Next Generation Technologies Forge Growth Opportunities in the Brazilian Digital Grid

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Growing awareness on climate change, high rates of electricity losses, concerns on supply reliability and operational inefficiencies are key factors shaping policies for smart grid in Brazil. With over two hundred smart grid projects involving approximately four hundred fifty organizations, and the number of micro solar PV connections arising exponentially, Brazilian grids are slowly but steadily making their way to digital transformation.

On the 12^th of May, 2016, Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Innovation and Leadership 2016: Brazil event will become the power-packed platform to understand and leverage the strategic initiatives adopted across multiple industries with respect to Digital Transformation.

‘‘In spite of experiencing a slower adoption when compared to other industries, the electricity sector in Brazil is also entering in the Digital Transformation wave. A set of technological and macroeconomic forces is converging to trigger deep transformation of the energy industry, opening opportunities for demand response systems, distributed generation, advanced energy measurement, and microgrids, among others. This is why on the fifth edition of GIL Brazil we decided to include a specific Think Tank to invite utilities and technology suppliers to discuss the challenges this trend poses to the industry,’’ explains María Benintende, Frost & Sullivan Power Grid Industry Analyst.

The Digital Grid Think Tank, taking place from 14h30 to 17h at the Unique Hotel in São Paulo, will discuss implications of changes happening to the current electric grid infrastructure as well as highlight opportunities for next generation technologies and new business models. Frost & Sullivan’s global team along with regional pioneers will tackle microgrids, virtual power plants, and the new market entrants that will transform the traditional utility-focused business models.

“Advancements in the grid infrastructure offer tremendous opportunities in terms of job creation as well as prepare systems such as distributed generation and carbon free systems to be integrated on to the grid. The signing of the Paris agreement is expected to increase employment in the energy sector for years to come,’’comments Farah Saeed, Frost & Sullivan Power Grid Principal Consultant who will kick off the Think Tank with an industry presentation on the Digital Grid and how to build a business case for a dynamic energy infrastructure.

The Digital Grid session will call the below renowned industry innovators to share exclusive thought leadership on the convergence between power and information:

• Cláudio Homero Ferreira da Silva, Technology Engineer, CEMIG
• Emil Seko, General Manager, Infrastructure Business Development, Hitachi
• Ítalo Freitas, President, AES Brazil Generation
• Jesper Rhode Andersen, Chief Marketing Officer Latin America, Ericsson
• João Brito Martins, Strategy and Innovation Director, EDP Energias do Brasil
• Maria Tereza Vellano, Planning and Engineering Director, AES Eletropaulo
• Nelson Fonseca Leite, President, Associação Brasileira de Distribuidores de Energia Elétrica (ABRADEE)
• Ricardo Van Erven, LAM General Manager, Grid Automation, General Electric GridSolutions
• Sergio Jacobsen, Director, Siemens Digital Grid

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies.