Extreme weather events are exposing gaps in how utilities prepare their assets to perform under stress. From winter storms in the South to extreme heat in the Southwest, utilities are being challenged to ensure reliability when demand spikes, generation is constrained, and traditional assumptions no longer hold.

This session will explore how asset health, AMI data, and grid readiness intersect during these high-impact events. Using lessons learned from recent winter storms, participants will examine how utilities are approaching generation capacity planning, load shedding, and contingency strategies when conditions push systems beyond normal operating ranges.

Key topics will include:

• How utilities assess whether their assets are truly prepared for non-typical weather scenarios
• The role of AMI and interval data in understanding real-time demand and prioritization of critical customers
• Challenges with renewable generation performance and natural gas supply during extreme conditions
• Strategies for alternative generation and rapid response when capacity is limited
• How asset readiness and performance are being incorporated into grid hardening and contingency planning
• Cross-functional considerations across distribution, generation, and transmission teams

This session will also explore forward-looking questions, including how utilities are incorporating “what-if” scenario planning, whether resilience planning is happening at the circuit level or system-wide, and how pricing and rate structures may evolve during extreme demand events.

Designed as a practical and strategic discussion, this session will highlight real-world experiences, lessons learned, and open questions as utilities continue to adapt to increasingly unpredictable operating environments.