Conferences

Summary

This exciting 2nd Annual event will look at the key issues in the implementation of smart grid networks and the challenges that lie ahead for the Australian energy and utility industries. 

Drawing on the experience and knowledge of leading industry figures, from regulatory bodies, local and state government's, utility companies, distributors and system developers, the forum will address the regulatory and network requirements for successful implementation and explore the possibility of NBN integration. 

Book your place at this event today to find out how your organisation can benefit from a smart future, a future based on more reliable networks, reduced energy generation and distribution costs and reduced risk.

Don't miss out on your chance to register for this exclusive event. Book now!

Group discounts and early bird rates apply! 

Learning Objectives

REDEFINE what smart grids really mean

Speakers

Conference Agenda

Day 1, Monday 28th September 2009 

8:30   Registration

9:00   Opening remarks from the chair

Phil Perry, Managing Director, Impaq Consulting

KEYNOTE INDUSTRY ADDRESS

9.10   Industry Address

George Maltabarow, Managing Director, Energy Australia

9.40    Redefining Smart Grids

• Looking beyond smart meters to the bigger picture
• How are smart grids going to evolve in Australia?
• Why do we need them now and what can they do for us?
• Raising awareness of what smart grids mean and what we can learn from international projects

John Theunissen, Director of Asset Engineering, SP Ausnet

10:20 Morning Tea

NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE

10:50    National Energy Efficiency: What it can do for clean energy and a more diversified grid

• Federal investment and research opportunities
• Solar homes, community projects and diversified sources of power
• The Clean Energy Trade and Investment Strategy and the possibilities for Australian businesses on a global scale

Matthew Warren, CEO, Clean Energy Council

NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK

11:30    A Telco’s view of Smart Grids

• Supporting the development of smart grids through the current communication infrastructure 
• Taking advantage of the potential network growth and building links to fibre core transmission and utilities
• Using Demand Side Management (DSM) to better engage business customers for full service operation and to increase ‘stickyness’
• Reconciling telecommunication and utilities cultural investment timeline differences

Speaker TBC

12:10 Panel Discussion:  What does the industry need from regulatory bodies for effective smart grid network development and implementation?

Chaired by Phil Perry, Managing Director, Impaq Consulting
Phil will be joined by speakers from the day

12:50    Luncheon

INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY

1:50     IBM and Enemalta Corporation Case Study: The world’s first country to implement an end-to-end electricity and water smart utility system

• Transforming key utility business processes through the implementation of an integrated utility business solution
• Implementing a 5-year, multi-phase engagement that will improve operational efficiency and customer service
      levels
• Assisting Enemalta to optimising current operations, as well as opening untapped markets

David Murray, Communications General Manager, IBM

2:30   Case Study: Victoria Energy Networks – Planning and development policy needs

• Exploring recent developments in network planning
• Assessing Victoria’s future policy needs

Marianne Lourey, Executive Director Energy Sector Development, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

3:10 Afternoon tea

3:30     Research Case Study:  How federal funding is helping to advance ‘smart’ research

• Harnessing NCITA’s research to generate significant economic and social returns for the Australian community

Dr Jussi Rintanen, Principal Researcher, NICTA

4:10   Can Smart Grids, AMI and NBN’s work together? 

• How compatible is current AMI infrastructure with smart network technology?
• Discussing the possibilities of aligning competing protocols and standards

Robin Eckermann, Principal, Eckermann & Associates

4:50    Chair’s closing remarks

5:00    End of Day 1

Day 2, Tuesday 29th September 2009

8:30    Morning coffee and tea

9:00    Opening remarks from the Chair
Jon Stretch, Executive Vice President Asia Pacific, Landis & Gyr

KEYNOTE MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

9.10      Ministerial Address

Hon Patrick Conlon, Minister for Energy, Government of South Australia

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

9.40 Development of smart grid infrastructure

• What can be used from traditional networks?
• Ensuring developments and implementation is in line with regulatory requirements
• Aligning utility integration with the National Broadband Network

Graeme Marshall, Director, Smart Grid Initiative, Department of the Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts

10:20 Case Study: Aligning existing AMI infrastructure and the smart grid network

- Smart grid and DM trials in South Australia
- Integrating DLC infrastructure into the customer environment
- 2009 trial results of Demand Management in South Australia

Richard Twisk, GM Demand and Network Management, ETSA Utilities

10:50    Morning tea

11:20    Case Study: Looking into the Victorian Smart Networks and Smart Meters Roll Out

