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Shape the Future of the Electric Grid

Join the GridWise Architecture Council – Now Accepting Candidate Submissions

The GridWise Architecture Council is seeking visionary leaders to help guide the future of the nation’s electric grid. Formed by the U.S. Department of Energy, GWAC members shape frameworks for grid interoperability, resilience, and transactive energy. Candidates should be recognized experts in fields like grid architecture, utility operations, distributed energy, or policy. Members serve as individuals, not company reps, and commit 5–20% of their time to this impactful work.

Learn More Download Candidacy Form 

Final submissions due by: December 15, 2025

What is the GridWise Architecture Council?

The GridWise Architecture Council (GWAC) is a team of industry leaders who are shaping the guiding principles, or architecture, of a highly intelligent and interactive electric system—one ripe with decision-making information exchange and market-based opportunities. This architecture will provide guidelines for interaction between participants and interoperability between technologies and systems.

How can I get involved with GWAC?
Interested in helping shape the vision for a decarbonized, decentralized, and democratized electricity system? We'd like to connect with you! Please email us to attend the GWAC Meeting (gridwiseac.coordinator@pnnl.gov). All are welcome.

Upcoming Events

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Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 3: Resilient Grid Innovation

January 26, 2026

Event Description

DOE’s recently relaunched $2.4 million Digitizing Utilities Prize Round 3: Resilient Grid Innovation is aimed to facilitate the transformation of digital systems and data analytics for the electric sector through teams of utility and energy sector partners with software developers and data experts. Applications for Phase 1 open in January 2026. Visit HeroX to learn more. 

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Feeder of the Future Prize

January 29, 2026

Event Description

The Feeder of the Future Prize is a $100,000 competition from the U.S. Department of Energy which aims to encourage the development of advanced distribution system feeder and circuit designs that align with the evolving demands of 21st-century power delivery, including dynamic loads, onsite generation, and distributed devices. Visit HeroX to learn more. Submissions are due January 29, 2026. 

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2026 AHR Vegas + GWAC Talk

February 2, 2026 - February 4, 2026

Event Description

Register today for the AHR!

In addition to the AHR conference, GWAC will have the following presentation. Don't forget to mark your calendar!

Title: The Built Environment, Interoperability, Integration, and Grid Services
Date:  Monday, February 2, 2026
Time: 3:00pm to 4:30pm (1.5 hrs.), Pacific Time Zone
Location: S226. Seminar rooms are located on Level 2, South Building.
Learn more on the AHR Vegas website.

GWAC Presenters:  Ron Bernstein, Shawn Chandler, Sadie Bender, and Matthew McDonnell
Learn more about the speakers checklist.

Abstract: How will building decarbonization and electrification affect the US Power Grid? Is the grid ready to handle a large increase in distributed energy resources? What will be the impacts on your electric bill and those of your clients, customers, and neighbors? Is there a role for policy and regulation? Will we have enough power to meet the grid future state? These questions and more will be discussed in this engaging seminar hosted by the US Department of Energy sponsored GridWise Architecture Council.

Upcoming Monthly Meetings

GWAC January Online Meeting

January 21, 2026

Event Description

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm (Pacific Time). 

Alaa Mahjoub will be our guest speaker. The title of his presentation will be, "Building the Digital Grid Architecture: Integration of Digital Technologies Across Cloud, On-Premises, and the Edge for Intelligent Operations"

This presentation defines Intelligent Operations and outlines key architectural patterns and reference architectures that enable this integration. It highlights how a unified digital foundation — spanning enterprise systems, cloud platforms, control centers, and the edge — supports real-time intelligence, informed decision-making, and autonomous actions.

GWAC February Online Meeting

February 18, 2026

Event Description

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm (Pacific Time). 

Raymond Kaiser is our guest speaker for February. The title of his presentation will be, "An Architecture for Interoperable Flex Load Management: Insights from the EPRI FlexLoad Working Group."

Raymond Kaiser is the Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer, EVoke Systems, an EV Charge Network Operator. He has been involved in the design, development, and/or deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and microgrids for 20+ years. He is a frequent speaker on EV charging, DER standards and protocols at energy conferences, workshops and seminars. Currently he chairs the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) FlexLoad Management working group which seeks to accelerate the integration of behind-the-meter energy resources into grid operations.