Focus Areas
Our 2026 conference program will feature more than a dozen educational sessions exploring the focus areas listed below. Click on the carat icons to browse detailed descriptions.
The applications and benefits of distributed energy resources; how DERs are being integrated into the ERCOT grid under new large-load rules; incentives and regulations supporting DER deployment; the emerging role of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology as a flexible grid asset and revenue opportunity; virtual power plant (VPP) programs gaining traction in Texas; and examples of successful projects.
The growing importance of energy storage in balancing supply and demand and firming renewable generation; ERCOT’s RTC+B market design and its impact on storage revenues; various storage technologies and duration trends; fire safety and decommissioning requirements from the 2025 Texas legislative session; current and planned projects; and the OBBBA’s favorable treatment of storage relative to wind and solar in long-term deployment.
The current state of EV charging infrastructure in Texas, including deployment progress and key challenges following the OBBBA’s termination of key EV-related tax credits; grid integration impacts in the ERCOT market; remaining funding and incentive opportunities; emerging technologies; and strategies to sustain buildout momentum in a more constrained incentive environment.
An overview of key players in the renewable energy manufacturing sector in Texas and the broader U.S.; the impact of tariffs and FEOC compliance requirements on components and logistics; supply chain resilience strategies in a post-OBBBA landscape; workforce development needs and training pipelines supporting the sector’s growth; and how domestic content requirements and the 45X manufacturing credit are reshaping sourcing decisions.
The evolving economics of Texas’ renewable energy sector in a post-OBBBA landscape; energy pricing dynamics in ERCOT; project financing in a tighter tax credit environment; supply chain cost pressures from tariffs and FEOC compliance; the financial impact of surging large-load demand on wholesale prices and revenue opportunities; and the long-term investment outlook for solar, storage, and emerging technologies.
Key provisions of the OBBBA and their implications for Texas renewable energy initiatives, including accelerated construction-start deadlines for wind and solar, favorable treatment of standalone storage, new FEOC compliance requirements, and the termination of key residential and EV-related credits; Texas-specific legislation including SB 388, SB 819, and SB 6; and the broader implications of federal and state policy shifts for long-term investment and project planning.
As Texas integrates record levels of renewable energy, improving grid resilience against extreme weather and surging electricity demand remains a top priority. Topics will include evolving grid interconnection and permitting requirements, ERCOT’s RTC+B market upgrade, expanding transmission capacity, and the tension between dispatchable generation mandates and the rapid buildout of solar and storage.
Market trends, growth projections, and investment dynamics shaping Texas’ solar industry; demand forecasts and evolving business strategies across all segments, including how residential installers are adapting to the expiration of the Section 25D tax credit; the role of co-located solar and storage; safe-harboring strategies ahead of the OBBBA’s July 2026 deadline; and policies influencing solar expansion.
Great way to learn about all the recent updates in the Texas energy markets!
- Conference Attendee,
IESNA Texas 2025
Very strong policy speakers. The Texas grid is rapidly transforming and this conference is essential to understanding the role of DERs to keep pace and serve old growth.
Conference Attendee,
IESNA Texas 2025
Highly recommend if you’re looking to gain insights on industry trends.
- Conference Attendee,
IESNA Texas 2025
Conference Committee
Eugene Hunt
Principal and Co-founder,
Trevi Communications
Committee Chair
Krista Simicich
Digital Editor,
IESNA
Committee Member
Sarah Rudman
Conference Project Manager,
IESNA