Uplight’s fourth annual Customer Connect conference took place on Wednesday, May 21st! Over the course of an impactful day and a half, we brought together over 50 forward-thinking energy professionals for 14 dynamic sessions at The Rally Hotel in the heart of downtown Denver. We heard from leaders at Alliant Energy, Alabama Power Company, Dominion Energy, PSEG, Optiwatt, Tesla, and more; speakers and attendees discussed clean energy challenges, successes, and opportunities.
From sharing insights during breakout sessions to an evening at the historic Terminal Bar (made complete with custom hat-making), the event sparked collaboration, learning, and—of course—some fun.
Welcome Reception: Trivia Champions and Liquid Nitrogen Magic
The energy was high from day one, starting with our welcome reception on Tuesday evening. Congratulations to the PSEG “Watt Watt?” team for claiming victory in our “MegaWatt Maniac” trivia competition—their energy industry knowledge proved as impressive as their competitive spirit!
The evening reached new heights (literally and figuratively) with our liquid nitrogen ice cream bar, where gourmet creations like Strawberries & Cream Sundaes materialized from clouds of vapor.
Mainstage Moments Energized the Room
Uplight’s CEO Luis D’Acosta kicked off Uplight Customer Connect on the 21st, sharing his perspectives on the customer-centric grid, introducing the Demand Stack concept, and setting the tone for meaningful collaboration. Next, Jesse Demmel, Uplight’s CTO, showed how Uplight’s technology and solutions are enabling our utility clients and ecosystem partners to drive customer centric load flexibility at scale—maximizing value for energy customers, utility program managers, and grid operators.
After lunch, The Demand Stack session with Kim Winslow from Evergy, Brian Kooiman from the Ad Hoc Group, and Stephanie Bieler from RMI showcased how energy efficiency, virtual power plants, and innovative rate structures are integrating to create truly reliable load flexibility—and how to get started operationalizing it right away.
One of the most moving moments was when Melissa Stockwell delivered her “The Power of Choice” keynote speech to wrap up the day. A former U.S. Army officer and three-time Paralympian, Melissa’s testament to overcoming adversity and the transformative power of personal decision-making resonated with an audience of professionals leading their own energy transition challenges.
Exploring the Future of Clean Energy, Track by Track
The learning extended far beyond the mainstage through our carefully curated breakout sessions across three key tracks:
- The “Energy Customers as MVPs” track explored cutting-edge strategies for activating customers across all segments through personalized and connected experiences.
- Our “Demand is the New Supply” track tackled the pressing need for cost-effective approaches to firm capacity, featuring deep dives into successful rate structures, demand management programs, and virtual power plant deployments.
- The “Integrating Technology” track demonstrated how utilities can harness technology and IT teams to achieve ambitious program objectives, with sessions covering everything from digital strategy for grid flexibility to the practical implementation of distributed energy resource management systems.
Our speakers brought a unique blend of data-driven insights and real-world experience that sparked meaningful dialogue. With all participants sharing challenges, opportunities, and solutions, abstract concepts became actionable strategies.
Post-Event Evening: Hats Off to Denver Style
After a full day of content, we headed over to the iconic Terminal Bar at Denver Union Station, where we had time to unwind and connect with others.
The highlight of the evening was the custom hat-making experience with Denver’s GemHats. Attendees channeled their inner Western spirit, designing personalized hats with custom bands and branding.
Blending Learning, Connection, and Fun
What made Uplight Customer Connect 2025 truly special was the blend of serious professional development with genuine connection and fun. From molecular desserts to meaningful conversations about virtual power plants, and from battery program insights to custom hat designs, the event proved that the clean energy transition isn’t just about technology. It’s also about the passionate, innovative, inspiring people across locations and organizations who can work together to make it happen—one connection, solution, and custom cowboy hat at a time.
