Make the Smart Grid a reality at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas
I am extremely fortunate to live in Austin, Texas, the “live music capitol of the world” and home of the globally renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival. Austin has for many years been a major high tech center, sometimes referred to as Silicon Gulch. It was only a matter of time until the high tech world overlapped with the live music world, resulting in the SXSW Interactive Festival. What better place for a discussion of the best motivations and approaches for the Smart Grid than at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival? Especially since Austin is also the home of one of the most progressive public power systems in the United States, Austin Energy.
Take a look at http://www.sxsw.com/interactive to learn more about the South by Southwest Interactive Festival. From the website:
“SXSW Interactive features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. Join us March 2010 for the panels, the parties, the 13th Annual Web Awards, the ScreenBurn at the SXSW Arcade, the Film and Interactive Trade Show and Exhibition, Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW and, of course, the inspirational experience that only SXSW can deliver.”
I have contacted Mark Rose, CEO of nearby Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, an aggressive leader in Smart Grid ideas and deployment to participate in a Smart Grid panel, “Is the Smart Grid the Next Killer App?” Ditto for Karl Rabago, one time Texas Public Utility Commissioner and now VP of Distributed Energy Services Standards and Practices, at Austin Energy where he is working with the Pecan Street Smart Grid Project. A couple of other Smart Grid thought and technology leaders will participate as well in a discussion of the myths and realities of a Smart Grid.
However, at the present time we are only one of many proposals for presentations and panels at SXSW Interactive. You can help us get on the program by going to http://panelpicker.sxsw.com to vote for this proposal. And make plans to come enjoy one of the best music, film and technology celebrations in the world next year.
And don’t forget to come back to this blog often as well as follow @smartgridman on Twitter for more ideas and news on the Smart Grid.
Written by Steve Collier | Aug 24, 2009