About Grid Week:
GridWeek 2008 is where U.S. electricity grid thought leaders will explore the smart grid’s role in delivering sustainable energy. Energy policy makers and members of public utility and information technology industries will examine smart grid successes, role in carbon reduction, alternative distributed generation, and the implementation of the Energy Act of 2007. With speeches and other sessions about enabling energy and utility efficiencies, IT and grid interoperability, new business models, and energy security, GridWeek, is the event to outline smart grid possibilities and expectations as the U.S. electricity system moves into the 21st century.

About GE's participation in Grid Week:
As a platinum sponsor, GE Energy - T&D, is organizing a track titled "Enabling Energy Efficiency", a banner under which two panels will take place -- "The Energy Efficiency Value Chain" and "The Impact of Consumer Choice and Control."

Bob Gilligan, VP T&D, GE Energy, will be one of two keynote speakers in the opening plenary. Bob will discuss the geopolitics driving the smart grid and expound on the energy efficiency, power reliability and environmental benefits it delivers.

Energy Efficiency Value Chain (Sept 23, 2008 1:30-3:30pm Ronald Reagan Bldg, Washington, DC) This session takes a closer look at the "value chain" of energy efficiency enabled by smart grid deployment. Innovative technologies, such as integrated VOLT/VAR control and the use of amorphous transformers, can deliver energy efficiency increases and help to maximize productivity. We will explore the opportunities and challenges associated with deployment of these and other technologies with visionary utilities. Panelists include David Mohler, Duke Energy; Andres Carvallo, Austin Energy; Ram Rao, Ambient Corporation; and Tom Jobes, American Electric Power (AEP). The panel will be moderated by Philip Bane, Smart Grid News.

Impact of Consumer Choice and Control (Sept 23, 2008 3:30-5:00pm Ronald Reagan Bldg, Washington, DC) This session will focus on the improved choice and control that both consumers and businesses are afforded as a result of a variety of Smart Grid technologies. It will also explore the changes in energy usage behaviors that can result from the deployment of these technologies. In-home pre-cooling and pre-heating, 'smart' thermostats, and the usage of hybrid vehicles are all tools that incorporate the real-time knowledge and intuitive technology necessary for consumers and businesses to manage their electricity spend and usage proactively and effectively, while actively participating in the conservation effort. Panelists in this session include David Bell, of Masco Contractor Services; Gordon Holness, ASHRAE; Kelley Speakes-Backman, SunEdison; and Lisa Wood, Institute for Electric Efficiency. The panel will be moderated by Juan de Bedout, of GE Global Research Center.

Additional information:
GE will have a Hospitality Suite -- Meridian D -- in the Reagan Building. We'll be hosting a cocktail reception on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5-6:30 in conjunction with SmartSynch.