From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to grid modernization and emerging technologies, the electric utility industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Keeping up requires collaboration and a willingness to learn together. That’s exactly what brought cooperative professionals from across the country to Wilmington for the 24th annual Cooperative Technologies Conference & Expo (CTCE), where attendees explored the future of the energy industry.

Nearly 500 people were in attendance for this year’s conference, representing 46 cooperatives and 21 states. From expert-led sessions to hands-on demonstrations, the conference reflected a shared commitment to building a brighter future across the cooperative network.

“One of the best benefits of this conference is you’re learning about all these technologies and solutions that you can take back to your co-op and put in place to improve efficiency and safety,” said Ethan Thomas, manager of engineering and information technology at Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corp. (EMC). “Our end goal is to serve our members the best that we can.”

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are continually exploring new ways to improve systems and strengthen the grid, including technologies that can enhance operations. By coming together under one roof for the weeklong conference, attendees can learn from their peers’ experiences and share valuable insights that help drive innovation across the cooperative network.

“It’s great to make those connections because when you’re having an issue or need help, you’ve met people in the industry that you can reach out to,” said Angela Hare, vice president of information technology, customer service and metering at Central Electric. “The connections I’ve made here each year have served me and helped me in my day-to-day job.”

Over the course of the week, attendees had the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions covering topics such as battery energy storage integration and its role in addressing peak demand and shifting loads, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and how aligning data across departments can support both long-term planning and day-to-day decision-making.

General sessions explored the impact of weather on energy operations, the role of technology in shaping field operations, and featured a panel discussion with CEOs from North Carolina Electric Cooperatives, Georgia System Operations Corp. and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The leaders discussed challenges and opportunities related to costs, load growth and generation expansion.

“This year there was a lot of discussion on AI, and it’s helpful because we’re all on the same journey. Whether you’re just starting out using it or are more experienced, it’s valuable to talk about how we’re each using it and hear our colleagues’ solutions,” said Ruchira Lalwaney, vice president of information technology at Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.

Beyond breakout sessions and keynote presentations, attendees met with vendors and participated in speed networking sessions, connecting IT professionals and engineers with industry experts to explore products and solutions that enhance operations.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re in IT, engineering or even accounting, there’s something here for you,” said Hare. “You’re able to take something away from it and bring it back to your cooperative.”

Next year’s Cooperative Technologies Conference & Expo will take place Aug. 10-13 in Wilmington. Registration will open in the spring.