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Rewiring the Midwest: How Utilities Are Adapting to a New Energy Reality

Jun 16 2026

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CT

North Ballroom 24-31

The American grid is under pressure like never before. Surging demand from data centers, accelerating electrification, and extreme weather are forcing utilities to rethink how power is planned, built, and delivered. The Midwest is at the center of it all. 

In this keynote conversation, executives from ComEd, Xcel Energy, and Ameren will share how they are navigating this inflection point, integrating unprecedented levels of solar, storage, and DERs while keeping costs in check and reliability intact. The discussion will tackle how to redesign a system built for one-way power delivery into one that accommodates dynamic two-way flows, how Illinois’ hosting capacity opportunity can accelerate DER deployment, and what efficient interconnection at scale looks like across MISO territory. 

Attendees will leave with an inside look at how the region’s largest utilities are planning for the next decade of clean energy deployment and what that means for developers, installers, and anyone working to accelerate the transition. 

Speakers

Xcel Energy

- President MN, ND, SD

Ameren Illinois

- Sr. Director Regulatory Affairs & Energy Supply

ComEd

- VP, Strategy & Energy Policy

SunCast Media

- CEO