Home > 2010 Energy Conference > Session 8
EIA Conference 2010
Session 8: Smart Grid: Impacts on Electric Power Supply and Demand
Moderator: Eric M. Lightner, DOE
Speakers

William M. Gausman, Pepco Holdings
Christian Grant, Booz & Company, Inc.
Michael Valocchi, IBM Global Business Services

 
  Moderator and Speaker Biographies
Eric M. Lightner, DOE

Eric M. Lightner has worked as a program manager for advanced technology development at the U.S. Department of Energy for the last 20 years.  Currently, Mr. Lightner is the Director of the Federal Smart Grid Task Force within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.  The mission of the Task Force is to ensure awareness, coordination and integration of smart grid related activities both within the Department of Energy and elsewhere in the Federal government.  These activities include smart grid research and development; development of smart grid standards and protocols; and the relationship of smart grid technologies to electric utility regulation, infrastructure development, system reliability and security.  Previously, Mr. Lightner was involved in characterization, monitoring, and sensor technology development for the Office of Environmental Management in support of DOE’s waste clean-up efforts and the program manager for research and development for the Sensors and Controls program within the Office of Industrial Technologies.

Mr. Lightner earned a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and an M.S. degree in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University.

William M. Gausman, PEPCO

PHI’s Smart Grid Vision and Investment Grant Awards pdf PDF Icon

William M. Gausman is Sr. Vice President for Asset Management and Planning for Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI).  In this position, Mr. Gausman is responsible for the engineering,  design  and planning for all transmission, substation and distribution facilities constructed by Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI) utility companies, which include Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), Delmarva Power & Light Company (Delmarva or the Company), and Atlantic City Electric Company (ACE).  In addition, Mr. Gausman is responsible for all reliability planning and system performance evaluations.  He also oversees the short- and long-term electric system planning process, telecommunication and system protection and Business Transformation for PHI.

Christian Grant, Booz & Company, Inc.

The Uncertainty of Smart Grid pdf PDF Icon

Christian Grant is a Senior Associate within Booz & Company’s Operations Team dedicated to its Energy, Chemicals and Utilities (ECU) Practice. His services are specifically designed to provide energy and utility decision-makers with the multi-dimensional perspective required to understand and successfully function in a dynamic environment. The practice’s iterative approach combines industry experience with techniques for analyzing and managing the strategic, operational and financial impacts of business decisions. As part of his efforts, Mr. Grant has led and supported engagements focusing on critical industry issues including Smart Grid and distribution modernization, renewable/distributed generation, public-private partnerships, as well as regulatory filings. In addition, Mr. Grant has worked with commercial and government clients alike addressing IT, telecommunications, and outsourcing challenges in energy and utilities, financial services, defense and security.

Prior to joining Booz & Company and earning his post graduate degree, Mr. Grant served in the U.S. Army. He received a M.B.A. from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Political Science from Vanderbilt University.

Michael Valocchi, IBM Global Business Services

Smart Grid: Impacts on Electric Power Supply and Demand pdf PDF Icon

F. Michael Valocchi is currently the Global Energy and Utilities Industry Leader for IBM Global Business Services.  In that role, he is responsible for the development and execution of the industry strategy to delivery consulting services as well as the development and direction of the industry thought leadership.  Mr. Valocchi leads a team of over 2,000 consultants that delivery strategy, process and technology projects to over 100 energy and utility clients on a global basis.  These projects focus on some of the industry’s key issues such as business model transformation, organizational change management, smart grid strategy and implementation, merger integration and technology optimization. 

Mr. Valocchi has over 24 years experience serving energy and utility clients, has proven leadership skills and expertise in financial, strategic, operational and regulatory issues, and has directed, managed and delivered solutions to complex business problems and issues.  Mr. Valocchi is an accomplished business strategist with deep experience in leading complex client projects in the areas of financial, operational and regulatory strategy. He successfully delivered projects in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, trading and risk management, cost control, financial re-engineering, asset strategy, regulatory strategies and market entry studies. Mr. Valocchi has in-depth financial and accounting experience in areas of mergers and acquisitions, financial reporting, SEC filings, control structures, cost allocation and rate structures.

Mr. Valocchi holds a B.S. in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.