New Topic Areas Electrify the 2026 State Energy Conference of NC
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) looks forward to hosting the State Energy Conference of North Carolina each year. The two-day premier event brings professionals from across the energy industry together to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of energy in North Carolina and beyond.
This event sees upwards of 800 attendees annually and is ideal for professionals such as:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Attorneys
- Municipal Planners
- Real Estate Brokers
- Energy and Sustainability Managers
- Facility and Operations Personnel
- Property and Asset Managers
- Decision-makers and Executives
NCCETC has planned and organized the State Energy Conference for over 10 years, but the conference has a long history prior to this, as the Sustainable Energy Conference. The longevity of this conference is sustained by the Center’s commitment to creating a transformative event that is continuously changing to reflect the evolving state of the energy industry. Each year, the conference offers multiple tracks tailored to industry interests that provide opportunities for individuals to earn professional continuing education credits.
This year, NCCETC has introduced six new tracks that will serve as the overarching conference topic areas:
Grid Scale Resources: Sessions will focus on utility scale renewables, nuclear, battery storage, transmission and distribution, grid modernization, resilience, carbon planning, and other related areas.
Distributed Resources: Covers rooftop solar, behind-the-meter storage, microgrids, community solar, virtual power plants, and more.
Electrification & Industrial Loads: Sessions within this track will include topics on building transportation and electrification and new large-scale loads, such as data centers and manufacturing processes.
Load Flexibility: Topics related to demand response, managed charging, grid-interactive loads and utility rate design will fall under this track.
Energy Efficiency & Building Technologies: Includes sessions on building sector efficiency, weatherization, energy codes, and various technology solutions.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Sessions within this track will focus on emerging technologies, research, regulatory frameworks, and market innovation.
Real-world case studies and success stories will be featured in various sessions to allow attendees to explore the latest best practices and participate in solution-focused discussions. Behind each track is a team of professionals with expertise in these topic areas. NCCETC staff are working both internally and externally to connect a multi-sector network of dynamic speakers dedicated to advancing North Carolina’s energy future.
Senior Program Director for Policy & Markets Nick Montoni says, “The State Energy Conference tracks reflect the changing and growing energy landscape in North Carolina. Energy supply is becoming more distributed as households and businesses invest in their own generation, energy demand is forecast to rise, and businesses of all kinds, including clean energy manufacturing, look to invest in North Carolina. This conference provides a forum to discuss these opportunities in North Carolina, bringing together experts from across the state to discuss these distinct opportunities and more.”
In addition to recruiting engaging panelists and moderators, the Center brings industry organizations from across the Southeast to the McKimmon Center, where exhibitors can engage in meaningful discussions that lead to long-standing partnerships.
The conference represents various professional sectors, including small businesses, energy companies, innovation and clean tech firms, real estate developers, colleges and universities, corporations and large enterprises, state government and state agencies, and nonprofit and community organizations. This event provides the platform for exhibitors to learn, collaborate, and lead while advancing unique business opportunities. Learn more about joining as an exhibitor.
Flexible sponsorship packages are also available to offer unique branding, speaking, and engagement benefits to organizations looking to maximize their impact during the event. Sponsorship packages align with organizations’ goals and budget, from leadership-level broad visibility to targeted session opportunities for networking breaks, luncheons, and receptions. Sponsorship is one of the best ways to position an organization as a key partner in North Carolina’s energy future. Click here to view the Sponsorship Prospectus and register as a sponsor here.
The State Energy Conference provides the prime opportunity to connect with industry leaders, discover best practices, explore emerging technologies, engage in policy discussions, and much more. NCCETC is excited to deliver actionable insights that foster both regional and national impact this year with brand new tracks that focus on the most pressing aspects of today’s energy industry.
The 2026 State Energy Conference of North Carolina will be held at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC, from April 28 to 29, 2026. The McKimmon Center at NC State University serves as a hub for lifelong professional development and continuing education opportunities.
Register now to become a key part of North Carolina’s energy future. Early bird registration is open through March 20, 2026. Standard registration will be open from March 21 to April 23, 2026, and on-site registration will be available during the event.