Exclusive Host: Clifford Chance

September 24, 2026

Clifford Chance, Houston, TX

Meeting Surging Demand with Smarter Grid Strategy

Surging load from AI data centers, electrification, and domestic advanced manufacturing is colliding with aging infrastructure, extreme weather, rising cost of energy, and pressed timelines. Addressing this will require more than traditional grid investments — it will require flexibility, clever planning, and tighter alignment between utilities, project developers, regulators, and large energy users.

Through candid discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will explore how grid flexibility can act as a reliability resource, how C&I customers can become active grid partners, and how a flexible grid buys time for the development of utility-scale projects. Designed as an intimate, decision-focused forum, the event prioritizes practical insights over theory — and action over aspiration.

Topics Will Include

  • Managing Explosive Load Growth Without Breaking the Grid
  • Aligning Utility Planning, Regulation & Public Interests
  • Grid Flexibility as a Reliability Resource
  • C&I Customers as Grid Partners
  • Distribution Grid Resilience in an Era of Extreme Events
    • Faster Interconnection & Permitting for Critical Loads
    • Data, Digitalization & Decision-Making Confidence
    • Launching Pilot Programs
    • … and many more

Who Should attend

  • Utilities
  • Distributed Generation Developers
  • C&I Energy Customers
  • Financiers & Investors
  • Hardware & Software Providers
  • Engineering Firms
  • Consulting Firms
  • Construction Firms

Featured Speakers

Honorable Katie Jereza

Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity (OE), U.S. Department of Energy

Chad Seely

SVP, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, ERCOT

Jim Jones

Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Great River Energy

Dado Slezak

Executive Vice President, Energy Infrastructure & Strategy, QTS Data Centers

Tiago Sabino Dias

Chief Commercial Officer, Strata Clean Energy

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Agenda & Speakers

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social media graphics

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Captured Moments

registration pricing

Utilities, Distributed Generation Developers, C&I Energy Users, Financiers & Investors *

$1,000

*Subject to Opal Group’s verification and approval.

General

$1,500

venue Information

Clifford Chance Office

845 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Recommended Hotels

The Lancaster Hotel – 3 min walk (0.1 miles)
The District at Hogg Palace, A Wyndham Hotel – 4 min walk (0.2miles)
The Sam Houston Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – 5 min walk (0.2 miles)
JW Marriott Houston Downtown – 6 min walk (0.2miles)
Magnolia Hotel Houston, a TributePortfolio Hotel – 5 min walk (0.2 miles)

For sponsorship, exhibition & speaking opportunities

212-532-9898

info@opalgroup.net

The Opal Forum was an exceptional gathering of top family office managers and the various professionals whose services support the family office world, all presented in a manner that created an excellent opportunity for the transfer of their considerable knowledge to the conference attendees.

Gateway Financial Partners

A very well-conceived and executed conference.

Handler Thayer, LLP

Exclusive Host

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Exhibitor Sponsors

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