2026 Event Schedule

The significant growth of AI Data Centers is imposing challenges to grid planning and operations, in particular, the interconnection processes for large loads and generation of power utilities and ISOs/RTOs. In order to accelerate the interconnection process, AWS has been working with utilities, such as Duke Energy, to automate the interconnection modeling and power flow simulation, leveraging AI and High Performance Computing. This workshop will discuss the interconnection challenges and automation solutions from both Data Center and Power Utilities perspective.

This workshop is designed to equip utility leaders, planners, and engineers with a clear, actionable strategy for navigating the massive load and complexity introduced by hyper-scale data centers. The curriculum has been broken out into two parts with specific timing and a break in between, enabling attendees to engage with one or both pieces:

• Part 1 (1:00-2:30pm) will cover the urgent risks, including granular hyper-scale load forecasting, the role of operational AI, and the essential need to secure infrastructure against cyber threats.
• Part 2 (2:45-4:15pm) will pivot to systemic solutions, emphasizing the critical value of targeted distribution network investments and innovative rate design to resolve capacity challenges.  

Throughout the program, a consistent thread will be the imperative for deeper utility-data center collaboration to leverage on-site generation and drive mutual grid resilience.

Workshop Sponsored by AWS