NYISO Conducts 2014 Energy Conference

NEW YORK, NY (06/24/2014)(readMedia)-- The NYISO opened its 2014 Energy Conference, "Grid Modernization & Competitive Markets: Shaping the Future Electric System," today in New York City, bringing together energy business leaders, key government officials and respected academics to discuss the evolution of the electric system.

The forum features keynote speaker U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Administrator Adam Sieminski, luncheon remarks from Joe Shields, president of Millennium Pipeline Company LLC and two panel discussions.

"The electric system is in the midst of an extraordinary era of change," NYISO President and CEO Stephen G. Whitley said in opening the conference. "Evolving patterns in demand for electricity, advances in energy technology, the dynamic mix of fuels used to generate power and changes in public policy all are combining to pose new challenges as well as present new opportunities."

Mr. Shields in his presentation will discuss the importance of strengthening the country's natural gas infrastructure. His comments also will focus on the critical connection between the nation's power grid and gas pipelines, which is an increasingly crucial issue for regulators, industry stakeholders and consumers. Addressing the importance of fuel diversity and assurance in opening the conference, Whitley said, "Reliance on natural gas is significant and growing. Last year and this winter, we saw dramatic increases in the cost of natural gas, producing spikes in power prices. The gas-influenced, power price volatility and the role of gas-fired generation in operational flexibility highlight the value of fuel diversity and the need for fuel assurance."

The first panel, "Aging Infrastructure and Grid Modernization," will focus on the aging U.S. electricity infrastructure and the role of competitive markets in providing incentives for timely, well-targeted investment.

Panelists include: Christopher Crane, president and CEO, Exelon Corporation; William Ball, executive vice president and chief transmission officer, Southern Company; William Hogan, professor of global energy policy, Harvard University; and Rudolph Wynter, president of National Grid's FERC-related businesses. The panel is moderated by Gavin Donohue, president and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York Inc. (IPPNY).

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 government initiatives-such as the New York Energy Highway-are underway. This panel will examine the array of challenges and emerging opportunities to modernize the nation's energy delivery infrastructure.

"Sustaining sufficient power resources for electric system reliability requires a balance of well-designed wholesale electricity markets and sound public policy," Whitley noted. "This will encourage development of generation, transmission and demand-side resources where they are most needed."

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

Panelists include: Judith Lagano, vice president, asset management, NRG Energy Inc.; Patricia Hoffman, assistant secretary for electricity delivery and energy reliability at the U.S. Department of Energy; Brian Horton, director, Utility of the Future Team, Consolidated Edison of New York Inc.; and Mark McGranaghan, vice president, power delivery and utilization, Electric Power Research Institute. The panel moderator will be Mark S. Lynch, president and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E.

This panel will examine the best ways to manage changes relating to distributed energy resources, renewable power and fuel diversity and how competitive power markets will evolve to integrate these resources.

"Exploring-and exploiting-the value that competitive electricity markets bring to the evolution of the grid is what this conference is all about," said Whitley. "The industry evolves with changes in the economy, advances in technology and emerging public policy priorities. Our competitive electricity markets provide a sound foundation for continued innovation that sustains New York's legacy of leadership in energy."

Following the keynote presentation and panel discussions there will be a technology showcase of innovative products and services.

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