NYS Smart Grid Consortium names Executive Director

The organization, founded in 2008, selected David J. Manning as its first executive director; the consortium has helped New York by making smart grids smarter

SOURCE: CA Technologies, PRNewswire

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The New York State Smart Grid Consortium names David J. Manning as the organization's first executive director.

"For our short history, the Consortium can be proud of key accomplishments. The appointment of an executive director marks a new milestone in our growth," said Bob Catell, Chairman, NYS Smart Grid Consortium. "David's vast experience and leadership in the energy industry will help accelerate the efforts of the Consortium to achieve national leadership by channeling the efforts of industry, academia, and policy makers to demonstrate the benefits of smart grid investment to essential stakeholders."

"Smart grid" refers to an electric power system optimized by the digital technologies that enabled the Internet. The objective of the Consortium is to harness the collective efforts of key stakeholders to implement an electric power system that is efficient, secure and reliable, while simultaneously facilitating renewable resources and enabling customers to reduce cost and energy consumptions.

Consortium accomplishments to-date include:

• Completing a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis that forms the foundation of future advocacy efforts
• Creating a comprehensive NYS Smart Grid Roadmap to assess economic, customer and social impacts
• Concluding public filings within NY Public Service proceedings on the smart grid
• Creating a recognized portal with the U.S. Department of Energy program management for New York smart grid efforts

"The new energy economy demands the highest level of power reliability and quality at a cost that keeps New York State competitive. Smart grid technology is critical to that mission," said Manning. "I look forward to working with our public and private sector members and partners to advance the Consortium's efforts."

Manning is assuming the executive director role as part of his responsibilities as Senior Vice President and Energy Practice Leader for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., a Boston based engineering firm with focus areas that include energy and the environment. There, he advises large utilities, energy providers, governments and developers on energy issues. Previously, Manning was Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Environmental Officer for KeySpan (now National Grid).

NYS Smart Grid Consortium Overview (PDF)

- Edited by Gust Gianos, CFE Media, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, www.csemag.com