Key Highlights
- The conference will feature four dynamic exhibit hall stages with high-impact presentations from industry leaders and innovators.
- Key topics include AI for grid management, cybersecurity, renewable integration, and evolving regulatory and business models.
- Networking events like Power Hour and the Collegiate Program provide opportunities for professional growth, industry connections, and career development.
- Technical tours offer insights into state-of-the-art technologies at facilities like Argonne National Lab and local substations.
- The event culminates on May 7 with comprehensive sessions, tours, and exhibits, setting the stage for future advancements in power and energy.
From deep-dish to deep expertise, Chicago is set to host the year’s most consequential energy conversations on May 4-7: the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exhibition. The industry’s leading companies and brightest minds will converge in the Windy City to network and learn what’s new and what’s working for the transmission and distribution world.
The theme of this year’s show — Powering Reliability, Engineering Resilience — reflects the priorities of the electricity delivery industry: ensuring the lights stay on with load growth and increasing distributed energy resources.
Power up with friends, customers and new acquaintances in one of Chicago’s most iconic venues for the opening reception. Touted as “the singular most unique site in the nation” on its website, the Old Post Office will be the venue where attendees reconnect with industry peers, forge new connections, and get energized for the week ahead. On Monday, May 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m, enjoy the world’s largest post office — and the gateway for Sears catalog orders. The 1920s art-deco giant now looming over the Eisenhower has been reborn as one of Chicago’s most striking mixed-use spaces. Its revival blends history, industrial grit and a sprawling rooftop park in a way that feels distinctly like Chicago.
IEEE PES welcomes ComEd, an Exelon company, as the host utility of the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition. ComEd delivers safe, reliable power to nearly 10 million people, serving a territory that spans from Iroquois County in the south (near Interstate 80) to the Wisconsin border in the north, and from the Iowa border east to Indiana. Their service area supports more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, representing nearly 70% of the state’s population.
Through ComEd’s technical leadership and industry expertise, the event will offer a well-balanced program that integrates advanced technical content with a world-class exhibition experience. ComEd’s commitment to knowledge, time, and resources plays a critical role in shaping this event as a premier global forum for power and electrical engineering professionals.
The exhibit hall will open immediately following the opening session, which kicks off on Tuesday morning. Throughout the entire show, the exhibit hall will be bustling with activity. In addition to presenting products and services at their booths, many of the exhibiting companies will conduct product showcases providing lively, in-depth explanations about their products. Visitors will be able to see innovative solutions to prepare for the future. It is also a great place to make important contacts and meet the movers and shakers of the T&D industry.
One highlight for this year’s event are special stage presentations through four dedicated, dynamic exhibit hall stages. Each stage delivers high-impact content from industry leaders, researchers, and innovators, offering a deep dive into the trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the future of power and energy.
The four stages, along with the sponsors for each, include:
- Innovation Stage – Hitachi Energy
- Data Center Stage – SEL
- Gride Edge Stage – SIEMENS
- Resilience & Renewables Stage – GE Vernova
Key topics will include:
- Global & Regional Data Center Growth – Trends shaping hyperscale and edge facilities and their implications for energy infrastructure and planning.
- Power Demand & Grid Impact – Load profiles, interconnection constraints, and grid planning strategies.
- Electrical Infrastructure Challenges – Designing scalable, resilient, and high-availability power systems to meet sustainability and operational goals.
- Regulatory & Business Model Evolution – Policy shifts, permitting complexities, and innovative collaboration models such as energy-as-a-service and behind-the-meter solutions.
- AI for Grid – Leveraging AI for T&D, real-time load balancing, asset management, and self-healing grids.
- Cybersecurity & AI Governance – Securing AI-enabled grids and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.
- AI-Utility Workforce Transformation – Intelligent tools for field service, dispatch optimization, and augmented decision-making for operators.
Powering Forward with Technology
This year’s program consists of super sessions, technical panel sessions, poster sessions, educational tracks, tutorials, plain talk courses, stage presentations, continuing education and professional development, as well as an exposition that features hundreds of manufacturers who will display the most up-to-date technology and equipment available in the marketplace today. The event also provides technical and companion tours designed to enrich the conference and exposition experience.
The super sessions will cover topics such grid resilience, large load integration while considering affordability and reliability, and the future of grid automation.
The poster and panel sessions, scheduled continuously throughout the event, span the full spectrum of energy innovation — from grid modernization and DER integration to workforce development and utility resilience.
The conference also offers technical panel sessions scheduled each day; special interest sessions focusing on in-depth issues that are timely and have a high level of interest to attendees.
