DistribuTECH 2012 will take place January 24-26 in San Antonio, TX, with a conference program and exhibits covering automation and control systems, energy efficiency, engineering, demand response, renewables integration, power delivery equipment and water utility technology.
As many water utilities across the country consider adopting technology to accomplish a host of objectives — reduce costs, improve customer service, reduce non-revenue water loss, increase energy efficiency, promote water conservation — the need for access to the latest information and products is integral. With its over 300 exhibitors, 14 conference tracks, and 78 conference sessions, DistribuTECH offers just that.
As in year's past, this year's Water Track at DistribuTECH will explore many of the technologies being considered by water utilities across the country. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect to learn.
The Emerging Smart Grid for Water
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1:00 pm
As population growth, urbanization, and climate change are depleting global fresh water supplies, there is a critical need for a reduction in our global water footprint. Smart metering and communication networking technologies associated with the smart grid make this goal attainable. In this panel presentation, representatives from three water utilities will discuss why they have chosen to invest in the emerging smart grid for water and the benefits such as improved system efficiency and reliability, cost reductions, leak detection, and improved customer service.
Funding and Implementing Energy Efficiency in Water
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 3:00 pm
As the largest collective users of energy, water utilities are increasingly looking to operate more efficiently. In this session, presenters will discuss the water sustainability landscape, ways to fund water efficiency initiatives, and how one water utility was able to use hourly load reduction strategies to drastically curb energy usage.
Smart Water Metering: From Theory to Practice
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 9:30 am
Advanced Metering Infrastructure is changing the landscape of water utility management by giving water utilities better visibility into critical operational data. In this session, presenters will look at smart water metering from three perspectives: the potential of proactive analytics, innovative implementation strategies, and a real-world example of how smart metering helped one utility boost water conservation efforts.
Stabilizing and Protecting Your SCADA and Control Systems
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1:30 pm
In most water utilities today, SCADA and control systems are the backbone of the operation, the eyes and ears of the water utility. Such a critical piece of technology deserves careful consideration, from selection of a radio network to protecting network infrastructure from malicious threats. Presenters in this session will discuss those issues as well as one utility's experiences — good and bad — with implementing a SCADA network.
Other conference tracks at DistribuTECH include: Advanced Metering, Customer Operations, Demand Response/Energy Efficiency, Enterprise Information and Asset Management, Mobile and GEO Solutions, and SCADA and Network Infrastructure, to name just a few.
As part of the event's ongoing efforts to increase the presence of water in its program, a number of networking opportunities have been created specifically for water, including a water-only networking reception. Join peers and foster new acquaintances in an informal setting on the show floor Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 5 pm.
DistribuTECH will offer an opportunity for water professionals to gather at an informal Breakfast Roundtable to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in today's water industry: how to conserve water as many regions across the country are running out of this increasingly valuable resource. New technologies — such as solid state measurement and AMR/AMI — provide profound insight into actual water usage patterns. How can water utilities use this data to drive greater conservation? Can a utility conserve too much? Does a successful conservation program equal declining revenues for the utility? Participants will share their thoughts and experiences, and explore possible answers to these questions.
If your water utility is looking for ways to improve operations and increase efficiency through technology, DistribuTECH 2012 is an event you don't want to miss. For more information or to register, visit www.DistribuTECH-Water.com.
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