2026 Conference Sessions

AI and Machine Learning Applications to Enhance Performance and Reliability

January 20, 2026

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

301A

Optimizing Plant Performance

This session will focus on how power plant operators are using machine learning and artificial intelligence to run units more efficiently and improve reliability. Speakers will share real examples of how AI tools, digital models and data analysis are helping crews solve everyday problems on coal, nuclear and combined-cycle plants. The discussion will highlight where these technologies are proving useful, what results operators are seeing in the field and how plants can start applying similar methods to support rising demand.

Panel Moderator

Scott Affelt, President - XMPLR Energy, LLC.

Chairperson

Sarah Kline, General Manager - HanAra Software

Speakers

Rodney Gay, President - MapEx Software, Inc.

Randy Bickford, President - Expert Microsystems

Stephen Pospahala, Manager – Power Generation Excellence (PGX) - DOMINION ENERGY

Matthew Stoddard, Remote Operating Center Manager - Cogentrix Operating Services, LLC.

POWERGEN has been really helpful in identifying the industry scale of what’s going on behind the scenes, and how that affects each and every one of us across different divisions, levels, and inputs in the industry itself [...] That’s something not everybody gets to experience at other conferences.

Sarah White

Associate Electric Co-op, Inc.

The most valuable part of POWERGEN is networking with peers, walking the exhibit floor, and seeing all the activity and energy across the industry. For me, the level of engagement is a strong indication that the future of this industry is in a good place, and I’m excited to be representing this event.

Raj Katamreddy

Vistra

I love the networking. Everyone who’s part of POWERGEN is here, and it’s great to collaborate, meet new vendors in the market, see who’s doing what, and learn about the projects that are happening. It’s a great place for intel.

Sarah Hoelzen

The Williams Companies, Inc

POWERGEN is really important to us. It's an ideal opportunity to come meet existing customers and partners, meet new customers and partners, and showcase the new products that we bring to market.

Sarah Nicholls

STAMFORD | AVK

POWERGEN gives us the opportunity to meet prospective engineering firms, EPCs, and customers, and to share insight into our capabilities in manufacturing centrifugal pumps and supporting the nuclear industry.

Santosh KulkarnI

ANDRITZ

POWERGEN allows us to connect with all of our peers and it brings in folks that are maybe not quite familiar with everything in power, and they get to come to one place and see it all in one place and make new connections.

Sammy Haggar

Wildcat Power Gen