The Smart Grid Journey: Embarking on Utility Transformation 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“As utilities take on the Smart Grid journey, they are embarking on a transformation that will change the entire way they do business,” says Tom Hulsebosch, Managing Director of Energy and Utilities, West Monroe Partners. Adapting to new processes and tools will have an immense impact on employee responsibilities and organizational culture.

From a leading business and technology consulting firm attending the upcoming marcus evans Distribution Technology & Innovation Summit Spring 2012, in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, Hulsebosch shares his views on how utilities can successfully manage this transformation. 

What challenges are utilities facing today?

Utilities must be able to operate devices and meet their needs in a steady state position, as well as in the worst conditions, such as storms, natural disasters or reconfigurations of the networks. They are also faced with the diversity of terrain and the population that must be covered.

Above and beyond getting the system to work, managing and maintaining it will always be a challenge. The number of intelligent devices that investor-owned utilities are putting in place is exceeding the number of devices on landlines. Significant two-way telecommunications are being built. There are many technologies being offered from carriers, varying from cellular to Advanced Metering Infrastructure to private systems.  

The industry is evolving rapidly and many companies are upgrading or replacing their systems. This is not a series of projects; it is a business transformation that requires change and workforce management on an unprecedented scale. Employees will need to learn new technologies and take on new responsibilities. Beyond the economic benefits, the societal and environmental benefits will make these transformations worthwhile.

How can utilities successfully achieve this business transformation? 

As utilities take on the Smart Grid journey, they are embarking on a transformation that will change the entire way they do business. Change management will come into place when adapting to new processes and tools that will have an impact on jobs and culture. Continual feedback is crucial; surveys and call centers can help identify key performance indicators such as deployment metrics and the number of devices being installed, as well as track performance benefits. This will not happen overnight. 

Utilities must capture what customers want on a real time basis, and use reports to show the benefits achieved versus those planned. This will provide an insight to what is working and what is not.  

How should utilities plan for the future?

Having a solid plan upfront is critical as new technologies for the Smart Grid are deployed, creating technical and customer adoption challenges. Utilities must be ready to face questions from the public and interest groups. It is advisable to collect the best in class business practices and get stakeholders, senior management, regulators and customers on board.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Distribution Technology & Innovation Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on resolving vulnerabilities of the North American power grid, modernizing the system with innovative Smart Grid technologies and advances for a sustainable energy future.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group environment/utilities/ energy

The Energy Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About West Monroe Partners

West Monroe Partners’ Energy & Utilities practice is comprised of a diverse team of industry professionals and experienced consultants. Applying deep industry knowledge to deliver holistic solutions to the specific needs of public, private, and cooperative utilities, our professionals serve as trusted partners for many international clients. With strong credentials in utility operation, telecommunications, security assessment and design, program management offices, systems integration, and measurement systems, West Monroe Partners is your full-service consultancy of choice. 

For additional information about our Energy & Utilities Practice visit: www.westmonroepartners.com/Industries/Energy-and-Utilities.aspx

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Exelon Power: Formulating a Sustainable Energy Supply
 

“There are several key actions that we can take to cost-effectively reduce harmful air pollutants and help build a truly sustainable energy supply,” says Sonny Garg, President, Exelon Power. A speaker at the marcus evans Energy CFO Summit 2012 and Generation Summit 2012, Garg discusses cleaner power generation, carbon emission reduction and being prepared for the changes that lie ahead in the energy sector. 

What strategies would work best at formulating a sustainable and reliable energy supply?

There are several key actions that we can take to cost-effectively reduce harmful air pollutants and help build a truly sustainable energy supply.

Toxic emissions are raising healthcare and economic costs, making it imperative for the energy industry to move to cleaner generation. First, federal and state governments should avoid mandates and subsidies for favoured energy technologies. Many of these technologies are not economical to construct in today’s marketplace, because of energy prices, an excess of generating capacity and very low load growth. The cost of these mandates and subsidies are passed on to consumers, creating an uneven playing field for different types of generation.

Second, with abundant natural gas supplies promising low prices for the foreseeable future and unused generation capacity, it is now time to implement the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long overdue Cross-State Air Pollution and Toxics Rules.

And finally, we must let the competitive electricity market work. The marketplace and competition will not support older, inefficient, coal-fired units, but will support the most cost-efficient choices for a clean and reliable electricity supply.

Exelon 2020 is our company’s business and environmental strategy to reduce, offset or displace our entire carbon footprint by 2020. We have already made significant progress and expect to meet our goal ahead of schedule. We have reduced our own carbon emissions by 6.3 million metric tons, 56 per cent of our goal.

How should energy professionals prepare for upcoming changes in the industry?

As an industry, we should look ahead and not be frightened of change when it is best for our nation, industry and customers. The EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution and Toxics Rules can help us cost effectively clean up the air we breathe and lower healthcare costs. We have access to abundant supplies of natural gas and there is unused generation capacity out there.

