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Welcome to the May 2026 UBBA Newsletter

Insights, progress, and priorities from UBBA leadership as we work together to advance the future of utility connectivity.

Dear UBBA Community,

As the energy industry accelerates toward a more dynamic, data-driven grid, the need for collaboration, innovation, and real-world validation has never been greater. That’s exactly what the UBBA Summit & Plugfest is designed to deliver.

This year’s program brings together an exceptional lineup of utility leaders and industry innovators who are shaping the future of AMI 2.0 and private broadband networks. We’re proud to feature speakers and contributors from utilities including Oncor Energy, LCRA, Exelon, Southern Company, Southern California Edison, TECO, and many more, each offering firsthand perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and breakthroughs defining modern grid operations.

What sets the UBBA Summit & Plugfest apart from other industry conferences is the depth and uniqueness of its agenda. Beyond traditional presentations, this event is grounded in live testing, collaborative problem-solving, and practical insights you won’t find anywhere else. From advanced use case demonstrations to candid discussions on network performance, interoperability, and grid-edge intelligence, every session is designed to move the industry forward.

Whether you are driving AMI strategy, leading distribution automation initiatives, or architecting next-generation communications networks, the Summit offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with peers, see technology in action, and leave with actionable knowledge.

I look forward to welcoming you to Fort Worth for an event that goes beyond conversation and into real-world progress.

Sincerely,

Joe Mellott,

UBBA Plugfest Program Manager

Former Evergy Representative to the UBBA Board of Directors

AMI 2.0 | The Future of Grid Intelligence isn’t Theoretical, it’s Being Tested in Real Time

At the 2026 UBBA Plugfest, utilities, technologists, and researchers will push the limits of AMI 2.0 by simulating critical grid events and analyzing how networks respond under pressure. The goal: move beyond visibility to true, high-fidelity insight where anomalies can be detected, diagnosed, and acted on with precision.

By recreating real-world triggering events and capturing granular performance data, Plugfest teams will map what’s possible for next-generation grid monitoring and control. This isn’t just about testing technology, it’s about defining the network performance standards required for advanced analytics, faster root-cause identification, and smarter grid-edge decision-making.

In collaboration with EPRI’s NextWave research program, UBBA utilities have identified four high-impact use cases that will anchor the 2026 testing effort:

• Waveform Capture and Post-event Control: Captures time-synchronized voltage (and where available, current) waveform snapshots from AMI meters and/or grid-edge sensors when disturbances occur (e.g., sags, swells, transients, faults, switching).
• Local DER/Flexible Load Control: This use case describes the ability for utilities to locally monitor, coordinate, and influence distributed energy resources (DER) and flexible customer loads using AMI and grid edge communications.
• Load Disaggregation and Scheduling: This use case describes the ability for utilities to disaggregate aggregate electrical load into major end uses (e.g., EV charging, HVAC, water heating) and use the insight to inform operational scheduling, planning, and coordination.
• Fault Detection and Location: This case describes how AMI event data and voltage measurements can be used to detect, characterize, and help localize distribution system faults.

After two months of rigorous lab validation, these use cases will come to life this October at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest, where live testing and real-world demonstrations will showcase what next-generation AMI 2.0 networks can truly deliver. This is your opportunity to see the future of grid operations in action, connect with peers leading AMI and distribution automation innovation, and gain practical insights you can bring back to your organization.



Secure your spot today and take advantage of base registration rates

UBBA in The News

In a recent article published by Renewable Energy World, UBBA Executive Director Bobbi Harris joined ComEd's Jimi Conway to discuss how advanced communications networks are transforming utility operations and enabling the future grid. The article explores the evolution of AMI 2.0, the growing importance of edge intelligence, and why communications infrastructure is becoming a strategic asset that supports reliability, resilience, and operational excellence across the utility enterprise.

As utilities face increasing demands from DERs, electrification, data centers, and customer expectations, the conversation highlights why broadband connectivity and technologies such as Private LTE are emerging as foundational enablers of a more connected, intelligent, and adaptable grid.

Read the article to learn how utilities are rethinking communications infrastructure and why UBBA continues to lead the industry conversation on the future of utility broadband.

UBBA Insights | The Move Toward a Flexible Grid

As DER growth, EV adoption, data centers, and customer expectations continue reshaping the electric grid, utilities are recognizing that “good enough” connectivity is no longer enough. The modern grid is becoming increasingly dynamic, distributed, and data-driven; requiring communications infrastructure that is secure, resilient, scalable, and utility-controlled.

In the first blog from the UBBA Insights Program, Power Play: The Move Toward a Flexible Grid, we examine why utilities are accelerating the shift toward private wireless broadband networks and Private LTE as a strategic foundation for future operations. The article explores the growing need for telecom network sovereignty, real-time visibility across the grid edge, and the ability to securely manage millions of connected devices supporting AMI 2.0, DER integration, EV infrastructure, automation, and other next-generation use cases.

The blog also highlights how utilities are leveraging technologies such as eSIM and remote device management to support more adaptable and efficient grid operations, while reinforcing the critical role telecommunications networks will play in enabling the flexible grid of the future.

Read the full blog to explore how utilities are building the communications backbone required to power the next generation of the grid.

RESOURCES

Upcoming Webinars

Previous Webinars

UBBA membership provides unparalleled access to cutting-edge insights, proven strategies, and a thriving community of experts focused on broadband innovation. Gain the tools and support needed to deploy mission-critical networks, enhance grid reliability, and bridge the digital divide in your communities. With exclusive resources, technical forums, and collaborative opportunities, UBBA equips members to stay ahead in an increasingly connected world. Don’t miss the chance to transform your utility’s broadband potential!