Program Summary:
The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the implementation of a fully functional Smart Grid in the U.S. will cost $338 billion to $476 billion and will result in benefits worth $1.3 trillion to $2 trillion. Given the scope of the potential market, diverse companies are getting into the Smart Grid space, from early stage start ups to large Fortune 500 companies.

Please join us for a look at some of the hottest Smart Grid technologies being developed today and a discussion of the legal issues facing the sector.

Topics to be addressed include: 

• What financing exists to fund the build out of the Smart Grid and how might different financing models impact the industry? 
• What privacy and information security issues are arising in connection with the Smart Grid among consumers, regulators, utilities, service providers and other stakeholders and how is the industry addressing them? 
• What policies and economic trends have begun to stimulate and drive U.S. investments in Smart Grid technologies?
• What regulatory challenges and business model challenges do utilities face in roll out of the Smart Grid? 
• How are other countries, especially China, Japan, and those in Europe, approaching Smart Grid infrastructure? 
• How does development of the Smart Grid impact the Cleantech industry as a whole? What other technologies will it enable if it is built?

Moderator

• Tessa Schwartz
  Partner, Morrison & Foerster

Speakers:

• Dian Grueneich
  Partner
  Morrison & Foerster
• Ellen Brodbine
  Senior Counsel
  Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
• Lucian Ion
  Director
  Smart Grid, GE Energy
• Jim Dempsey
  Vice President for Public Policy
  Center for Democracy & Technology

1 Hour General California MCLE provided by ACC