Antje Helma: Utility Communications Networks for the ...

The EcoCom SIG Presents...

CIO Forum

Public Utilities, whether electric, gas or water, face considerable challenges in the next decade to deliver greater efficiency and operational effectiveness while dealing with stretched supply lines, the need to modernize and growing resistance to costs being passed on to end-users. ?Many Utilities face one or more of the following:
???? The upgrade or replacement of aging infrastructure;
???? The modernization of systems to meet tough new environmental regulations;
???? The minimization of operating expenditures in the face of a variety of economic pressures;
???? Integration of renewable energy sources or green consumer products;
???? The adoption of new models of value creation;
???? Reaction to liberalization, convergence and competition for end customers

In many ways one of the biggest investment risks for Utilities (and for their regulators, rate payers and investors) are the telecommunications networks required to support network wide modernization, for without modern communication networks Utilities cannot take advantage of such technologies as:
???? Remote reading of consumer meters;
???? Condition based maintenance monitoring;
???? Load shedding technologies;
???? Demand response technology;
???? Remote connect and disconnect

Implementation of these communication networks, so different from the legacy systems in place today, requires a paradigm shift in understanding and thinking.? Without well thought-out and robust communication platforms, network modernization may not meet the lofty expectations that have been bandied about. ?Utilities may need to understand issues including but not limited to:
???? What communications technologies to use;
???? How to effectively locate sensors in challenging topographical environments;
???? What is the availability of suitable spectrum for wireless communications;
???? How to undertake the data mining of the Terra bytes of information that can potentially be collected from the network and consumer alike.

Our panel of local Utility CIO?s and senior executives will discuss their current and future telecommunications initiatives and some of the challenges that have been identified.

PANELISTS:
Chris Baker
CIO, SDG&E
Chris Baker is senior vice president ? support services and chief information officer for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), Sempra Energy?s regulated California utilities.? In his current position, Baker oversees information technology, supply management, diverse business enterprises, environmental services and emergency services, fleet services, real estate, land management and facilities at SDG&E and SoCalGas. ?He is also responsible for the design and implementation of new systems and procedures to improve the operating efficiency and customer experience at both utilities through the operational excellence and smart metering programs.? Baker served as Sempra Energy?s director of software development from 1997 to 2000, and as information management and security administration manager from 1995 to 1997.

Prior to joining Sempra Energy in 1995, Baker was a senior systems consultant with Logicon 4GT, where he worked with defense finance and accounting services.? He also worked on analysis for several government entities, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Finance and Management and the U.S. Postal Service?s National Air and Surface System.
Previously, Baker held several positions in the banking industry, including serving as section manager of information management and executive information services at HomeFed Bank, a position he held from 1990 to 1993.? Prior to 1990, he was employed with Home Savings of America, holding several different positions in their information technology division. Baker serves as a board member on CommNexus.

Geoff Stevens
CIO, Otay Water
Mr . Stevens is the CIO at the Otay Water District, in San Diego.? He is responsible for enterprise strategic planning and IT.? He has also held assignments at Sempra Energy in San Diego, and Consolidated Edison of New York.? His primary focus is on enterprise asset management and leveraging IT for strategic benefit. He has a Masters Degree in Communications Research from the University of Pennsylvania.

SIG CO-CHAIRS:
Mike Elconin, VP, Tech Coast Angeles
Maria Sendra, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Joel Garcia, Co-Founder, CM Tech Partners
Thomas Hartman, Managing Director, Ventana Capital
Gary Hawkins, Vice President, Sun Ray Solutions Inc.
Alex Kim, Director, Customer Innovations, SDG&E
Mark Bowles, Chief Marketing Officer & Founder, EcoATM

DATE:
November 10th, 2011