The 8th annual Utility Forum, which took place on October 23 – 24, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, brought together prominent utility industry executives to explore issues impacting the industry and showcase exemplary use cases of technologies and strategies for utilities.

Keynote Speaker Karl Mecklenburg kicked off the two-day gathering. Mecklenburg rose from a college football walk-on and twelfth-round draft choice to become one of the top players in Denver Broncos history. During his twelve-year career with the Broncos, Mecklenburg played in three Super Bowls and six Pro Bowls and was named team captain. Karl is widely known as the most versatile player in NFL history, having played all seven defensive front positions, sometimes during a single game.

He set the tone for the problems utilities face as Artificial Intelligence becomes inevitable for overcoming challenges, making progress, and finding keys to success. Sessions that followed featured prominent utility executives discussing current use cases for Artificial Intelligence, roadblocks, and industry best practices.

Josh Power, Advanced Analytics, Automation, & AI at Oncor Electric Delivery, presented an introduction to how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform the utility sector. From predictive maintenance to customer engagement, AI offers endless possibilities. What are the realistic opportunities, and how can they be adopted?

Industry advisors Michelle Boggie and Akshay Sabhikhi shared considerations when implementing AI, including Change Management and trust–how it impacts the utility industry which has traditionally experienced challenges implementing change, and where the ability to trust AI will be critical to its deployment and utilization.

Zefan Tang, Senior Data Scientist at Eversource Energy, closed out day one of the Forum with a captivating presentation on Utility Imagery Technology and Artificial Intelligence. The presentation focused on utility best practices, from image capture and data management to ultimately leveraging AI and other advanced analytic methods to provide predictive insights to improve reliability, safety, and financial performance.

Day two featured sessions that further uncovered use cases and opportunities for AI in the utility sector, from back-office to billing exceptions. Additional presenters included Shane Kokoruda, Senior Director of Enterprise Digital Business Solutions at Washington Gas, Georges Gonzalez, Director of Enterprise Solutions at Hillsborough County Florida, Andy Fusco, Chief Strategy Officer, ElectriCities of NC., Michelle, Garfield Manager of Customer Relations at Denver Water, Obe Everett, Director PMO and Business Systems Support at Louisville Water Company, and Lu Podwall, Customer Technology Manager at Seattle Public Utilities.

To learn more about the sessions, visit us here.

Student Scholar recipients Andrew Daigle and Carlie Adams were invited to connect, network, and engage with utility leaders throughout the two-day event. Andrew Daigle, a Junior at Montana Technical University, double majoring in Environmental Engineering and Mathematics, is currently an intern at Pioneer Engineering. Charlie Adams is a senior at Brown University, double majoring in environmental studies and science (A.B.) and international and public affairs (A.B.), and is on the policy and governance track. 

“We are excited about the changes in technologies that the industry is seeing, including the need to adopt, adapt, and embrace processes and understand potential benefits,” stated Amanda Baak, Vice President of Marketing at TMG, an RIA company. “Artificial Intelligence, leveraged with Human Knowledge, can bring about real opportunities to provide a positive impact in the utility industry, both from environmental impacts, and overall productivity.”