Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia Peter K. Floyd, Esq. Alston & Bird, LLP Southeastern Energy Society, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia October 17, 2011

Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia  Smart Grid 101  Georgia Deployment and Use  Case Studies

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Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia  Smart Grid 101  Georgia Deployment and Use  Case Studies

Smart Grid 101  “Smart” now means using information regarding users, distribution and transmission in an attempts to predict and intelligently respond to the behavior and actions of all users - suppliers, consumers and those that do both.  Goal to efficiently deliver reliable, economic, and sustainable services.

Smart Grid 101  Note: I didn’t say Smart Grid or anything about electricity.  Using information so make systems more efficient isn’t new or limited to electricity or even utilities.  Smart Grid, Smart Phone and Smart Retail.

Shifting technology environment Convergence … digital and energy infrastructure GE Energy Services – MSGS Presentation

Smart Grid 101  Limit ourselves to utilities and to the retail distribution side.  Using information collecting technology to predict and intelligently respond to the behavior and actions of all utility retail consumers.  Goal to efficiently deliver reliable, economic, and sustainable services.

Smart Grid 101  Data collection  Smart meters  Smart appliances  Smart thermostats  Data communication  Drive by  Cell  Broadband  Hybrid, mix and match  Data storage  Utility  Cloud

Smart Grid 101  Data use  Automatic meter reading.  Regulatory compliance.  Better customer service.  Flexible rate options (time of use, prepayment).  Identify and reduce distribution loss.  Lower commodity/power purchase cost.  Geographic information system.  System controls (remote disconnect).  System automation (customer communication, automated distribution).  Account for distributed generation, alternative fuel vehicles and storage.  Outage management.

Smart Grid 101  Implementation issues.  Technology selection and vendors.  Installation and integration.  Communication.  Data storage and IT.  Data security.  Customer communication.  Regulatory change.  Training.

Electricity  In August 2011, Georgia Power installed its 2 millionth digital meter. All 2.4 million accounts should be complete by year end.  In December 2010, 36 EMCs were utilizing AMR/AMI, benefiting nearly 1.6 million customers (nearly 85% of EMC-served customers in Georgia). Several other EMC in the process.  As of this summer, approx. 65% of municipals were utilizing AMR/AMI.

Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia  Smart Grid 101  Georgia Deployment and Use  Case Studies

Natural Gas and Water  According to Itron Inc., it shipped its 30 millionth gas AMR/AMI module in 2010 to AGL.  Many of the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia’s members are using AMR/AMI.  Almost 50% of water systems in Georgia use AMR/AMI. GAWP 2010.  Approx. 71% of Georgia water systems have active meter change out programs. GAWP 2010.

Highlighting Issues  “’The [GPSC] began receiving complaints from customers who had their mechanical meters changed to the new, AMI electronic devices,’ he said. ‘Customers complained that their billing had increased after the new, AMI meters were installed.’”  “some consumers have raised concerns about … the health impact of the radio transmissions. …” but “‘a home Internet router is more dangerous than a smart meter. Smart meters emit a short burst of (radio frequency waves), maybe a half-dozen times a day… A home router is emitting constantly all day.’” Morris News Service, 9/8/11

Highlighting Issues  “Until we satisfy ourselves that the cybersecurity problems have been solved, we will be conservative,” Southern Co. CEOTom Fanning  “If your iPhone gets a bug in it, so what, you get a new one,” Fanning said. “If the electrical network of the United States gets a bug in it, we’re headed to trouble.”  Southern already has spent $1 billion on what Fanning called “cyberstuff,” which will save the company money over time. Southern hires hackers to look for security breaches in its grid. The company considers it an “all-threats” approach, Higginbottom said.  “We are confident that the systems that we selected do have appropriate security measures,” Southern spokesman Steve Higginbottom said. AJC, 6/3/11

Update on the Deployment and Use of Smart Grid Technology in Georgia  Smart Grid 101  Georgia Deployment and Use  Case Studies

Case Studies  Weeks/Days Before:  Meet with your attorney and discuss the specifics of your case including what facts each party needs to prove.  Think of or ask your attorney for a list of the types of questions to expect.  Think thru what you really know vs what is in documents or with another person.  What does your attorney know about other attorney’s tactics  Minutes before:  Most folks are nervous. Just breathe.  Go over the tips in my or your attorney’s prep list again.

Case Studies  LISTEN TO THE QUESTION.  Do not answer any question unless you hear it completely.  If you did not hear the question, ask that it be repeated.  UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION BEFORE ANSWERING.  Do not hesitate to ask the other attorney to repeat or rephrase the question until you understand it.  PAUSE AFTER EACH QUESTION.  opportunity to think  allows your attorney to objection if appropriate.

Case Studies  RIGHT TO CONFER WITH LAWYER.  May at any time.  Do not hesitate to exercise this right.  DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION.  Answer the question that is asked of you and then stop. Yes or no if possible.  When you add more to your answer, you simply give the attorney more ammunition to use against you.  NO EXPLANATIONS.  Never attempt to explain or justify your answer.  Can be made to appear that you doubt the accuracy or authenticity of your own testimony.  BUT, DON’T BE DECEPTIVE EITHER.

Case Studies  DON’T ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN YOU ARE TIRED.  Remember the chart.  Mental fatigue starts in about 30 or 40 minutes.  Ask to take a break as often as necessary.  Sloppy answers will come back to haunt you at trial.  REMAIN CALM AND POLITE.  Do not lose your temper no matter how hard you are pressed.  Your own attorney will object to anything inappropriate.  Ask for a break if necessary.

Case Studies  MISTAKES.  If you realize you made a mistake or misspoke, correct your answer as soon as you recognize your error.  LISTEN.  Do not let the opponent put words in your mouth.  Can rephrase the attorney's question in your own words.  Do not accept a summary of your testimony unless 100% accurate.  RELAX.  You are not expected to know by memory all details of what was said when, by whom and where over a long period of time.  Do not offer an answer requiring you to consult records not available at the deposition or requiring you to consult others.  Say I don’t remember if you don’t.

Case Studies  DON'T BE EMBARRASSED about admitting that you have met and consulted with your attorney prior to giving your deposition.  If asked what you talked about, simply say your attorney merely instructed you to be truthful and honest.  Everything else is confidential .  BEWARE of questions by the other attorney beginning with words similar to "is that all?"  THE OTHER SIDE IS ATTEMPTING TO FREEZE YOUR TESTIMONY. Good answer = "To the best of my recollection at the present time."

Case Studies  ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH .  Failure to is perjury. Life very uncomfortable after that.  DO NOT GUESS  A guess or estimate is always wrong. Will come back to haunt you.  BE AWARE of questions involving speed, distances and time. If at any time you estimate distances or time in any of your answers, state that it is an estimate. Auto accident example.  QUOTING OTHERS.  When testifying about conversations, make clear whether you are paraphrasing or quoting directly what was said.  NEVER SAY NEVER. Eliminate adjectives and superlatives such as "never" and "always" from your vocabulary.