Clean Power for AI at Scale

EUCG is excited to welcome Aron Patrick, Vice President of Research and Development at PPL Corporation, as a featured speaker at the 2026 EUCG Fall Workshop.

As Vice President of Research and Development, Aron is responsible for accelerating the deployment and commercialization of emerging energy and decarbonization technologies across the electric power sector. He leads PPL's external research partnerships with leading universities, national laboratories, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), where he serves on the EPRI Research Advisory Committee. Aron also oversees PPL's strategic venture capital investments through PPL Technology Ventures LLC and leads the company's strategy for advanced generation technologies, including nuclear energy, carbon capture, and energy storage.

Aron will present "Clean Power for AI at Scale," an insightful session exploring how renewables, nuclear, carbon capture, and smart grid innovation can meet the next wave of electricity demand. As artificial intelligence continues to drive unprecedented growth in energy consumption, this presentation will examine the technologies and strategies utilities must consider to deliver reliable, resilient, and sustainable power at scale.

We are thrilled to have Aron join us in Louisville to share his expertise and forward-looking perspective on one of the most important challenges—and opportunities—facing our industry. His experience at the forefront of research, innovation, and emerging energy technologies will provide valuable insights for utility professionals, industry leaders, and decision-makers alike. This promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking session that attendees won't want to miss.

Click here to see his full bio

Energy Challenges and Opportunities with Carbon Constraint & Demand Growth

EUCG is pleased to welcome Dr. Mahendra Sunkara, a highly accomplished researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, and leader in renewable energy innovation. Dr. Sunkara is the founding Director of the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, Professor of Chemical Engineering, and University Scholar at the University of Louisville.

His extensive research focuses on renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies, including solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen production, electrochromics, advanced catalysts, and nanomaterials. Dr. Sunkara has published more than 170 peer-reviewed journal articles, co-authored a book on inorganic nanowires, and been awarded more than 30 U.S. patents. His work has been cited approximately 14,800 times, reflecting its significant impact across the scientific and engineering communities.

Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Sunkara has demonstrated a remarkable ability to move innovative energy technologies toward real-world application. He founded the Conn Center in 2009 and developed it into a center of excellence focused on commercializable renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies. He also founded ADEM Technologies, which brought advanced catalysts and adsorbents into commercial-scale production for customers around the world, as well as REBECCA, a regional consortium connecting industry, educational institutions, and government agencies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Among his many honors are the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the University of Louisville President’s Distinguished Faculty Award for Research, recognition as a Fellow of the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation, and designation as a HealthCare Hero by Louisville Business First. He has also mentored more than 50 master’s and doctoral students who have gone on to successful careers at leading academic institutions and technology companies.

With his rare combination of scientific expertise, commercial experience, and leadership in energy innovation, Dr. Sunkara brings an exceptional perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing the energy industry as demand grows and carbon constraints reshape the energy landscape.

Click here to see his full bio