WATERTOWN, Mass., April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Doble Engineering Company, a subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE), today hosts the company's 83rd annual International Conference of Doble Clients. The one-of-a-kind forum addresses the current and future challenges of maintaining and securing today's electric power infrastructure through peer discussion and collaboration. The event officially opens today and runs through Friday, April 8. This year's conference will focus on the latest trends and issues in the power industry, including the future of the power grid and growing regulatory requirements, such as those in the North American Utility Reliability Corporation's (NERC) critical infrastructure protection (CIP).
"The power industry landscape is evolving. We are working in a complex new reality with innovative technologies and changing regulations that create both challenges and opportunities for our clients," said David B. Zabetakis, president of Doble. "This conference is an opportunity for our clients to dive in to critical topics, learn what their industry peers are doing and find out what solutions are out there so we can all work together to ensure the reliable flow of power."
The International Conference of Doble Clients is regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the world for the electric power industry. The technical sessions and Industry Expo attract over 1,300 leading industry stakeholders. With an agenda designed by Doble's clients, sessions span topics pertaining to apparatus diagnostics, system protection, asset management, replacement strategies for troubled assets, partial discharge and what teams can learn from asset troubles and failures.
Transforming the Power Grid
At this year's keynote presentation, John Gavin, vice president of electric asset management at National Grid, will talk about the role utilities play in driving the next generation power grid. "We are in the midst of a rapid transformation," said Gavin. "New technologies are constantly being introduced that change the way power is generated, distributed and managed. Customers want increased choice, reliability and low costs."
Gavin will discuss the responsibility of those who own and operate the power grid to work together to solve the technical and economic challenges presented in the next generation grid. "We all play an integral role in the future of the power grid and it is only through industry collaboration and proactive communication that we can move forward and meet the needs of our customers," he said. "This conference is a fantastic opportunity to facilitate this open discussion and pave the way for a smarter, more modern grid."
New NERC CIP Requirements Remake the Utility Business
Between physical and cyber-attacks, electromagnetic pulses, solar storms and severe weather, protecting the power grid and ensuring its resiliency has become a national priority. The result has been new standards from NERC, including PRC – 005 for protection system maintenance and CIP for critical infrastructure protection, to uphold the integrity and security of the power grid.
Once simply a best practice, new regulations require utilities to take concrete steps in addressing physical and cyber security, as well as proactively report on asset health. To help asset managers ensure compliance, Doble will be holding a special session around NERC CIP updates (Tuesday April 5th at 4:15pm) and how teams can effectively conduct field testing while meeting security measures for cyber security, test applications and data.
To read the full conference agenda and learn what other topics will be discussed, visit the conference website.
About Doble Engineering Company
Now in 110 countries, Doble Engineering Company has been helping clients in the electric power industry improve operations and optimize system performance for nearly a century. Doble offers diagnostic instruments, services, and the world's premier library of statistically significant apparatus test results for the benefit of energy generation, transmission, delivery companies and industrial power users worldwide. Doble is part of the Utility Solutions Group of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE), St. Louis. For more information, visit: www.doble.com.
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