Taming the 2026 Peak: Rethinking Demand Response to Address Year-Round Grid

The electric grid is entering a new era. Peak demand is no longer limited to a handful of critical hours each year. Electrification, rapid data center growth, extreme weather, and evolving energy consumption patterns are placing sustained pressure on grid infrastructure.

As the system changes, so must the tools used to manage it.

This expert panel will explore how Demand Response (DR) must evolve to remain an effective reliability resource. Traditionally designed to address a few peak events annually, DR programs are increasingly being called upon to provide flexibility throughout the year as grid conditions become more dynamic and unpredictable.

Panelists will discuss:

• How electrification and new load growth are reshaping peak demand
• The role of Demand Response in supporting grid reliability in a more volatile environment
• The shift from traditional peak-shaving programs to more flexible, year-round solutions
• Policy and regulatory trends shaping the next generation of DR programs
• What building owners, energy managers, and market participants should do to prepare for 2026 and beyond

This conversation will bring together leaders from the utility, market operator, building owner, and energy services perspectives to provide practical insight into where Demand Response is headed and what it means for those participating in New York’s energy markets.

Whether you are a building owner, energy professional, sustainability leader, or policy stakeholder, this session will provide a clear view of how flexibility will shape the future grid.

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the future of Demand Response and how the industry can adapt to meet the evolving needs of the electric system.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher New York Energy Consumers Council