NRTConnects

The Path to a Smarter Grid

It's no secret that the business of delivering electricity is changing. Consumers, federal regulators, industry observers and utility managers are looking for ways to implement the “smart grid.” But with few agreeing on a single definition, how can utilities plan for the future? NRTC has analyzed the trends, and we're taking a different approach. Because every electric cooperative is different, no single solution will apply to all. There are many different paths to making the grid smarter, and you should select the options that work best for you.

To help you decide which approach to take, we've outlined five key mile markers that will help you find the path that's right for your utility:
 
• Data Management: A more intelligent electrical grid will provide information about how it's functioning, as well as information about outside factors that may impact its operations.
 
• Communications: A smarter grid will allow information to flow freely. Communications between utilities, consumers and field workers help improve the grid.
 
• Security: Protecting people, infrastructure and information will be a cornerstone of a smarter grid.
 
• Productivity: A smarter grid will operate more efficiently using technologies like geographic information systems (GIS), automatic vehicle location (AVL) and workforce management (WFM).
 
• Renewables: A smarter grid is a cleaner grid, and renewable energies like solar will be folded into many utilities' energy portfolios.

There are many paths to a smarter grid, and NRTC is here to help you determine the best route for your cooperative. Contact your Regional Business Manager to learn more.

NRTC Annual Meetings Provide Solutions Ideas to Members

		Below: Wayne Burkan explained how paradigms shape our thinking.
Top: NRTC won best 10x20 booth at the NTCA expo.

During the NRTC 2010 Annual Meeting in Tampa, FL, held in conjunction with the NTCA Annual Meeting, NRTC shared its goals and ideas for helping members. This includes helping members maximize their infrastructure, gain access to competitive content and learn more about technologies like 4G and Long Term Evolution (LTE). Additionally, NRTC received the award for best 10x20 booth in the NTCA expo.

The NRTC Annual Meeting continued in Atlanta, GA, held in conjunction with the NRECA Annual Meeting. NRTC explained to members that electric cooperatives are on a path to a “smarter” grid, and that each cooperative’s path may be different. NRTC is ready to help members engage in different aspects of the smart grid, regardless of their goals or path.

Members also heard from speakers Mary Campanola, outreach coordinator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service and Wayne Burkan, president of Alternative Visions, Inc.

NRTC Board of Director Election Results

During NRTC’s Annual Meeting, four directors were elected to the Board of NRTC. Electric members voted on candidates in Districts 2, 5 and 7, and telco members votedon a candidate for District 12.

Congratulations to David Pierce, District 2, director, Amicalola Electric Membership Cooperative and Shannon Clark, District 5, CEO and manager, Richland Electric Cooperative who were elected to the NRTC Board of Directors.

Retiring Board members Chairman Terry Bruns and Clay Campbell are honored at the meeting.

In addition, congratulations go to Bill Johnson, general manager, Stanton County Public Power District and Bill Hegmann, general manger of Southwest Arkansas Telephone Cooperative, Inc. who were re-elected to represent District 7 and District 12.

The Board also appointed retiring Board members and past Board chairmen Terry Bruns of Iowa and Clay Campbell of Florida as ex officio members of the Board. They will provide continued guidance and advice to the Board.

At a Board meeting following the election, the Board elected the following officers:

• Chairman, Trevor Bonnstetter, General Manager, West Kentucky Rural Telephone
• Vice Chairman, Luis Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc.
• Secretary-Treasurer, Randy Houdek, General Manager, Venture Communications Cooperative

NRTC Hosts Technology Day and Users’ Group

NRTC’s Utility Solutions team met with more than 40 members representing 18 electric cooperatives and G&T’s recently to discuss product opportunities and exchange ideas.

In Florence, IN, Regional Business Manager Mark Davis hosted a Tri-State Technology Day. Vice President of Utility Solutions Ed Drew, Project Manager of GeoNav and Tait Sales Ronnie Billodeaux, Utility Solutions Business Development Manager Steve Anderson and Cooperative Security Systems Manager Mike Hayes joined Davis to discuss a variety of solutions. During the Technology Day, NRTC staff presented information on several solutions, including Clevest, Security, SCADA, Wireless Radio and Cannon Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). NRTC shared the cooperative’s vision for utility solutions and the smarter grid.

In addition to the Technology Day, NRTC hosted a Cannon Users’ Group at Owen Electric Cooperative in Owenton, KY. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss advanced Yukon applications and a preview of the Yukon 5.0 software.

The next NRTC Technology Day will be hosted by Regional Business Manager Gene Porter on April 15, in Tupelo, MS.

NRTC Participates in Grid Optimization Project at Blue Grass Energy

NRTC member Blue Grass Energy (BGEnergy) located in Nicholasville, KY, is engaging in a smart grid pilot project which will enable them to reduce system load and technical losses.

