PowerTest26: Key Takeaways from the Premier Electrical Power Safety and Reliability Conference
Key Takeaways
- The next 15 years will see unprecedented growth in power demand, driven by electrification, AI, and grid modernization, making reliability more critical than ever.
- Industry experts emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors like safety, communication, and strategic planning amid economic volatility.
- The event showcased innovative products, including new testing technologies and safety equipment, alongside discussion panels on AI, IoT, and renewable energy integration.
“Powered to Lead; Wired to Learn” was the theme of this year’s PowerTest26 conference, held March 2-6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Hosted by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA), the event brought together more than 1,200 electrical testing professionals, offered a trade show with nearly 100 exhibitors, and provided more than 75 technical training sessions presented by the industry’s leading subject matter experts (SMEs), making this one of the industry’s premier gatherings for education, networking, and technology. After spending the week speaking with attendees, walking the trade show floor, sitting in on many of the technical sessions, and interviewing several of the speakers, that theme proved to be especially fitting. No matter whom you were talking to, the message was clear: There has never been a more exciting — or possibly more important — time to work in the electrical industry.
Market outlook
“The next 15 years are going to see more growth in demand for power than we’ve ever seen,” said Chris Ferrell, CEO of EndeavorB2B (EC&M’s parent company), in his presentation at the NETA Member & Alliance meeting on March 1. Speaking to NETA’s Board of Directors and member companies on the state of the industry, Ferrell shared insights drawn from Endeavor’s broad reach across the electrical infrastructure sector through brands such as EC&M and T&D World. In an interview with EC&M Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson (see video interviews with Ferrell and other SMEs below), Ferrell pointed to several major forces driving this surge in demand, including electrification of everything, the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers, grid modernization, and the reshoring of manufacturing in the United States. As electricity becomes even more central to daily life and economic growth, Ferrell maintained that reliability will become just as important as generation itself. “The next decade won’t just increase demand for electricity — it will increase demand for certainty,” said Ferrell, reinforcing that electrical testing is how we deliver that certainty.
New product forum and trade show
Always one of the most highly attended events of the week, on March 2, more than 20 companies delivered rapid-fire presentations on the latest innovations in electrical testing and power reliability, introducing groundbreaking technologies and new products. Nearly 100 vendors showcased their offerings the next day at the annual trade show. This event also featured three industry expert panels on the PowerTalk Stage, sponsored by Protec Equipment Resources and discussed “Emerging Tech Frontiers: Monitoring, Software, and the Digital Power Shift,” “AI and IoT: Transforming Power System Operations and Maintenance,” and “Renewable Energy Optimizing the Future: Maintenance & Testing in Solar and Wind Generation.”
Also new this year was a hands-on safety exhibit, the “Electrical Safety Immersion Experience,” featuring new PPE and safety technologies. The exhibit gave attendees the chance to test their skills in real-world scenarios.
Keynote address
Sharing his thoughts on the broader economic climate and what it means for the power industry, Dan Shaffer, an investment advisor, trader, business owner, and former guest contributor on the Fox Business Network, captured the audience’s attention right away. Stressing the unprecedented speed at which today’s business environment seems to be shifting, Shaffer noted that financial markets are moving faster and with greater volatility than ever before. “What would normally take three months to a year is happening in five minutes,” he said.
Driven in part by years of monetary policy and global capital shifts that have disrupted traditional price relationships, he admitted there is definitely uncertainty right now. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the power sector is positioned for continued growth because electricity remains essential. Imparting his years of financial wisdom to the audience, Shaffer encouraged attendees to focus on what they can control. Some of these best practices included clearly defining goals: documenting, documenting, and documenting everything; tracking financial performance; and being willing to move away from losing strategies quickly. “Hope is not a position — it’s an attitude,” he said, explaining that successful businesses must cut losses and focus on areas that generate cash flow. Offering his own personal trading experience as evidence (he talked about losing about half the time), he advised the audience to remember “the best loser wins.”
