Explore Grid Innovation: IEEE PES T&D 2026 Tech Lab Tour
Attendees of the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition 2026 will have a chance to step beyond the convention floor and into the lab during a hands-on technical tour of the Maywood Tech Center Labs, offering a closer look at the technologies shaping the future of grid modernization.
Scheduled for May 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the “Maywood Tech Center Labs (Tour 1)” experience will take participants to the research facility in Maywood, Illinois, where a series of specialized labs are advancing utility-focused innovation.
The tour includes access to several key research environments, including the Smart Grid GrIT and MOAT labs, where engineers are testing grid intelligence and operational resilience tools. Attendees will also visit the AMI Smart Cities Lab, focused on the evolution of advanced metering infrastructure and its role in enabling more connected, data-driven urban energy systems. The Material Forensics lab will round out the visit, showcasing how utilities analyze equipment performance, failure modes and long-term durability in increasingly complex operating conditions.
With grid operators under pressure to improve reliability while integrating new technologies, the tour offers a practical window into how research and testing environments are helping utilities validate solutions before deploying them in the field.
Participation is limited to 25 attendees, underscoring the hands-on, small-group nature of the experience. The tour costs $50, requires closed-toe shoes, and includes a security check. Transportation will be provided, with pick-up and drop-off at McCormick Place, the conference’s main venue.
Organized by IEEE Power & Energy Society, the session is part of a broader slate of technical tours designed to connect conference attendees with real-world applications of emerging grid technologies.