The 'Consumer Side of the Smart Grid' to be Highlighted at October GridWeek® 2010 Conference

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As major Smart Grid deployments move forward across the country this year, a critical milestone of this new energy network may ultimately be in the hands of consumers. Recognizing the important role consumers play in the deployment and acceptance of the Smart Grid, several consumer oriented conference sessions are planned for this year's GridWeek® 2010 Conference, October 18-21 in Washington, D.C.

Specific consumer conference tracks including "Communicating Smart Grid Benefits" and "Smart Grid and Consumer Buy-in," will address whether the success of the Smart Grid will be just as dependent on the public's understanding and acceptance as it is on technology and standards.

"A recent study we conducted with EcoAlign clearly shows that when consumers are educated about the Smart Grid, they see its value as a path toward reliable and clean energy," said Anto Budiardjo, president of Clasma® Events. "Yet, one of the challenges we're examining at GridWeek this year is how to communicate to people the value of the Smart Grid in their homes, to their pocketbooks and for the environment."

GridWeek 2010 will also feature speakers discussing how to encourage consumers to actively participate in the Smart Grid, from monitoring home energy use to "plugging in" to the grid with their own micro-grid technologies, where available.

The four-day conference offers a broad range of experts and sessions on the Smart Grid's impact on the economy, the electric utility infrastructure, consumers and the environment, helping to set the agenda for Smart Grid advancement.  The conference will host some 150 speakers, participating in 40 sessions, covering Smart Grid issues and topics centered around three key themes: Engaging Consumers, Globalization of the Smart Grid and Putting Smart Grid on the Fast Track.

GridWeek 2010 is organized by Clasma Events. For more information on the conference, registration or sponsorship, visit www.gridweek.com.

About Clasma Events, Inc.

Clasma Events, Inc. is a global event company specializing in strategic conferences at the center of the worldwide energy discussion. With a finger on the pulse of leading industry technologies and trends, Clasma provides a stage for collaboration and cooperation among industry thought leaders at the forefront of the smart energy movement.  Focusing on smart grid, connectivity, and the new energy economy, Clasma's major events include ConnectivityWeek®, GridWeek®, and Grid-Interop®. More information on Clasma is available at www.clasma.com.

SOURCE Clasma Events, Inc.