What does the future hold for the energy sector?

The industry is already in a transition. We expect natural gas prices and demand growth to remain low. We are headed towards a much cleaner direction and natural gas is the fuel that will get us there, as it is domestically abundant, and inexpensive.

The EPA rules will be a key agent of change in the energy sector. These rules and the marketplace will force the industry to employ cleaner generation, so it is important to let the market develop effective solutions. While they may not be economical without subsidies right now, solar and wind energy will progress as the economy improves.

Any final thoughts?

You cannot control the economics of natural gas prices, but you can control how you talk to employees, relay information and respond to feedback. 

In early 2011, we instituted an initiative called, “Answering the Call” that was designed to foster, facilitate and improve two-way communications between leaders and employees. We changed how people receive information, and trained our leaders to better engage their team members. We want the conversations employees have in the hallway to make their way into the boardroom, so that we can be aware of what our people are thinking and feeling.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event websites below:

Energy CFO Summit 2012

Generation Summit 2012

marcus evans group – environment/utilities/ energy sector portal

The Energy Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

Providing Customers with a Transparent Energy Supply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Power utilities must continue to improve the value proposition provided to customers and do it in a way that provides state of the art energy solutions, combined with a clean and affordable green energy supply,” says Mary Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Green Mountain Power. It is critical to break down the walls of communication, and continually re-invent your organization to better serve customers, she adds.

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans Distribution Technology & Innovation Summit Spring 2012, in Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, Powell discusses the importance of keeping consumers content by providing value.   

How can energy utilities create a brighter and cleaner future?

One way to accomplish this, in states that have not de-regulated, is for organizations to pursue a path to ramp up utility-owned renewable power generation as well as cost effective customer scale renewable programs.

It is advisable to reinvent the utility to become fast, fun and friendly in terms of how we relate to our customers. Break down the walls of communication, both literally and figuratively, within the organization and with customers. Remodel processes to focus on customers and reduce costs while ensuring fast and effective communication.

What are the ingredients to a successful utility?

Organizations that stay in touch with the customer and examine consumer behavior will be successful. It is important to see the industry from a customer’s perspective to better understand what they want and when they want it. They want us to make their lives easier, not more complex.

One size rarely fits all. The smart grid will enable utilities to have deeper, broader relationships with certain customer segments. Figure out how to differentiate between your customers and provide them with the information they need to help with adoption. These are the companies that will thrive. For example, some customers are very interested in smart meters and will want to dig into rates and transform into smarter appliances while others may be very content with just realizing the benefits of more effective outage management and smarter diagnostics for high bill complaints

Utilities must be ready to help, but never cross the line and push customers in a direction they do not want to go.

Why do you believe efficiency is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving environment? 

Vermont is an early adopter of energy efficiency. It is a key part of how we are meeting the demand of the future by reducing the demand of the future. There is nothing more cost effective than the kilowatt you do not use.

Any final comments?

Utilities must continue to improve the value proposition provided to customers and do it in a way that provides state of the art energy solutions, combined with a clean and affordable green energy supply.

Contact: Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Distribution Technology & Innovation Summit Spring 2012

This unique forum will take place at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, April 26-27, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on resolving vulnerabilities of the North American power grid, modernizing the system with innovative Smart Grid technologies and advances for a sustainable energy future.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group environment/utilities/energy

The Energy Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Managing Water & Wastewater Utilities Proactively

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“It is clear that water utilities do not have capital funding necessary to replace their underground pipelines in their entirety. The alternative solution is to better understand the condition of the existing infrastructure and perform proactive maintenance and asset management,” advises Mike Higgins, Vice President Engineering, Pure Technologies Ltd. “If a proactive management strategy is implemented, existing pipelines can be operated as reliably and safe as new pipelines”, he adds.   

Ahead of the marcus evans Water & Wastewater Management Summit 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 3-4, Higgins discusses how water infrastructure can be managed cost effectively to prevent failures before they occur.

Can you give us an update on the state of water infrastructure in the US today?

The most valuable assets water and wastewater utilities have are their underground pipelines, which are now decaying and causing failures that are significantly eroding people’s confidence in their services. For decades now, the water and wastewater utilities have focused on above ground assets, building treatment plants and pumping stations, forgetting about the pipelines buried underground.

How can water infrastructure be better and cost effectively managed?

It is clear that water utilities do not have the capital funding to replace underground pipelines in their entirety. Further, replacement of large diameter pipes running through urbanized areas is not practical.

The alternative solution is to either do nothing or try to better understand the condition of the existing infrastructure and perform proactive maintenance and asset management. Utilities inspect pipelines, find where the problems are and perform isolated spot repairs.

This approach typically costs three to five per cent of capital replacement, yet it gives utilities the reliability of a new pipeline in terms of performance and safety.

Would a repair program leave infrastructure more prone to safety and reliability failures?

