Join us for the 5th edition of the Digital Forum! A must-attend event for key players in the electrical industry in Quebec, Canada, and internationally: contractors, manufacturers, solution developers, engineering and consulting professionals, and experts in digital technologies (artificial intelligence, quantum computing).

For this 5th edition, the event will focus on the predictability, reliability, and optimization of energy networks.

A leading platform in Quebec, the AIEQ Digital Forum brings together leaders from here and abroad to examine the key trends and technologies that will shape the future of smart energy systems.

Topics to be covered in this 5th edition: 

Program 

Day 1  - Tuesday, March 10, 2026

PROGRAM

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 10, 2026

9:00 a.m. – Opening remarks

Speakers

• Marie Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer, AIEQ
• Alain Sayegh, Chair of the Board of Directors, AIEQ, and Vice President, Consulting Services, CGI
• François Brassard, Vice President, Integrated Design and Energy System Operations, Hydro-Québec
• Bernard Duval, President and Chief Executive Officer, Numana

9:20 a.m. – Interconnections: between provinces and energy types | A comparative look at Europe and Canada

Drawing on European and Canadian experience, this panel will explore models for interconnecting networks, regulatory and operational issues, and the contribution of digital technology to the planning and operation of interconnected networks.

Speakers

• Peter Kuffel, Elia Grid Internationa
• Olivier Feix, Elia Group/50Hertz (Germany/Belgium)
• Michael Powell, Electricity Canada
• Mikael Dahlgren, Hitachi Energy

Moderator: Stéphane Huot, CIMA+

10:20 a.m. – Presentation: AI in the energy sector: from strategy to execution

This presentation invites organizations to look beyond the technological discourse to assess their actual maturity by addressing the key dimensions of success: strategic vision, skills and culture, process modernization, technological choices, and cybersecurity issues.

Speaker

• Souheil Sabbagh, BBA

10:45 a.m. – Break (15 min)

11:00 a.m. – Panel: Energy System Architectures: Interoperability, Reliability, and Networks of the Future

This panel brings together experts in strategic planning, infrastructure engineering, and network architecture to explore how to design high-performance energy systems—from the territory to the power grid. Discussions will focus on structural choices in architecture, interactions between physical infrastructure and existing systems, and the trade-offs between innovation, operational reliability, and long-term vision.

Speakers

• Ramy Azar, AtkinsRéalis
• Philip Duguay, consultant, Réseau Canada Conseil
• Carlyle Deligny, Artelys

Moderator: Simon Langlois-Bertrand, Trottier Energy Institute

11:45 a.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Securing energy systems in the quantum era: from cybersecurity to sovereign infrastructure
Numana will present Kirq, Quebec's quantum communication test bed, as a strategic tool for anticipating these challenges and will highlight the importance of testing secure solutions adapted to critical infrastructure today.

Speakers

• Philippe Barraud, Numana

1:35 p.m. – Presentation: Data centers and AI: new challenges for the stability and efficiency of energy networks

The rise of AI-dedicated data centers is putting unprecedented pressure on electrical grids. Characterized by massive and variable energy demand, these infrastructures are becoming critical assets for the stability and planning of energy systems. This workshop presents the main challenges associated with AI data centers and highlights technological and architectural solutions that can reduce their impact while improving the energy efficiency and resilience of networks.

Speaker

• Michel Carreau, Hatch

2:05 p.m. – Panel: Balancing electricity grids in the age of storage and digital technology

Understanding the role of storage and digital technology in grid stability and optimization. Discussions will focus on the integration of energy storage, advanced digital tools, and their contribution to peak shaving, intermittency management, and grid reliability.

Speakers

• Darren Suarez, Boralex
• Matthew Vos, Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
• Marc-André Forget, Dcbel

Moderator: Jean Habel, CanREA

2:50 p.m. – Break (30 min)

3:20 p.m. – Presentation: Open-source energy modeling: a lever for transparency and coordination in the energy transition

Present how open-source energy modeling can strengthen digital sovereignty.

Speaker

• Martha Frysztacki, Open Energy Transition (Germany)

3:50 p.m. – Panel: Automation and modernization of power plants/substations/distribution networks

Discussions will focus on advanced automation, digitization of electrical substations, control and protection systems, and the use of data for predictive maintenance and asset management. The panel will highlight field experience, key technological choices, and success factors for modernizing critical infrastructure while ensuring service continuity, cybersecurity, and long-term scalability.

Speakers

• Caroline Tremblay, WSP Canada
• Stéphane Huot, CIMA+
• Alex Melançon, CO7 Technologies
• Eric Lebeau, Eaton

Moderator: Denis Tanguay, Executive Committee, Decentralized Energy Canada

4:35 p.m. – Presentation: AI Solutions for High-Voltage Stations – Transmission Grid

In the spring of 2025, Accenture launched an innovation project to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) applied to electricity transmission infrastructure. This initiative is part of Hydro-Québec's vision to map its entire transmission network in 3D in order to better understand, visualize, and manage its assets and inventories over the long term. The results, opportunities and next steps will be presented at the conference.

Speakers

• Véronique Laberge and Valérie Lavoie, Accenture

5:20 p.m. – End of activities – Day 1

5:30 p.m. – Networking cocktail reception

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Celebration of the AIEQ's 110th anniversary

AIEQ 110th anniversary celebration – Cocktail reception and dinner – networking*

Click here to view the Preliminary Program for the 110th Anniversary Celebrations (newsletter available in French only)

* Please note that the 110th anniversary celebration dinner is a separate event from the Forum, even though it is held on one of the two days of the Forum. A specific ticket for the dinner must be purchased.
 

