Program: 2011 Region 7 Meeting

Magnolia III

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.

Troy West, General Manager- Technology & Corporate Services, Cleco Presentation

Magnolia III

Mission-critical utility networks evolved from SONET-based infrastructures only carrying TDM traffic to multi-service “next-generation SONET” networks capable of delivering TDM and packet. This evolution continues as the next-generation SONET is super ceded by a newer, more robust technology – Multi-Service Packet transport.

This session covers the developing path of utility-grade infrastructures utilizing the latest in Multi-Service Packet based solutions. Join us for a discussion of the standards, technologies and protocols in-play today and on the horizon to solve your current and future networking challenges.

Dean Campbell, Chief Technology Officer, LightRiver Technologies  Presentation
Ken Rabedeau, CTO of Global Energy Solutions- Strategic Industries - Systems Integration Division: Energy (Energy SID), Alcatel-Lucent Presentation

Magnolia I/II

Magnolia III

America became the world leader in technological innovation through the use of voluntary standards and market-driven interoperability. Today, some view the voluntary nature of standardization as an impediment to the deployment of Smart Grid networks. Industry seeks guidance from the federal government on what it means to adopt interoperable technologies, as FERC seeks to adopt NIST Smart Grid standards. This webinar will review the standardization process, including the Priority Action Plans near completion. We will examine the total impact on the evolution of the Smart Grid and how it affects your utility.

Klaus Bender, Director of Standards and Engineering, Utilities Telecom Council
Jarad Howard, Burns & McDonnell
Jon Stitzel, Senior Security Consultant – Cyber Security Design & Standards, Burns & McDonnell
Joint Presentation

Magnolia III

Members of UTC’s South Central Region (Region 7) come together and discuss key issues related to the region.

Magnolia I/II

Magnolia III

The NERC Cyber Infrastructure Protection presentation will cover how a critical asset is determined  today compared to tomorrows standard.  It will be discussed how communications plays into the CIP program today and how NERC may be expanding their program and how communication links and equipment such as RTU play an important part in the CIP program.

Keith Comeaux, Directory Regulatory Compliance, NRG Energy, Inc. Presentation

Magnolia I/II

Magnolia III

Find out what the UTC Legal/Regulatory team is doing in the spectrum arena, and hear the latest on issues relating to infrastructure as well as rights-of-way.

Brett Kilbourne, Director of Regulatory Services & Associate Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council Presentation

Magnolia I/II

Foyer

Pre Magnolia III

Magnolia III

Have you heard that homes in Texas are receiving new advanced digital meters - "Smart Meters" - for measuring electricity? Come learn how your home uses electricity and how Smart Energy gives you access to new products and services.

Wayne Morrison, Manager, Retail Strategy & Development, Reliant Energy Presentation

Foyer

Magnolia III

Several early adopting utilities across the country have blazed a trail in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployment and are ready to share the lessons learned. Find out what makes an AMI project successful and how to manage new vendors and AMI interoperability. Learn key points from other utilities’ AMI projects, so you can apply the knowledge to your own utility. This session will provide the current state of AMI at utilities.

Greg Angst, Consulting Engineer, CenterPoint Energy Presentation

Magnolia III

Magnolia III

It is critical that utilities protect guyed towers from anchor corrosion by using proper corrosion prevention engineering and installation services. Some possible options include cathodic protection design, protective coating system engineering, deep anode groundbed, conventional groundbed, galvanic anode installation, linear anode installation and sacrificial anodes. Yet with all these options, which is the best for your utility? This session will discuss these options and where they are best implemented in order to save your utility time and resources associated with future corrosion.

Dee Stryker, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, EasTex Tower, Inc.
Ian Stringfellow, Longview, TX Office Manager, EasTex Tower, Inc.
Joint Presentation