The vast majority of buried infrastructure is in perfectly good condition. After performing an inspection and condition assessment, typically less than one per cent of a pipeline requires repair. The remainder of the line is in “like new” condition. A reliable assessment allows us to repair the problem locations and in the end the pipeline has the safety and reliability of a new pipeline. The challenge is finding those locations where there are problems, and preventing the next failures. If utilities find and repair their next failures, they can safely manage their pipelines into the future.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Water & Wastewater Management Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 3-4, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on improving reliability and cost effectiveness in water and wastewater utilities.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – environment/utilities/ energy sector portal

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Pure Technologies Ltd

Pure Technologies is a world leader in the development and application of innovative technologies for inspection, monitoring and management of physical infrastructure including water and hydrocarbon pipelines, buildings and bridges. Pure is committed to continuing the development of solutions and commercialization of state-of-the-art technologies for proactive management and assessment of critical infrastructure.  

www.puretechltd.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Energy companies have been told by Ofgem that they must give customers a 30-day warning before upping prices, energy conference delegates may want to hear.

Companies providing oil and gas must also inform consumers 30 days in advance of any tariff changes which could leave them worse off.

The utilities watchdog made the ruling this week, after promising recently that sweeping pricing reforms would be enforced for all energy companies. A spokesman said that current tariffs were "bamboozling" for customers.

Andrew Wright, Ofgem’s senior partner for markets, said: "Today’s changes will again show that we are serious about making sure suppliers play it straight with consumers.

"We believe that 30 days advance notification of price increases, coupled with our new proposals for more transparency and an end to complex tariffs, will give consumers more power to make informed switching choices."

Currently, companies have up to three months after a change has been made to inform customers.

There is still around half the North Sea oil and gas reserves left according to reports which may be of interest to people attending energy conferences.

Scotland’s energy minister Fergus Ewing has said that it’s now beyond doubt that there is almost as much North Sea oil and gas left as has already been extracted.

He added that oil and gas will be a key element of the Scottish Government’s bid to “re-establish Scottish independence”.

However, his comments go against a recent report from industry body Oil & Gas UK which said that there could be as little as 14 billion barrels left in the area. This means that at current extraction it could run out in 17 years.

Marcus Evans presents energy conferences, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

The talk of energy conferences this year is likely to be renewable sources as governments continue to deal with the rising cost of fuel. And China has recently taken the lead from the United States in wind energy capacity.

Installations in the United States last year were at half of 2009’s levels, with the industry pointing to a lack of long term policy on renewable energy grants.

China however has registered an increase of 62 per cent in capacity compared to a year ago.

In the report by the American Wind Energy Association there is good news for the US. Total wind energy capacity is now at 40,180 megawatts, which is 15 per cent higher than the start of 2010.

The industry faces a challenge in 2011 to continue working with governments on energy policy.

Marcus Evans presents energy conferences, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

Measures proposed in the Budget may be at the fore of discussion at energy conferences due to be held soon.

Chancellor George Osborne made several promises regarding oil and gas, which he claimed were aimed at easing the financial squeeze for taxpayers, but some green groups have suggested they do not help the environment as much as they could.

Proposals included a delay in the planned fuel duty rise, which eco groups said would not help to encourage people to use eco-friendly electric cars. However, the chancellor announced a freeze on company car tax for low emission cars.

A delay on increased air passenger duty was also announced. Issues were also raised with the lack of detail provided on the government’s green loans policy

An increase in the climate change levy from 65 per cent to 80 per cent was proposed. More detail was also given on the carbon floor price.

Marcus Evans presents energy events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts

Building alliances with companies in foreign territories will be the focus of energy conferences this year. And industry giant BP has announced an oil and gas partnership with India’s largest energy company in a £12billion deal.

BP will pay $7.2 billion to Reliance Industries for a 30% stake in 23 Indian oil and gas blocks.

The firm is buying assets which produce more than 30% of India’s total gas consumption, where demand is growing at record pace.

This deal is the second foreign venture announced by BP as it recovers from the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster of last year. In January BP teamed with Russian firm Rosneft in a major deal to explore for oil in the Arctic region.

Experts believe BP chief executive Bob Dudley will seek further partnerships this year with countries rich in natural resources.

Marcus Evans presents energy conferences, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

The future of energy supplies will be one of the big topics at energy conferences for years to come – with the recent uprisings in the Middle East a major factor.

However, instability in that region has long been an accepted, if unwelcome, feature of the world’s energy plans.

The damage caused to the nuclear energy sector by the Japanese earthquake and tsunami is a much less familiar subject.

With radiation leaking from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the district has been evacuated.

Now, other countries are questioning the future of their nuclear programmes.

Having just last year decided to prolong the lifespan of a number of older reactors, Germany announced on Monday that it would now close them down.

EU energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger has also raised the prospect of a nuclear-free Europe in the future, to the alarm of many in the energy sector.

Marcus Evans presents energy conferences, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.