ISGAN, GSGF Launch International Awards Competition For Smart Grids

Nominations are open through 22 March 2014 for smart grid projects exhibiting excellence in Consumer Engagement and Empowerment

Washington /PRNewswire-iReach/ - Today, the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN), in partnership with the Global Smart Grid Federation (GSGF), launched the first Award of Excellence competition to recognize excellence in smart grid projects around the world. Michele de Nigris, Chair of ISGAN's Executive Committee said, "The ISGAN Award of Excellence competition will showcase leadership and innovation in smart grid projects. This sets the stage for replication of proven concepts and will improve global understanding of the value that smart grids can offer."

"Through the partnership of GSGF and ISGAN, we intend to make this a prestigious annual award to recognize and celebrate exemplars in the global smart grid community. The Award of Excellence logo will mark the quality of the winning projects," saidPaddy Turnbull, Chair of the GSGF Board of Directors.

The theme for this inaugural award is "Consumer Engagement and Empowerment," a critical element of the smart grid vision. Projects at pilot, demonstration, or deployment levels with a substantial consumer engagement and empowerment component are eligible to apply. The nominations period runs from now to March 22, with winners expected to be announced at the fifth Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Seoul, Korea in May. The official rules and other information can be found at www.iea-isgan.org/award2014.

About the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN)
Launched in 2010 at the first Clean Energy Ministerial meeting, ISGAN brings together 25 governments and their designated institutions to accelerate the development and deployment of smarter electricity grids worldwide through dynamic knowledge sharing, peer review, tool development, and project coordination. ISGAN is formally organized through the Implementing Agreement for a Co-operative Programme on Smart Grids (ISGAN) under a framework of the International Energy Agency.

About the Global Smart Grid Federation (GSGF)
Established in 2010, GSGF is committed to creating smarter, cleaner electricity systems around the world. It links leading national and regional smart grid organizations from around the world, each representing a variety of private sector, academic, and other stakeholder interests. GSGF is working to accelerate the deployment of smart grids by facilitating the sharing of best practices on resolutions around barriers to deployment, consumer engagement, innovation, and capacity building.