The Smart Grid is often touted as an internet-style revolution in the utility sector. There is no doubt that new, smart technologies will change the way that energy is generated and delivered, and that the smart grid will change the way utilities interact with their customers and do business in a radical way.
Precisely how the smart grid and smart metering will affect the energy landscape for utilities in the Middle East is the subject of the annual Smart Grids Middle East conference and exhibition, which wil take place at the Shangri La Hotel in Dubai on December 5-8, 2010.
In its second year, the conference will bring together such experts and decision-makers as Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA; Eng. Ali Al Barrak, CEO of Saudi Electricity Company; Ian Howell, Director of Oman’s AMI project; Ali Mouslmani, CEO of Elster Metering; Hazaa Elayoubi, CEO of Itron Middle East, as well as experts from European utilities and organisations.
The topics to be discussed will be:
· The Smart Grid Vision for the Middle East – What will the utility of the future look like and how will it operate? · Smart Metering – How to derive maximum value from your smart metering project, from pilot to full-scale roll-out, and how to avoid common pitfalls. · The Regulatory Environment – what steps should be taken to create a ‘smart grid-friendly’ regulatory structure? How do regulators view the smart grid? · Smart Cities – What’s under the hood of Masdar? What are the new technologies that will support energy-efficient cities and developments in the future? · European Smart Grid – How have utilities in Europe begun to see benefits from their smart grid programmes and what can you learn from them? · Billing, Customer Service, and MDM – How does Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deliver monetary and intangible benefits to your utility by improving efficiency and customer satisfaction?
In addition, the forum will feature country and utility briefings from top officials of DEWA, ADWEA, Oman, Jordan, and others, who are planning smart grid projects.
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