The term “Smart Grid” refers to a modernization of the electricity delivery system so it monitors, protects, and automatically optimizes the operation of its interconnected elements. The Smart Grid encompasses the optimization of central and distributed power generation, the high-voltage transmission network, distribution systems, building automation systems, distributed energy storage and renewable energy installations, industrial users, end-use consumers and their thermostats, electric vehicles, appliances and other household devices.

The Smart Grid is characterized by a two-way flow of electricity and information to create an automated, widely distributed energy delivery network. It incorporates the benefits of distributed computing and communications to deliver real-time information and enable the near-instantaneous balance of electric supply and demand at the device level.

Like an energy internet, the Smart Grid will support economic growth and market-driven improvements in the electric utility market just as technology and new business models revolutionized the telecommunications marketplace in the 1980s and 1990s. Smart Grid technology enables consumers to manage their energy use better and helps utilities better manage the assets that produce and deliver power, resulting in cleaner, more efficient and more reliable electric power for consumers.

Georgia is leading the nation in the development of Smart Grid both in terms of the demonstrated benefits of Smart Grid deployment and in the development, manufacturing and sale of the technology and systems that are helping make the Smart Grid a reality. Advancing the Smart Grid industry in Georgia will result in economic growth, job creation, and capital expansion.   

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Smart Grid Society was established in 2009 to accelerate economic growth and jobs creation within Georgia’s Smart Grid companies by exploring key technologies and collaborations necessary to drive Smart Grid systems into reality.  Since its founding one year ago, the society has achieved its goals with an emphasis on education and networking as measured by participant totals and research feedback.  The society recently evolved its mission statement to reflect an increased focus on economic development and job creation around smart grid in Georgia while helping project Georgia’s Smart Grid market leadership out into the national and international markets.  To this end, the Smart Grid society and the MIT Enterprise Forum will together co-host an October 13^th, 2010 live event and global webcast: “Bringing Intelligence to the Electric Grid.” The event is for executives, engineers and entrepreneurs to better understand how organizations in the Smart Grid ecosystem are advancing innovation and accelerating economic development.  The society expects several hundred on site attendees and an even greater number of registered webcast participants from around the world.

The program will begin with a networking reception and keynote address from Charles Vartanian of A123 Systems, followed by a global webcast panel moderated by CNN International’s Natalie Allen on October 13, 2010 at IBM’s Hillside Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia. The event panel will include TAG Smart Grid Society Chairman Anthony Maiello of GE, Allan Schurr of IBM, and Atlanta’s own Tom Noonan of fast growing energy technology start up JouleX.

Networking alone makes this a must attend for all members of the Atlanta technology community and the members of the Georgia Smart Grid Society board hope to see you there! Registration for the event and global webcast is open/available now at the TAG Smart Grid Society page at TAG online.

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