IEEE PES plain talk courses for the power industry professional are also featured and help attendees to understand technical aspects of the electric power industry, even if they do not have an engineering background. They will gain insights into the concerns of engineers, the demands of regulators and consumer groups, and the factors and trends that impact the operation of today’s electric power systems. These courses are also appropriate for new engineers to the industry, or for engineers in other felds who are transitioning to the electric power industry. These courses aim to increase understanding of the electric power system by providing practical knowledge they can use as they work in or with this important industry.
Exhibit Hall Power Tour
Wrap up your Wednesday with the most dynamic hour on the show floor. Power Hour is networking social at the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Expo. Enjoy complimentary drinks and exclusive access to premium bars hosted by top exhibitors at or near their booths. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with industry peers, and engage in meaningful conversations, all while exploring one of the most dynamic exhibit halls in the industry.
Collegiate Program
The 2026 IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition supports the next generation of energy professionals through its Collegiate and Young Professionals (CYP) Program.
Designed for students and early-career professionals in the power, energy, and utilities industry, this program offers career-focused workshops, interactive panels, a technical tour, and exclusive networking events with today’s industry leaders. Gain practical skills, explore emerging technologies, and connect with peers shaping the future of transmission and distribution.
Get ready to launch your energy career with three days of skill-building workshops, real-world insights, and exclusive networking opportunities — all designed to help you grow, connect, and thrive in the evolving power and energy landscape.
From professional development workshops to networking receptions and student panels, the CYP Program is your gateway to learning, connection, and opportunity. The collegiate program features:
- Student Program
- Career Development Workshops and Resume Help
- Free Professional Headshots
- Networking and Industry Connections
- LinkedIn and Interviewing Tips
- Technical Tour of Maywood Tech Center Labs
- Young Professionals Panel
- Daily Student Breakfast
- Student Reception at Vu Rooftop
Technical Tours
Enrich your experience and visit to Chicago by participating in the technical tour program. Special arrangements have been made by this year’s host committee to introduce attendees to state-of-the-art technologies at work. Be sure to review the list of tours and make your reservations early; space is limited and at a premium. The tours include the Bronzeville Community Microgrid; the Elk Grove Substation; the Argonne National Lab; Maywood Tech Center Labs; and the Northwest Substation.
Last Day
The conference and exhibition wraps up on Thursday, May 7, with a packed day. Two super sessions, technical tours, technical panel sessions and exhibits will be in full swing, with the last session ending at 5 p.m. Then we look forward to the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exhibition in April 2028 in Atlanta.
For the updated program and exhibitor list, visit https://ieeet-d.org/.
Schedule At A Glance
Sunday, May 3
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
Monday, May 4
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tutorials (ticket required)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plain Talk (separate registration required)
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Technical Tour (ticket required)
6:00 p.m. – 9 p.m. Welcome Reception (Old Post Office)
Tuesday, May 5
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
7 a.m.– 8 a.m. Student Breakfast
8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Opening Keynote Session
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plain Talk (separate registration required)
9 a.m.– 10 a.m. Super Session
10 a.m.– 11 a.m. Collegiate and Young Professionals Program
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibits Open
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Provided Daily Lunch
12:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. Technical Tour
1 p.m.– 2 p.m. Collegiate and Young Professionals Program
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Technical Panel Sessions
6 p.m.– 9 p.m. Student Reception
Wednesday, May 6
7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
7 a.m.– 8 a.m. Student Breakfast
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Super Session
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plain Talk (separate registration required)
8:20 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. Technical Tour
9 a.m.–10 a.m. Super Session
10 a.m.– 11 a.m. Collegiate and Young Professionals Program
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Exhibits Open
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Provided Daily Lunch
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Technical Panel Sessions
3 p.m.– 4 p.m. Collegiate and Young Professionals Program
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Power Hour Networking Reception
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Poster Session and Reception
Thursday, May 7
7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Registration Open
7 a.m.– 8 a.m. Student Breakfast
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Super Session
8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Technical Tour
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Super Session
9 a.m.– 10 a.m. Collegiate and Young Professionals Program
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Exhibits Open
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Provided Daily Lunch
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Technical Panel Sessions
Subject to change.
About the Author
Nikki Chandler
Group Editorial Director, Energy
Nikki is Market Content Director for the Endeavor Business Media Energy group, which includes T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge media brands. She has 30 years of experience as an award-winning business-to-business editor, with 24 years of it covering the electric utility industry. She started out as an editorial intern with T&D World while finishing her degree, then joined Mobile Radio Technology and RF Design magazines. She returned to T&D World as an online editor in 2002, and took over as managing editor in 2017, then market content director in 2023. She has contributed to several publications over the past 30 years, including Waste Age, Wireless Review, Power Electronics Technology, and Arkansas Times. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas.