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
Agenda & Speakers
social media graphics
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
Clifford Chance is one of the world's pre-eminent law firms, with significant depth and range of resources. We have 33 offices in 22 countries, spanning five continents. The Clifford Chance CLO team supports all aspects of CLO transactions and the CLO lifecycle through our fully integrated transatlantic CLO and fund financing team which includes specialists in the UK, Europe and the US. We support all aspects of a CLO life cycle, from structuring and execution of CLO warehouse and CLOs, to regulatory, tax and ERISA advice in the key CLO and fund financing jurisdictions, to setting up originator platforms. Our team has in-depth knowledge of the most recent regulatory trends (including on risk retention and transparency) in both Europe, UK and in the US. We have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of innovation, establishing creative and ground-breaking solutions to the most complex of CLO requirements. We have been involved in the development of a wide array of CLO-related and fund financing products, including a number of market firsts such as the first CLOs of revolving loan assts, 3a-7 CLO, CLO warehouse participation structures, US infrastructure debt-backed CLOs, CLO classes in loan form, the first CLO to price in 2019 under the new EU Securitisation Regulation regime, as well as the first European ESG CLO with a comprehensive set of ESG requirements and criteria.
Trilliant® empowers utilities and partners to accelerate the energy transition through a proven, device-independent communications platform that delivers secure, scalable, grid -edge intelligence. Our purpose-built portfolio supports Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), data & analytics, and distributed energy resources (DER) integration on a unified, multi-technology network.
Designed to solve real-world utility challenges, Trilliant’s flexible, standards-based architecture provides the Power of Choice to evolve operations, simplify complexity, and enhance customer engagement. Trusted worldwide, Trilliant delivers the connectivity and insights required to build resilient, responsible, and future-ready energy ecosystems. Visit us at www.trilliant.com to learn more.
Sparkfund is the utility services company unlocking capacity on the grid. Sparkfund pioneered the Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) model, enabling utilities, energy majors, and large-load customers to deploy front-of-the-meter batteries and gensets as distribution infrastructure. By adding targeted capacity exactly where and when the grid needs it most, DCP helps meet demand, support reliability, and put downward pressure on rates. Sparkfund supports program design, grid value assessment, asset host engagement, and deployment management to ensure on-time, on-budget deployment with maximum system value and lowest cost.
Bowman is a trusted, multi-disciplinary consulting firm offering a broad range of real estate, energy, infrastructure, and environmental management solutions to both public and private clients across the country. From large commercial developments, to master planned communities, to local transportation projects, Bowman delivers outstanding project results, builds long-lasting relationships and leverages the growth of our organization to serve the constantly changing needs of our clients.
As a result of systematic corporate planning and diligent implementation, our dynamic leadership has focused on strategic expansion that has resulted in a national project portfolio and opportunities to increase our geographic presence for both new and existing clients. Bowman offers on-demand technical genius and industry-leading talent that, when combined, produce innovative and effective results.
Utilities cannot effectively manage the grid edge due to fragmented & proprietary solutions from vendors. inGeniti’s OPTIMATM platform can monitor, control, and optimize any electric appliance, anywhere... delivering cost and efficiency benefits to consumers and utilities.
OPTIMA leverages a base of legacy, smart, and inaccessible appliances – to deliver energy optimization, demand response, and grid flexibility – without causing consumer discomfort.
Visit our booth for a demo of grid-edge transformation using inGeniti’s OPTIMATM platform.
Sunbelt Solomon delivers Complete Lifecycle Power Solutions, providing integrated power, energy, and automation services across the United States, Canada, and Chile. Through our family of specialized operating companies, we provide comprehensive lifecycle services including transformer manufacturing and remanufacturing, switchgear and switching device solutions, temporary power, engineering and automation, electrical testing and commissioning, field services, and lifecycle asset management. Our team delivers safe, reliable, and scalable solutions that help utility, industrial, commercial, renewable energy, data center, and other critical infrastructure customers maintain, modernize, and expand their electrical power systems.
EnergyCapitalHTX is Houston's voice for energy transition. The all-digital platform, along with its sister platform, InnovationMap, delivers daily news, thought leadership, must attend events and spotlights the people, companies, investment, technology and innovation shaping the future of energy. It spans Houston's energy ecosystem, from established global companies, startups, investors, service providers and more.






