HubSummit 2026April 7-9 | Los Angeles, CA
A conference for grid-edge pioneers.
Welcome to HubSummit 2026
HubSummit is an invitation-only gathering where utility leaders and grid edge partners come together not as panelists and attendees, but as collaborators.
Expect candid insights (and plenty of karaoke) as we share ideas, make connections, and build a shared vision for how the industry moves forward.
If you’re ready to dig into how VPPs can deliver on the promise of reliable, affordable, and scalable flexibility, join us in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, April 7th to Thursday, April 9th, 2026.
The Kimpton Everly
We’ll be gathering at the Kimpton Everly hotel, just steps from Hollywood and with sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline. As always, all meals and HubSummit activities are on us — you only need to cover your travel and lodging.
Our discounted room rate is no longer available, but attendees can still book at the Kimpton Everly or choose from several nearby hotels within walking distance.
Travel tip
When booking your flights, consider Burbank (BUR) as well as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Burbank is typically a 20- to 45-minute drive from the hotel and often offers an easier airport experience. LAX has more flight options, but travel time to the hotel can be 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
HubSummit 2026 agenda
From small-group workshops to late-night karaoke, HubSummit 2026 gives you the space you need to discuss big ideas, get inspired by your peers, and make connections that last.
We recommend viewing the agenda on our free app, where you’ll always find the most up to date schedule.
Afternoon | Badge pickup
6:00 – 9:00 PM | Welcome party & networking
Tropicana Bar
Join us poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel — a venue that’s hosted the biggest stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, including Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe. The venue is a 25-minute walk down Hollywood Blvd. (think Dolby Theater and the Walk of Fame) or a quick rideshare.
8:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast
10:00 – 10:10 AM | Welcome
Dana Dohse, VP, Marketing, EnergyHub
10:10 – 10:40 AM |Opening keynote: Advancing VPP maturity
Seth Frader-Thompson, President, EnergyHub
Explore the industry trends accelerating VPP maturity. Featuring a deep dive into the VPP maturity framework, a look at where we’re seeing meaningful progress, and the goals we have set for the next stage of growth.
10:40 – 10:50 AM | Break
10:50 – 11:20 AM | Utilities only: Product update
Paul Hines, VP, Power Systems, EnergyHub
Dana Dohse, VP, Marketing, EnergyHub
A closer look at our vision for how the EnergyHub platform will support the future of flexibility. We’ll review key product innovations from the past year and preview what’s ahead on our roadmap for 2026.
10:50 – 11:20 AM | Partner session: Moving up the VPP maturity ladder
Matt Johnson, VP, Business Development, EnergyHub
Matt Hepworth, Director, Data Products, EnergyHub
In this partner‑only session, join for a candid conversation about the role partners play in advancing VPP maturity. This collaborative discussion gives partners space to compare challenges and align on the practical steps that will help all of us deliver more grid value.
11:20 – 11:30 AM | Break
11:30 – 11:45 AM | Utility Lightning Talk
Amanda Stevens, Manager, Demand Response and Managed Charging Programs, Eversource Energy
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | From DR to grid-scale flexibility: Regulatory frameworks for a reliable, low cost future (Panel discussion)
Monisha Shah, Director of Regulatory Affairs, EnergyHub
John Reynolds, President, CPUC
Heather O’Neill, President and CEO, Advanced Energy United
What do regulators need from utilities and technology partners to meaningfully advance load flexibility? In this interactive ask-me-anything session, Commissioner John Reynolds, Heather O’Neill, and a utility speaker share candid insights on managing stakeholders, aligning incentives, and developing policy that prioritizes reliable, low-cost solutions for utility customers.
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch & networking
1:15 – 2:30 PM | Breakout sessions
Designing the VPP value stream
Gabriela Olmedo, Manager, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, EnergyHub
Paul Hines, VP, Power Systems, EnergyHub
Ronak Chikhalya, Electrical Engineering Associate III, LADWP
Collaborative session to propose potential new regulatory pathways. Participants will break into teams to tackle real-world constraints and pitch their ideas to a panel of industry judges.
Beyond enrollment: Designing for retention
Natalie Fitch, Senior Marketing Manager, Customer Lifecycle, EnergyHub
Max Burke-Scoll, Director, Client Success, EnergyHub
Learn how to keep customers engaged long after acceptance. This session will spotlight retention strategies that reduce program unenrolls to build customer lifetime value.
Incorporating data centers into VPPs
Jenna Goodward, Director, Product, EnergyHub
Matt Johnson, VP, Business Development, EnergyHub
This session explores what rising data center load means for the future of VPPs. Join peers for a collaborative conversation about what challenges are emerging, and how we can make sure VPPs are ready to respond in high‑growth regions.
2:30 – 3:15 PM | Break & networking (food and beverages will be provided)
3:15 – 4:00 PM | Driving engagement: How leading EV OEMs are shaping the customer experience
Jeff Huron, Director, EV Business Development, EnergyHub
Wendy Marine, Lead Product Manager – Residential, Commercial and Public EV Charging Programs, Evergy
Lauren Burke, Business Development, Virtual Power Plants, Tesla
Akash Polakampalli, Senior Product Manager, Business Transformation & Connected Services, Volkswagen
Coley Girouard, Senior Lead, Energy Markets & Strategy, Rivian
Scaling managed charging programs requires a customer experience that is as intuitive as it is seamless. Join leading automakers and utilities for a panel discussion on designing low-friction journeys that move beyond “hassle-free” to create truly rewarding experiences for every driver.
