utilities to explore practical, scalable approaches that support resilient, flexible, and data-driven operations across the evolving energy landscape.
Why attend DistribuTECH 2026?
DistribuTECH 2026 offers utility leaders a focused environment to evaluate modernization strategies, learn from peers, and explore emerging technologies shaping grid resilience and customer operations.
The event provides practical insight, industry alignment, and direct access to experts helping organizations plan their next phase of digital and operational transformation.
Strategic insight on modernization challenges
Utility leaders can evaluate proven modernization approaches through peer case studies and technical sessions. These insights help organizations assess operational bottlenecks, prioritize investments, and understand what strategies other utilities apply to improve reliability, strengthen compliance, and accelerate system-wide transformation aligned with regulatory and customer expectations.
Exposure to emerging grid technologies
Attendees can explore a broad range of solutions addressing automation, analytics, cybersecurity, distributed energy resources, and customer operations. The exhibit floor enables leaders to understand technology maturity, compare vendor approaches, and identify opportunities to integrate new capabilities into existing systems without committing to large-scale replacements.
Practical examples of data-driven operations
Sessions and demonstrations present how utilities apply advanced analytics, automation, and improved data governance to operate more efficiently. These examples provide practical context for organizations seeking to adopt AI-ready data foundations, optimize field operations, or strengthen real-time decision-making aligned with performance, resilience, and compliance goals.
Networking with utility peers and experts
The event brings together thousands of practitioners across operations, IT, customer service, engineering, and regulatory teams. Engaging directly with peers enables attendees to compare challenges, discuss modernization roadmaps, and understand how similar organizations are addressing integration, risk management, and long-term infrastructure needs.
Insights from regulators and industry organizations
Panels often include leaders from regulatory agencies, national labs, and research institutions discussing policy developments, grid reliability standards, and emerging compliance expectations. These perspectives help utilities prepare for upcoming requirements, evaluate their readiness, and align modernization programs with evolving state and federal priorities.
What to expect from DistribuTECH 2026
DistribuTECH 2026 offers a comprehensive program designed to help utilities evaluate modernization opportunities from multiple angles.
Attendees can explore hands-on demonstrations, technical sessions, case studies, and networking forums that provide practical insight into improving reliability, strengthening resilience, and advancing data-driven operations across transmission, distribution, and customer-facing functions.
- Large-scale exhibition hall featuring hundreds of technology providers demonstrating solutions for grid automation, customer experience, cybersecurity, distributed energy resources, and advanced analytics.
- Multi-track technical conference program covering transmission, distribution, workforce transformation, grid resilience, and customer engagement.
- Utility-led case studies focused on operational improvements, modernization outcomes, and lessons learned from real-world deployments.
- Knowledge hubs and micro-sessions offering short, practical presentations on tools, innovations, and techniques utilities are actively evaluating.
- Industry meetings and networking forums connecting utility professionals, public agencies, standards groups, and technology partners.
Together, these activities give utility leaders a clear view of where the industry is headed and what strategies organizations are adopting to operate more efficiently. By participating, teams gain practical knowledge, peer insight, and direct exposure to technologies supporting long-term modernization and regulatory readiness.
Who is speaking at DistribuTECH 2026?
DistribuTECH 2026 brings together executives, engineers, technologists, and data leaders shaping the next decade of grid modernization.
The speaker lineup includes influential utility decision-makers, researchers, and industry strategists presenting practical insights on reliability, digital transformation, compliance, resilience, and innovation across transmission, distribution, customer operations, and emerging energy systems.
Stephanie Kolodziej (Clarion Events)
Stephanie Kolodziej leads the energy portfolio at Clarion Events, overseeing strategy and programming for DistribuTECH. She guides industry conversations on modernization pathways, collaboration, and innovation across the utility ecosystem, setting the direction for the event’s keynote and overall agenda.
Scott Crider (SDG&E)
Scott Crider serves as President at SDG&E, directing enterprise strategy, customer operations, and grid modernization. His keynote session will highlight reliability priorities, wildfire-mitigation programs, and long-term modernization efforts shaping California’s evolving energy landscape.
Richard Donaldson (Duke Energy)
Richard Donaldson is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Duke Energy, responsible for digital transformation, cybersecurity, and IT/OT integration. He will share how a major regulated utility is modernizing its technology foundation to support resilience, performance, and operational readiness.
Todd Conner (Xcel Energy)
Todd Conner serves as Senior Vice President of Electric Distribution at Xcel Energy, leading engineering, field operations, and asset-risk modeling. His session focuses on data-driven decision-making and operational strategies improving grid reliability and distribution-system performance.
David Huffstutler (Southern Company)
David Huffstutler manages power-delivery data analytics at Southern Company, applying advanced analytics to outage prediction and storm-response acceleration. He will present alongside PG&E on the use of data science to strengthen restoration and resilience.
Aaron August (PG&E)
Aaron August serves as Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation at PG&E, guiding modernization initiatives and cross-industry collaboration. He will discuss predictive analytics, resilience strategies, and approaches utilities can apply to accelerate operational improvement.
Jason Handley (Duke Energy)
Jason Handley directs Grid Solutions and Emerging Technology at Duke Energy, leading automation, DER integration, and innovation pilots. He contributes practical insight into evolving distribution technologies and the operational challenges associated with modern grid systems.
Vaibhav Bahadur (University of Texas at Austin)
Vaibhav Bahadur, Associate Professor at UT Austin, researches energy systems, resilience modeling, and reliability under extreme conditions. His session provides an academic perspective on analytical approaches supporting utility planning and operational forecasting.
Together, these speakers provide a balanced view of the technical, operational, and regulatory factors influencing modernization decisions. Their perspectives help utility teams better understand emerging expectations, evaluate their readiness, and identify actionable strategies for improving performance, strengthening compliance, and advancing long-term transformation programs.
See you at DistribuTECH 2026
DistribuTECH 2026 remains a central event for utilities aiming to strengthen reliability, modernize operations, and advance digital transformation. Its program offers practical guidance for teams navigating evolving expectations around resilience, compliance, customer experience, and data-driven decision-making.
Utility leaders gain direct exposure to industry-wide expertise through technical sessions, technology demonstrations, and peer case studies. This combination helps organizations evaluate modernization strategies, compare operational approaches, and identify opportunities to adopt scalable, lower-risk improvements.
With a large exhibition hall, a diverse speaker lineup, and focused programming across transmission, distribution, and customer operations, the event supports informed planning and strategic alignment.
To explore the full agenda and participate, visit the official website and register for DistribuTECH 2026.