TECHNICAL CONFERENCE

The 2026 Technical Conference is powered by a global call for papers, offering a platform for industry experts, researchers, and practitioners to share real-world solutions and technical insights.

Spanning 12 key categories - from energy generation and smart infrastructure to water resilience, clean tech, and workforce transformation - the conference promotes cross-sector collaboration and practical innovation.

Focused on emerging trends and operational challenges, the program is shaped by professionals leading progress in the utilities sector, driving innovation, system resilience, and sustainable growth worldwide.

2026 TECHNICAL CATEGORIES

Clean Power Generation For A Net Zero Future
1. CLEAN POWER GENERATION FOR A NET ZERO FUTURE
  • Utility-scale solar & hybrids
  • Wind (onshore & offshore)
  • Geothermal, hydro & marine
  • Waste-to-energy & biomass
  • Nuclear & SMRs
  • Distributed generation & microgrids
  • Off-grid & rural power
  • Industrial clean energy & critical minerals
  • Decarbonising power & flexible gas
  • District cooling & heating
Smarter Transmission And Grid Innovation
2. SMARTER TRANSMISSION AND GRID INNOVATION
  • HVAC & HVDC systems
  • Cross-border links & power pools
  • Substation automation & digital upgrades
  • Voltage/reactive power control
  • Advanced conductors & line ratings
  • Grid congestion & flexibility
  • DER integration
  • Forecasting & outage prediction
  • Climate-resilient grid planning
  • District energy integration
Flexible Energy Systems With Hydrogen And Storage
3. FLEXIBLE ENERGY SYSTEMS WITH HYDROGEN AND STORAGE
  • Green hydrogen
  • Blue hydrogen, CCUS & gas transition
  • Hydrogen blending & ammonia
  • Battery tech (Li-ion, LFP, etc.)
  • Long-duration energy storage (LDES)
  • Thermal & mechanical storage
  • V2G & EV battery reuse
  • Industrial electrification
  • Peak shaving & resilience
  • Hybrid fuel & storage systems
Energy Markets And Investment Innovation
4. ENERGY MARKETS AND INVESTMENT INNOVATION
  • Market reforms & liberalisation
  • Carbon pricing & trading
  • Capacity & flexibility markets
  • Renewable PPAs & auctions
  • Investment & risk frameworks
  • Digital trading & real-time pricing
  • Cross-border power trade
  • Green bonds & finance
  • PPP & project finance
  • Regulatory enablers
AI Powered Utilities And Predictive Technologies
5. AI-POWERED UTILITIES AND PREDICTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
  • Predictive maintenance & monitoring
  • AI forecasting & optimisation
  • Digital twins & simulation
  • Analytics & automation
  • Customer insights & smart billing
  • Control room automation
  • Energy management platforms
  • ML-based fault detection
  • AI-driven sustainability tracking
  • Virtual assistants & chatbots
Smart Grids & Grid Edge Innovation
6. SMART GRIDS AND GRID EDGE INNOVATION
  • Smart meters & IoT
  • Demand response & flexibility
  • Virtual Power Plants & aggregators
  • Rooftop solar, batteries & EVs
  • Blockchain P2P trading
  • Intelligent inverter tech
  • Consumer engagement & prosumers
  • Microgrids & local energy communities
  • DERMS platforms
  • DER regulations
Urban Electrification And Clean Mobility
7. URBAN ELECTRIFICATION AND CLEAN MOBILITY
  • EV charging & planning
  • Public transit & fleet electrification
  • Smart mobility hubs & MaaS
  • Load management & smart charging
  • Battery swapping & V2G
  • Urban energy planning
  • Energy-as-a-service for transport
  • Decarbonising last-mile logistics
  • Renewables integration in cities
  • Clean mobility policy & incentives
Cybersecurity And Digital Trust
8. CYBERSECURITY AND DIGITAL TRUST
  • OT & IT cybersecurity
  • Data privacy & compliance
  • Incident detection & response
  • Cloud & edge security
  • AI ethics & transparency
  • Blockchain security
  • Infrastructure resilience
  • Cyber workforce training
  • Interoperability security
  • Digital risk management
Future Ready Water Systems And Infrastructure
9. FUTURE-READY WATER SYSTEMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
  • Renewable desalination
  • Wastewater treatment & reuse
  • Smart metering & leak detection
  • Energy efficiency in water utilities
  • Agricultural water & irrigation
  • Industrial water reuse & zero-liquid discharge
  • Water-energy nexus planning
  • Pipelines, storage & drainage
  • Rural & off-grid water solutions
  • Water quality monitoring & compliance
Circular Waste And Resource Recovery
10. CIRCULAR WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY
  • Municipal solid waste management
  • Waste-to-energy & thermal treatment
  • Sludge & biosolids management
  • Industrial & hazardous waste reuse
  • Organic waste composting & biogas
  • Materials recovery & recycling
  • E-waste management
  • Construction & demolition recycling
  • Circular economy models
  • Landfill diversion & zero-waste strategies
ESG And Sustainable Finance Leadership
11. ESG AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE LEADERSHIP
  • ESG reporting & benchmarking
  • Climate risk & resilience
  • Green bonds & sustainable finance
  • Governance & board accountability
  • Social impact & stakeholder engagement
  • Diversity, equity & inclusion
  • Carbon neutrality roadmaps
  • Nature-based solutions & biodiversity
  • Investor transparency
  • Just transition & community benefits
Talent Powering Operational Excellence
12. TALENT POWERING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
  • Reskilling & upskilling
  • Leadership & talent development
  • HSE management
  • Just transition workforce planning
  • Diversity & inclusion in hiring
  • Vocational training partnerships
  • Operational excellence frameworks
  • Workforce well-being & engagement
  • Talent retention & attraction
  • Project management excellence

2026 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

HEAR FROM OUR TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Marco Cioffi

"The World Utilities Congress offers a clear view into how the energy sector is evolving. It’s a valuable space for exchanging ideas and exploring practical solutions. Participating in the WUC provided me with a timely and valuable perspective on the transformation underway across the global utilities sector. For companies and professionals navigating this transition, the Congress offers a unique opportunity to engage with forward-thinking peers, gain actionable insights, and contribute to the evolution of resilient, efficient, and low-carbon utility systems."

Marco Cioffi

Strategic Marketing
Ansaldo Energia
Ghislan Juvanon

"While my passion and expertise are deeply rooted in water, what makes the World Utilities Congress 2026 truly unique is its broad, cross-disciplinary platform. By bringing together thought leaders from across the entire utilities spectrum, we foster the kind of cross-fertilisation of ideas that drives real innovation. I’m excited to see how the diverse perspectives at this year’s Congress will inspire new solutions—not just for water, but for a more sustainable and resilient future for all utilities and the communities we serve."

Ghislan Juvanon

Chief Operating Officer
PWT Wasser- und Abwassertechnik GmbH

Hassan Zaheer

"As a member of the Technical Advisory Committee, I’ve seen the World Utilities Congress evolve into a pivotal platform for advancing the utilities landscape. Despite its modest scale, it convenes key decision-makers and stakeholders, enabling focused, outcome-driven dialogue.

The Technical Conference stands out for its strong focus and depth, curated through a rigorous multi-stage review process to showcase only the most insightful, high-impact presentations addressing real-world power sector challenges. "

Hassan Zaheer

Chief Operating Officer
PTR