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CURC Tech. Exchange Conf. Brochure

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Here is the detailed brochure recently mailed out for the CURC Technology Exchange Conference, in case you didn’t receive it in the mail.

Please let me know if you’ll be there. I do plan to attend on behalf of UFTO, and will report what I see and hear.
California Utility Research Council
Technology Exchange Conference

November 3-5, 1997
Hyatt Regency La Jolla, San Diego, CA

Sponsored by: California Utility Research Council (CURC)

Co-Sponsored by
Electric Power Research Institute
Gas Research Institute
U. S. Department of Energy

— Who is CURC?
CURC (California Utility Research Council) was established by the California Legislature in 1981 to:
• Promote consistency of utility RD&D programs with
state energy policy
• Prevent unnecessary duplication of research efforts
• Encourage the free exchange of information related to
utility RD&D projects, where appropriate
• Identify opportunities for research coordination between
energy utilities and for joint funding of RD&D projects
of benefit to California ratepayers

CURC Board includes representatives from the CPUC, CEC, PG&E, SDG&E, SCE, and SoCalGas.

— Background
Restructuring of the electric and natural gas industries is having a dramatic effect on the energy RD&D landscape in California. Previously, most of this work was funded by ratepayers and managed by the four largest investor-owned California utilities: PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas. Supplemental funding for California RD&D interests was provided by GRI, EPRI, and DOE.

Restructuring is providing new opportunities for collaboration of energy RD&D efforts. Recent California legislation (AB1890) has made available $62.5 million per year for public interest energy RD&D to be managed by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Utilities will continue to fund ratepayer RD&D activities, although on a lesser scale. It is also expected that there will be an increasing interest in shareholder-funded technologies by energy companies seeking a competitive advantage. Finally, restructuring will have a direct effect on programs offered by EPRI, GRI, and perhaps even DOE.

— Purpose
The 1997 CURC Technology Exchange Conference will help attendees better understand how all of the energy RD&D pieces will fit together in a restructured environment. The conference will also provide participants with an overview of technology trends and energy RD&D collaboration activities which benefit California. Attendees will get a first hand look at how the California PIER (Public Interest Energy Research) program will be implemented. Just as important, individuals will have an opportunity to network directly with peers and funding agencies.

— Who Should Attend
The conference will be of major interest to engineers, scientists, investors, inventors, RD&D policy makers, government representatives, product and business development specialists.

— General Information

The conference will be held at:
Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive,
San Diego, CA 92122

Early registration will be available on Monday, November 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Registration on Tuesday, November 4 will begin at 7:30 a.m. along with a continental breakfast. The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4 and will conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5.

Accommodations
Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations before October 12, 1997 (after this date the rates will increase or rooms may not be available). Mention the conference by name to ensure receiving the group rate:
Hyatt Regency La Jolla
Phone: (619) 552-1234 Fax: (619) 552-6066
Group Room Rate: $144 single/double occupancy
Reservation Deadline: October 12, 1997

Airline Discount
United Airlines is offering discounted fares to attendees flying into San Diego International Airport (20 minutes from the Hyatt La Jolla). For reservations and information, call 1-800-521-4041 and refer to meeting #511HD. These discounts are available only through United’s Meeting Desk and apply to travel between October 31 and November 8, 1997.

Registration
The conference fee is $350 and includes the conference preceedings, continental breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch each day, as well as a reception on Tuesday evening with poster papers.
To register, complete the registration form and mail it with your payment. Checks should be made payable to Southern California Gas Company. Unfortunately, we cannot accept credit cards or purchase orders for this conference. If registering by fax and sending a check separately, be sure to identify the attendee when sending the check.
Cancellations: No refunds will be given for cancellations received after October 28, 1997.

Poster Session
Space will be available for Poster Presenters to present during the reception on Tuesday evening and during lunch on Wednesday (with setup scheduled for Tuesday morning). The fee for poster presenters is $500 which includes one full conference registration. For further information, please contact the Conference Manager, Maureen Barbeau at (650) 855-2474 Fax: (650) 855-2166.

Spousal Attendance
No formal spousal programs are planned. However, for spouses accompanying attendees to San Diego there will be an informal continental breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with information available about San Diego attractions. Please indicate on the registration form if your spouse will accompany you. Spouses are invited to attend the reception on Tuesday evening.