• Exploring the roll out of smart meter technology in Victoria
• Providing an update on progress to date
• Looking to the future of AMI and smart networks

Kevin Webster, AMI Technology Manager, United Energy Distribution and Jemena Electricity Networks

12:00     Case Study: The Queensland Solar City Project for Townsville

The ‘Townsville: Queensland Solar City’ project will show case the future of sustainable urban living in Australia by providing a model of how demand management, solar energy and energy conservation can deliver economic and environmental benefits in a specific trial area.  The demand management objective that forms the focus of this presentation will change the shape of Magnetic Island demand, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save customers money and, importantly, defer investment in Ergon Energy’s distribution network.

Jim Chisholm, Executive General Manager Corporate Sustainability & Innovation, Ergon Energy

12:40   Luncheon   

ENERGY IN EVOLUTION: LOOKING BEYOND THE SMART GRID

1:30 Making the smart grid smarter and more efficient with renewable energy

• Grid implications of encouraging small and large scale solar and wind energy projects, DSM and energy efficiency
• Smart appliances in the home and their operational benefits with the smart grid
• Battery storage of energy, electric vehicles and vehicle to grid (V2G)

Chris Cormack, Manager Carbon & Renewables, AGL

2:10 The integration of green energy and managing a diversified grid

•     Looking to international projects for inspiration and application in the domestic market
•     Greenfield sites: the opportunities
•     Future strategies for utility and distribution owners to engage with the community
•     Looking at modern business models needed for utility and regional sustainability

Geoff James, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO

2:50 Afternoon tea

3:20    Panel Discussion: What can the smart grid can do for us?

• Analysing opportunities open to the energy industry and Australian market
• Will they increase efficiency by reducing outages and disruption
• Optimise renewable energy sources
• Build a secure, sustainable energy supply
• Reap the financial benefits and savings

Chair: Jon Stretch, Executive VP Asia Pacific, Landis & Gyr
Geoff James, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO
Kevin Webster, AMI Technology Manager, United Energy Distribution and Jemena Electricity Networks
Jim Chisholm, Executive General Manager Corporate Sustainability & Innovation, Ergon Energy

4:00     Case Study: The Virtual Grid in Central Victoria

Across Australia individuals and communities are taking up the challenge of generating renewable energy. How can the grid become more responsive to this trend? What are the barriers and opportunities for communities, utilities and government in creating an interactive grid?

Jane Knight, Project Development, Central Victoria Greenhouse Alliance

4:40  Chair’s closing remarks

4:45   End of day 2

Workshop Agenda

Day 3, Workshops, Wednesday 30th September 2009 

8.30    Registration

Workshop A 9:00am - 12:00pm  Wednesday 30th September 2009 

9.00   What Australia can learn from IBM Global Projects

Smart Grid Maturity Model: Creating a Clear Path to the Smart Grid

Around the globe, progressive Utilities see the inevitability of adopting a smart grid to modernize the power gird.
More than meters and mobility, the smart grid represents a whole new framework for improved management of electric generation, transmission and distribution.

This is a facilitated workshop from industry experts who will lead discussions around the Smart Grid Maturity Model and how it creates a roadmap of activities, investments and best practices that lead to creating a smart grid.

This Workshop will address:
   Begin with a Smart Grid Vision, Establish a Journey;
   Utility Domains Impacted by Smart Grid
   Putting the Smart Grid Maturity Model into Action, Case Studies and
   Best-Practice Examples

Workshop Leader: Mal Coble, Intelligent Utility Networks - Solutions Leader, IBM

Lunch will be provided for those delegates attending both workshops

Workshop B 

1.00  Can Smart Grids, AMI and NBN’s work together?  1:00pm - 4:00pm 

This workshop will explore the following issues arising from smart grid implementation and AMI infrastructure, and conclude by discussing the opportunities for NBN integration. 

Workshop Highlights:

- Overcoming inoperability issues between different system developers and distributors

- Considering existing AMI infrastructure when developing and implementing smart grid systems

- Discussing how to achieve technical integration across different standards communities

- Understanding the bigger picture: The roll of the National Broadband Network in the future of smart energy and how your organisation can look to benefit from this relationship

Workshop Leader: Phil Perry, Managing Director, Impaq Consulting

16.00  Close of workshop and forum

Pricing
(must register & pay by dates listed)