Presentation Abstract: "What to Expect from Smart Grid - Trends, Opportunities, and How It Will Change the Game" As smart grid ramps up, companies will have to adjust their practices to consider smart grid integration or face being left behind. We see smart grid as the end point of three key trends: the widespread availability of information on generation, consumption, transmission and distribution of electrical energy; the ability to use that information productively; and the increased penetration of distributed generation, including energy storage and the management of energy consumption to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. This presentation will discuss those opportunities and what they will mean for organizations. Attendees will learn how the transition to smart grid will affect those on the front lines - CIOs and IT departments, consulting and specifying engineers, facility managers, telecom providers and solar power system integrators. Attendees will also learn what to watch out for, and how to prepare for smart grid, including monitoring and managing energy usage, being more diligent about protecting power and implementing a new generation of communications-enabled equipment and devices. Speaker: Charles O'Donnell, Vice President, Engineering, Liebert AC Power Business, Emerson Network Power Mr. Donnell is currently Vice President of AC Power Engineering for Liebert North America, a division of Emerson Network Power, in Delaware, Ohio. He is responsible for product development for UPS, power distribution, and related products. Mr. O'Donnell has more than 25 years experience in the computer, telecommunications, and power protection industries. His prior positions include vice President of Service Technology for Invensys Powerware in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Vice President of Quality for Adtran in Huntsville, Alabama. Prior to this he held various positions during his ten years with Hewlett-Packard in Corvallis, Oregon, and Roseville, California. [back to Program Agenda]