With smart grid pioneers from around the world convening this week at University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), UC San Diego and CleanTECH San Diego will announce a coalition of 25 local, national and global organizations poised to transform the San Diego region’s electrical grid into a digital smart grid.

The smart grid is a centerpiece of President Obama’s new national energy policy, helping consumers save energy, take advantage of more sustainable energy choices and create new jobs in the green economy. It will also help the region generate 33 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020.

WHO:

Byron Washom, director of strategic energy initiatives at UC San Diego

Lisa Bicker, president of CleanTECH San Diego

Jim Avery, senior vice president of power supply for SDG&E

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: UC San Diego, Faculty Club, Muir Lane, La Jolla, CA 92093

DIRECTIONS:

Directions From I-5 North: I-5 north to the La Jolla Village Drive and turn left; follow until it turns into North Torrey Pines Road; turn right at light onto La Jolla Shores Drive; immediate left onto Scholars Drive; follow Scholars Drive turns into Muir Lane; follow to end and Faculty Club is on right. Park in cul-de-sac near club.

Directions From I-5 South: I-5 south to the Genesee Avenue and turn right; at third light, turn left on North Torrey Pines Rd.; at the fifth light, turn left onto the UCSD campus at sign that reads: “Almahurst Row / Muir Lane / UCSD”; proceed on Muir College Drive; at the second stop sign, turn right onto Muir Lane; at the next stop sign, turn left and continue on Muir Lane); follow to end and Faculty Club is on right. Park in cul-de-sac near club.

VISUALS:

--Interviews with UCSD, CleanTECH San Diego and SDG&E

--Hundreds of the brightest minds joining to discuss the future of the smart grid

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rex Graham
UC San Diego
Cell: (858) 232-2706
ragraham@ucsd.edu

April Bolduc
San Diego Gas & Electric
Cell: (619) 929-5355
abolduc@sempra.com