4:00 – 4:20 PM | Utility guest speaker
David Jacot, Executive Director of Distributed Energy Solutions, LADWP
4:20 – 4:45 PM | Day 1 wrap-up & Golden Grid Awards
Join us for the closing session of Day 1 and celebrate the winners of this year’s Golden Grid Awards.
4:45 – 6:00 PM | Break & networking
Kimpton Everly Hotel lobby
Meet us downstairs for drinks and light bites before the big dinner.
6:30 – 9:00 PM | Dinner
Lemon Grove
Enjoy golden hour, seasonal plates, and some of LA’s best views on the rooftop. It’s a quick 5-minute walk from the hotel.
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM | After-party
Desert 5 Spot LA
Rooftop karaoke, open bar, and late night bites — need we say more? The venue is an 11-minute walk from Lemon Grove and a 4-minute ride back to the hotel.
8:30 – 10:30 AM | Breakfast
10:30 – 10:40 AM | Welcome
10:40 – 11:00 AM | Host utility keynote
Jill C. Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, SCE
11:00 – 11:45 AM | Unlocking locational value: How DERs are reshaping distribution planning
Frederick Hall, Senior Data Scientist, EnergyHub (moderator)
Joshua Brown, Product Lead, Energy Transition Solutions, National Grid
Akhilesh Ramakrishnan, Managing Energy Associate, The Brattle Group
Madison Trujillo, Senior Energy Innovation Analyst, Arizona Public Service (APS)
Panelists will share insights on how locational value is being quantified and examine the evolving role of DERs in distribution system planning. Whether it’s relieving congestion on a feeder, supporting voltage stability, or deferring infrastructure upgrades, DERs are proving their worth beyond bulk system benefits.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Reaching grid scale: Program designs that unlock battery growth (Panel discussion)
Ella Wynn Roseman, Head of Battery, EnergyHub (facilitator)
Ross Thevenot, Senior Project Manager, Demand Side Management, Entergy New Orleans
Tamara Sinensky, Senior Manager, Grid Services Product – North America, SolarEdge Technologies
Chip Silverman, Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Sunrun
To transition battery VPPs from pilot projects to MW-scale resources, utilities can leverage program design as a catalyst for device adoption. This panel explores how stacking grid service revenues on top of existing economic and resiliency drivers can unlock new capacity across both residential and future Commercial & Industrial (C&I) fleets. We will examine the evolving role of Third-Party Ownership (TPO) in broadening customer access and discuss the operational necessity of a “single pane of glass” DERMS to visualize, orchestrate, and dispatch these diverse assets as a unified, reliable grid resource.
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch & networking
1:15 – 2:20 PM | Breakout sessions
VPPs and market participation
Dave Oberholzer, Senior Director, Thermostat Strategy, EnergyHub
Matt Hepworth, Director, Data Products, EnergyHub
Explores how evolving rulemaking will shape VPP participation in organized markets, with practical insight into MISO and PJM processes.
Using batteries to build better load shapes
Jenna Goodward, Director, Product, EnergyHub
Ella Wynn Roseman, Head of Battery, EnergyHub
A discussion on how batteries enhance load shaping strategies, with a practical look at the use cases and grid conditions where they create the most value.
Building a background VPP
Doug Moore, Director, Product, EnergyHub
Megan Nyquist, Senior Product Marketing Manager, EnergyHub
A practical introduction to building a “background VPP”, discuss how devices enrolled in partner programs can quietly contribute capacity in the background, the most promising use cases for this resource, and how utilities can tap into these aggregations without impacting customers.
Unpacking the EV value stack
Frederick Hall, Senior Data Scientist, EnergyHub
Aakriti Gupta, Senior Product Marketing Manager, EVs, EnergyHub
An interactive session focused on the two core drivers of EV program cost‑effectiveness: grid value and customer acquisition cost. Together, we’ll map current approaches, surface proven levers, and discuss what’s needed from regulators, partners, and vendors to enable scale.
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Utility lightning talk
Munim Ahmer, Technical Officer, IESO
2:45 – 3:15 PM | Beyond enrollment: Building a customer-centric VPP
Julie Potyraj, Director, Brand and Content Marketing, EnergyHub
Lesley Jantarasami, Vice President, Research and Industry Strategy, SEPA
This session examines evolving customer expectations to help utilities refine their 2026 strategies. By analyzing 2025’s successes and engagement gaps, we’ll explore what drives customer participation and long-term retention in flexibility programs. Participants will gain practical, empathy-led guidance for designing and scaling multi-DER initiatives that deliver measurable value to both households and the grid.
3:15 – 3:30 PM | Closing remarks
Dana Dohse, VP, Marketing, EnergyHub
HubSummit 2026 registration is CLOSED
Thank you for your interest in attending HubSummit 2026. Registration is now closed. For any questions or assistance, please reach out to your CSM.