​Markets on the rise. Throughout 2026, we're exploring three climate tech sectors and technology areas that seem poised to take off. But has their time truly come or has feasibility been oversold?

​Are Distributed Energy Resources finally at prime time or are we getting ahead of ourselves? In our first CItNE (Climate Is the New Economy) of the year, we'll examine:

• ​The real promise of virtual power plants (VPPs)

• ​Grid flexibility and resilience

• ​The evolving role of utilities

• ​Community as stakeholder not just as customer and

• ​Workforce implications

​From rooftop solar and batteries to demand response and EVs, distributed assets are reshaping how electricity is generated and managed. But scaling VPPs requires coordination across utilities, regulators, tech providers, and communities.

​Is the grid ready? Are policy and incentives aligned? And what does equitable deployment look like? Join us for a candid conversation with leaders across the broader climatetech ecosystem.

​Agenda: 

• ​9:30am - Doors open; coffee and breakfast bites served

• ​10am - Panel conversation begins

• ​10:45am - Roundtable discussions 

• ​11:30am - Networking

• ​12pm - Event ends