An informal golf outing will be held on Monday, November 3, 11:30 am, at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course, followed by a no-host dinner at a local restaurant. Coronado is located just a few minutes drive from the airport and downtown. Reservations for the event must be received by Friday, October 17, by mailing a check for $37.50 payable to “Coronado Municipal Golf Course” to Kurt Kammerer, c/o SDG&E, P.O. Box 1831, San Diego, CA 92124. Questions can directed by E-Mail to kkammere@sdge.com or by calling (619) 696-1891.

Technical Information
David Berokoff, The Gas Company
(213) 244-5340 Fax (213) 244-8242

Meeting and Logistical Information
(650) 855-2474 Fax (650) 855-2166

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PRELIMINARY AGENDA

All Day – Optional Social Outing (Golf) on Coronado Island
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.Conference Registration

Tuesday, November 4
7:30-8:30 AM-Registration, Continental Breakfast
8:30-9:00 AM-Opening Remarks-Frank A. Spasaro (CURC Chair)
(PIER Program Evolution, Overview of Objectives,
Strategic Plan)
David L. Rohy, Commissioner,
California Energy Commission
Representative,
California Public Utilities Commission
9:45-10:00 AM-Break
10:00-12:00 PM-California Utility RD&D Programs
(Utility RD&D Program Highlights, Technology Trends,
Collaboration Opportunities.)
Frank Spasaro, Southern California Gas
Jim Reilly, Southern California Edison
Kurt Kammerer, San Diego Gas & Electric
Bud Beebe, Sacramento Municipal Utility District

12:00-1:15 PM-Lunch, Keynote Presentation

1:15-3:00 PM-Other California Energy RD&D Programs
(Program Focus, Technology Trends, Collaboration
Opportunities)
Jim Cole,
California Institute for Energy Efficiency
Renewable Technologies
Terry Winter,
California Independent System Operator
Representative, Southern California Air
Quality Management District
3:00-3:15 PM-Break
Maurice Gunderson, Nth Technologies
John Burns, Scripps Consulting Group
Joseph Walkush, Science Applications
International Corp. (invited)

5:00-8:00 PM-Reception, Poster Sessions

Wednesday, November 5
7:30-8:30 AM-Continental Breakfast, Poster Sessions
8:30-9:30 AM-Keynote Presentation: Future Technology Needs & Trends
9:30-10:45 AM-National Energy RD&D Funding Agencies
(RD&D Program Highlights, Technology Trends,
Richard Rudman, Elec. Power Research Institute
Bill Burnett, Gas Research Institute
Representative, U.S. Department of Energy
10:45-11:00 AM-Break
11:00-12:30 PM-The Customer Perspective
Ralph Cavanagh,
Barbara Barkovich, California Large
Energy Consumers Assoc. (invited)
Richard Brent, Solar Turbine Systems
Richard Sperberg, On-Site Energy
Carl Weinberg, Weinberg & Associates
Ron Ishii, Technology Committee Chairman, CADER

12:30-2:00 PM-Lunch, Poster Sessions

2:00-4:30 PM-PIER Program Implementation Status

4:30 PM Conference Concludes

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REGISTRATION

(Please complete and return a copy with your payment)

CURC Technology Exchange Conference
November 3-5, 1997
Hyatt Regency La Jolla, San Diego, California

(Please print or attach a business card)

Name ___________________________________________________
Preferred Name for Nametag _____________________________
Title _______________________________________
Organization ________________________________
Address _____________________________________
City/State/Zip ______________________________
Telephone ___________________________________
Fax ___________________________________

Registration Fees
___ Attendee-$ 350
___ Poster Presenter-$500 (includes one conference registration)
___ Speaker-$ 0 (fee waived, one speaker per presentation)

Credit cards and purchase orders are not acceptable.
Checks should be made payable to Southern California Gas Co.

___ Check attached ___ Check being mailed separately

If registering by fax and sending check separately, BE SURE TO IDENTIFY THE ATTENDEE WHEN SENDING THE CHECK.

Refunds will be given for cancellations received on or before Oct. 28, 1997.

