Economics' Taylor Plays Key Role in INTERSECT 2026

Georgia Tech’s INTERSECT 2026 recently brought together leading voices in energy to explore critical issues in the Southeast’s energy ecosystem, and School of Economics Professor Laura Taylor played a central role.

Taylor, director of the Energy Policy and Innovation Center (EPIcenter) and former Economics chair, organized and hosted the event, which coincided with EPIcenter 10th anniversary and reflected the Center's impact in convening cross-sector leaders to advance regional energy innovation. 

“INTERSECT 2026 demonstrated the power of bringing together leaders who are actively shaping the future of energy,” Taylor said. “What began as a forum to explore emerging ideas has grown into a critical platform for aligning perspectives and advancing actionable solutions across the Southeast.”

With more than 150 attendees from industry, academia, and research organizations, the May 18, 2026, event’s high-level engagement underscored the urgency of critical issues facing the energy sector today, including the surging electricity demand, resiliency of the grid, and evolving supply chains, as well as the value of a dedicated space for candid, solutions-oriented dialogue.

This year’s program, focused on real-world implementation challenges, including managing large-scale load growth and coordinating infrastructure investments to meet demand reliably and affordably. Panels featuring leaders from utilities, global energy corporations, and research organizations emphasized the importance of aligning strategy across sectors to ensure that the Southeast remains competitive and resilient.

Chris Womack, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the unprecedented scale of current energy demands. 

“Meeting this moment requires us to think differently — serving growth while ensuring reliability, resilience, and long-term value for our customers and communities,” said Womack.

The inaugural INTERSECT conference in 2017 marked the launch of EPIcenter itself and established Georgia Tech’s commitment to connecting research, industry insight, and policy development. It focused on the need to bridge the gap between rapidly advancing technologies and slower-moving regulatory and market frameworks, a theme that continues to shape EPIcenter's mission today. 

As INTERSECT 2026 concluded, participants pointed to a shared takeaway: With its industrial base, growing population, and integrated energy systems, the Southeast is uniquely positioned to lead in the next phase of the energy transition. With AI-driven power demand and grid infrastructure playing a significant role going forward, it is imperative to bring together the right voices to shape policies and strategies that will connect ideas to action.