ESIG Large Loads Workshop
Date
- 28 September 2026
- Time: 09:30 – 18:00
- Room: Douro II
Information
ESIG (Energy System Integration Group) is organising a workshop on electric systems planning and reliable operations with large loads. This event is organized in cooperation with Energynautics.
The workshop will be held at the venue of the 25th Wind & Solar Integration Workshop, the Pestana Douro Riverside.
Workshop Details
The workshop is planned to address the evolving challenges of electric systems planning and the reliable operation of large loads. As significant new demand sources—ranging from large-scale data centers to other industrial and transportation loads—enter interconnection queues, the exchange of technical knowledge between European and North American stakeholders becomes increasingly essential.
Anticipated sessions of this one day workshop include:
- Load Growth Forecasts and Flexibility for planning
- Connection Processes and Network Upgrades
- Technical Reliability and Grid Codes and system stability studies
Join us for a cocktail reception in the evening following a day full of inspiring talks, insights, and exhange.
Workshop Agenda (draft)
REGISTRATION / COFFEE
Introduction Session – Keynotes
Session chair: Alejandro Moreno (ESIG, USA)
Keynote Presentations:
- Orestis Vantzos (on behalf of ENTSO-E)
- Aung Thant (NERC, USA)
- Anuja Ratnayake (EPRI, USA)
COFFEE BREAK
Session 1 – Load Growth Forecasts and Flexibility for Planning
Session chair: Hannele Holttinen (recognis, Finland)
How do planners and operators forecast and plan for large new loads, and what flexibility can those loads actually be counted on to provide? This session examines forecasting practice, the resource-adequacy implications of concentrated load growth, and the difference between flexibility that is offered and flexibility that can be planned around.
Presentations:
- John D. Wilson (Grid Strategies, USA)
- James Whiteford (NESO, United Kingdom)
- Arushi Sharma Frank (Luminary Strategies, USA)
- Irene Danti Lopez (EPRI, France)
Discussion
LUNCH
Session 2 – Connection Processes and Network Upgrades
Session chair: Amy Rose (Energynautics, Germany)
Large loads are requesting connection to the grid faster than their impact on the grid can be assessed. This session looks at how system operators and utilities are managing connection queues and connection studies, and how they plan the network upgrades that new large loads require.
Presentations:
- Jeff Billo (ERCOT, USA)
- Natalia Baudry (Google/EMEA, France)
- Vinay Sewdien (Microsoft, Europe)
- NN (FluenceEnergy, Germany)
Discussion
COFFEE BREAK
Session 3 Technical Reliability and Grid Codes
Session chair: Alex Shattuck (ESIG, USA)
The rapid penetration of large loads significantly changes system performance during both normal and abnormal conditions as well as the assumptions necessary to perform studies that help ensure system stability in this new paradigm. The performance and modeling requirements needed to account for this paradigm shift are still being developed worldwide. This session covers the reliability impacts of large loads and the regulatory efforts to ensure large load performance, and modeling requirements emerging in the US and Europe can reliably integrate them.
Presentations:
- Julia Matevosyan (ESIG, USA)
- Lasse Linnamaa (Fingrid, Finland)
- Taulant Kerci (EirGrid, Ireland)
- Liam Morrissey (Google, Ireland)
- Önder Polat (WSP UK, United Kingdom)
Discussion
General discussion – Summary
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Participation Fees & Registration
- The ESIG Large Loads Workshop is not included in the general participation fee of the Wind & Solar Integration Workshop.
- The registration for the ESIG Large Loads Workshop includes coffee breaks, lunch and networking cocktail.
- Register here
- Early Bird Discounts: Available for regular participants until 15 July 2026.
- Speakers pay a discounted fee.
- Students: A limited number of free tickets available. Proof has to be provided to registration@integrationworkshops.org before starting the online registration procedure. Find more information on Tickets page
Venue, Travel & Accommodation
For more information regarding the event venue, how to get there, and hotel options visit:
About the Organizer
