Description of November Meeting
Come join utility managers in charge of Smart Grid deployments to discuss a variety of topics to include: ARRA DOE SmartGrid Grant project scope and status, smart grid roadmap developments, vendor relations, work force of the future, Carnegie Mellon-Smart Grid Maturity Model, priorities in technology deployments: smart meters, communications networks, substation automation, distribution system automation, asset monitoring, synchrophasors, etc.
Many of the larger utility members of WEI are currently in the piloting phase of Smart Grid deployment and are readying themselves for installation of smart meters, distribution automation, and even Home Area Networks. The large-scale projects of Southern California Edison, Puget Sound Energy, Avista and Portland General Electric (to name just a few) have been well publicized. At the same time, most of the smaller and mid-size utility members of WEI are still in various stages of planning or considering AMI deployment.
Many WEI members are uncertain of what steps, if any, they should take with regard to implementing Smart Grid initiatives. It is also likely that the capital investment levels and dependence on available and emerging automation, communications, and metering technologies have not been fully considered or understood.
Most utilities, even when associated through an organization such as WEI, find themselves working in a silo like environment as they pursue their independent AMI/ Smart Grid initiatives. Even the very definition of what is meant by the term "smart grid" can vary greatly from utility to utility. Unfortunately, thus far, regulatory bodies on the local and national level have offered very little in terms of consistent industry standards or policies for the AMI / Smart Grid sector. If utilities continue to act independently and pursue their own individual choices for AMI / Smart Grid, regional sectors will remain unstructured, disconnected, and therefore unable to achieve the full benefits of the emerging technologies.
Long Term Outcomes:
There are many outcomes that may result from WEI's Smart Grid forum including:
- The development of a regional solution for smart grid
- Increased benefits for members from the creation of industry standards
- Greater leverage for members with technology vendors
- Increased probability of positive regulatory treatment and consistent cost recovery policies at the state or provincial level
- More sharing of best practices at the Home Area Network
Objective of November Forum:
Promote Smart Grid deployment by facilitating dialogue amongst utility members in critical areas including the development of industry standards, functional requirements, best practices, business policies, reference designs and implementation.
Agenda:
Meeting 9:00 - 4:00 pm (Lunch provided)
Questions? Please contact Orran Greiner at 971 255-4967.
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