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Technology Executives Roundtable Announces 2010 Leadership Team, James Davis to Lead the Group as President
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Feb 4 2010

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Feb 4 2010

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The mission of the TAG Smart Grid Society is to educate, enlighten, and accelerate the development of Smart Grid in Georgia by exploring key technologies and collaborations necessary to drive Smart Grid systems into reality.

The TAG Smart Grid society will hold monthly meetings discussing their mission, with key speakers, presentations, and panelists. Please continue to check this page for updates.

Meeting Schedule

February 2, 2010 - "Standardizing the Smart Grid" click here to register
April 6, 2010
June 1, 2010
August 3, 2010
October 5, 2010

WHAT IS SMART GRID?
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, renewable energy sources, energy storage, the high-voltage transmission network, distribution systems, industrial users, building automation systems, energy storage installations, 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.

WHY SMART GRID?

Smart Grid programs will modernize electric utility technology and evolve the power delivery business models, which served the USA well through the 20th Century, to meet new 21st Century challenges. 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. The US Federal Government and many State governments support Smart Grid programs (e.g., the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Title XIII – Smart Grid, Sec. 1301-1308). Smart Grid technology enables consumers to manage their energy use better and helps utilities better manage the assets that produce and deliver power. Smart Grids will result in cleaner, more efficient and more reliable electric power for consumers.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? • Increased power reliability and enhanced power quality. • Improved physical and cyber-security of electric supply. • Increased energy efficiency. • Reduced green house gas emissions. • Expanded consumer options.

• Reduced utility operational costs over time.

WHY GEORGIA AND WHY NOW?

Georgia is positioned to lead 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 will make the Smart Grid a reality.
Advancing Smart Grid will result in economic growth, job creation, and capital expansion. We have a unique set of advantages that, if properly leveraged, will accelerate Georgia as a leading Smart Grid center.
The global Smart Grid market is developing quickly so it is vital that Georgia’s various stakeholders work together to advance a common effort. The TAG Smart Grid Society will fulfill this mission.

Georgia's Smart Grid Sell Out

Written by Don McDonnell

Thursday, 22 October 2009 04:33

ATLANTA – October 22, 2009 The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Smart Grid Society held its inaugural information meeting on September 30, 2009 to a sell out crowd. Breaking records for a TAG society meeting for both pre-registration and on site attendance, the newly formed Smart Grid Society breakfast drew over 160 registered attendees from across Georgia and as far as North Carolina and Alabama. Ninety Seven percent (97%) of attendees rated the session as outstanding or good.

The program featured a welcome by TAG President Tino Mantella, a review of the Smart Grid Society’s call to action around its mission and vision, an introduction of all board members, and a keynote presentation entitled What is Smart Grid? by TAG Smart Grid Society board chairman Anthony Maiello of GE.

The mission of the TAG Smart Grid society is to educate, enlighten and accelerate the development of Smart Grid in Georgia by exploring key technologies and collaborations necessary to drive Smart Grid systems into reality.

Commenting on the results of the kick-off meeting, board chair Anthony Maiello said, “The fantastic turnout for our kick off meeting and the positive feedback we received in our surveys reaffirms our belief in the mission of the TAG Smart Grid Society and what our group will accomplish through teamwork. We are on our way towards achieving our objective of accelerating Georgia’s leadership role in the global Smart Grid marketplace.”

In a research survey conducted on site after the event, attendees rated their top areas of interest for the future session topics as Smart Grid IT issues, renewable energy, solar power, and grid management. Sixty percent (60%) of attendees rated the kick off session “outstanding,” thirty seven (37%) percent rated it as “good,” and the balance rated the session as adequate.

The TAG Smart Grid Society will co-present its next meeting on November 19, 2009 together with the TAG Marketing Society. The session will bring together some of Georgia’s top energy technology executives from IBM, GE, Siemens and Landis+Gyr for an insightful panel discussion on the mega trends occurring in the energy industry and how they are driving innovation in strategies for B2B technology marketers serving the smart grid, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and information technology industries.

The group's December 10, 2009 event will include top Georgia State political officials and senior executives from leading Georgia companies.

The upcoming events, open to all current TAG members and the general public, require advance registration online at: http://www.tagonline.org/SmartGrid.php.

Maiello concluded, “Advancing the Smart Grid in Georgia will result in economic growth, job creation, and capital expansion. As the TAG Smart Grid Society develops programs to engage additional stakeholders within the state and takes its message nationwide, we are confident that Georgia has a unique set of advantages that will result in continued leadership in the global market.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED TODAY

Become a member of TAG and join the Smart Grid Society.
If you are already a member of TAG, opt in to join the Smart Grid Society in your on-line profile.
Consider supporting the efforts of the TAG Smart Grid Society as a volunteer.
Become a sponsor of the TAG Smart Grid Society and enjoy the benefits of positive branding exposure through our program efforts and meetings.