BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE SYMPOSIUM

From Smart Grids to Better Access to Broadband – Driving Next-Generation Utility Telecom

Sponsored By:

Broadband over Power Line (BPL) deployments among electric utilities continues to grow and adapt to meet evolving utility and community needs. Today, BPL is proven to deliver technology for next-generation smart grid applications for utilities – plus, it is helping the communities these utilities serve by improving their access to commercial broadband services. At this symposium you will hear from utilities that are deploying BPL for smart grid applications as well as offering commercial broadband services. Learn how BPL technologies continue to improve all the time, how they integrate with other communications technologies, and where BPL experts see them headed in the future. Whether you are planning your utility’s next generation communications network or just trying to solve a short-term problem, learn how BPL can help.

Sun, May 06
04:30 PM - 06:30 PM	UTC EXPO 2007 Grand Opening Kick off UTC EXPO 2007, the exhibit hall of UTC TELECOM 2007, with other attendees along with UTC's technology partners with food, drinks and networking in the hall. Walk around and meet old and new friends as you get a glimpse of what UTC EXPO 2007 has to offer.
Mon, May 07
08:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Opening General Session Kick off UTC TELECOM 2007 at the Opening General Session on Monday morning where we will introduce all attendees to this year’s theme: Learning. Connecting. Celebrating. The Critical Infrastructure Communications Experience. The General Session will feature reports from UTC’s Chairman of the Board, Joseph Lackey, Telecommunications Supervisor at Southside Electric Cooperative, and UTC’s Division Chairs explaining what UTC is doing to help you with your jobs. Don’t miss UTC TELECOM 2007’s keynote address by Andres Carvallo, the nationally recognized Chief Information Officer at Austin Energy. Hear how this innovative CIO sees the future of critical infrastructure communications and learn how Austin Energy is on the cutting edge many new utility telecom ideas.
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM	Smart Meters Need Smart Networks Room: 17A A smart network is the linchpin of smart metering. AMI needs meters that measure interval consumption, record voltage, verify outage and accept commands. But, it is the network that creates the bridge between the user and the utility allowing for the efficient transfer of data between multiple endpoints and the utility’s operations center and its various business applications. This session will help make you smarter about knowing what kind of “smarts” your smart meter network really needs to deliver the best value.
	BPL Technology Crossfire Room: 18AB “What are the technical capabilities of BPL now and what are the challenges going forward … I ask you [insert name of BPL Exec here]???” This will be the central question during this roundtable among BPL industry leaders. But, there will be so many more detailed questions both from the moderator and the audience. Focus areas will be technology status, speeds, network considerations and standards. This lively discussion will depart from the canned presentations of the past and get to the meat of the technical issues for BPL as it goes commercial.
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM	Networking Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Building a BPL Business Case Room: 18AB BPL can be used for both commercial broadband services and internal utility applications – but what is the respective share of each for the overall business case and what is the payback time period? What technologies are suited to certain applications and markets? What about depreciation and equipment life cycle? This session will examine these and other real-world questions about the business case for BPL. It will feature objective perspectives from a variety of experts with first hand experience with BPL and other communications technologies. You won’t want to miss this stimulating session.
11:45 AM - 05:30 PM	UTC EXPO 2007 Open
12:30 PM - 02:30 PM	Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2007
02:30 PM - 03:30 PM	HOT TOPIC: Disaster Planning and Your Wireless and IT Systems Room: 19AB Businesses, including utilities, are missing the key role of wireless communications and IT networks in their business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Few commercial businesses have a comprehensive BC/DR plan: while some have a sketchy idea of procedures to meet basic requirements, many others don’t even have that. This presentation looks at the benefits of a top-down BC/DR plan, including the critical role of wireless, and you will hear from one utility that has been doing serious thinking about how to change its use of technology to meet new emergencies and possible pandemics.
06:30 PM - 09:30 PM	UTC Gala Room: Buffalo Billiards A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, a little bit of everything -- Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World” and UTC certainly can’t send you home without a taste of some great live music! That’s why this year’s UTC Gala will feature country western sounds and a starring lead singer - your chairman - Joe Lackey! Dance the night away or enjoy casual time with food and drinks to catch up with old friends. The UTC Gala will be a night to remember your trip to Austin and UTC TELECOM 2007.
Tue, May 08
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Breakfast General Session Featuring: Presentation of the UTC Apex Award & Special Keynote Address on Next Generation Infrastructures The presentation of Third Annual UTC Apex Award, sponsored by Motorola, will be an awards breakfast to remember as we honor the absolute best in utility telecommunications. Join us as we showcase the winners of this distinguished award and the finalists - told through the stories they submitted. This year, we are adding a special address to immediately follow the UTC Apex Award presentation. Bruce Germano, Vice President of Retail Delivery at Long Island Power Authority, and Chairman of EPRI’s IntelliGrid Project, has been invited to give his unique perspective on the critical role of communications in the next generation of utility infrastructure.
