In August, PPL President and CEO Vince Sorgi, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Innovation Officer Dean Del Vecchio, and Vice President of Research & Development Aron Patrick joined thousands of utility leaders, researchers, manufacturers and technology innovators from around the world at the 2026 CIGRE Paris Session, one of the power industry’s premier forums for technical exchange and collaboration.
Held every two years, CIGRE brings together experts from across the global energy sector to share insights, discuss emerging challenges and explore the technologies that will shape the future electric grid. Topics this year ranged from grid modernization and system resilience to artificial intelligence, advanced energy technologies and the infrastructure investments needed to support growing electricity demand.
Addressing the industry’s biggest challenges
Vince participated in the CIGRE USNC CEO Forum, joining fellow industry leaders in a panel discussion focused on “The Electric Grid at an Inflection Point: Leadership Perspectives on Reliability, Growth and Transformation.” The discussion examined how utilities can continue delivering reliable and affordable energy while addressing rapid demand growth, evolving customer expectations and increasingly complex operating environments.
Throughout the week, PPL leaders met with utilities, manufacturers, researchers and technology companies to exchange ideas on strengthening the grid, advancing innovation and improving operational performance. Discussions highlighted the growing importance of collaboration as utilities navigate the energy transition and prepare for the future needs of customers and communities.
Exploring the next generation of energy technologies
For Dean Del Vecchio and Aron Patrick, the conference also provided an opportunity to explore emerging technologies that could play a role in the future electric system.
Meetings with technology providers, research organizations and startups focused on advancements in grid modernization, long-duration energy storage, system resilience and digital technologies that can help utilities operate more efficiently and effectively. The team also engaged with organizations exploring innovative solutions designed to improve reliability and support future energy needs.
Following the conference, the team traveled to Sardinia, Italy, where they had the opportunity to evaluate long-duration energy storage technology firsthand and engage directly with engineers and company leaders working to advance energy storage innovation. Experiences like these provide valuable insight into how emerging technologies perform in real-world settings and their potential applications for the electric grid.
Innovation through partnership
While the technologies discussed at CIGRE varied widely, one consistent theme emerged throughout the week: innovation advances through collaboration.
The energy industry’s most pressing challenges cannot be solved by any one company or country alone. Progress depends on bringing together utilities, researchers, technology developers and policymakers to share knowledge, test new ideas and learn from one another’s experiences.
The conversations, partnerships and insights gained at CIGRE will help inform PPL’s ongoing efforts to deliver safe, reliable, resilient and affordable energy while exploring new technologies that can create value for customers and communities.
By engaging with innovators around the world, PPL continues to bring global perspectives home, helping translate emerging ideas into meaningful local impact.
