Next Generation Network (NGN) Paper Competition

2026 NGN Paper Competition Information

The CIGRE-US National Committee Next Generation Network (NGN) is holding their annual synopsis (abstract) and paper competition to encourage students and early professionals to share their experience and knowledge with others in the industry.

The CIGRE-US NGN Synopsis Template must be used to format the synopsis for submittal. A list of preferred topics to align with the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium can be found on the Call for Papers or below. Paper topic selection from this list is encouraged but not required. The authors of the top 10 synopses will prepare technical papers. The authors of the top five papers will present their papers at the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium in Richmond, Virginia, where one grand prize will be awarded.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the competition, you must fulfill both requirements 1 and 2:

1. Be a current CIGRE member located in the United States. 2026 student membership is free!
   • Register Here!
2. Be either a or b
   • a) Undergraduate student or graduate student with an interest in power systems, or
   • b) Power system professional with 10 years or less full-time experience.
     • Power system experience for this competition is classified as any full-time experience beyond the last degree received in the power field.

THE SYMPOSIUM SCOPE COVERS THE FOLLOWING GENERAL TOPICS:

Large Load / Data Centers / AI: Impacts of AI on the Utility Business from Tools to Load Growth, Serving Large Loads (Planning to Operations), Interconnection Process for Large Loads, Stability Risks Due to Large Load Swings, Impacts to Grid Reliability, Restoration Practices Considering Large Loads, Technical Studies

Adapting to a Changing Climate: Wildfire Avoidance and Mitigation, Climate Impacts on Grid Assets, Decarbonization Impacts and Tradeoffs, Grid Hardening, Environmental Impacts Mitigations, Life-Cycle Assessment, Generation Planning, Migration Effects

T&D Modeling, Automation, and Data Analytics: Integrated Resource Planning, Asset Management, Real-time Modeling, Hardware-in-the Loop (HIL), Control-HIL, Digital-Twin, DER Modeling, Hybrid AC/DC Systems, Cyber-Attack Modeling, EV Modeling and Simulation, EV Planning Studies, Synchrophasor Technology, Power Quality, AMI Data, Low-Cost Sensors, Big Data, Quantum Computing, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning

Enhancing Grid Resilience: Infrastructure Resilience, Microgrids, Resilience Quantification, Resilience Planning, FLISR, AC and DC Microgrids, Proactive Reconfiguration, Community Resilience, Localized Resilience Benefits 

Grid Operation, Automation & Management: Advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Private LTE/5G, Microgrids, Demand Response, Energy Efficiency, Cybersecurity Standards, Advanced Communication Applications, Fiber, Broadband, IoT-based Wireless Technologies, Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN), Edge Computing

Intelligent Protection and Controls: Voltage Optimization, T&D Monitoring, Adaptive Relaying, Automation and Restoration, Bi-directional Power Flow, IEC 61850, Digital Substation, System Reconfiguration, DERMS, Home and Building Automation, DER Integration and Control, Digital Substations

Beneficial Electrification: Smart Cities, Smart Villages, Smart Homes, Managed Charging, Fleet Electrification, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Autonomous Vehicles, Extreme Fast Charging, Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV), Wireless Charging, Building Electrification, Conservation Voltage Reduction, Industrial Electrification

Renewables Integration: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Mobile Storage, Long Duration Storage, Solar + Storage, Mobile Storage Applications, Innovations in Battery Chemistry, Battery Diagnostics, Renewable Integration Planning

SUBMISSIONS

SYNOPSIS

All participants must submit their synopsis using the CIGRE USNC NGN Synopsis Template by April 27, 2026 to Jodie Lupton.

SYNOPSIS GUIDELINES

• Use the provided Synopsis Template. If it is not used, your synopsis will be returned for reformatting.
• The main author (first listed author) must be a US CIGRE NGN member.
• The synopsis should be between 500 and 750 words. 
• It should not contain any pictures, graphics, or charts.
• References can be included if necessary to properly credit outside works.

Ten participants will then be selected to submit full technical papers which will need to be submitted no later than August 3, 2026 to Jodie Lupton.

PAPER

The top 10 participants must send their full technical papers by August 3, 2026 to Jodie Lupton.

• Upon notification, the 10 participants will receive the NGN Paper Template which they are required to use for their technical papers.

Five participants will then be selected to present their papers at the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium. They will be notified by Jodie Lupton prior to the event.

PRESENTATION

• The five participants will each present at the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium on (October 26-29, 2026) during the Symposium in Richmond, Virginia. Each participant will have ten minutes for their presentation, followed by five minutes of Q&A.
• The first-place winner will be announced the following day at the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium.

PRIZES

• All top five participants will receive complimentary Grid of the Future Symposium registration (up to $500 value).
• The winning participant will have the option to choose between registration to the 2028 CIGRE Paris Session or the 2027 CIGRE Grid of the Future Symposium. In either case, the winner will receive a travel stipend of up to $3000 as well as the opportunity to submit for a presentation slot at the preferred event.
• All prizes are contingent on attendance at the events.

RULES

• All synopses must follow the Paper Competition Guidelines and use the NGN Paper Competition Synopsis Template.
• The main author (first listed author) must be a US CIGRE NGN member.
• During the synopsis step, if the participant’s synopsis is not selected to prepare a paper, participants are encouraged to prepare a paper based on the synopsis and submit it for the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium.
• If a participant’s paper is selected as one of the top 5 to present at the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium, they may submit it to the NGN competition ONLY. They are NOT allowed to submit the paper for the technical program of the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium.
• If the participant’s paper is not selected to be in the top 5 papers for the NGN Paper Competition, the participant is encouraged to submit the paper to be included in the technical program for the 2026 Grid of the Future Symposium. The deadline for submission will be extended to accommodate NGN paper competition participants.

CONTACT

Please contact Jodie Lupton with any questions or clarifications.