2010 Events:

November 9, 2010: Joint meeting with SCV-ComSoc "Smart Computing for the Smart Grid" by Rick Geiger, Executive Director, Cisco; IEEE Senior Member

Abstract: Computing content of Smart Grid is highly varied. Smart Grid has many aspects. From a compute standpoint, the most challenging is in modeling and managing the change from a bulk power distribution system to one that must accommodate bidirectional flows from many sources with the introduction of solar panels and wind turbines in everything from small residential installations to huge wind and solar farms. To make this even more challenging is the inherently variable nature of these renewable sources of energy. This presentation will address the variability of renewable sources of power, the challenge of integrating multiple sources of power at all levels of the transmission and distribution grid, and the distributed computing challenge this presents for situational visibility and control.

Bio: Rick Geiger has been with Cisco for 5 years, formerly as Director of Engineering in Cisco's Physical Security Business Unit. Prior to joining Cisco, Mr. Geiger was VP Engineering for GE Security in Physical Security, video surveillance and access control. Rick has in depth experience in the global utility market with more than 10 years as VP Engineering and Chief Technical Officer for Itron. Presently Executive Director for Utilities and Smart Grid, on Cisco’s Business Transformation Team, Rick and the Smart Grid Vertical Team serve the US and Canada Utility markets with Secure, Resilient and Scalable network solutions for smart grid, advanced metering, distribution automation and utility telemetry. Rick is an IEEE Senior Member and Member of the Power and Energy Society

May 12, 2010: Joint meeting with SCV-ComSoc "The Last Mile - Smart Grid WAN Challenges Few Understand" by Fred Fletcher, Smart Grid Chief Architect, Open Access Technology International

Abstract: Smart grid development has been driven by revenue billing and some distribution applications, but the greatest value of smart grid technologies appears to be in matching load to available power supply. Matching load to variable wholesale power requires fast two-way digital networks. This presentation illustrates the problem and discusses possible private network and public carrier solutions using 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi Mesh and WiMax technologies.

Bio: Fred Fletcher has been an innovator in the electric power industry for over 35 years. He has just recently become a smart grid architect after developing a cross cutting smart grid solution built primarily for power supply applications for Burbank Water and Power. Fred was the Assistant General Manager at Burbank, leading the power supply division, he retired this year after 24 years to dedicate his focus on smart grid technology challenges. Neither he nor the company he works for has a commercial interest in the technologies discussed in this presentation, but it is important that the problem presented be addressed by the market in order to best deploy his applications and designs.

March 24, 2010: "DC Flywheel Technologies in Comparison to Lead-acid Batteries for Large Scale UPS Systems" by Keith Field, Western Regional Sales Director, Pentadyne

Abstract: Large scale UPS's have become a critical component in the electrical distribution system for data centers, hospitals, manufacturers and other sites with mission-critical operations. Typically they use lead-acid batteries to supply power when in backup mode while generators startup. Flywheel DC storage is a "green" alternative to strings of lead-acid batteries. Our speaker will discuss the following topics in comparison to batteries:

  • Reliability comparisons
  • Lifecycle cost comparisons
  • Energy Density
  • Physical and site characteristics (temperature, size, energy density)
  • Environmental and safety characteristics
  • Installation Examples

If you work with applications that have a need for uninterruptible power, then flywheel DC energy storage would an important technology to be aware of and consider. Please join us.

Bio: Keith Field joined Pentadyne in 2006 to head up the company's marketing efforts. His current role at Pentadyne is that of Western Regional Sales Director. Mr. Field has more than 20 years of experience in corporate marketing and communications at both private and public companies. Prior to Pentadyne, Mr. Field served as Director of Marketing Communications at Capstone Turbine, a manufacturer of microturbine generators. Prior to Capstone, Mr. Field was Manager of Marketing Communications at automotive accessory manufacturer Clifford Electronics (later acquired by Directed Electronics). He has also held marketing and communication management positions at The Solomen Agency and at two major Southern California hospitals. Mr. Field earned his BA from San Jose State University.

February 17, 2010: "The Importance of Tier Standards-Topology for Data Center Functionality" by W. Pitt Turner IV, PE, Executive Director Uptime Institute

Abstract: With the increasing importance of data centers, we've probably all heard about "Tier Standards" but may not have a formal or accurate understanding of them. The Tiers indicate the ability of a site infrastructure to accommodate maintenance opportunities to keep the equipment in like new condition. They establish four levels of functionality for data center site infrastructure and have evolved over the past ten years into an effective international benchmark for end-users, operators and designers. This presentation will address the Uptime Institute's Tier Standard for Topology, the criteria for evaluating the functionality of an individual data center site and the planned expansion of the Tier Standard to include Operational Sustainability.

Specific topics will include:

  • Definition of the Uptime Institute's Four Tier System.
  • The relationship between Tiers, functionality and availability.
  • Common misconceptions.
  • Frequently encountered deficiencies.
  • How the Tier Standards program is evolving.

The advent of Cloud Computing will make data center standards even more important, allowing comparison of reliability, functionality and investment. Therefore, Tiers will continue to have a key role in site functionality definition

Bio: W. Pitt Turner IV, PE is the Executive Director of the Uptime Institute. For the past 17 years he has been a senior consultant and principal for Uptime Institute Professional Services (UIPS), previously known as ComputerSite Engineering, Inc. Since 1994, Pitt has served as the president of UIPS. Uptime Institute includes UIPS, the Site Uptime Network, a peer group of 100 data center owners and operators in North America and EMEA, as well as the Green IT Symposium, a major annual eco-sustainability conference in May in New York City. The Uptime Institute recently became an independent operating unit of The 451 Group.

Before joining the Institute, Pitt was with Pacific Bell for more than twenty years in their corporate real estate group where he held a wide variety of leadership positions in real estate property management, major construction projects, capital project justification, and capital budget management. He has a BS Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis and an MBA with honors in Management from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He is a registered professional engineer in several states. He travels extensively and is a school trained chef.