___ My spouse will accompany me.
___ I am interested in playing golf on Monday.
___ I have a disability and may require accommodation to fully participate. (You will be contacted by the conference manager.)
___ I have the following dietary requirements:

Please return this form or a copy with your check payable to
Southern California Gas Co. to:

Maureen Barbeau
Electric Power Research Institute
3412 Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 855-2474
Fax (650) 855-2166
mbarbeau@epri.com

CURC Technology Exchange Conference

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(note–I am tentatively planning to attend. EB)

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1997 CURC TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE CONFERENCE
November 3-5, 1997
La Jolla Hyatt Regency
San Diego, California

For the first time ever, the California Utility Research Council (CURC) is hosting a comprehensive conference to present energy technology trends in California and exciting RD&D collaboration opportunities.

(For those unfamiliar with CURC, it is comprised of the CPUC, CEC, and California utilities. Established several years ago to coordinate utility R&D in the state, CURC was asked by CEC Commissioner David Rohy to host an event designed to present technology activities, trends, and collaboration opportunities related to California’s interests.)

Restructuring of the electric and gas industries in California has had a dramatic effect on the energy RD&D landscape in California. Previously, most of this work was funded by ratepayers and managed by the four largest investor-owned California utilities: PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SoCalGas. Supplemental funding for California RD&D interests was provided by GRI, EPRI, and DOE.

Restructuring is changing how RD&D will be done in California, creating many new opportunities for collaboration. Most notable is the effect of California legislation (AB1890) recently passed in California which has made available $62.5 million per year for public interest energy RD&D activities. In addition, some utilities will continue to fund RD&D activities using ratepayer benefits. Overall, ratepayer-funded RD&D is on the decline as utilities continue to prepare themselves for competition under performance-based ratemaking. Finally, shareholder-funded technology development opportunities are abound for energy companies seeking a competitive advantage.

Purpose: The 1997 CURC Technology Exchange Conference will provide participants with an overview of technology trends and energy RD&D collaboration activities which benefit California. The conference will present collaboration opportunities and update participants on the implementation of the California PIER (Public Interest Energy Research) program. Participants will also have an opportunity to network directly with peers and funding agencies who are active with energy technologies.

Speakers will include CPUC and CEC commissioners, representatives of the major California utilities, Federal agency officials, equipment vendors, and R&D and technology investment specialists.

There will also be a poster/table session for presentations of relevant technologies and services.

Who Should Attend:
Engineers, scientists, investors, inventors, RD&D policymakers, government representatives, product and business development specialists.

Though the emphasis is clearly on the California situation, all interested parties from around the country (and world) are encouraged to attend, both for collaborative opportunities, and to understand how public interest issues are being addressed, as a model for what might happen elsewhere.

To be put on the mailing list for the agenda and registration forms, contact:

David Berokoff, So. Calif. Gas Co.
213-244-5340, dberokoff@pacent.com
fax (213)244-8242

Distributed Generation–Recent Developments

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Subject: UFTO Note – Distributed Generation–Recent Developments
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 09:44:38 -0700
From: Ed Beardsworth

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| ** UFTO ** Edward Beardsworth ** Consultant
| 951 Lincoln Ave. tel 415-328-5670
| Palo Alto CA 94301-3041 fax 415-328-5675
| http://www.ufto.com edbeards@ufto.com
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Distributed Generation–Recent Developments
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Several new developments of note in the Distributed Generation (or Resources, Power, Utilities — whichever term you prefer). The field seems to be warming up considerably, and several key events scheduled in September.

** CADER – Calif. Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources
Conference Sept 15-17, San Diego

** DPCA – Distributed Power Coalition of America
Annual Meeting, Sept 10-11, Washington DC

** Distributed Generation Forum (GRI)
Second Forum Meeting, Sept. 30

** EPRI Web site

** “N Amer. Distrib. Gen. System Markets”, Frost & Sullivan

** Distributed Utility Associates

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** CADER – California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources

CADER is an alliance of public and private organizations formed in 1996 to identify and develop specific solutions to the deployment of Distributed Resources. Initially set up with the help of the California Energy Commission, it is a self-managed organization.

Mission Statement: A consortium of manufacturers, users, energy service companies, engineering firms, utilities, power providers, research organizations, regulators, financial institutions, and others committed to facilitating the successful entry of clean, energy efficient Distributed Resources into a competitive electricity energy market.

