Future Thinking Masterclass: The Future of Utility Service

Join us for the Futures-Think-a-Thon, hosted at the Oracle Innovation Lab in Deerfield, Illinois, on June 4-5, 2024,

This exciting event will introduce you to the world of Futures Thinking. Rooted in principles offered by the Institute of the Future (IFTF), Futures Thinking is a systematic planning approach that will help you acquire the necessary tools, methods, and research capabilities to prepare for uncertain times.

A singular ambition drives this masterclass: to help participants look as far ahead as possible and imagine the future of utility service by asking, "What if?”. Attending will help you transcend the limits of short-term thinking, awaken a sense of urgency within yourself, and drive change in your organization.

Oracle Innovation Lab Tours

The event will include a comprehensive and inspiring tour of Oracle's Innovation Lab, where innovative test beds are incubating solutions to address intricate challenges across diverse industries.

Agenda

Monday, June 3, 2024

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Happy Hour - Cooper's Hawk Winery

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

8:00 AM – Registration

Description: Visit the security desk to get a badge. Members of the U2030 event team will guide you to the Café for breakfast.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast (Café)

Description: Enjoy breakfast with other attendees in Oracle’s café.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – Introductions & Progress on the Vision (Auditorium)

• Ahmad Ababneh (PG&E)
• Vanessa Edmonds (U2030)
• Christina Corcoran (U2030)
• Mike Smith (U2030)
• Marlene Rosenberry (U2030)

Description: Join us as our emcee, Ahmad Ababneh, who will facilitate introductions and asks the U2030 team how it is progressing towards its vision.

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM – Fireside Chat: Mayor’s Welcome & The Village of Deerfield's Carbon Reduction Plan

• Mayor Daniel Shapiro (City of Deerfield)
• Andrew Lichterman (City of Deerfield)
• Paul Applegate (InvoiceCloud)

Description: The Village of Deerfield, IL, is committed to significantly slashing its greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 45% reduction by 2030 and complete elimination by 2040. This ambitious agenda entails transitioning to renewable energy sources, curbing transportation emissions, and minimizing waste-related emissions. To achieve these targets, the village will concentrate on strategies such as community solar projects, electric aggregation initiatives, virtual purchase power agreements, engaging energy brokers, and robust educational campaigns. Central to its approach is mobilizing citizens to participate in the pursuit of these goals. Join this session to learn more about Deerfield's objectives, strategies, and collaborative efforts with corporations and residents to drive impactful change.​

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM – Equity & Inclusion in California’s Energy Transition: Commitments by PG&E & Stakeholders (Auditorium)

• Ahmad Ababneh (PG&E)

Description: Hear about the strategies, challenges, and transformative potential inherent in fostering equitable participation and representation across all facets of the utility’s energy transition. From addressing disparities in access to clean energy resources to promoting diverse voices in decision-making processes, this dialogue seeks to chart a course toward a more inclusive and sustainable energy future for Californians.​

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM – Break

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Fireside Chat: Collaborative Waters: Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Utility Future (Auditorium)

• David Kohn (City of Chicago Department of Water Management)
• John Bitzan (Oracle)

Description: To help ensure the future and sustainability of water services in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding communities, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed David Kohn in 2021 to a pivotal new role as Deputy Commissioner of Regional Partnerships at the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management. His mission is to lead initiatives fostering regional collaboration on water-related issues, an initiative of immense significance in the water management sector.

One of Kohn's principal endeavors is the establishment of the Chicago Water Partners Advisory Council (CWPAC) in 2022. This council, comprising representatives from the various communities and water systems served by Chicago, was formed to foster robust relationships with suburban customers and facilitate collaborative efforts.​

During this session, Mr. Kohn will delve into the inception of the CWPAC and underscore the importance of engaging the city’s wholesale customers on an ongoing basis. He will also shed light on other notable projects.​

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM - Using Data to Track Masterclass Innovations

• Kim Getgen (Innovation Force)

Description: Join us for an insightful session where we unveil a cutting-edge project management tool designed to propel utility innovations forward. Discover how this tool will streamline the tracking of solutions generated during the Design Thinking segments of the masterclass, empowering you to introduce them to your organization and monitor their progress.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM – Working Lunch: Ignite Talks: Enlighten Us but Make it Quick (Auditorium)

