Think of the black phone that ruled for decades. Then, think of what happened when deregulation ushered in a telecom revolution that has shaken the roots of our economy and society.

Many feel that electric utilities are prime candidates for similar disruption in coming decades. New technologies will turn the business on its head. It will be hugely disruptive – and disruption is the theme of our EnergyBiz Leadership Forum in Washington March 19-21.

To specifically hone in on the threat of technology and the tide of competition it will unleash, I will sit down with three industry leaders tomorrow – Thursday. David Mohler, Duke Energy, vice president and chief technology officer, Henry A. Courtright, senior vice president of the Electric Power Research Council and Ned Harvey, chief operating officer and vice president of finance at RMI. They will join me for a spirited one-hour discussion of the issues noon EST. To register, click here.

One item to stir your interest. Perhaps you missed the news account that MidAmerican Energy recently bought the Topaz solar power plant in California from First Solar. The installation is said to be worth more than $2 billion.

MidAmerican is a unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. And the sage of Omaha is not noted for making many mistakes.

Solar as a technology appears to be ready for prime time. What will that mean for an industry that may not have seen that coming? Tune in Thursday and perhaps you will get some answers.