
Gold Sponsors
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 organized by the U.S.-Canada Center on Climate-Resilient Western Interconnected Grid (WIRED Global Center) . 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:
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- 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.
Symposium Speakers

Ajit Pardasani
Principal Research Officer - National Research Council
Alex Palomino
Senior Consultant - Energy Strategies
Branden Sudduth
Vice President, Reliability Planning and Performance Analysis - WECC
Claude Kaddissi
Chief Research and Innovation - System Resilience - Hydro Quebec
Connor Wollis
Wildfire and Land Management Specialist - Government of Alberta
Dan Kell
Global Director - eGRID - Hatch
Greg Van Tighem
Retired Fire Chief & Director of Protective Services - Municipality of Jasper
Keaton Wheeler
Principal Engineer, Advanced Power Systems - Fortis Alberta
Mahdi Hajian
Principal Engineer, System Resiliency - AESO
Robert Baker
Director - Renewable and Alternative Energy - Alberta Innovates
Shivani Nathoo
Demand & Conservation Planner - IESOStephan Tao
Senior Manager, Asset Management - ATCOSymposium Agenda
August 7, 2025
Morning
- 08:45 - 09:00 am - Welcome Address & Opening Remarks; Summary of WIRED Activities
- 09:00 - 10:00 am - Keynote Speech
- 10:00 - 10:30 am - Networking Break
- 10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Pioneering Utility Solutions for Wildfire and Extreme Weather Challenges
- 12:00 - 01:00 pm - Lunch
Afternoon
- 01:00 02:30 pm - Navigating Policy Landscapes for a Resilient Energy Grid
- 02:30 - 02:45 pm - Break
- 02:45 - 03:45 pm - Building Stronger Communities and Skilled Workforce for Grid Resiliency
- 03:45 - 04:00 - Break
- 04:00 - 05:15 pm - Innovation Showcase: Spotlight on Transformative Research
Evening
- Networking Reception
August 8, 2025
Morning
- 08:45 - 10:15 am - AI and Big Data Revolution for Grid Resiliency
- 10:15 - 10:30 am - Break
- 10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Resilience Vulnerabilities and Impacts in Generation and Storage System
- 12:00 - 01:00 pm - Lunch
Afternoon
- 01:00 02:00 pm - Power Critical Infrastructure: Data Centers and Large Loads in Grid Resiliency
- 02:00 - 02:30 pm - Networking Break
- 02:30 - 04:00 pm - Innovation PitchFest: Technology Providers Shaping the Grid Resiliency
- 04:00 - 04:15 pm - Break
- 04:15 - 05:30 pm - Innovation Showcase: Spotlight on Transformative Technologies
Scenic Adventures to the Rockies: Grassi Lake Hike, Town of Banff, and Lake Minnewanka Visit
August 9, 2025
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 |
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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.
Accommodation and Hotel Information for Out-of-Town Attendees
August 6 - 10
ALT Hotel Calgary University District
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.
To Get There
Click here for map and other transportation information.
Alternative Accommodation Option
Hotel Inn Express & Suites, University Area by IHG, Calgary.
2373 Banff Trail NW, Calgary, AB T2M 4L2
For an additional accommodation location, guests may consider Hotel Inn Express & Suites, University Area with an easy access to the University via C-Train.
Rooms are currently available on a discounted price ($195 CAD/night + Taxes), expiring on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
To Get There
Click here for map and other transportation information.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are pleased to offer two distinct sponsorship packages designed to provide valuable exposure and engagement opportunities for participating organizations:
1. Gold Sponsorship Package
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- Complimentary Registrations: Includes five free registrations, granting full access to all symposium sessions and events.
- Brand Visibility:
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- Prominent display of your company logo on the official event website.
- Inclusion of your logo on attendee lanyards, ensuring continuous visibility throughout the event.
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- Career Expo Participation: A dedicated booth at the career expo to showcase your organization's opportunities and engage with potential talent.
- Event Promotion:
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- Recognition of your sponsorship during the event through various promotional channels.
- Display of sponsor acknowledgement signs in key areas throughout the venue.
- Verbal appreciation during the opening sessions on both days of the symposium.
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- Promotional Video: Opportunity to present a short promotional video (up to 2 minutes) during the opening ceremony, enhancing brand visibility among attendees.
Investment: CAD $2500
2. Industry/Career Expo Package
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- Complimentary Registration: Includes one free registration with full access to symposium sessions and events.
- Industry/Career Expo Participation: A booth at the event to interact directly with attendees to promote your company's solutions, projects, career opportunities, etc.
- Brand Visibility: Inclusion of your company logo on the official event website.
Investment: CAD $500
Why Sponsor?
Aligning your organization with the WIRED Grid Resilience Symposium offers a unique opportunity to:
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- Connect: Engage with industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and emerging talent in the field of grid resilience.
- Showcase: Highlight your commitment to advancing energy infrastructure and resilience through dedicated platforms at the event.
- Recruit: Access a pool of qualified professionals and students eager to explore career opportunities in the energy sector.
- Enhance Visibility: Increase your brand's recognition within a targeted audience passionate about energy resilience and innovation.
To secure your sponsorship or for more information, please contact us.
Organizing Committee

Hamidreza Zareipour
General Symposium Chair
Masood Parvania
General Symposium Co-Chair
Mostafa Farrokhabadi
Technical Program Chair
Nazia Maqsood
Administrative Lead
Fatemah Shakeri
Poster Session Coordinator
Ala'a Al-Sharif
Digital Logistics Student Lead
Irtaza Sohail
Social Event Student Lead