Organized by the Smart Grid Observer, (www.smartgridobserver.com), the event will discuss case studies of improved network performance, resiliency, outage restoration, and distributed energy resource (DER) integration, with the intent of determining best practices and evaluating technology advances for possible implementation. As in prior years, this is a unique opportunity to network with top industry professionals who are leading the way toward effective grid modernization and the integrated, interoperable, resilient energy network of tomorrow.
Why Attend?
Illinois' Grid Modernization Leadership: Illinois is ranked 2nd in the nation for its grid modernization policies, investments, and activities, according to the 2017 National Grid Modernization Index.* This -- plus the recently launched NextGrid initiative by the Illinois Commerce Commission -- makes Illinois an ideal location to learn from the leaders at the vanguard of grid modernization today.
In-Depth Education, Focused Networking: A careful balance of in-depth presentations together with ample time for networking make this Forum an ideal opportunity to learn the very latest advances and establish relationships with key executives.
Reality-Based Success Strategies: The emphasis throughout is on the real-world case studies and best practices for delivering cost savings, integrating renewables, driving efficiency, and maximizing customer engagement.
Latest and Greatest: Technology innovators, startups, and industry leaders will be discussing the very latest tech advances and applications for taking the network to the next level of excellence.
Forum Audience:
- Network strategies and executives at investor-owned, municipal, and rural utilities
- Grid operations engineers and directors
- Service and network planners
- Consultants and system integrators
- Regulatory and policymakers
- Technology innovators and equipment vendors
- Energy storage, communications, and power control solutions providers
- Government agency representatives
- Researchers and university professionals
- Renewable energy providers and technology vendors
- Financial and investment industry professionals
Program Schedule & Speakers
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
2:15 - 4:30 pm Pre-Conference Site Tour
S&C Electric's Smart Grid Solutions Demonstration Center details
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
7:15 - 8:15 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15 - 9:30 am Grid Modernization: Utility Experiences details
- David W. South, Senior Principal, West Monroe Partners, LLC
- Joseph Svachula, Vice President of Smart Grid and Technology, ComEd
- Barry J. (Joe) Bentley, Vice President, Customer Operations, AES Corporation
- Matthew Glasser, Director, Utility of the Future, Con Edison
9:30 - 10:0 am Keynote Address details
- Ellen Anderson, Executive Director, Energy Transition Lab, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
10:00 - 10:30 am Networking Break
10:30 - 11:00 am Keynote Address: Where Are Batteries Going? details
- George Crabtree, Senior Scientist, Distinguished Fellow, Argonne National Laboratory and Director, Joint Center for Energy Storage Research
11:00 - 12:15 pm Putting Data to Work: Cutting-Edge Analytics for Grid Modernization details
- Craig Williamson, Senior Principal Consultant, Key Initiatives Practice, DNV-GL
- Mathew Lockridge, Chief Strategy Officer, field2base
- Craig Boice, President, Boice Dunham Group
12:15 - 1:30 pm Networking Luncheon
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Track A
1:30 - 2:45 pm Demand Response and Peak Demand Management of Multiple Assets details
- Ryan DeKimpe, Principal Marketing Analyst, Energy Optimization - Demand Response,
DTE Energy - Eric McDonald, Director, Facilities and Infrastructure Development, NextEnergy
- Liam Kelly, Systems Engineering Manager, Enbala Power Networks
- Jason Houck, Chief Information Officer, Hepta Systems
- Ali Alrikabi, System Control Engineer, Coritech Systems
2:45 - 3:15 pm Networking Break
3:15 - 4:15 pm International Lessons & Experiences in Grid Modernization details
- Rao Konidena, Principal Advisor, Policy Studies, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
- Jeppe Fredslund, Head of Wind Energy Advisory, Embassy of Denmark
- Jens Acker, Counselor, Energy Trade, Digital Economy, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
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Track B
1:30 - 2:45 pm Blockchain and Grid Modernization details
- Dr. Elizabeth A. Kocs, Director, The Energy Initiative, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Dr. Kristen Brown, Principal Business Technology Specialist, ComEd
- Andrew Barbeau, President, The Accelerate Group
- Larisa Dobriansky, Chief Business & Policy Innovation Officer, General Microgrids
2:45 - 3:15 pm Networking Break
3:15 - 4:15 pm How U.S. Consumers Think About and Engage with Smart Energy details
- Nathan Shannon, Deputy Director, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative
- Colleen Ewell, Director, Customer Engagement, Ameren Illinois
- Doug Lewin, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, CLEAResult
- Janice Wakeley, Senior Market Research Analyst, ComEd
- Andy McKenna, Energy & Utilities Expert, PA Consulting Group
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4:15 - 5:15 pm Grid Modernization: Vendor and Regulator Perspectives
- Paul DeCotis, Senior Director, Energy & Utilities Practice, West Monroe Partners
- Additional panelists TBA
5:15 - 6:15 pm Networking Reception
Thursday, May 24 , 2018
7:15 - 8:15 am Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30 am Grid Modernization and the Imperative for Utility Transformation details
- Dr. Mani Vadari, President, Modern Grid Solutions
8:30 - 9:45 am What Does "Utility as a Platform" Really Mean? details
- Phil Nevels, Director Utility of the Future, ComEd
- Thomas Golden, Emerging Technologies Program Manager, EPRI
- Tim Stojka, CEO, Agentis Energy
- Ian Adams, Chief of Staff, Clean Energy Trust
9:45 - 10:15 am Networking Break
10:15 - 11:00 am Case Study: Near Real-Time System Loss Analysis at Ameren Illinois details
- William Darden, Director of Business Solutions, PowerRunner
11:00 - 11:30 am Grid Modernization at National Grid
- Daniel Payares Luzio, Project Manager, New Energy Solutions National Grid
11:30 - 12:00 pm Insights on the Microgrid Market Opportunity details
- Steve Griffith, PMP, Industry Director, Connected Systems Division, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
12:00 - 1:00 pm Networking Luncheon
1:00 - 2:00 pm The Keys to Financing Microgrids details
- Chris Evanich, Applications Director - Microgrids, S&C Electric Company
- Additional panelists TBA
2:00 - 2:30 pm Aerial Cable Systems Advances details
- Ted Gardner, Electrical Engineer, Hendrix Aerial Cable Systems
2:30 - 2:45 pm Networking Break
2:45 - 4:15 pm Electric Vehicles and Energy; How the Market Is Changing and What Utilities Can Learn From Early Adopters details
- Alan Wernke, Chief Business Officer, Information Architect, Data Insights
- Alan White, Chief Business Officer, eMotorWerks
- Bryan Tillman, Project Manager, 360 Energy Group
- Asad Farid, Associate Director, Thematics team, Berenberg
- Jukka Kukkonen, Founder, PlugInConnect
- Rao Konidena, Principal Advisor, Policy Studies, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
