Track Overview

Business Track

Track Leader:  Thomas Yeh
Thursday-Friday 8-9/Nov/2007

The growth and connectivity of automation across organizations is revealing new business opportunities that depend on interoperability. The Business track emphasizes issues and directions emerging from the smart grid relevant to planning and managing business and policy objectives. Specifically, the implications of interoperation between elements of the electric system, or the lack of it, shall be discussed as it relates to policy, regulation, and business strategies and decisions.

New Business Concepts

Thursday 11:00 - 12:15

The continuing growth in the activities associated with upgrading the nation’s electric systems and the increasing deployment of smart grid devices are expected to create many new and exciting prospects for businesses large and small. This Panel session will present examples of new pricing and system concepts that will emerge from wide scale adoption of interoperability. Specifically, concepts in retail market pricing, automated demand-response and a prototype of a ‘perfect power system’ will be introduced.

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Business Opportunities

Thursday 13:30 - 14:45

New and expanding opportunities are created when interoperability becomes an enabler for the adoption of new business models. At the same time interoperability will also impact existing business models through competitive pressure and obsolescent. This Panel session will present examples of new product strategies and ways of doing business in a market place where interoperability is still a nascent concept but could gain rapid growth given the pressure to renew the nation’s electric power system.

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Managing Business Constraints

Thursday 17:00 - 18:15

The management of the electric power system is influence by large number of stakeholders with nearly a century of legacy. Companies interested in providing smart grid solutions to foster interoperation between elements of the electric system must satisfy the business and policy objectives for wide range of participants. These constraints make it difficult to offer new customer services made possible by an interoperable electric system. This Panel session will present examples of planning and execution of smart grid projects responding to existing and new business constraints. Specifically, business issues around regulatory implication of a utility’s energy efficiency project, the interoperable approach and considerations for smart grid appliances, and the constraints around integrating generation and demand resources will be introduced.

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Smart Grid Interop Policies

Friday 8:00 - 9:15

The federal and state legislatures are moving forward to develop policies that encourage steps to advancing the smart grid. Similarly, utility regulators are tackling smart grid proposals from service providers and consumers. Embedded in these policy statements and legislation are statements that can help or hinder interoperation. This session will review policy activity underway, discuss aspects of policy making that can influence interoperability, and provide examples of decisions that advanced or impeded the ability of multiple products, services, and providers to integrate and interact effectively.

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Utility Business Impacts

Friday 11:30 - 12:45

The issues and directions emerging from adoption of smart grid will impact utilities in a multitude of ways. In addition to tackling new technical and operational concerns, utilities must also face a wide array of business challenges and participate to capitalize on new opportunities. This Panel session will present examples of specific challenges facing today’s utilities and how interoperability could actually enhance utility’s business.

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