The power grid is evolving, and PSM is helping 7F operators stay ahead.
For years, PSM's Asset Managers Conference conveyed a clear message of the "Retrofit Revolution" had arrived. The installed base of gas turbines represented massive opportunity. Upgrading existing machines during standard outages could unlock capacity, extend life, and improve performance without the cost and lead time of new equipment.
In 2025, that message accelerated dramatically.
Data centers, artificial intelligence, and electrification converged to disrupt 15 years of flat power demand. The industry now races to secure additional capacity for the next 5 to 10 years, and uncertainty about future requirements has reached unprecedented levels. The reality: new turbines face 5- to 7-year backlogs, costs have tripled, and manufacturing capacity has reached its limit.
The installed base isn't merely important anymore. It's the only option.
PSM's 2026 Asset Managers Conference, January 26-29 in Jupiter, Florida, transcends typical industry events. It's where asset owners, plant managers, and engineering teams will discover how to extract every available megawatt from their existing fleets.
This year's theme: "The Proven Alternative."
The Industry Context: No Time to Wait
Let's be clear about what's driving this urgency.
U.S. electricity consumption will exceed 4,260 billion kilowatt-hours by 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration—a sharp departure from decades of flat demand. Data centers alone require 22% more grid power by end-2025 compared to 2024, with projections showing demand could nearly triple by 2030.
AI workloads differ fundamentally from traditional data center loads, creating rapid, unpredictable power fluctuations. A gigawatt-scale AI training facility can swing from full load to near-idle in fractions of a second. When these facilities disconnect during grid events, they trigger voltage and frequency cascades that ripple throughout the system.
The Department of Energy's July 2025 report outlined the stakes: without urgent reforms and investment, the U.S. grid cannot support the nation's economic ambitions in AI and digital infrastructure. The report projects a 100-fold increase in annual hours of lost load by 2030 under current retirement trajectories.
Grid operators need dispatchable, reliable baseload power immediately. However, procurement timelines for new gas turbines have reached absurd lengths. Mitsubishi Power indicates turbines ordered today won't arrive until 2028-2030. GE Vernova won't deliver new units until late 2028 at the earliest. Siemens Energy reports a €131 billion backlog.
Manufacturing capacity operates at 90% utilization. Even securing a turbine slot means confronting major supply chain constraints for transformers, switchgear, and balance-of-plant equipment. Gas turbine prices have tripled in 24 months.
Building new capacity cannot resolve this crisis within five years. You must optimize existing assets.
What Makes This Conference Different
PSM's Asset Managers Conference isn't a vendor showcase. It's a working session where operators share real-world experience, technical experts present field-proven solutions, and engineers walk through case studies that attendees can apply immediately.
The 2026 agenda reflects the urgency of the moment:
Keynote: Industry Outlook and Market Dynamics
Understanding where load growth is headed, how regulatory uncertainty is shaping investment decisions, and what grid operators are prioritizing.
Technical Sessions on Proven Upgrades
- Advanced gas path optimization (GTOP) programs that add 6-10% capacity
- Combustion system retrofits for fuel flexibility and emissions control
- Hot section component life extension strategies
- Compressor flow enhancements for better efficiency across the operating envelope
Lifecycle Management and Outage Planning
How to schedule maintenance smarter, reduce unplanned downtime, and stage upgrades to spread costs while maximizing availability.
Panel Discussions with Asset Managers
Real talk from operators managing fleets under pressure. What's working? What's not? Where are the bottlenecks?
Facility Tours
PSM's new expansion facility in Stuart, FL officially opened in December 2025, gives attendees a firsthand look at the scale and capability required to support modern turbine fleets.
The "Proven Alternative" Isn't Theoretical
PSM's GTOP (Gas Turbine Optimization Program) has over 50 installations across the F-class fleet, with fleet leaders surpassing 56,000 operating hours and 1,127 fired starts. These aren't lab results. They're field data from units running in real markets under real dispatch conditions.
The 2025 conference introduced GTOP4.1, the latest iteration featuring re-aeroing of the entire turbine section, second-generation single-crystal alloy, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) integrated into modular vane cooling. The multi-layer abradable coating system for stage 1 shrouds and buckets improves sealing and reduces maintenance intervals.
FlameSheet combustion systems, introduced in 2015, now integrate with inlet bleed heat (IBH) and exhaust bleed (ExB) systems to enable ultra-low emissions and improved low-load operation. That matters when market dispatch increasingly requires flexible ramping and extended turndown capability.
These aren't experimental technologies being pushed into the field. They're mature solutions with proven track records, being refined and scaled based on operator feedback and evolving market requirements.
Why "The Proven Alternative" Resonates Now
The phrase isn't new to PSM. It was part of the company's messaging earlier in its history, and it's resurfacing now because the industry needs it.
When new equipment isn't available, when costs are prohibitive, and when timelines stretch beyond planning horizons, operators need alternatives that work. Not concepts. Not promises. Proven solutions backed by data, deployed at scale, and supported by a company with the technical depth to execute reliably.
PSM's service portfolio spans everything from routine inspections to complete overhauls, from emergency repairs to multi-year fleet optimization programs. The new PSM North facility expands capacity for combustion and stationary component repairs, with dedicated space for warehousing, kitting, and logistics, bringing fulfillment, quality control, and manufacturing under one roof.
That integrated approach matters when lead times for OEM parts stretch into months or quarters. Having alternatives for critical components, backed by robust engineering and quality systems, keeps units online when waiting isn't an option.
What Attendees Will Walk Away With
This isn't a seminar where you collect brochures and business cards. Attendees leave with:
- Actionable intelligence on market trends, regulatory changes, and technology developments affecting fleet strategy
- Technical roadmaps for upgrading specific turbine models based on proven field experience
- Networking connections with operators facing similar challenges and vendors who've solved similar problems
- Access to PSM's engineering team for deeper dives on specific units or issues
The conference format encourages direct engagement. Technical sessions include Q&A. Panel discussions are unscripted. Tours provide hands-on visibility into manufacturing and repair processes.
For asset managers and plant operators trying to navigate unprecedented uncertainty, this is where you connect the dots between industry trends, available solutions, and your specific fleet requirements.
Registration and Details
2026 PSM Asset Managers Conference
February 3-5, 2026
Jupiter, Florida
Registration is open now. Space is limited to maintain the quality of technical discussions and facility tours.
For full agenda details, registration information, and conference updates, visit: 2026 PSM AMC
The grid needs capacity. New equipment isn't available. The installed base is the proven alternative. Join PSM and industry leaders to maximize performance, extend life, and extract value from turbine fleets keeping the lights on. Register now for the 2026 Asset Managers Conference.