CADER CONFERENCE SEPT 15-17, 1997, San Diego CA

CADER will host a three day conference to explore economically and environmentally viable alternatives to grid-based power systems. Key energy industry experts from across the country will assemble at this first-of-its-kind meeting to debate how distributed resources figure into the rapidly changing electricity marketplace.

The conference, entitled “Distributed Resources: Addressing the Challenges”, will take place September 15 through 17, 1997 at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, 3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego, California 92109. Hotel reservations are available by calling the hotel directly at 619-488-1081 or 800-288-0770.

The San Diego conference will highlight the latest technology developments such as photovoltaic solar systems, fuel cells, storage technologies such as flywheels and batteries, and advanced gas turbines. In addition to site visits and technical sessions, conference participants will discuss an array of environmental, regulatory and market-related issues.

Speakers invited to the CADER Conference include: Governor Pete Wilson; Congressman Dan Schaefer; California Senator Steve Peace; Amory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute; Federico F. Peña, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy; and David Freeman, Trustee, ISO/PX.

Conference technical sessions will focus on the following areas:

Energy policy
Incentives and market rules
Legal, institutional and regulatory issues
Siting and environmental regulatory streamlining
Land use planning and computer tools
Manufacturer/technology issues

The conference builds on the success of CADER’s pioneering efforts to ensure the economic competitiveness of Distributed Resources and will focus on how distributed generation systems can provide local distribution utilities, end-users, independent power providers and energy service providers with another generation choice, improved power quality and more reliable service.

Contact Connie Bruins, California Energy Commission
(916) 654-4545 cbruins@energy.state.ca.us

Complete details and extensive documentation, and details about the conference, are available on the website

http://www.energy.ca.gov/CADER/

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** DPCA Distributed Power Coalition of America

DPCA is a new advocacy group whose mission is to remove regulatory impediments that block distributed power or tilt the rules against its optimal use, through direct mail, testimony to Congress and regulators, and building a grassroots network. It will be technology and fuel neutral.

Its founding was initiated by Solar Turbine and 3 utilities, PECO, NIPSCo, and SCE, and is being incubated at the INGAA, a gas pipeline industry organization (see below). Other members include PSE&G, Allison, Capstone, Stone & Webster, Columbia Gas, and Pan Energy-Duke. A kickoff meeting was held on May 12.

The first Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 10-11, Washington DC. The purpose is to begin a dialogue between the distributed power industry and government decision makers from DOE, FERC and Congress. Speakers include A.J. Bennett Johnson, former US Senator; Anthony Prophet, President Allied Signal Power systems; Christopher D Maloney, VP and General Manager, Unicom Resources; Henry Linden; David Rohy, CEC; and others.

For agenda and registration information,
call Ms. Cris Richards, 202-626-3226 fax 202-626-3241

Contact:
R. Skip Horvath, Executive Director, DPCA
555 13th St. N.W., # 300 W
Washington, D.C. 20004
202- 626-3225 fax 202-626-3241
shorvath@ingaa.org

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INGAA –Helping Companies Today Build for Tomorrow
http://www.ingaa.org

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) is a trade organization that advocates regulatory, legislative and individual positions of importance to the natural gas pipeline industry. INGAA’s membership includes virtually all of the interstate natural gas transmission companies operating in the United States, as well as comparable companies in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia and South America.

INGAA’s members include 30 U.S. interstate pipelines, six Canadian interprovincial pipelines and 13 international pipeline companies. Membership opportunities are extended to other segments of the natural gas industry through INGAA’s Associate, Financial Affiliate, International Affiliate and Foundation membership programs.

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** Distributed Generation Forum (GRI)

(from GRI press release on their website)

Representatives from 26 electric and natural gas industry organizations, power generation equipment manufacturers and the federal government have created a forum to examine the benefits of expanded use of distributed power generation in the increasingly competitive electric market.

The Distributed Generation Forum members will evaluate the potential for distributed power generation – primarily natural gas-based applications – to help energy-service providers identify cost-effective ways of meeting their customers requirements. Onsite Energy Corp., Carlsbad, Calif., and George C. Ford & Associates, Princeton, N.J., will assist the forum by analyzing the potential impact of electric industry restructuring trends on the distributed generation market and evaluating market applications, equipment performance and cost targets related to electric industry deregulation.

