Date: May 2025

The certification and approval process is a significant hurdle for technology vendors looking to scale within utility operations. Lengthy, complex and costly procedures—such as testing protocols and vendor qualification—can extend project timelines and increase costs, straining vendor-utility relationships. Regulatory requirements add further complexity, with varying standards across regions and jurisdictions, delaying technology adoption. Speakers from TRC, Edge Zero, and Tri-State Generation & Transmission will give consultant, technology vendor and utility-provider perspectives on the challenges vendors face and how delays hinder business and innovation. They will also explore how early transparency and collaboration can help navigate these hurdles. The utility perspective will address the role of certification in ensuring safety, compliance, and grid reliability. Speakers will discuss ways vendors and utilities can collaborate to streamline processes, improve communication, and create a more efficient path for technology adoption at scale.

Speakers:
Derek Kirchner, TRC Companies
Jonathan "J.T." Thompson, Edge Zero
Lee Hamilton, Tri-State Generation & Transmission