The 2027 AI x Energy Summit will feature six expert panels. If you would like to serve as a panelist, please email Dr. Chris Mi at cmi@sdsu.edu.
The 2026 AI x Energy Summit featured six expert panels. Click this link to see the details of the 2026 panels.
Panel #1: SST Topologies and System Architectures
Panel Chair: Ted Bohn, Argonne National Laboratory.
Join Watt Systems, DG Matrix, Zinsight, Heron, and other emerging SST companies to discuss SST architecture, including cascaded H-bridges, modular multilevel, input-series/output-parallel, multiport SSTs, AC–AC versus AC–DC architectures, multi-stage and single-stage topologies, and comparisons with hybrid transformers.
Panel #2: Power Devices, SiC, GaN, 1.2kV or 3.3kV, SSCBs
Chair: CTO, a major SiC device Manufacturer
Join Navitas, Infineon, Leapers, and major semiconductor device manufsaturers to learn more about SiC MOSFETs, high-voltage IGBTs, GaN devices, emerging 10–15 kV devices, gate drives, insulation coordination, partial discharge, creepage/clearance, and medium-voltage protection.
Panel #3: High-Frequency Magnetics, Packaging, and Thermal Management
Chair: Matt Lee, Associate Professor, Purdue University.
Join a discussion with manufacturers of major transformer companies, quick connectors, high-frequency isolation transformers, planar magnetics, magnetic materials, winding design, dielectric materials, cooling, power density, packaging, and manufacturability.
Panel #4: Fusion for Data Centers
Chair: Moein Borghei, Ph.D., Avalanche Energy
Join major fusion companies and researchers to learn the latest developments in FUsion energy. We will discuss the potential role of fusion energy in supplying reliable, high-density, and low-carbon electricity for future data centers. Topics include fusion-based generation concepts, integration with medium-voltage solid-state transformers, DC distribution, energy storage, microgrids, cooling and thermal management, power-quality requirements, and grid interconnection. The panel will also address the technical, economic, regulatory, and deployment challenges that must be resolved before fusion can become a practical energy source for large-scale artificial-intelligence and cloud-computing facilities.
Panel #5: SST Control, Protection, Reliability, and Grid Services
Chair: Dr. Tong Huang, Assistant Professor, San Diego State University, NSF CAREER Recipient and PI of NSF ASENT Project.
Join Dr. Tong Huang to discuss SST control, including fast voltage regulation, power-flow control, fault management, cybersecurity, condition monitoring, lifetime prediction, interoperability, and grid-forming/grid-support functions. SSTs are valuable not only for voltage conversion but also for regulation and controllable power flow.
Panel #6: Grid-Interactive and Sustainable Data Centers, Energy Storage, Onsite Generation, From Medium-Voltage SSTs to Flexible AI Loads
Chair: Dr. Lingping Kong, Assistant Professor, San Diego State University.
Learn more about renewable integration, battery and long-duration storage, microgrids, demand response, workload flexibility, waste-heat recovery, liquid cooling, and coordination with utilities. DOE’s recent data-center recommendations emphasize efficiency, operational flexibility, and closer coordination between data centers and the electric grid.