Updated:
Originally Published:
PHOENIX – In the heart of the Arizona desert, the power industry came together to spark new ideas. More than 400 utility professionals met in Phoenix for the 2025 T&D World Live Conference late last month. The conference was hosted by Arizona Public Service and focused on recent innovations and initiatives that utilities are implementing and lessons learned. Conference attendees included the utilities who plan and operate the grid, as well as the contractors and vendors who help them build it.
This week’s central theme was grid modernization, with panels and presentations exploring how artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and data-analytics are transforming transmission and distribution projects. Speakers emphasized how these tools can improve grid reliability, de-risk grid expansion, train utility workforces, and offer critical intelligence to prevent unplanned outages and wildfires.
Several utilities discussed how they approach data-gathering and grid supervision by leveraging thermal monitoring in substations and aerial inspection programs with drones. For instance, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) co-presented with drone services vendor Skyhawk about how they work together to use aerial data for wildfire risk management. These efforts stemmed from the Camp Fire wildfire that swept through Northern California in 2018—where an inspection program like the one PG&E has today would have most likely prevented the wildfire from starting in the first place.
The innovation, transparency, and lessons learned that utilities and vendors share at conferences like T&D World Live are what make these events valuable for the electric utility industry. While technology, AI, and data intelligence are critical components of the grid of tomorrow, the people designing, building, and operating the grid remain the beating heart. That’s why conversations in an exhibit hall, between conference sessions, or over a meal are still key and often the starting point for the next idea or collaboration that will change the future of the power grid.
Beta Engineering is a substation EPC company headquartered in Pineville, La., with an office in San Diego. Since 1975, we’ve helped utilities, renewable developers, and other power delivery companies across the U.S. complete high-voltage substation and transmission line projects. Contact our team to tap into 50 years of problem-solving experience—and a proven commitment to safety.
Updated:
October 9, 2025
Updated:
Originally Published:
PHOENIX – In the heart of the Arizona desert, the power industry came together to spark new ideas. More than 400 utility professionals met in Phoenix for the 2025 T&D World Live Conference late last month. The conference was hosted by Arizona Public Service and focused on recent innovations and initiatives that utilities are implementing and lessons learned. Conference attendees included the utilities who plan and operate the grid, as well as the contractors and vendors who help them build it.
This week’s central theme was grid modernization, with panels and presentations exploring how artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and data-analytics are transforming transmission and distribution projects. Speakers emphasized how these tools can improve grid reliability, de-risk grid expansion, train utility workforces, and offer critical intelligence to prevent unplanned outages and wildfires.
Several utilities discussed how they approach data-gathering and grid supervision by leveraging thermal monitoring in substations and aerial inspection programs with drones. For instance, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) co-presented with drone services vendor Skyhawk about how they work together to use aerial data for wildfire risk management. These efforts stemmed from the Camp Fire wildfire that swept through Northern California in 2018—where an inspection program like the one PG&E has today would have most likely prevented the wildfire from starting in the first place.
The innovation, transparency, and lessons learned that utilities and vendors share at conferences like T&D World Live are what make these events valuable for the electric utility industry. While technology, AI, and data intelligence are critical components of the grid of tomorrow, the people designing, building, and operating the grid remain the beating heart. That’s why conversations in an exhibit hall, between conference sessions, or over a meal are still key and often the starting point for the next idea or collaboration that will change the future of the power grid.
Beta Engineering is a substation EPC company headquartered in Pineville, La., with an office in San Diego. Since 1975, we’ve helped utilities, renewable developers, and other power delivery companies across the U.S. complete high-voltage substation and transmission line projects. Contact our team to tap into 50 years of problem-solving experience—and a proven commitment to safety.
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