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM	Networking Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM	BPL as an Intelligent Grid – City of Austin Case Study Room: 18AB PowerGrid Communications is working with Austin Energy and the City of Austin, Texas on a multi dimensional hybrid BPL/WiMesh deployment featuring intelligent grid applications such as outage detection along with an integrated water and electric AMR network and home energy management systems that will enable real time monitoring of energy and water usage combined with the capability to control high use appliances by accessing smart thermostats and relays. The project also includes an integrated solar energy management system, BPL-enabled video surveillance service, and broadband consumer services such as high speed internet access and VoIP. This session will explore how they designed the BPL system and are operating it to address identified needs regarding electric and water conservation, customer satisfaction and service improvement, as well as identify leverage points for additional community services.
10:30 AM - 03:30 PM	UTC EXPO 2007 Open
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM	Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2007
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM	HOT TOPIC: Retirement – How it Affects You and Your Utility Room: 19AB Sponsored by the UTC Career Center - This session will focus on two aspects of retirement: how it affects you financially when you make the choice to leave, and what impact retirement has on utilities. Experts from a financial services firm offer help on how to prepare yourself for retirement and the many issues associated with transitioning out of the working world – even if you plan to work after your “official” retirement. The second part of the session will include a discussion on how utility companies can cope with an aging workforce and make sure that no critical knowledge is lost in handing off jobs to younger professionals. This session is great for those about to retire and utility HR department curious about what to do next!
	International Utility Telecom Roundtable *NEW* Room: 11A All delegates to UTC TELECOM 2007 are invited to attend this special roundtable discussion about key utility telecom initiatives underway outside the United States. A discussion will be led by UTC’s International Division Co-Chairmen and will feature an update on Smart Grids activities in the European Union and projects of note from South America with a special emphasis on activities in Brazil. In addition, all international delegates present will be invited to report on activities in their countries. Regardless of where you are from, this session will provide unique perspectives on utility telecom around the world.
12:30 PM - 02:30 PM	Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2007
03:15 PM - 04:15 PM	What Do 2 Million Texas Homes Have in Common? BPL! Room: 18AB Current Technologies is working with TXU to deploy BPL to 2 million homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This session will identify the key drivers in their go-to-market approach, the challenges that they have encountered and the view ahead as the deployment continues to grow. Everything from VoIP to SmartGrid will be covered during this comprehensive case study.
04:15 PM - 04:30 PM	Networking Break
04:30 PM - 05:30 PM	In-Building BPL – Another Opportunity Realized Room: 18AB In-building BPL is here today both for commercial services and energy management applications. There have been several significant in-building deals over the last year, some of them involving utilities. This is a hot market because BPL is an attractive alternative technology for providing secure, cost-effective coverage into and throughout buildings.
06:30 PM - 09:30 PM	UTC Awards Dinner Room: Hilton Salon A/B/C The UTC Awards Dinner is the main social event of UTC TELECOM 2007! Join us as we honor the recipients of UTC’s most prestigious awards, the Dondanville, Meehan and Chairman’s Awards after enjoying a formal, sit down dinner. What better way to end out UTC TELECOM 2007 than ending the last full day with a presentation honoring colleagues and friends. Make sure to stay after dinner for a great dessert and an evening spent listening to jazz. *semi-formal attire
Wed, May 09
08:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Capstone - UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast Room: Ballroom EFG Help us wrap up UTC TELECOM 2007 in style on Wednesday morning as we elect UTC’s new officers for 2007-2008. Join outgoing UTC Chairman Joe Lackey and the senior members of UTC’s leadership as reports are delivered on activities over the past year and plans for 2007-2008. The Annual UTC Membership Meeting is an important aspect of being a member. But, it is also an important opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a UTC member. This is a short but ideal way to learn how you can benefit from greater involvement in UTC. Come and be a part of the annual progress of your trade association!
10:15 AM - 12:00 PM	Grounding Workshop Room: 19AB Grounding systems help telecom systems operate at peak performance. To keep grounding systems functioning at their best, it is essential to understand how the key elements of a grounding system function and how to solve common problems. Attendees of this practical workshop will learn about subjects including grounding electrode systems, single point grounding, isolated ring and halo grounds, as well as tower grounding practices and site bonding.
	Pole Attachment Workshop – Challenges and Opportunities Room: 18AB Pole attachment and joint use issues are heating up! This workshop will identify the legal/regulatory developments, business and operational issues and technical and safety considerations that face the utility industry. It will feature leading experts providing their perspectives and answering your questions about the big policy issues and the routine operational challenges you need to know. These are issues that affect every aspect of the utility business: reliability, safety, asset management, and communications. You can’t afford to miss this session.
12:30 PM - 05:00 PM	Austin Energy/PowerGrid Communications BPL Site Visit Ever wonder what BPL is all about really? Come see it live at the Austin Energy/PowerGrid Communications BPL demo house. After all the UTC TELECOM 2007 workshops are over on Wednesday afternoon, Austin Energy is inviting UTC TELECOM 2007 attendees to see their demo house. There is no set tour and attendees will be welcome to browse through the house at their leisure. PowerGrid Communications will treat attendees that visit the BPL Demo House to a barbeque lunch. Buses will leave the Austin Convention Center at 12:30 p.m. Buses will start coming back to the Austin Convention Center at 4:00 p.m. RSVP to stephanie.colbert@utc.org.