Utility of the Future Leadership Forum Returns to Washington, D.C. June 2-4 as Global Energy Powerhouse DNV GL Convenes Elite Energy Executives

BURLINGTON, MA--(Marketwired - May 28, 2014) - DNV GL (formerly DNV KEMA, GL and Garrad Hassan), a leading global energy advisory and independent testing authority, will gather top energy leaders on June 2-4, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington D.C. for the annual Utility of the Future Leadership Forum. Executives from regulatory, utility, business, environmental, and consumer groups will address urgent industry challenges and emerging opportunities. What role should distributed energy resources play? How will microgrids and energy storage reshape the flow of energy? What are the technical, economic, and policy complexities of integrating renewable energy into regional power systems? In an era of increasing concern about extreme events (storms, wildfires, electromagnetic occurrences, etc.), what can be done to reduce risk and increase resiliency? How do we leverage data to increase efficiency while protecting privacy?

Utilities across the globe are strategizing on effective ways to combat these and other pressing issues. DNV GL's Utility of the Future Leadership Forum brings these leaders together to cultivate a collaborative conversation. The leaders of NERC, ERCOT, New York ISO, ENTSO-E, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), and several utilities will be among those speaking and sharing new insights. 

Tackling the Tough Topics: The agenda centers on eight main topics, with presentations and interactive panel discussions on each. Panelists will tackle grid reliability and resiliency, renewable integration, distributed energy resources and energy storage, the evolving needs of consumers, the promise of data analytics, and complex issues of regulatory compliance. For full agenda, registration, and video clips from 2013 visit www.dnvgl.com/UofF2014.

Offering Exceptional Access: In addition to experiencing candid dialog among panelists, forum attendees will enjoy unprecedented access to the noted speakers and advisors through ample networking opportunities offered each day.

Revealing Exclusive Findings: Forum attendees will also receive exclusive access to the findings and insights from a pulse survey conducted during April and May 2014 which captures participants' evaluation of the challenges and opportunities ahead for energy. The report will provide the latest perspectives on key aspects of the state of the energy industry, with a particular focus on the evolving utility business model. The report is based on DNV GL primary research and analysis. 

Forum Highlights: David Walker, CEO of DNV GL's Energy business, will speak on the company's 150-year heritage, its emergence as a global energy powerhouse and on global developments, innovation and changes in the energy market. He will share the highlights of strategic reports created by DNV GL as a part of its Jubilee celebration.

DNV GL's Hugo van Nispen returns as host this year and will again moderate the prestigious View from the Top panel on the opening day. This year's panel will address the crucial question of how the traditional utility business model can adjust to address challenges ranging from distributed generation to energy conservation initiatives. Panelists include: Dr. Massoud Amin, D. Sc., Chairman, Texas Reliability Entity (Texas RE, and Chairman, IEEE Smart Grid); Sven Becker, Chief Executive Officer, Trianel Group; Anne Pramaggiore, President and Chief Executive Officer, ComEd; Robert Rowe, President and Chief Executive Officer, NorthWestern Energy; and Joe Welch, Chief Executive Officer, ITC.

The 2014 Utility of the Future Leadership Forum agenda was developed in collaboration with an advisory panel that includes Chuck Meyer, president, Western Energy Institute; Kristine Schmidt, president, ITC Great Plains; and Charlie Smith, executive director, Utility Variable-Generation Integration Group (UVI). Join the conversation about Utility of the Future on Twitter using #UofF2014. Qualified participants can register to attend at www.dnvgl.com/UofF2014.

DNV KEMA is now DNV GL.

About DNV GL
Driven by its purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organisations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. DNV GL provides classification and technical assurance along with software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. It also provides certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. DNV GL, whose origins go back to 1864, operates globally in more than 100 countries with its 16,000 professionals dedicated to helping their customers make the world safer, smarter and greener.

In the Energy Industry
In DNV GL we unite the strengths of DNV, KEMA, Garrad Hassan, and GL Renewables Certification. DNV GL's 3,000 energy experts support customers around the globe in delivering a safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy supply. We deliver world-renowned testing, certification and advisory services to the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency. Our expertise spans onshore and offshore wind power, solar, conventional generation, transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy use, as well as energy markets and regulations. Our testing, certification and advisory services are delivered independent from each other. Learn more at www.dnvgl.com/energy