Microgrid & Energy Storage Innovation Forum 2026 in Chicago

The Microgrid & Energy Storage Innovation Forum returns for its 21st edition on December 1-2, 2026, in downtown Chicago. As the energy landscape undergoes a structural shift toward resilience and decarbonization, this forum convenes technology innovators, utilities, developers, and policy makers to examine how microgrids and energy storage are redefining how power is generated, managed, and delivered. Attendees will explore the convergence of resilience, decarbonization, and digitalization through sessions on hybrid energy systems at scale, long-duration storage, the data center electrification boom, grid edge intelligence, and evolving policy and market design. With U.S. storage installations surging and the global microgrid market projected to exceed $400 billion by the early 2030s, the program addresses both immediate deployment challenges and long-term investment strategies. Beyond the agenda, the event is built for one-on-one networking with decision-makers, customers, and technology thought leaders across the energy storage and microgrid sector. Project owners, utility professionals, C&I energy managers, system integrators, and financial and VC professionals all converge here to build the relationships that move projects forward.