Stony Brook University Hosts Global Energy Leaders at Advanced Energy Conference 2026

The Advanced Energy Conference 2026 (AEC 2026) will bring together many of the energy sector's most influential executives, policymakers, researchers, investors and technology pioneers from November 4-6 at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Hosted by the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University, AEC 2026 will offer three days of high-level dialogue, technology showcases and relationship-building focused on the forces transforming the global energy landscape.

Built around the theme "Adapting the Course: Innovation for a New Energy Era," AEC 2026 will examine how the industry can meet surging demand from AI, data centers, advanced manufacturing and electrification while continuing to advance reliable, affordable, resilience and emission-reduction goals. More than 1,000 senior leaders from utilities, technology providers, developers, government agencies, academic institutions and the investment community are expected to attend.

"AEC 2026 is bringing together the people who are not only discussing the future of energy, but actively building, financing, regulating and operating it," said Robert B. Catell, chairman of the AERTC advisory board. "At a moment of extraordinary change and growing demand, this conference will provide a valuable forum to address the industry's most pressing challenges, showcase practical solutions, and create the partnerships needed to move innovation into real-world deployment."

The conference will feature an exceptional lineup of speakers representing utilities, laboratories, universities, government agencies, energy companies and technology ventures. Among those scheduled to participate are Carrie Meek Gallagher, CEO of the Long Island Power Authority; Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric; Daniella Piper, executive vice president and chief innovation officer of the New York Power Authority; Kimberly Harriman, deputy CEO of Avangrid; Sean Decatur, president of the American Museum of Natural History; and former Congressman Tim Ryan, co-chair of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.

Additional speakers include leaders and experts from National Grid, New York Power Authority, Con Edison, PSEG LI, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, NYSERDA, Vineyard Offshore, Ørsted, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and other prominent organizations. The speaker lineup will continue to expand ahead of the conference.

The program will be organized across six concurrent tracks:

• Electrification and Load Growth
• Grid Modernization and Resilience
• Clean Generation Mix and Emerging Fuels
• AI, Digital Infrastructure and Grid Intelligence
• Finance and Markets
• Tech in Action: Demonstrations and Deployment

Sessions will explore the policy, financing, workforce and commercialization challenges affecting the sector, along with emerging opportunities involving AI-enabled energy systems, nuclear power, renewable liquid fuels, grid intelligence, cybersecurity, distributed energy, advanced infrastructure and other next-generation technologies.

Featured programming includes an opening plenary on "New York's Energy Moment," a fireside chat with Decatur, a utility roundtable titled "What Actually Breaks First?" and a closing keynote from Ryan. The conference will also feature a panel on the future of nuclear power in the United States, pre-conference workshops, a student poster session and deeper-dive conversations examining grid readiness, affordability, community trust and the path from technological demonstration to commercial scale.

Bioheat® fuel's presenting sponsorship will also elevate discussions surrounding proven and increasingly deployable, lower-carbon energy solutions that can reduce emissions through existing infrastructure. In addition to its prominent conference presence, the Bioheat industry will host a dedicated pre-conference workshop as part of the November 4 programming.

Beyond its keynote presentations and panel discussions, AEC 2026 will create extensive opportunities for attendees to meet potential partners, customers, investors and collaborators. Networking will be integrated throughout the conference through receptions, exhibit-floor programming, scheduled breaks, workshops and the poster session.

A major feature of the show floor will be the Innovation Corral, a curated showcase of emerging clean-energy companies selected for the novelty, commercial readiness and potential impact of their technologies. Located prominently within the exhibition area, the Innovation Corral will connect early and growth-stage companies directly with investors, corporate partners, policymakers and industry leaders actively searching for scalable solutions.

The conference exhibition will further provide technology developers and established energy companies with a platform to demonstrate new products, share research, generate leads and establish relationships across the advanced-energy marketplace.

Full-conference registration includes access to all plenaries, keynotes, workshops and breakout sessions, as well as the exhibit floor, Innovation Corral, opening and show floor receptions and poster session. Group rates are available for departments registering five or more attendees.

To explore the full program and register, visit the conference website.