Entering its 19th year as the leading annual T&D event, DistribuTECH 2009, taking place Feb. 3-5 in San Diego, addresses automation and control systems, IT, T&D engineering, power delivery equipment and water utility technology. Yes, that's right — there's even something for water professionals. In fact, this year there's more than ever.
With a particular focus on AMR/AMI, the conference program's water track will include a number of educational opportunities. In ‘Making AMI Work for YOU', presenters will discuss the powerful AMI technology that's being adopted by more and more water operations, including examples of how AMI can benefit utilities by increasing stakeholder value.
Additional water sessions include: Leveraging SCADA for Water; Using Real-Time Information to Make Real-Time Decisions; Emerging Technology Trends in Water; and a panel discussion focusing on water utility revenue recovery and compliance.
More than 275 exhibiting companies and 5,800 attendees will converge on the show floor. 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.
As in past years, DistribuTECH 2009 will once again offer pre-conference educational courses as part of its Utility University program. AMI Planning & Strategy Essentials for Energy & Water Utilities, taking place Feb. 2, is a two-part course that will teach attendees to successfully select, acquire, and deploy AMI as a foundation for a future smart grid.
Breakfast Roundtables have become a popular attraction at DistribuTECH, providing an informal opportunity to network with peers, meet industry experts, share information and learn about specific industry topics. For water professionals, AMR Trends in the Water Industry will provide a forum for discussing the latest AMR technologies, trends and projects in the water industry, as well as the benefits and challenges associated with adopting AMR.
DistribuTECH 2009 recognizes that the need to upgrade infrastructure and put new technology in place is crucial in the water industry. This year's offerings reflect that and will provide the latest information on water utility management systems, equipment and technologies. For more information or to register, visit www.DistribuTECH.com.
Angela Godwin
Editor, Water Utility Management