Evaluating Smart Grid Investments at Electric Cooperatives and Public Utilities: 2nd Annual Conference October 20-21 in Orlando, Florida

ORLANDO, Fla., June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Grid Research Consortium today announced the second annual "Evaluating the Business Case for Smart Grid Investments" conference to be held October 20-21, 2011 in Orlando.  The conference is unique in its focus on electric cooperatives and public utilities.

Additional information on the conference including registration information is available at http://smartgridresearchconsortium.org/smartgridconference.htm

"The conference will provide valuable information on evaluating technologies and applications regardless of where utilities are in the smart grid implementation process," said Dr. Jerry Jackson, Leader and Research Director of the Consortium. "We anticipate the same kind of energetic conference as last year with a balance of technical sessions and "experience from the field" presentations and panels."  Ninety-eight percent of last year's conference attendees indicated they would recommend the conference to others.

Agenda topics cover smart grid application areas from the substation, through feeders, to meters and inside customer premises and are being developed with input from coop and municipal utility Consortium members. Program areas include:

• AMI/smart meters
• Communications
• Distribution automation
• Customer technologies
• Customer engagement and programs
• IT and meter data management, and
• Managing the smart grid transition

Conference Venue:  This year's conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 20-21, 2011 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, one of Orlando's finest meeting destinations including one of the country's top 40 new golf courses on its 230 landscaped acres.  The resort is convenient to the airport and Orlando attractions.  

The Consortium:  The 2011 Smart Grid Research Consortium provides a Smart Grid Investment Model (TM) customized for each Consortium member utility.  The Model provides cost/benefit analysis of smart grid investments including AMI/Smart meters, distribution automation, in-premise technologies and programs including pricing and demand response and other smart grid initiatives in a single consistent framework.  More information is available on the Consortium Web site:  http://smartgridresearchconsortium.org

Web Site: http://smartgridresearchconsortium.org

SOURCE Smart Grid Research Consortium