He also urged leaders to surround themselves with strong advisors and collaborators and to concentrate on controllable factors such as employee relationships and customer communication rather than external variables like tariffs or supply chain disruptions. Looking ahead, Shaffer suggested the power industry could also see shifts in energy generation, particularly increased interest in nuclear power as companies and utilities search for reliable sources of electricity to support growing demand.
Key session takeaways
Again this year, Editor-in-Chief of EC&M, Ellen Parson, had the opportunity to sit down with prominent subject matter experts/panelists during the event, representing each of the conference tracks, including equipment and reliability, electrical safety, emerging technologies, sales and management, relays, transformers, and electrical equipment maintenance. The following individuals shared key takeaways from their presentations in short video chat interviews below:
Chris Ferrell (power industry market trends)
This interview discusses how rapidly rising electricity demand is transforming the power sector and creating new challenges for utilities and electrical infrastructure. The conversation highlights why reliability, testing, and proactive power system management are becoming increasingly important as electrification and expanding technologies place greater strain on the grid.
Dan Shaffer (keynote address)
In this segment, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson and Dan Shaffer discuss how electrical firm industry leadership can navigate economic uncertainty and still identify opportunities for growth. Despite market volatility, Shaffer maintains that rising electricity demand and electrification trends make the power sector resilient.
Terry Becker (electrical safety and maintenance)
In this video, Ellen interviews electrical safety expert Terry Becker about common gaps in electrical maintenance programs and why properly documenting and implementing a compliant Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) is increasingly critical. Becker explains how updated standards like NFPA 70B and CSA Z463 are shifting maintenance from recommended practices to more prescriptive requirements, emphasizing the link between maintenance, electrical safety, and system reliability.
Lee Howard and Jacob Rioux (grounding equipment testing)
Lee Howard and Jacob Rioux educate Ellen and the audience about the differences between common grounding test methods used in the field and when each should be applied. The discussion explains advantages and limitations of each technique, making it important for technicians to choose the right method to obtain accurate measurements of ground resistance and system performance.
Bibek Karki (electric vehicle supply equipment and charging)
Bibek Karki of IPS PowerServe talks with Ellen about potential electrical hazards associated with EV charging infrastructure and why thorough hazard assessments are critical as EV installations expand. Karki explains that safety evaluations must consider the entire upstream electrical system — not just the charger — and highlights risks such as arc flash and shock hazards in Level 2 EV supply equipment along with the importance of following NFPA safety standards during maintenance and troubleshooting.
Jon Bucciarelli (transformer reliability)
Jon Bucciarelli, president of SDMyers, enlightens Ellen and the audience about the key principles behind his presentation “The Eight Truths of Transformer Reliability.” Bucciarelli explains that transformer failures are often broader reliability and business failures, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing asset criticality, interpreting oil and dissolved gas analysis, and using monitoring data to make proactive maintenance decisions that extend transformer life and reduce risk.
Mose Ramieh (training)
Ellen interviews Mose Ramieh of CBS Field Services to uncover the secrets to success on how to become a high-performing electrical technician in today’s power industry. Ramieh emphasizes that developing disciplined, accountable professionals with strong technical skills and leadership qualities is essential to improving reliability and addressing the industry’s ongoing skilled labor shortage.
Booth visits
Making the rounds at the trade show on March 2, I also got the scoop on what's new with many of the manufacturers. Here's an example of a quick video highlighting the RSK-CSH-W Chicken Switch Hitter product from CBS ArcSafe, just introduced in December of last year. Watch this booth visit interview I had with Ben Walterscheid, vice president of power products at CBS Arc Safe, a Group CBS company, for a recap of this innovative new product.
About the Author
Ellen Parson
Editor-in-Chief - EC&M
Ellen Parson is the Editor-in-Chief for EC&M. She has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She's been a business-to-business writer and editor for more than 25 years, most of which have been covering the construction and electrical industries. Contact her at [email protected].