On October 23, 2025, Alfred University hosted the AU Energy 2025 Conference & Power Quality Workshop under the theme “Emerging Technology for a Resilient Grid.” Among the featured speakers was Dan Arczynski, President & CEO of Index AR Solutions, who shared how the company is helping utilities transform workforce training and operational readiness through digital learning and augmented reality tools.

Setting the Stage for Change

The conference brought together a variety of industry and academic leaders including Patricia Nilsen, CEO of Rochester Gas & Electric and NYSEG/Avangrid; John Edmond, Founder and Research Fellow at Wolfspeed; John Simmins, Director of GE Vernova’s Advanced Power Grid Lab at Alfred University; Brian Seal, Senior Program Manager at EPRI; and Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA. They were joined by experts from Stony Brook University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and New Energy New York, all addressing the rapid evolution of grid technology and workforce readiness. Index COO John Arczynski also attended the conference.

Arczynski’s presentation focused on how Index AR Solutions equips utilities to adapt by reimagining how field work is taught, practiced, and retained. He discussed how Index’s interactive eBooks, mobile applications, and augmented reality modules help clients modernize traditional training methods, capture institutional knowledge, and prepare workers for complex, high-risk procedures in safer, more effective ways.

Connecting Workforce Readiness to Grid Resilience

Arczynski emphasized how workforce readiness is a key pillar of grid resilience. He explained how a digitally trained workforce can restore power faster, operate more safely, and adapt more effectively as renewable generation, battery storage, and digital automation continue to reshape the utility landscape.

Beyond his presentation, Arczynski joined other attendees for networking sessions and lab tours, including the ribbon cutting of Alfred University’s new Edibon Advanced Power Grid Simulation Lab. The facility showcases the university’s commitment to hands-on learning and innovation, aligning with Index’s mission to combine technology, training, and real-world experience to strengthen the energy sector.

Looking Ahead

As utilities face challenges ranging from workforce transitions to technology adoption, Index remains a trusted partner helping them stay ahead of the curve. Arczynski’s participation at AU Energy 2025 reaffirmed Index’s leadership in driving digital transformation and building a safer, smarter, and more resilient energy future.