Cleantech Meetup | Intelligence on the Grid: How Much Smarter Does it Need to be?
Schedule 5:30 – 6:00 PM — Networking & Refreshments 6:00 – 7:30 PM — Speaker Program & Discussion
The electric grid is at an inflection point. AI-driven load growth, aging infrastructure, and surging electricity demand are pushing a century-old system in ways it was never designed for — sparking urgent debates about how to keep the lights on, who gets to shape the solution, and whether we're asking the right questions in the first place.
We are excited to announce our lineup of guest who are at the forefront of grid modernization and clean energy policy:
Indu Nambiar — California ISO (CAISO) Indu is a Principal in IT Architecture at the California Independent System Operator, where she has spent over two decades driving enterprise-wide power systems and market operation initiatives. Her work spans renewable integration, distributed energy resources, and the application of AI to grid modernization. Indu brings deep expertise in how CAISO is leveraging technology to manage 80% of California's power grid and keep the lights on for 30 million customers.
David Siap — Subject Matter expert for energy at CREO Syndicate, the leading network of private family offices investing into sustainable and environmental solutions. At CREO, David leads the energy research agenda and regularly publishes in support of capital deployment to climate solutions, including next generation geothermal. Prior to CREO, David was a management consultant at McKinsey, focusing on the intersection of climate and technology. Earlier in his career, he worked on climate as an engineer, including at Berkeley Lab, VPP startup Olivine, and later at Google X, specializing in demand side flexibility and techno economic analysis.
And E2 and More TBD!
Join CleanStart for an evening focused on the future of the grid, featuring perspectives on the technologies, policies, and strategies driving — and disrupting — the energy transition. Located at 980 9th St, 16th floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
This meetup will bring together founders, utilities, researchers, investors, and public-sector partners for an open, practical conversation about what it will actually take to modernize the grid — and who gets to decide.
Join a Discussion Around:
The "utilization vs. expansion" debate — should we build new capacity or get more out of what we already have?
Grid coordination and planning at scale — why the biggest constraint may not be hardware
The role of data centers, AI, and big tech in shaping grid infrastructure
Distributed energy resources, virtual power plants, and demand flexibility
Business models, policy, and what cleantech entrepreneurs need to know right now
Includes: Food, Drinks, and Plenty of Time for Conversation.
CleanStart Events are supported by Rancho Cordova, SMUD, BlueTech Valley, E2, and Carlsen Center.