In simplest terms, distributed generation integrates small modular power generation units (typically 25kW to 25MW) into a utility’s power grid, or transmission and distribution system. Expanded use of gas-fueled reciprocating engines, gas turbines and fuel cells – strategically placed between central power stations, substations and energy customers – could provide power to extend a utility’s power grid.

GRI and others think there is great potential for the distributed generation concept to offer a cost-effective means of meeting growing peak demands for a utility’s existing customers while serving new commercial or industrial customers,” said Dan Kincaid, power generation business development manager for Gas Research Institute and member of a steering committee that created the forum. “Though distributed generation has seen limited applications to date, the forum will seek to fully develop the economic and operational benefits for providers and distributors of electricity and their customers.

GRI’s goal is to ensure that gas-based distributed power generation will provide attractive, cost-effective energy service for the evolving electric power market,” Kincaid said. “Such a contribution will ensure that electricity users, gas utilities, power generators and distributors will benefit as the electric power market continues to evolve.”

Other forum participants are Allison Engine Co., AlliedSignal Inc., Collaborative Advanced Gas Turbine Program-LLC, California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources, Caterpillar Inc., Coltec Industries, The Consumers’ Gas Company Ltd., Cummins-Onan, Distributed Power Coalition of America, Duke Power Co., Electric Power Research Institute, Elliott Energy Systems Inc., Illinois Power Co., International Fuel Cells Corp., Peco Energy Co., Southern California Edison Co., Southern California Gas Co., Solar Turbines Inc., Southwest Gas Corp., Transalta Utilities Corp., Union Electric Co., U.S. Department of Energy, Westinghouse Corp., and Woodward Governor Co.
——

The forum was first offered in Nov ’96, at the suggestion of another GRI industry group, the Gas Engine Technical Advisory Committee. The first meeting was held in May ’97, and the next meeting is scheduled for September 30. The third meeting will be held in February ’98

The primary benefits of membership are the dialogue at forum meetings that results from addressing precompetitive issues affecting distributed generation, and the increased understanding of this new generating practice provided through the immediate access to the assessment results funded from member fees. This information will be available to non-members after one year.

The membership fee is $10,000 for 1997, with a 1998 fee that has not yet been established. The forum is not seeking additional members, but will accept new members that join prior to the September 30, 1997 meeting.

Questions should be addressed to:

Dan Kincaid, GRI Business Development Manager, Power Generation
773-399-8338, dkincaid@gri.org

Paul J. Bautista, GRI Program Team Leader, Distributed Generation,
773-399-5460, pbautist@gri.org

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**EPRI Website on Distributed Generation

Provides information about EPRI programs and links to other sites

http://www.disgen.com

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** “North American Distributed Generation System Markets”
Frost & Sullivan, Report: 5578-14
March 26, 1997, 331 pages, $2950

(from Frost & Sullivan website and press release)
According to recent strategic research from Frost & Sullivan, North American Distributed Generation System Markets have seen a shift occurring since the early 1990s towards on-site distributed power generation. Electronic control systems are now allowing for remote dispatching, and combustion turbine engines are smaller, more powerful and have increased energy efficiency.

The distributed generation technology market is in flux as utilities and other energy providers await federal government pronouncements concerning deregulation of the electric power industry. The best way to navigate this rocky period successfully is to understand what to expect and be prepared to act. This report’s detailed comparative energy-demand projections and unique economic methodology for calculating energy costs can equip companies for this path.

A detailed four page summary of the report is available via fax.

CONTACT: Ben Lerich, Frost & Sullivan,
415-237-6508 fax 415-961-5042
blerich@frost.com http://www.frost.com

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Distributed Utility Associates

DUA provides analytic, technical and policy consulting to utilities, technology developers and energy research organizations, with an emphasis on the Distributed Utility concept and electric industry restructuring. DUA also provides evaluations of prospects for and impacts from utility application of advanced renewable, efficiency and storage technologies.

Mr. Joe Iannucci, DUA’s principal, is a recognized leader in the DU field, and is an active contributor in many of the distributed generation and storage programs around the country. He did a study a couple of years ago: “Gas Industry Distributed Utility Market Analysis,” January 1996, funded by GRI, which is available from DUA.

Joe Iannucci, Principal 510-447-0604 fax 510-447-0601
Distributed Utility Assoc. dua@ix.netcom.com
Livermore CA