Galvin Electricity Initiative Introduces Smart Microgrids to GridWeek 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2009

CONTACT:
Crystal Borde
(202) 331-4323
cborde@vancomm.com

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

GALVIN ELECTRICITY INITIATIVE INTRODUCES SMART MICROGRIDS TO GRIDWEEK 2009
Initiative to host first-ever session on smart microgrids at meeting of U.S. and international energy and environmental leaders

WASHINGTON — The Galvin Electricity Initiative will initiate a dialogue among industry leaders at GridWeek 2009 to identify strategies for building smart microgrids — small, local, modernized versions of the bulk power grid that optimize the local distribution system and maximize benefits for both consumers and utilities. The Initiative will lead an expert panel on Wednesday, September 23, at 3:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., discussing the implementation of smart microgrids and examining the costs and benefits of this approach to electricity grid modernization. The panel will address deployment barriers and the roles of utilities, regulators, local governments and the private sector in the development of smart microgrids.

The Initiative also will participate in a media roundtable at 3 p.m. on September 23 that will address how the current energy and climate change legislation in Congress and pending regulatory actions by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory bodies will affect the smart grid roll-out across the nation.

“MICROGRIDS: BUILDING SMART GRIDS, ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME”

WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
3:30 – 5 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Ronald Reagan Building
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

FEATURING: John Kelly, deputy executive director, Galvin Electricity Initiative
Guy Warner, chairman and CEO, Pareto Energy LTD
Tom Bialek, chief engineer, technology innovation development, San Diego Gas & Electric
Len Pettis, chief, plant, energy & utilities, The California State University
Rob Thornton, president, International District Energy Association

MEDIA ROUNDTABLE

TOPIC: “Legislative Hoops and Regulatory Hurdles: Getting Smart Grid Moving through Congress and the Regulators”

WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
3 – 4 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Ronald Reagan Building
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

FEATURING: Kurt Yeager, executive director, Galvin Electricity Initiative
Gerry Waldron, staff director, House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
Katherine Hamilton, president, GridWise Alliance
Bob Gilligan, vice president, Transmission and Distribution, GE Energy

To attend GridWeek events, contact Crystal Borde at 202-331-4323 or via e-mail at cborde@vancomm.com. Interviews are available with Kurt Yeager and John Kelly by request.

Galvin Electricity Initiative (www.galvinpower.org)
The Galvin Electricity Initiative was launched by former Motorola CEO Robert W. Galvin to transform our electric power system into one that is reliable, efficient, secure and clean, and meets the needs of 21st century consumers. In 2010, the Initiative is accelerating its campaign to spark a migration toward a consumer-driven electric power system in select states. The campaign goal is to promote grid modernization through Perfect Power smart microgrids that place top priority on serving consumers and businesses with reliable, high-quality, clean power.

GridWeek 2009 (www.gridweek.com)
GridWeek 2009, produced by Clasma Events Inc., brings together U.S. and international energy and environmental leaders, policymakers and regulators, utility and smart grid technology companies, the venture community and consumer advocacy stakeholders for a four-day forum September 21 – 24 in Washington, D.C.

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