Monday, April 20. 2009

Smart Grid: Just a Buzz Word or Transformative Opportunity?

I moderated GITA's Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) today in which the group of approximately 75 attendees discussed not only their industry's key technologies and applications but also the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and how each will attempt to secure funds from the stimulus bill.

But common to each group was a discussion of smart grid technology. Does it apply to just the electric utility industry or do all other sectors have their own "smart grid." As importantly is that each industry must rely on another if they want to conserve funds.

Cyndi Salas (pictured at easel at right) of CenterPoint Energy, the ITAG leader for electric utilities commented that Smart Grid technology is a collection of many technology improvements. Smart Grid is not just one thing; it is really the integration of multiple technologies. Salas also said that it encompasses a broader industry movement that should be treated as a transformative opportunity.

But there were two other concerns: The first is that the ultimate smart technology solution may be a few years down the road. Second, the consumer just wants to lower their energy bill without understanding that a change to their energy consumption behavior would have to be altered even if it is as simple as buying a programmable thermostat.

Tampa Mayor Addresses GITA ITAG Meeting

Today, Tampa Mayor, Pam Iorio, addressed GITA's Industry Trends and Analysis Group (ITAG) during this first day of the conference. Iorio injected her personal experience with both benefiting from the use of geospatial technology as well as her expectations about receiving funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), aka the "stimulus bill."

"I think the jury is still out,” said Iorio. She mentioned that Tampa was the 54th largest city in the U.S. and that perhaps the 53 other cities were first in line for getting any stimulus money. She doesn’t see where the stimulus will make a difference in the local Tampa economy but does believe President Obama was correct in focusing on infrastructure."

Iorio credited some of the 46% drop in the crime rate over the last six years to the use of crime mapping by her police department. Tampa is also investing $60 million in storm water management and upgrading the city's subsurface infrastructure is high on the list of the mayor's priorities. However, she also realizes that it's not always one of the most "visible" signs of the improvements she has fostered as mayor. She lamented that "you can't cut a ribbon over a sewer pipe."

Video: GITA 2009 Opening Address by Doug Leibbrandt, GITA President

Doug Leibbrandt from M. J. Harden and Associates (A GeoEye company) and the current president of the Geospatial Infrastructure and Technology Association (GITA) opened the conference by welcoming the attendees and recognizing this year's Excellence Award Winners, SECO Engery and Xcel Energy.

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Monday, March 23. 2009

ASCE - Raising America's Infrastructure GPA

It's short notice, but the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is hosting a briefing in Washington DC tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 2-5 p.m. United States Capitol, Room HC-5) to "discuss solutions to the problems facing the nation's transportation and water and environment infrastructure and what path the nation should take moving forward." Attendees receive an advance copy of "2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure."

Tuesday, February 10. 2009

Podcast: Exploring NGAC and NSDI with Guest Host David Smith

Guest host David Smith of Synergist Technologies joins Executive Editor Adena Schutzberg to explore last week's National Geospatial Advisory Committee meeting and the discussions regarding a National Spatial Data Infrastructure and related issues and how they might play out in the federal stimulus bill.

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Monday, February 2. 2009

Podcast: Spatial Infrastructure-A Critical Part of Stimulating the Economy and Protecting the Nation's Assets

Last week, The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) announced the release of Spatial Infrastructures, [PDF] the second white paper to be published in the Geospatial Dimensions of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Response (CIP-ER) white paper series, which will include at least six more white papers published into the spring of 2009.


In this interview, Directions Magazine Editor in Chief Joe Francica speaks with John Moeller of Northrop Grumman, the paper's author, and Bob Samborski, executive director of GITA. The discussion focuses on driving awareness of geospatial technology to a broader audience as well as sustainable development, geospatial standards and the recent initiatives of the Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) to bring awareness of geospatial technology to our nation's policy makers.

The paper comes at a critical time for the geospatial community as COGO, GITA and others attempt to push Congress to support better oversight of government geospatial initiatives, especially in light of the economic stimulus package being sought by the Obama administration. [Also in this interview you will hear reference to the American Society of Civil Engineers, which recently issued its 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure.]

The interview lasts for approximately 25 minutes.

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