NRTC is assisting BGEnergy with funding and technical resources and hopes to share the progress of this project with other NRTC members around the country. In addition, BGEnergy is partnering with CURRENT and Beckwith Electric who will provide grid sensors, software, and regulator and capacitor bank controls to command and direct system devices.

NRTC’s Subscriber Tech Support Includes IPTV

Remember when the five and dimes were closed on Sundays? Many of your subscribers don’t. They have grown accustomed to getting immediate assistance no matter what day or time they call. If you don’t have 24x7 services for all your products, take a look at NRTC’s offering. NRTC leverages the buying power of our members to provide comprehensive 24x7 tech support for your triple play, that’s customized for your subscribers. Find out how your current support measures up by receiving our tech support report card.

Thomas and Titus Share Smart Grid Potential with Members

Jerry Titus speaks to Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association about “The Path to a Smarter Grid”.

Recently Utility Solutions Business Development Manager Tony Thomas and Regional Business Manager (RBM) Jerry Titus spoke with members about NRTC’s “Path to a Smarter Grid” and how smart grid technologies can improve business operations.

At the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ, and the Salmon River Electric Cooperative (SREC) board meeting in Challis, ID, Jerry shared how communications, data management, productivity, renewables and security create a smart grid. In addition, Tony explained how the smart grid is a communications system that allows companies to re-direct power to where it’s most needed via computer. NRTC continues to work with members on implementing smart grid technologies.

Write us at nrtconnects@nrtc.coop.

© 2010 NRTC
2121 Cooperative Way
Herndon, VA 20171
www.nrtc.coop

Our Mission

To lead and support our members by delivering telecommunications solutions to strengthen member businesses, promote economic development and improve the quality of life in rural America.

In This Issue

• NRTC President and CEO Bob Phillips Announces Retirement

• The Path to a Smarter Grid

• NRTC Annual Meetings Provide Solutions Ideas to Members

• NRTC Board of Director Election Results

• NRTC Hosts Technology Day and Users’ Group

• NRTC Participates in Grid Optimization Project at Blue Grass Energy

• NRTC’s Subscriber Tech Support Includes IPTV

• Thomas and Titus Share Smart Grid Potential with Members

• NRTC Welcomes New Members

• Invite NRTC to Speak at your Next Meeting!

• Meet Regional Business Manager Jay Smith

• Where You Can See NRTC

Welcoming New Members

NRTC Welcomes New Members

• Arapahoe Telephone Company, Arapahoe, NE

• QCOL, Inc., Markleysburg, PA

• Town of Pineville d/b/a PTC Communications, Pineville, NC

• Frontier Communications Corporation, Stamford, CT

INVITE NRTC TO SPEAK AT YOUR NEXT MEETING!

NRTC’s Regional Business Managers (RBMs) are available to educate NRTC member organizations on a range of topics related to deploying advanced telecommunications in rural areas. These staff members give presentations that are usually 30 minutes in length, including time for questions and answers.

Invite NRTC to speak at your next meeting! Our RBMs can deliver presentations on the following topics, or can customize a presentation, based on the needs of your organization.

For electric cooperative members:
• The Path to the Smarter Grid
• Extending Broadband
• Telecom Solutions to Issues Facing Electric Cooperatives

For telco members:
• Smart Grid Business Opportunities for Telecom Providers
• Fighting Landline Loss with Bundled Services
• Extending Broadband

Call NRTC at 800-866-6782 to request a speaker for your next meeting. We look forward to working with you and your organization.

Featured Staff Profile

Meet Regional Business Manager Jay Smith

Since 2004, Jay Smith has served NRTC members as a regional business manager (RBM) in the states of CT, DE, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV. Jay has more than 19 years of combined experience in utility industry management and product and service sales, primarily in the rural electric cooperative market.

Before joining NRTC, Jay worked for Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. as a sales manager and United Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a director of diversified services and a key accounts and energy advisor. In addition, he has served as an account representative for both PSP Products and Central Electric Cooperative.

To contact Jay, please call him at 814-227-8998 or e-mail him at jsmith@nrtc.coop.

Where You Can See NRTC

• Mar. 1-4: Minnesota Telecom Alliance Annual Convention & Tradeshow, Minneapolis, MN
Dennis Renowski will attend and exhibit

• Mar. 2: ITA Showcase (AK, CA, OR, WA), Portland, OR,Portland, OR
Steve Hanson will attend

• Mar. 3- 5: New CFO Conference (Sponsored by CFC/NRECA/NRTC), Herndon, VA
NRTC will speak

• Mar. 31-Apr. 1: NC MAC Meeting, Raleigh, NC
Jay Smith will attend

• Apr. 12-15: IP Possibilities, St. Louis, MO
Ed Drew will speak and staff will attend

• Apr. 15: NRTC Technology Day, Tupelo, MS
Gene Porter will host

• Apr. 18-21: WTA Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV
Steve Hanson will attend