CO2NNECT 2026

About CO2NNECT:

CO2NNECT is a flagship convening series of the Great Plains Institute (GPI), bringing together leaders across technology, energy, finance, and policy to shape the next era of carbon management and clean-firm power. Since launching in 2018, CO2NNECT has created trusted, solutions-oriented spaces where decision makers collaborate across sectors to accelerate the deployment of technologies that reduce emissions while ensuring reliable, affordable energy.

Each CO2NNECT convening explores a regional lens on the rapidly evolving clean energy economy—connecting developers, policy makers, investors, nonprofit organizations, labor leaders, and community partners to align priorities and enable near-term project deployment.

Following the success of CO2NNECT 2025 in Austin, Texas, the 2026 convening will turn to the Midwest under the theme:

“Building Clean-Firm Power Markets for Data-Driven Growth."

As electricity demands surge—driven by AI, data centers, electrification, and industrial expansion—clean, dispatchable, low-carbon power is essential. CO2NNECT 2026 will focus on how market design, policy tools, and cross-sector partnerships can support scalable clean-firm deployment while protecting affordability and reliability.

Here’s what you can expect:

At CO2NNECT 2026, participants can expect interactive discussions and opportunities to engage in the following topics:

• Clean-firm power for a data-driven future: Explore how geothermal, natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS), storage-paired resources, and nuclear can meet rising digital and industrial loads while reducing emissions.

• Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs): Assess how EACs and related market instruments can incentivize clean-firm generation and provide transparent pathways for corporate buyers, including data centers, seeking verifiable decarbonization.

• Affordability and reliability in transition: Discuss how utilities, regulators, and investors can scale clean-firm capacity while maintaining grid reliability and protecting ratepayers.

• Data centers and load growth: Examine both the opportunities and infrastructure challenges associated with rapid load growth. Identify policies that align large new loads with clean, firm generation and regional decarbonization goals.