Day 2 – Wednesday, March 11, 2026

7:30 a.m. – Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Welcome address – Marie Lapointe, AIEQ

8:45 a.m. – Panel: Cybersecurity in the age of AI: toward resilient and autonomous energy systems

This panel will bring together experts in cybersecurity, strategic consulting, and innovation to shed light on new threats in the age of AI and structural responses for the energy sector. Discussions will focus on the evolution of the security framework for critical infrastructure, the contribution of AI to incident detection and response, and priorities for building energy systems that are more autonomous, reliable, and sovereign.

Speakers

• Richard Larose, Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity
• Bernard Duval, Numana
• Moshe Toledano, PwC
• Eric Labrie, Fortinet
• Patrick Ford, Schneider Electric
  
  Moderator: Alexandre Préfontaine, BDC

9:45 a.m. – Panel: The evolution of digital twins in the electric industry

Over the past decade, digital twins have gone from promising concept to initial operational deployments. But what is the reality on the ground? Where is value being created... and what challenges remain? This panel will bring together leading experts to take stock of what has really changed—beyond the technological discourse.

Speakers

• Shah Nawaz, Siemens
• Rémi Duquette, MAYA HTT
• Frédérick Gosselin, Polytechnique Montréal
• Denis Thibault, Hydro-Québec Research Institute (IREQ)

Moderator: Christian Déjean, CGI

10:30 a.m. – Break (30 min)

11:00 a.m. – Workshop 1: Quebec's energy trajectories: modeling today to decide tomorrow

A better understanding of the links between energy and the economy is essential for planning a successful transition: ensuring energy security, maintaining competitiveness, and achieving carbon neutrality targets by 2050 in Quebec. As part of the MEIE's Integrated Energy Resource Management Plan (PGIRE), Esmia Consultants will present the results of this initiative.

Speakers

• Anna Cybulsky, Esmia Consultants
• Andrea Vallejos, Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE)
• Edouard Clément, Energy Modeling Hub

11:00 a.m. – Workshop 2: AI and distribution networks: behind the scenes

Real-world feedback on the implementation of AI in an EDF Group electrical distribution network. Speakers will present the successes, limitations, and real impacts on network manager tasks, as well as the role of HR, IT, and supplier teams. The session will take the form of an open conversation to help participants envision their own digital transformation.

Speakers

• Olivier Ebert, Capgemini
• Mathieu Caluer, EDF International Networks

11:50 a.m. – Lunch

12:20 p.m. – Strategic lunch conversation: Prosumers and the electrical transition: toward a decentralized energy model in Canada

Speakers

• Frederick Morency, Schneider Electric
• Pierre-Olivier Pineau, Chair in Energy Sector Management, HEC Montréal
• William Harvey, Dunsky

1:15 p.m. – Panel: Energy management: toward a more agile and efficient ecosystem

This panel brings together experts in digital technologies, energy optimization, and critical infrastructure to explore how new approaches to energy management can build more agile, predictable, and efficient ecosystems. Discussions will focus on real-time data integration, energy asset orchestration, demand optimization, and the role of digital platforms and AI in operational decision-making.

Speakers

• Christian Déjean, CGI
• Jeremy S. Boucher, VadiMAP
• Rosana Reyes, ABB
• Shah Nawaz, Siemens

Moderator: Denis Larivée, Energère

2:00 p.m. – Workshop 3: Rethinking manufacturing capacity: transforming our factories to support hypergrowth in the electrical sector

Speakers

The electrical sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, and manufacturing plants are now facing increased pressure on their production capacity. In this context, where speed, flexibility, and performance are becoming strategic factors, factory layout is no longer a simple logistical exercise: it is a real lever for competitiveness. This workshop offers a concrete and structured approach to help companies rethink their production spaces, optimize their flows, and sustainably increase their capacity.

Speakers

• Romain Condaminas, Talan

2:00 p.m. – Workshop 4: Anticipating the transition to quantum cybersecurity

The modernization of power grids aims to replace aging assets, improve reliability, and achieve real-time visibility. Electric utilities are accelerating their digital transformation digitizing substations, adding sensors, and migrating to the cloud while also assessing the potential of quantum computing to optimize planning, resilience, and cybersecurity. How can organizations prepare their cybersecurity for the post-quantum era?

Speakers

• Gacia Kekejian and Jean-Thierry Avocahn, Hitachi

2:45 p.m. – Break (30 min)

3:15 p.m. – Panel: Innovation and Electrification Technologies in the Transportation Industry

The electrification of public transit and rail transportation today involves much more than simply replacing engines: it requires advanced electrical architectures, energy management systems, automation, digital technology, and network integration. Panelists will discuss the technical and operational challenges, key technology choices, and conditions for success in deploying large-scale electrification solutions while ensuring the predictability, reliability, and optimization of energy and transportation networks.

Speakers

• Michael Habouri, WSP Canada
• Stephanie Medeiros, Schneider Electric Canada
• Ian Hodkinson, Alstom Group
• Christos Kritsidimas, Nova Bus

Moderator: Martin Bussière, ABB Canada

4:00 p.m. – Closing remarks

Speakers

• Marie Lapointe, Executive Director, AIEQ
• Alain Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AIEQ, and Vice President, Consulting Services, CGI

* Please contact Marie-Philippe Bédard to take advantage of a promotional rate for a room at the Four Seasons between March 9 and 13, 2026.

*** Ticket sales are now closed as all tickets for the Forum are sold out. A few tickets are still available for the 110th anniversary celebration dinner. No purchases will be possible on site. Thank you for your understanding.

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