Learning from the Past to Work Toward the Future: The Countdown to 2030
A closed-door, utilities-only forum focused on energy transition challenges and solutions during New York Climate Week 2025.
Third Annual
Welcome to the NPUC Utility Solutions Forum!
Taking place during New York Climate Week 2025, the Utility Solutions Forum is a gathering where utility leaders connect, learn, and exchange ideas about how to navigate an evolving energy landscape — with 2030 fast approaching.
Framed around the theme “Learning from the Past to Work Toward the Future: The Countdown to 2030,” this full-day forum provides a platform for forward-looking, practical conversations that help utilities address shared challenges and emerging opportunities over the next critical five years.
The agenda features a mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, tech talks, and interactive workshops — all focused on strengthening energy systems, managing new demand drivers like AI and data centers, and advancing innovation while maintaining reliability and resilience.
Attendance is limited to utility leaders and select partners to encourage candid dialogue and a trusted peer-to-peer environment.
The purpose of this Forum is…
Knowledge Exchange
Foster two-way dialogue and share actionable insights to help utilities manage today’s fast-evolving operating environment.
Key Input
Gather perspectives from industry leaders on strategies to balance reliability, innovation, and evolving system needs.
Problem Solving
Address sector-wide challenges together through facilitated panels, workshops, and solution-sharing.
Sustainability Awareness
Build awareness of technologies, tools, and approaches shaping the future of energy systems.
Agenda
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Arrival & Coffee
Check in, grab coffee, and connect with fellow attendees.
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Executive Breakfast
This executive breakfast will convene top voices in the energy and grid-related fields to explore how we can modernize our grid and energy systems for a more resilient, reliable, and decarbonized future. They will also have the chance to each express topics or pain points they wish to discuss as a part of the day’s events.
10:00 - 10:20 AM
Opening Keynote: The 2030 Imperative, NPUC Report Spotlight
A powerful opening to frame the day and ignite urgency. Our keynote speaker will reflect on where we are, what the next five years demand, and how collaboration across sectors will determine success. They will also highlight the NPUC’s Decarbonization Report(s).
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM
Panel: AI, Data Centers & the Energy Opportunity
As AI reshapes industries, the power it requires is a central concern—and opportunity. This panel explores:
- Designing low-carbon, high-performance data centers
- Meeting demand through grid planning and clean energy
- Cooling, siting, and interconnection challenges
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Break
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
Lightning Talks: 5 Years, 5 Big Moves
An energizing hour of rapid-fire insights from 5 leaders across sectors. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to spotlight a bold, actionable priority to advance before 2030:
- Grid resilience for growing demand
- Clean industrial breakthroughs
- Aligning capital with community
- Regional supply chain localization
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Enjoy a catered, farm-to-table lunch and connect with speakers, partners, and participants.
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
TBA
1:50 PM - 2:00 PM
Break
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Interactive Workshop: Emissions Scenario Planning
A hands-on, future-focused session featuring a live demo of NPUC’s proprietary scenario planning tool. Participants will explore:
- Emissions trajectory modeling based on varied assumptions
- Use cases for utilities, corporates, and regulators
- How to use this tool to set and adapt strategy in real time
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Panel: Scaling Nuclear for Energy Security
This session explores nuclear energy’s role in building a secure, decarbonized energy future:
- Deployment pathways for advanced and small modular reactors
- Enabling policies and investment mechanisms
- Supporting high-demand sectors like data centers and industry