Program: 2008 UTC Region 2 Meeting

This session will present fascinating case studies from some of the utilities already deploying smart metering technologies. This panel discussion will allow attendees to see what projects utilities are choosing to implement and why, as well as how. With different types and sizes of projects going on at utilities across the country, this is a great session from which to get important information about what is working and where the pitfalls may lie.

Glenn Hein, Supervisor- SP & T Engineering, PEPCO Holdings, Inc.

Come hear from a member of UTC’s leadership team what’s going on with UTC. This is a great time for members and non-members alike to find out what UTC is doing and what is being planned. This presentation gives attendees a chance to ask questions and provide suggestions about the direction of UTC.

Jeffrey Katz, Enterprise IT Consultant, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)

Utilities are already working on their next–generation infrastructures, which will include more intelligence and thus, be even more dependent on communications and IT networks. Utility communication systems everywhere will need to be upgraded as part of this process, and UTC Research has conducted two studies of what is happening, how it’s happening, and which utility is doing what. This session will present a look at the key building blocks of the Intelligent Grid -- communications architecture, data repositories, application-level integration and standards -- as discovered through this work. Attendees can expect to learn how to create a roadmap for their utility’s next–generation vision – at least in terms of communications – and what applications can begin to be deployed immediately.

Paul Miller, Associate Vice President, Black & Veatch
TBD, LightRiver Technologies, Inc.

One of our industry’s maxims for the 21st century may be, “No utility is an island.” Energy efficiency, distributed generation and smart grids will mean that utilities will be interconnected much more than at present, especially through telecom and IT networks. From departments within utilities, to working with public safety and other utilities in disaster recovery, to interconnection of data and control networks across regions, interoperability is unique in this industry. State and federal regulators will be pushing for these capabilities, so you should be deciding for yourself, in advance, exactly what this means to you.

Jeffrey Sheldon, Attorney at Law, McDermott, Will & Emery
Kris Jarrett, Senior Solutions Architect, Alcatel-Lucent

Utilities are at the crossroads of significant transformation in every segment of their services. As communications turns increasingly to IP, utilities are among those seeking to use these technologies to improve their own operations. This presentation will cover the changing landscape of wireless technologies including market trends, drivers and key technology players in the deployment of WiMax. Learn how WiMax will touch every segment within utilities starting with their metering infrastructure to mass automation of fixed assets to support smart grid initiatives.

Jim Connor, President, ALTIUS Communications

You may have seen the report –– now hear the details! This session will review highlights from UTC Research’s State of Utility Fiber study report. UTC and KEMA teamed up to produce the report, looking at major trends in utility fiber demand, buildout and uses. When do utilities sell fiber? When do they expand their fiber offerings? When does it make sense to agree to fiber for utility right–of way? Fiber–optic technology use is only growing – find out how to use your fiber economically based on market demand and hear how other utilities are using fiber for internal and external projects.

David Boroughs, Principal Consultant, KEMA, Inc.

What is the FCC planning for the frequency bands in which you operate? What is the status of the proceedings you’re worried about? What are Congress and Federal agencies doing to help critical infrastructure communications? In this always-popular session, get an overview of what the UTC Legal/Regulatory staff is doing and how we read the landscape for your communications systems, including the status of legislative work and the drive toward a critical infrastructure spectrum allocation.

Jill Lyon, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council

UTC Spectrum Services offers frequency coordination, FCC application preparation and engineering services. This session will review these services and discuss new services, including Wireless Regulatory Asset Protection (WRAP) and land mobile system upgrade research. The presentation will allow for a question and answer period to discuss land mobile and microwave frequency coordination and related topics.

Klaus Bender, Director- RF Engineering, UTC Spectrum Services