Smart Energy!

Have you ever been shocked by an unexpectedly high gas or electric bill? Smart energy will virtually eliminate those surprises by allowing you to monitor and manage your usage in real-time. The Daylight Saving Time change is a reminder to all on how they can conserve energy in their own homes, save money and help to protect our planet. Smart energy innovations will radically change how energy is used. Here are some examples on how smart energy will improve our lives. * More control over monthly energy bills and your power usage even when away from home. * Automated meters will allow consumers to view energy usage in real-time via the Internet to better manage costs daily. * Run heavy-duty appliances like dishwashers when power is cheaper, and even manage those appliances over the Internet when not at home. Benefit from cheaper rates when your energy usage is low. * More reliable service and quicker response to power outages. Outages restored more quickly; Smart technologies detect the exact source of the problem and dispatch a crew faster. Receive a cell phone call from your energy provider with the estimated time for restored power. * More energy choices, including eco-friendly ones. Other energy sources like Wind and Solar will be more easily available. Allow consumers to purchase green power in the future. These innovations are already being piloted by IBM with top US utilities such as CenterPoint Energy and Pacific Gas & Electric. More about Michael Valocchi: Energy expert, Michael Valocchi, Global Energy and Utilities Industry Leader for IBM Global Business Services. Michael has 21 years experience working with energy and utility companies and is a visionary regarding Smart Energy. Michael has been quoted in a range of media including: Bloomberg, Reuters, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He will be discusses: the impact smart energy will have on consumers in the future, how smart energy can help conserve energy and where to get more information. http://www.saint-gobain.com www.saint-gobain.com