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This conference will bring together (smart) metering, data management, billing and customer service experts from around the world to Barcelona in order to discuss the latest developments and trends in this dynamic industry.
Delegates will be able to learn from not only European experiences and research, but also the experiences of other markets including the USA and Australia.
During the 3- day multi- track conference programme, over 120 high level speakers will give in-depth case studies/ best practises presentations on the following key issues:
Smart Metering Projects – From pilots to roll-outs
During this conference stream we will explore issues related to smart meter implementation and the implications for your operations & process management. To prepare your business for a smart meter roll-out, it is paramount to learn from completed roll-out projects. Several completed projects will be showcased and will discuss issues related to: What have been the drivers behind the projects? What technologies have been chosen and why? What have you done best and what went wrong? How did you keep the system running? What is the ROI? How to move to smart grid management? How did you change the organization structure and processes?
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Smart energy communications & infrastructures
For many years, smart metering has been seen as a simple communication problem. Nowadays, with the widespread use of different smart meter technologies, integration issues come across. Utilities are facing standardization and interoperability problems. How to prepare your business for future technologies and choose a future proof system? Hear from utilities around the world what lessons have been learned on security issues, cost of ownership, scalability, technical risk and contract choices. At the end of this session you are invited to join the panel discussion and share your knowledge on these topics.
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The need for effective MDM strategies
Today’s energy business climate requires the processing of more data than ever before. Deregulation, new technologies and market forces will continue to drive this data growth. Transforming this data into enterprise and actionable data asset for operational and strategic decisions, regulatory compliance and risk management, is key to strategic differentiation. Many disciplines, technologies and best practices exist that can provide the framework to realize the potential of in your data asset. What technologies have been chosen and why? How to prepare your system for future technologies? The importance of interoperability and standardization, when will a European standard be ready? How to use your data for business intelligence? Bringing data to your customer - how to transfer data into “information”? This conference stream will discuss the criticality of successful data management practices to the organization and demonstrate the true value from data.
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Will we achieve the energy savings targets through smart metering?
An important driver for the EU and national government mandates for smart meter rollout is the 2020 energy objectives set by the European Commission. However, in reality there is a growing gap between the smart meter's theoretical energy saving potential and how they are used by utilities. What is the source of this gap? Where do the current problems and hidden potentials lie? What are the main actions required by governments, regulators and utilities to improve this situation and what possibilities already exist?
A skilled handling of public relations and customer acceptance is key in order to convince customers of the potential benefit of smart meters and their related programmes. To avoid postponement or even cancellation of rollout or customer oriented programmes, utilities should consider the possible public relations pitfalls. How should customers and media be approached by utilities? What are the concerns and questions which arise? And how can these positive tools be presented for what they are - to suspicious media and customer relations groups?
By offering customer incentive schemes in an intelligent manner utilities are able to create customer engagement, increase customer loyalty, achieve energy saving targets and improve their profit margins. In the current market climate, achieving a positive business case for energy efficiency improves the pay back on smart meter implementation and strengthens market standing. How are dynamic utilities already taking advantage of these possibilities?
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The importance of customer retention & future proof billing
In the current competitive markets, customer retention is a critical concern for utilities. Price not only influences the customer switching process, customer satisfaction is a major decision driver. Introducing smart meters results in a utility offering new products and services to their customers. This can be in terms of new communication tools, consultant services for energy saving possibilities, or advanced online services. As well as new billing concepts. How do customers wish to receive their billing information? How can billing information change customer behavior? What kind of billing system is needed to secure future proof billing? What are new payment services you can use? Will smart metering improve dept collection?
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PLUS: a focus session on Smart Grids and the Smart Future…
Smart meter discussion also leads to questions about smart grids. During the conference high level speakers will give insights on global perspectives, case studies and outline how to create a ‘Smart Future’ of smart grids.
The future electricity market will also see an increase share of decentralized energy and the introduction of electric cars. This new development will mean new challenges for a utility business. How should you prepare your business for these future markets?
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