2025 WIRED Grid Resilience Symposium - NSF WIRED Global Center

The 2025 WIRED Grid Resilience Symposium will take place on August 7–9, 2025, at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This event is co-organized by the U.S.-Canada Center on Climate-Resilient Western Interconnected Grid (WIRED Global Center) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council. It will convene experts and leaders from government, power utilities, industry, academia, and national laboratories to tackle the pressing challenges of grid resilience. Attendees will engage in cutting-edge research discussions, explore innovative solutions, and collaborate on forward-looking strategies to ensure a more reliable and climate-adaptive energy system for the future.

Key Topic

Extreme Weather: The growing risks from wildfires, heatwaves, and cold snaps that threaten electricity systems.

Other topics of interest include:

- Cyberattacks: Escalating threats of cyber intrusions targeting electricity systems.
- Gas and Water Infrastructure Vulnerabilities: The interdependencies between electricity, gas, and water systems and their collective resilience.
- Data Integrity and Availability: The security and accessibility of critical operational data for grid resilience research and development.
- Large Electricity Loads: The increasing power demands from AI, cloud computing, and industrial expansion and the impact on grid resilience.
- Supply Chain and Workforce Resilience: Vulnerabilities in the electricity sector’s supply chain and the growing challenges in maintaining a skilled workforce due to retirement trends and evolving industry demands.

Participate in the Innovation Showcase: Poster Session: here

Participate in the Innovation PitchFest: Lightning-Round Session: here

Enhance your WIRED Resilience Symposium 2025 experience with an optional full-day excursion into the heart of the Canadian Rockies on August 9.

Itinerary	Details
8:30 AM – Departure from Calgary We’ll embark on our journey to the Grassi Lakes Trailhead near Canmore, Alberta.	Date: August 9, 2025
10:00 AM – Grassi Lakes Trail Hike This self-guided hike, accompanied by local committee members, offers two routes: an easier path with a gentle incline and a more challenging trail featuring a waterfall and panoramic views of Canmore and the Bow Valley. Both lead to the stunning turquoise Grassi Lakes. The hike typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours return.	Cost: $40 (includes transportation and park entrance fees; food is not included)
11:30 AM – Leisure at Grassi Lakes Enjoy an hour to relax, take photos, and immerse yourself in the serene environment.	What to Bring: Comfortable hiking attire, sturdy footwear, water, snacks, and a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
12:30 PM – Departure to Banff After returning to the trailhead, we’ll proceed to the charming town of Banff.	Note: The Grassi Lakes Trail is popular and can be busy during peak times. Participants are advised to stay on designated paths to preserve the area’s natural beauty and ensure safety.
1:00 PM – Lunch in Banff Participants have two hours to explore Banff’s diverse culinary scene at their leisure.	More Information: Grassi Lakes Trail Lake Minnewanka
3:00 PM – Visit to Lake Minnewanka Experience the majesty of Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. This glacial lake stretches over 21 km and reaches depths of 142 meters, offering breathtaking mountain vistas.	We look forward to sharing this adventure with you!
4:00 PM – Return to Calgary We’ll depart Lake Minnewanka, aiming to arrive back in Calgary by 6:00 PM.

A waiver needs to be signed for this tour at the time of registration.

ALT Hotel Calgary University District

482 McLaurin St NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6K3

We are pleased to recommend Alt Hotel Calgary University District for our out-of-town attendees. Conveniently located within walking distance of our event venue, this modern and stylish hotel offers comfortable accommodations with excellent amenities. Guests can enjoy a vibrant neighborhood, easy access to local attractions, and a welcoming atmosphere perfect for both business and leisure stays.

Rooms are currently available on a discounted price ($175 CAD/night + Taxes), expiring on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Click here to book your stay.

To Get There

Click here for map and other transportation information.

Organized By

And

Gold Sponsors

Keynote Speaker

Greg Van Tighem

Symposium Speakers - More to come!

Dede Subakti

Ajit Pardasani

Branden Sudduth

Greg Van Tighem

Connor Wollis

Claude Kaddissi

Amber Fletcher

Dan Kell

Divya Chandrasekhar

Ali Bidram

John Braun

John Horel

Jeff Griffiths

Ilkay Altintas

Keaton Wheeler

Kevin Hanna

Mahdi Hajian

Michela Taufer

Nicholas Coops

Robert Baker

Nick Moller

Roland Stull

Stephen Tao

Shivani Nathoo

Valerio Pascucci

Alex Palomino

Symposium Agenda

August 7, 2025

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

August 8, 2025

Morning

Afternoon

Scenic Adventures to the Rockies: Grassi Lake Hike, Town of Banff, and Lake Minnewanka Visit

August 9, 2025

Accommodation and Hotel Information for Out-of-Town Attendees

August 6 - 10

ALT Hotel Calgary University District

To Get There

Alternative Accommodation Option

To Get There

Register for the 2025 Symposium

Industry Expo and Career Fair

Organizing Committee

Hamidreza Zareipour

Masood Parvania

Branden Sudduth

Mostafa Farrokhabadi

Nazia Maqsood

Fatemah Shakeri

Ala'a Al-Sharif

Irtaza Sohail

Sherry Gao

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