What were the Key Outcomes of The Inaugural National Smart Grids Forum?

With an array of pilot projects already underway, industry is still grappling with proving the business case for smart grids – engineering a system that will provide actionable information for reducing the consumers’ electricity costs and improving management and control of the electricity network

What were the Key Outcomes of The Inaugural National Smart Grids Forum?

Energy Industry, Government and Technology Solutions Providers met to discuss and determine how to deliver a truly intelligent network and how to drive innovation and high performance throughout the electricity network to manage demand and ensure the security of supply.

Delegates and speakers were engaged in lively and honest discussions around not only the critical challenges currently being faced by industry, but more importantly the exciting opportunities that the Smart Grid represented for the industry – transitioning electricity network management into the 21st century.

Forum Highlights:

  • Dr. Manuel Sanchez-Jimenez, Policy Officer, EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR ENERGY (EU) discussed the policy drivers and regulatory framework needed for a complete Smart Grid Deployment and showcased lessons learned from the European initiatives in creating a network that provides all consumers with a highly reliable, flexible, accessible and cost-effective power supply.
  • Andres Carvallo, CIO, AUSTIN ENERGY engaged the audience with a complete look at managing expenditure and cost by understanding what works and where to invest to create a complete end to end grid solution with a Case Study of Austin Energy’s Smart Grid 1.0 and Smart Grid 2.0 Initiatives.
  • Australia’s Leading Energy Industry Executives took the stage in IQPC’s exclusive THINK TANK and answered questions on Australia’s future electricity network requirements by defining the scope and business case of an Intelligent Network.
  • ENERGYAUSTRALIA, INTEGRAL ENERGY, ERGON ENERGY, UNITED ENERGY DISTRIBUTION and SPAUSNET presented their business models and strategies with a look at ongoing pilots and future deployment plans for a smart grid.
  • George W. Arnold, National Coordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability, US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE and Colin Blair, Deputy CEO, STANDARDS AUSTRALIA both addressed the critical importance of standards in reducing installation complexity, facilitating interoperability and addressing security and safety concerns.
  • Picking up on the discussion around the crucial issue of spectrum and data transfer, Chris Chapman, Chairman, AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA AUTHORITY gave a clear and comprehensive overview on what ACMA and the Energy Industry need to do in developing a nationwide approach to smart grid spectrum.

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