POWERGEN is February 11-13 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. Register for the POWERGEN technical conference program here.
POWERGEN International 2025 in Dallas is less than two weeks away, and perhaps no state is more reflective of the current power generation industry than Texas. The sector is at the intersection of energy transition and expansion, with a shifting generation mix, explosive electricity demand, decarbonization goals and the ultimate need to maintain reliability.
These are some of the high-level themes that set the stage for the POWERGEN educational conference program, which features insights from industry leaders, cutting-edge innovations and deep dives into emerging technologies. Here are ten sessions we’re especially excited about:
1. The Case for Nuclear Longevity
Feb 11, 2025 | 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | C147 | Nuclear’s Evolution Track
As the U.S. nuclear fleet ages, the question arises: Should plants be decommissioned or extended for another 20 years? The issue becomes a little more complicated now, with demand skyrocketing for clean, firm electrons. This session will analyze the costs and operational challenges of nuclear life extensions, with a focus on plants like Palisades, Diablo Canyon, Perry and Clinton. The session includes insights from Taylor Smith, Fleet License Renewal, Innovation and Strategic Projects Manager at Vistra; and Ian Miller, Nuclear License Renewal Supervisor at ENERCON Services, Inc.
2. Existing Gas Turbine Retrofits: An Operator/Owner Perspective
Feb 11, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | C144 | Optimizing Plant Performance Track
Retrofitting existing gas turbines can improve performance and extend plant life. This panel brings together operators who have successfully executed these retrofits to discuss challenges, market dynamics and results. Utilities leaders will speak to the goals for their projects, retrofit planning and execution considerations and how they are dispatching the new capabilities of the plant. Speakers include Preston Johnson, Sr. Plant Mechanical Engineer at Platte River Power Authority; and T.J. Mulqueen, Plant Manager for Portland General Electric (PGE).
3. Accelerating New Nuclear
Feb 11, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | C147 | Nuclear’s Evolution Track
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are gaining traction, but how do we accelerate deployment? Hear from Julie Kozeracki from the DOE Loan Programs Office; Todd Noe, Microsoft’s Director of Energy Innovation; and Norm Kunkel, Director of New Nuclear Generation and Strategy for Duke Energy, as they discuss funding, policy and technology.
4. Safety Considerations in Energy Storage
Feb 11, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | C146 | Energy Storage Deployments Track
Incidents such as the Moss Landing Energy Storage fire highlight safety concerns at energy storage facilities. This panel is designed for energy industry professionals involved in the design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of BESS projects. Panelists will explore real-world emergency cases, risk management strategies and best practices for energy storage deployment.
5. Leveraging Millions of Data Points for Operational Intelligence
Feb 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM | C144 | Optimizing Plant Performance Track
Decision-making processes at Cleco, like many utilities, are often resource-intensive and time-consuming. Operational intelligence, in the form of a single pane of glass view of generation’s operations, enabled Cleco to enhance operational efficiency and performance while fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making. In this presentation, Cleco will showcase this transformation, explaining how the utility now leverages the millions of data points captured daily from its fleet to make timely, informed decisions.
6. Weatherization and the Future Resilience of Power Generation in Texas
Feb 12, 2025 | 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Exhibit Hall Booth 3030 | Center Stage
Following Winter Storm Uri, Texas implemented strict weatherization laws. The new laws require power generation and transmission facilities to protect Weather-Critical Components and implement various measures to secure their facilities against summer and winter weather emergencies. Make sure to stop by Center Stage on the exhibit floor to learn how ERCOT and power generators such as Vistra and Constellation are adapting to these regulations to ensure grid reliability.
7. CCS and NGCC: A Power Generator’s Perspective
Feb 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | C142 | Carbon Capture and Emission Controls Track
Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) could help natural gas plants transition toward a low-carbon future. Speakers from Calpine, PPL, Entergy and Tampa Electric will explore CCS implementation in Natural Gas Combined-Cycle (NGCC) facilities and its feasibility.
8. Firming Wind in an Environmentally-Challenging, Transmission-Constrained System
Feb 12, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | C146 | Energy Storage Deployments Track
With Alaska’s Healy coal-fired plant retiring, a creative hybrid storage solution will use lithium-ion batteries with long-duration pumped-thermal energy storage (PTES) to integrate wind energy onto the grid. This session will explore the project’s economic and technical feasibility, along with how the project will overcome specific challenges, such as limited grid capacity, extreme weather, high wind penetration and overall grid instability.
9. Outage Management Best Practices in a Supply Chain-Constrained World
Feb 12, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | C144 | Optimizing Plant Performance Track
With supply chain disruptions now requiring early action, typical pre-outage activities must begin 12 to 18 months ahead. Learn how Calpine successfully navigates supply chain constraints by applying project management best practices to outage planning and execution. This presentation will explore Calpine’s adaptive approach, using a “T Minus” clock framework to manage outages effectively in this new landscape.
10. AI in Nuclear: Unfulfilled Promise or Just Getting Started?
Feb 13, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | C147 | Nuclear’s Evolution Track
AI has revolutionized many industries, but its impact on nuclear power is still evolving. This panel, featuring Dominion Energy, Curtiss-Wright and Sentinel Devices, will examine the challenges and potential applications of AI in the nuclear sector.
