DistribuTECH 2010, taking place March 23-25 in Tampa, FL, has opened its call for abstracts. Celebrating its 20th birthday, DistribuTECH covers automation and control systems, energy efficiency, engineering, demand response, renewables integration, power delivery equipment and water utility technology.
More and more water utilities across the country are adopting technology to accomplish a host of objectives: reduce costs, improve customer service, reduce non-revenue water loss, increase energy efficiency, promote water conservation — just to name a few. Yet, still more water utilities are hesitant to follow suit, in large part because they simply don't know where to start.
The water track, one of the 12 tracks that DistribuTECH offers, provides a forum for discussing some of these new and exciting water utility technologies, such as billing and customer information systems, AMR/AMI systems, cyber security, meter data management, SCADA, and more. If you've had experience — for better or worse — implementing a new technology in your water utility, consider sharing your insight with peers in the industry who are contemplating doing the same.
Abstracts for paper presentations or panel discussions focused on water utility technologies can be submitted online at www.DistribuTECH.com until August 3. There, you'll also find additional details such as submission guidelines and a comprehensive list of suggested topics.
Besides the conference program, DistribuTECH also offers a number of networking opportunities, including its popular Breakfast Roundtables, where attendees can mingle with colleagues who share a particular interest. Last year's event featured topics such as asset management, AMR/AMI, GIS, cyber security, and demand/response.
Keynoting the 2010 event is Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Dave Barry. The nationally syndicated columnist, dubbed “the funniest man in America” by the New York Times, uses his wit and keen observation skills to offer commentary on contemporary social interactions.
In the exhibit hall, products that will be of particular interest to water professionals include: meters and metering systems; AMR and related equipment and technologies; customer information systems, including hardware and software; SCADA systems monitoring and control; pump and motor control and monitoring; flow, level and pressure monitoring; security systems; and GIS mapping systems, hardware and software.
If you've not yet had an opportunity to attend DistribuTECH, check out some of the videos shot at the 2009 event, available online at www.UtilityAutomation.com.
And remember — abstracts are due August 3! Case studies and technology overviews are both welcome. Not sure if your topic is a fit? Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) if you'd like to discuss your idea.
Angela Godwin
Editor, Water Utility Management