• Shawn Adderly (PG&E) – Title TBD
• Paul Applegate (InvoiceCloud) - Title TBD
• Mike Smith, Principal (U2030) – Title TBD
• Katy Cook (Liberty) – Title - TBD
• Courtney Henderson (Hawks Peak Strategies) – Driving Utility Affordability Outcome

Description: Experience dynamic and fast-paced Ignite Talks where speakers each have 5 minutes and 20 visual slides to deliver impactful insights on critical topics shaping the Future of Utility Service.​

100 PM – 1:45 PM – Fireside Chat: BGE’s Holistic Approach Reshaping Utility Services to Reach At-Risk Customers & Beyond (Command Center)

• Ajit Apte (BGE)
• Jod Kaftan (Oracle)

Description: BGE is spearheading the evolution of electricity services with a multifaceted approach designed to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. This strategy's core is a groundbreaking outage management system, driving notable Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) metrics improvements. BGE has successfully united three distinct operating entities into a cohesive whole, amplifying capabilities, and streamlining operations for optimal performance.​

With the recent completion of the Oracle Customer Care and Billing (CC&B) implementation, BGE has further fortified its technological arsenal, revolutionizing service delivery and operational agility. Concurrently, the company is forging ahead with a visionary roadmap for digital channels to redefine customer engagement and service accessibility in the digital era.​

During this session, Ajit Apte, BGE's esteemed Vice President of Customer Operations, will provide in-depth insights into these transformative initiatives. Mr. Apte will illustrate how these strategic endeavors intertwine synergistically, laying the groundwork for a paradigm shift in utility services. Through his expert analysis, attendees will gain a profound understanding of BGE's unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-centricity, positioning the company as a trailblazer.

Join us as Apte navigates through the intricacies of BGE's strategic initiatives, illuminating the path forward for utility services.​

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM – Oracle Industry Lab Tours (3 groups)

Description: Embark on an exciting journey through Oracle's Industry Lab, where innovative test beds are incubating solutions to address intricate challenges across diverse industries, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the future of technology and business in these areas:

• Future of Customer Service
• Future of Operations
• Future of Assets

​2:45 PM – 3:00 PM – Break​

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM - Reflect on Lab Tours (Auditorium)​

3:15 PM - 5:00 PM – Futures Thinking Workshop Introduction - Part 1 (Sherwood)

• Jod Kaftan (Oracle)
• Kim Grego (Oracle)

Description: Dive into the fundamentals of future thinking and explore innovative approaches to anticipate and navigate future scenarios.​

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Dinner – Saranello’s (located in The Westin Chicago Northshore Hotel)​

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast (Café)

Description: Join other attendees for breakfast in the Café.​

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM – Wednesday Welcome & Tuesday Recap (Sherwood)

• Ahmad Ababneh, Vice President of Transmission & Substation Operations, PG&E

Description: Participate in a recap of Tuesday's highlights and hear what's in store for the day.

​8:45 AM - 9:30 - Technology's Role in Transforming Utility Services at NiSource (Auditorium)

• Fred Gomos (NiSource)

Description: In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and global sustainability imperatives, the landscape of utility service stands at a pivotal crossroads. Embark on a journey of exploration and innovation with our esteemed keynote speaker, Fred Gomos. As the Director of Strategy & Risk Integration at NiSource, he will share the utility's vision of the future and technology roadmap to help deliver the future of utility services for NiSource customers.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Unleashing Creativity Group Activity

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – Break

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Futures Thinking Workshop Exercises (Sherwood)

• Jod Kaftan (Oracle)
• Kim Grego (Oracle)

Description: Imagine and analyze different future scenarios based on current trends and potential disruptions and outline solutions that encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation to develop solutions that address the future of utility services.​

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Group Presentations (Sherwood)

Description: Present your future scenarios and solutions to the group.

​12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Silent Voting & Lunch (Sherwood & Café)

Description: Vote on your favorite solutions.​

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM – Awards (Command Center)

Description: Learn which solutions rank highest for further exploration at your utility.​

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM – How to Bring Future Thinking to Your Organization