The University of Texas Presents ERCOT Energized: A One-Day Symposium Covering The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The New Texas Nodal Market Design

Event Features Four Noted Electricity Experts Dr. William H. Hogan, Harvard University, Dr. Shmuel Oren, University of California, Dr. Hugh Outhred, University of New South Wales, Dr. Ross Baldick, University of Texas; Promises Thorough Review of ERCOT

Austin, Texas -- April 21, 2008 -- The University of Texas today announced the ERCOT Energized Symposium, a day long event focused on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the transition of the Texas electric market to a nodal market design. The symposium will be held on May 2, 2008, at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus Commons Conference Center. Featuring many distinguished speakers including Dr. William H. Hogan from Harvard University, Dr. Shmuel Oren of the University of California at Berkeley, and Dr. Hugh Outhred of the University of New South Wales, Australia, this event is intended to address a variety of changes Texas faces and is open to everyone interested in the ERCOT market.

This timely event will discuss how market players can prepare for the changes, the implications of the transition, future changes which will occur (beyond 2009), as well as provide a better understanding of managing the risks surrounding the changeover.

"Our goal for this event was to assemble academia, industry, and policy thought leaders to better analyze the benefits and repercussions resulting from the Texas electric market transition to a new model," commented Dr. Ross Baldick, Convenor, The University of Texas at Austin. "We believe no other event will summon the same level of experience to provide a thorough examination of all the issues."

Symposium planners have incorporated presentations and panels to provide an unbiased review of the ERCOT design and a review of the similarities and differences between existing restructured markets in the U.S. and Australia. Presentations will also review how the nodal market design will affect generation development decisions for investment in ERCOT, including renewables.

"We are proud to host the ERCOT Energized Symposium and offer a forum to evaluate the move to a nodal market design," said Cath Polito, Executive Director of the Cockrell School of Engineering's Center for Lifelong Engineering Education at The University of Texas at Austin. "We believe both participants and attendees will gain a firm grasp of the issues that will impact them as we move closer to 2009."

Symposium speakers include:

Dr. William W. Hogan:
William W. Hogan is the Raymond Plank Professor of Global Energy Policy. He is Research Director of the Harvard Electricity Policy Group. Professor Hogan has been actively engaged in the design and improvement of competitive electricity markets in many regions of the United States and internationally.

Dr. Shmuel Oren:
Shmuel Oren is the Earl J. Isaac Chair Professor in the Science and the Analysis of Decision Making, in the department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at the University of California at Berkeley and former Chairman of that department. He has served as a consultant and reviewer of electricity market rules concerning congestion management, ancillary services, settlements, and capacity markets in various markets in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Hugh Outhred:
Hugh Outred has held academic appointments at the University of New South Wales since 1973 and retired in 2007 from the positions of Presiding Director, Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets and Associate Professor and Head, Energy Systems Research Group in the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. He has provided advisory and educational services for governments, non-government organisations, the electricity supply industry and private industry in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Ross Baldick (Convenor):
Ross Baldick is Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He has been involved in the analysis of electricity markets in the United States.

Symposium sponsors include:

Exelon- Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) is headquartered in Chicago and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with approximately $19 billion in annual revenues.

NRG - Founded in 1989, NRG is a wholesale power generation company, primarily engaged in the ownership and operation of power generation facilities and the sale of energy, capacity, and related products in the United States and internationally.

PSEG - Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $12 billion, and three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G).

Shell Energy North America - Shell Energy North America and its subsidiaries are leading providers of natural gas, power, and environmental products, marketing and trading, comprehensive risk management products, and asset and supply management services.

TCPA - Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA) is a trade association representing more than a dozen power generators, wholesale power marketers and retail electric providers with business in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) wholesale and retail electricity markets.

Registration

To register for the symposium, visit http://lifelong.engr.utexas.edu/ercot/index.cfm. Event registration fees are $100 USD for the general public and $75 USD for ERCOT and PUC employees. To inquire about group discounts, email tdobbs@mail.utexas.edu.

About CLEE

The Center for Lifelong Engineering Education (CLEE) is an innovative leader in the training and professional development industry. For over 30 years, CLEE’s commitment has remained simple: to provide training that makes a profound difference in people’s lives and work. With more than 150 programs worldwide offered across multi-disciplines, CLEE acts as an information bridge for the top ranked Cockrell School of Engineering to bring to individuals, organizations, and industry the best the School has to offer: cutting-edge research, solid academic reputation, industry expert support, and extensive faculty experience. The end result is relevant, diverse education opportunities that transform lives. CLEE’s services include public classroom training, conferences, eTraining, on-site courses, and customizable training. For more information, please visit http://www.UTclee.org. .