New “Smart Grid” education program highlights potential and challenges of cutting-edge energy technology
The Smart Grid is one of the latest buzzwords in energy and environmental circles. It aims to streamline America’s energy distribution systems for greater – and greener – efficiencies. What is this smart grid and how will it work its magic? And, how much will it cost?
The 2009 ICUEE, International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition education program will feature a just-announced “Getting Smart about the Smart Grid” panel. Seasoned energy industry professionals from leading companies and industry groups will share the latest smart-grid developments. (See details below.)
Smart-grid development is accelerating, explained ICUEE Show Director Melissa Magestro, with $11 billion in economic stimulus funding set aside for electricity-grid modernization, and a recent federal government go-ahead for work on smart-grid standards.
“Our electric power infrastructure will be transformed by smart-grid systems, and ICUEE wanted to be sure that industry professionals are aware of what’s happening with this cutting-edge technology – the claims and the costs – and the effect on their businesses and customers,” noted Magestro.
Magestro pointed out that the ICUEE 2009 exposition will have more than 100 education sessions geared to utility and construction topics, all designed to boost the value of attendees’ trade show experience.
“Smart-grid is just one example of the technological, safety and management advances affecting exhibitors and attendees, and ICUEE is a cost-effective way to meet and network with the experts to keep up to speed,” she said.
ICUEE 2009 will be held October 6-8, 2009 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Attendee and exhibitor interest remain strong for ICUEE 2009 – advance registration is on track and consistent with trend lines of past shows, and exhibitors continue to sign on. “This is where the utility-focused construction industry gathers, knowing it’s the only place to operate equipment in the working conditions they might encounter on the job. You can’t beat that hands-on type of product comparisons,” Magestro said.
“We know this is a very difficult economic environment, and we have increased the education and added co-located industry events to make this the most comprehensive ICUEE ever, so show participants get the maximum return on their trade show investment,” she a
dded.
ICUEE 2009 will cover 1 million-plus net square feet of exhibits displaying the latest technologies for the electric, phone and cable, sewer and water, gas, general construction, landscaping and public works sectors.
New for 2009 is the co-location of the inaugural H2O-EXPO of the National Rural Water Association, and the NRWA annual conference, as well as co-location of the iP Safety Conference and Expo and the IUV Technical Conference.
Details on the Smart-Grid Panel Presentation
The special Smart Grid session will be held the afternoon of October 6 (3:30 PM – 5:00 PM). Participants include Cisco Systems, Duke Energy, GE Energy, GridWise Alliance and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The show website has details on all ICUEE 2009 education http://www.icuee.com/Education/index.asp.
The ICUEE 2009 “Getting Smart about the Smart Grid” interactive presentation will cover objectives and technologies of the smart grid; what’s available now and a look at the future; utility, business and consumer benefits and costs; and what utility companies are doing to implement smart-grid systems.
The session will be of particular interest to professionals in the electric and telecom sectors and municipalities and other government entities, but the information will be useful for all attendees, Magestro stated.
“It’s been more than 100 years since the first successful incandescent light bulb from Thomas Edison, and ICUEE 2009 attendees will have access to the latest thinking on smart-grid technology, expected to revolutionize electric power again,” Magestro stated.
Panelists for the Smart Grid presentation:
· Cisco Systems – Mark Miller, Solutions Operations Director North America
· Duke Energy – Todd Arnold, Senior Vice President – Smart Grid and Customer Systems
· GE Energy (representative TBA)
·< span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> GridWise Alliance – Katherine Hamilton, President
· National Rural Electric Cooperative Association – David Mohre, Executive Director, Energy & Environmental Division
About the presenter companies:
· Cisco Systems (www.cisco.com) is a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, providing productivity improvements through Internet business solutions. A key area is developing and delivering networking technology related to energy creation, distribution and consumption across North America.
. Duke Energy (www.duke-energy.com/company) is a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations, and other energy services in the Americas, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets. It supplies and delivers energy to approximately 4 million U.S. customers, across the Midwest, the Carolinas, Ohio and Kentucky.
· GE Energy (www.gepower.com/home/index) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy as well as renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and alternative fuels.
· GridWise Alliance (www.gridwise.org) advocates for a smarter grid for the public good so that energy can be generated, distributed and consumed more efficiently and cost effectively. Alliance members include utilities, IT companies, equipment vendors, new-technology providers and educational institutions.
· National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (www.nreca.org) has more than 900 member cooperatives serving 42 million people in 47 states; its members are primarily consumer-owned cooperative electric utilities, with some public power districts and allied industry organizations.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at ICUEE 2009, go online at www.icuee.com.