NYISO Announces Panel Topics for 2014 Energy Conference

RENSSELAER, NY (04/23/2014)(readMedia)-- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) today announced details on the issues and topics that will be addressed in panel discussions at its 2014 Energy Conference, "Grid Modernization & Competitive Markets: Shaping the Future Electric System." The day-long symposium will take place on June 24 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City.

The first panel, "Aging Infrastructure and Grid Modernization," will focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by aging electricity infrastructure and the role of competitive markets in providing incentives for timely, well-targeted investment in transmission and generation.

While significant investments are being made in deploying smart grid technologies, New York's bulk power system rests on high-voltage transmission facilities that are, on average, more than 40 years old. Various private sector and public initiatives-such as the New York Energy Highway-are underway. A group of experts will examine the array of enduring challenges and emerging opportunities.

The second panel, "Competitive Markets: Distributed Resources and Fuel Diversity," will address the significant expansion of natural gas resources and how the growing role of natural gas in generating power has significantly influenced the landscape of electric system fuel diversity. Concurrently, renewable power resources have been the focus of public policies designed to enhance environmental quality and promote increased reliance on sustainable energy resources. Technological advances also have contributed to invigorating green power and energy efficiency products and services, prompting vigorous growth of distributed energy resources.

The panel discussion will examine the best ways to manage the changes relating to distributed energy resources, renewable power and fuel diversity. Panel participants will discuss the emerging array of decentralized power technologies and how the competitive power markets will evolve to integrate distributed energy resources.

Last month, the NYISO announced that U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Administrator Adam Sieminski will be the featured keynote speaker at the conference.

In addition to Mr. Sieminski's keynote address, and the panel discussions highlighted above, the NYISO conference will feature a technology showcase of innovative products and services.

Please go to www.nyisoenergyconference.com for additional information about the conference and to register for the event.