The session schedule for the 7th Demand Response & DER World Forum 2020 in Los Angeles is currently in development. Industry professionals who are interested in delivering a presentation on one of the subjects below -- or a related topic -- are encouraged to submit a speaking proposal by May 1, 2020.

Proposals to organize and chair a panel session with multiple speakers are also welcome. For guidelines on submitting a proposal, please review the Call for Speakers.

Serving the Emerging Prosumer

• Customer-centric, proactive digital communications for energy management
• Home energy management systems
• Embracing the customer: facilitating the transition from ratepayer to key partner
• DR for prosumers: including ever smaller units into DR
• Unlocking the value of DERs: Integration and control through behind-the-meter IoT networks
• Using automated DR to manage customer TOU response
• Leveraging smart meters and data analytics for customer engagement
• Auto-DR applications and initiatives at municipal utilities

Optimizing Performance, Markets and Offerings

• Balancing the Value of DERs between utility, DER operators and end-customers
• Supporting the grid via connected buildings
• DER interconnection and enabling DER data to drive new value streams
• Next-gen energy storage and EV charging infrastructure
• Reliability of DR in the context of utility resource management
• Communications protocols and integrated DR/DER management
• Smart thermostat and Bring Your Own Device programs
• Refining the value proposition for auto-DR across the energy value chain
• Addressing challenges and hurdles for next-gen DR market participation
• Interoperability between different vendor products
• DR related tariff design and billing
• Standards evolution and state of adoption
• Integrating operational systems for greater grid agility and flexibility
• Treating DR as a regulated earnable asset using existing rules

New Markets, New Opportunities

• What is next in DER development
• Enabling DR and demand management for the residential and SME market
• Removing Auto-DR barriers for small to nid-size commercial buildings
• Trends and advances in third-party energy services
• Connecting and accommodating smart buildings
• International markets and business opportunities for DR/DER and smart grid
• Trends and impacts in load growth: Electric vehicles, indoor agriculture, etc.
• The role of DR and DERs in the emerging Smart City

Meeting the Future: Technology Advances and Applications

• Reinventing the electric utility
• Applications of blockchain in the energy sector
• Virtual power plants (VPPs) built on residential DERs
• Intelligent, behind-the- meter (BTM) energy storage as a resource
• Microgrids and DR / DER
• Integrated demand side management
• The role of DR and DER in mitigating climate change
• Behavioral demand response
• Advances in DR management systems, Software-as-a-Service
• DR technology advances, case studies, best practices, and lessons learned to date