2025 Agenda
As AI and hyperscale data centers reshape the energy landscape, DPX delivers a power-centric program built for the future. Across dynamic sessions, utilities, ISOs, RTOs, and data center operators will tackle the urgent need for energy strategy, grid integration, and scalable long-term solutions. Covering nuclear, hydrogen, hybrid energy models, AI-driven forecasting, and cybersecurity, the program offers a holistic view of the strategies needed to meet surging demand—and highlights why real-world collaboration across industries is critical to success.
Below is a preview of the key topic areas that will be addressed at DPX 2025. The full session agenda will be announced soon—check back for updates as speakers and additional program details are finalized.
The Data Center Energy Demand Surge: Meeting Exponential Growth
The explosion of AI and hyperscale data centers is creating unprecedented electricity demand. To keep pace, the energy sector must rethink infrastructure planning, forecasting models, and partnerships between utilities and operators.
This session will explore critical questions such as:
- How can utilities and grid operators prepare for AI-driven energy demand that is outpacing current infrastructure planning?
- What load forecasting improvements (e.g., AI, machine learning) are needed to predict data center energy needs more accurately?
- Should power generators and data center operators collaborate earlier in the planning process to avoid interconnection bottlenecks?
- What strategies can prevent grid congestion as more AI and hyperscale data centers come online?
Grid Reliability and Resource Adequacy: Keeping the Lights On
As large data center loads grow, so do the risks to grid stability and long-term resource adequacy. Future energy systems must be resilient enough to support massive, continuous demand without compromising reliability.
This discussion will dive into key questions such as:
- What are the biggest grid reliability challenges caused by the rapid expansion of AI and hyperscale data centers?
- How can co-locating data centers with hybrid generation improve grid resilience?
- Can ISOs and RTOs implement new market structures to manage the integration of large, continuous loads?
- Should data centers contribute to capacity markets or demand response programs to help maintain grid stability?
Infrastructure and Transmission Planning: Breaking the Bottlenecks
Slow transmission development and infrastructure bottlenecks threaten to derail data center expansion. Meeting future energy needs will require faster, smarter approaches to grid planning and investment.
This session will address critical questions including:
- What transmission expansion plans and policy changes are needed to reduce interconnection delays for data centers?
- Can strategic co-location of data centers near generation sources minimize the need for long-distance transmission upgrades?
- How should utilities, regulators, and data centers coordinate on long-term infrastructure planning to avoid stranded assets?
- What role can public-private partnerships play in accelerating transmission development and financing solutions?
Regulatory & Market Frameworks: Aligning Policy with Growth
Outdated policies and market structures are not equipped to handle the fast-evolving energy needs of AI and hyperscale data centers. New regulatory solutions must promote innovation while maintaining reliability and affordability.
This discussion will explore essential questions such as:
- Where do state and federal jurisdictions overlap or conflict in regulating large data center energy loads?
- Should Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) and other FERC standards be updated to accommodate data center interconnection needs?
- How can utility incentives be structured to encourage investment in data center-friendly grid upgrades while protecting ratepayers?
- What new policies or market structures are needed to align nuclear, renewables, and flexible generation with data center energy demand?
Power Generation Strategies: Future-Proofing Data Center Energy Supply
As traditional dispatchable generation retires and renewable adoption grows, future data center operations will depend on new, reliable energy sources. Emerging technologies must be scaled to meet rising demand.
This session will explore critical questions such as:
- What role should nuclear (including SMRs), hydrogen, geothermal, and storage play in powering data centers?
- How should utilities and regulators balance the retirement of fossil-fuel-based generation with the increasing energy needs of data centers?
- What are the biggest barriers preventing nuclear and advanced reactors from being integrated into data center energy supply models?
- Can microgrids and self-generation solutions help data centers maintain reliability while reducing grid dependency?
Flexibility, Demand Response, and On-Site Generation
Data centers are no longer just passive consumers of electricity. By participating in demand response, deploying on-site generation, and embracing flexibility, they can enhance both their own resilience and that of the broader grid.
This discussion will address important questions such as:
- How can large-scale data centers participate in demand response programs to provide grid stability?
- What are the most viable on-site generation options for energy-hungry data centers?
- Should data centers play a bigger role in frequency regulation, voltage support, and spinning reserves?
- Can real-time energy market participation be optimized for data centers to improve energy cost management and grid reliability?
Interested in speaking? Click here to submit an abstract.
Schedule of Events
Monday, October 27 | |
|---|---|
| Plan to arrive in Denver |
Tuesday, October 28 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Registration Open |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Keynote & Morning Sessions/Panel/Fireside Chat |
| 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Networking Break & Solutions Showcase |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Conference Sessions/Panel/Fireside Chat |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Conference Sessions/Panel/Fireside Chat |
| 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Networking Break & Solutions Showcase |
| 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Conference Sessions/Panel/Fireside Chat |
| 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Networking Reception |
| 7:00 PM onward | Independent Dinners and After-Hours Networking* |
*Connect with colleagues, peers, and new contacts over dinner or explore nearby local venues for informal networking.
Schedule subject to change.
Contact Us
Marisa Nicholson
Group Show Director
[email protected]
Ellen Nyboer
Event Sales Director
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Nikki Puckett
Sr. Marketing Director
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