Building Power Generation Capacity and Reliability for Tomorrow’s Energy Demands

Last week, our team had the privilege of attending POWERGEN International in San Antonio, and what an exceptional experience it was. The energy throughout the conference was on display as engineering and industrial professionals gathered to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our industry today. 

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the POWERGEN organizers, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees who made this year’s event so valuable. The conversations we had, the insights we gained, and the connections we made will shape how we approach the complex energy landscape ahead. 

Building Capacity for an AI-Infused Future 

A common word heard throughout the conference was capacity; not just maintaining it but strategically expanding it and ensuring it meets unprecedented demand. With artificial intelligence applications expanding across every sector and data centers expanding exponentially, the power generation industry faces a fundamental challenge: how do we build enough capacity to fuel this transformation while maintaining the reliability and cost-effectiveness our communities depend on? 

The answer, as it became clear through panel discussions and exhibitor demonstrations, isn’t singular. It requires a multifaceted approach that combines innovative generation sources with smarter asset management. 

We heard about microgrids that can provide localized resilience while supporting broader grid stability. Nuclear energy, both large-scale facilities and small modular reactors (SMRs), featured prominently as a carbon-free baseload solution capable of meeting sustained high demand. During peak periods and rapid-response needs, reciprocating engine units continue to prove their worth, offering flexibility that complements renewable integration. 

But capacity building isn’t solely about constructing new infrastructure. Some of the most impactful conversations centered on optimizing existing assets to extract more value from what we’ve already built. This means equipping our workforce with better information systems that enable faster, more informed decision-making. It means deploying advanced diagnostic tools that can identify potential equipment failures before they cascade into costly, unplanned downtime. Every megawatt-hour we preserve through smarter operations is one we don’t need to build from scratch. 

Perhaps most importantly, we discussed workforce capacity. Because plants and equipment are only as effective as the people operating them. The industry faces a critical need to attract, develop, and retain skilled professionals. Fortunately, power generation offers something truly compelling: a meaningful mission. We’re not just building careers; we’re powering the world now and in the future. That’s why it’s worth rallying behind. 

Delivering Reliability and Resiliency Under Pressure 

Another word that emerged from the conference was reliability; maintaining it consistently while preparing for the unexpected. Mother Nature provided an unplanned but specific demonstration of our industry’s importance. As the conference wrapped up with temperatures in the comfortable 60s, a winter storm was already bearing down on San Antonio and much of the United States. By Friday evening, freezing temperatures had arrived, and grumblings about what lay ahead turned into real operational challenges throughout the weekend. 

This served as an immediate, tangible reminder of why reliability and preparedness aren’t just buzzwords. At the conference, what we saw was the industry mobilized. Organizations were already implementing protocols and prepping teams to ensure continuous operations through the storm. Communication channels were activated, and even conference attendees were preparing for the weekend. 

These moments underscore the critical importance of preparation. This took the form of protecting equipment from expected seasonal variations and planning for non-normal scenarios that increasingly define our operating environment. Whether it’s unusual for cold snaps, extended heat waves, or other extreme weather events, our infrastructure must be resilient enough to perform when communities need it most. 

Technology plays a vital role here, too. Advanced monitoring systems can identify vulnerabilities and potential failures before weather events strike, allowing for proactive interventions rather than reactive repairs. Equally important is our industry’s commitment to learning from past challenges; analyzing what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve our response protocols for next time. 

Moving Forward Together 

As we reflect on POWERGEN 2026, what stands out most is the collaborative spirit. Despite competitive pressures and diverse approaches, there’s a shared commitment to solving hard problems and keeping the lights on for everyone. 

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to making this conference such a success. The best practices we shared, the innovations we explored, and the relationships we strengthened will help us continue doing what we do best: powering the world, reliably and sustainably, no matter what challenges come our way. 

We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and the progress we’ll make together in the months ahead. 

Helping Improve Power Generation 

If you weren’t able to attend POWERGEN this year or stop by our booth, we’d love to connect with you about how we support power generation facilities. We combine our technology with your expertise to provide data insights that have a real impact on operations, through our data historian HanPrism for comprehensive asset monitoring and our APR solution HanPHI for advanced anomaly detection.