Smart Grid Technology Makes the Leap

Consortium of Finnish Companies Arrives in U.S. to Demonstrate Intelligent
Energy Grid Technologies at Nordic Green Conference
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
While legislators and venture capitalists debate how `smart grid` technology
will play out in the United States, a group of companies from Finland have
already worked out the kinks and are deploying their intelligent energy grid
technologies today. Cleantech Finland and the Cluster for Energy and Environment
consortium (CLEEN) will be demonstrating their smart grid technology ecosystem
at the Nordic Green conference held April 27-28 in Palo Alto.

Smart Grid is the name given to the branch of technology devoted to modernizing
today`s electric utility grid with remote sensors, active monitoring and
management systems and other data feedback to re-make the utility grid as an
intelligent system that is more responsive to spikes in energy demand and that
better incorporates local production of clean energy. The `grid` refers to the
energy production plants and distribution lines, and `smart` refers to IP-based
technologies for demand-shaping and cost management software and other
analytics.

What makes Finland such an expert on Smart Grid and new energy technology? The
country`s harsh winters make it one of the highest energy users (per capita) in
the world, and the area`s very low population density exacerbates problems with
efficient energy transfer. So Finland committed itself decades ago to becoming a
leader in clean energy production and intelligent energy demand management -
exactly the requirements of today`s `smart grid` initiatives. Finland`s leading
telecommunications companies like Nokia and Elisa also apply their network
management know-how, honed from decades of experience with mobile telephone
networks, to make energy grids user-friendly.

"The telephone utility has been transformed from crude copper wires and limited
customer choices into a global network of wireless towers and a dizzying array
of customer options," said Kimmo Pentikäinen, director of environmental
information at Elisa Corporation, the largest communications network operator in
the Nordic region. "That same radical transformation is now facing the energy
utility networks - so Finland`s telecom companies are offering their experiences
and technologies to lead the effort."

Elisa, Nokia Siemens Networks, and other Smart Grid technology companies will be
represented at Nordic Green II. In addition, leading cleantech companies Kemira
and Pöyry will be discussing innovations in water technologies, as well as in
future buildings.

About the Nordic Green II Conference
Nordic Green II
April 27-28, 2010
SRI International
333 Ravenswood Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493
Website: http://www.sri.com/
Price: $250
To register, view speakers and topics and find accommodations, visit
http://www.greentechmedia.com/events/live/nordic-green-ii/.

About Cleantech Finland

Cleantech Finland is a collective of top 100 Finnish cleantech companies.
Cleantech Finland gives clients, partners, investors and other stakeholders all
over the world an easy access to key Finnish cleantech expertise. Finnish
cleantech companies are already global leaders in energy-efficiency, clean
industrial processes and bioenergy. Other key areas are measuring, analysis and
automation, renewable energy, waste management as well as water and waste water
treatment and air protection.

Finnish cleantech is a guarantee of cutting edge technologies and services, and
reliable and efficient business practices. Finland`s achievements and expertise
in the environmental sector are internationally acknowledged. For example since
year 2000, Finland has been ranked three times number one among 146 countries in
environmental sustainability and performance in World Economic Forum`s ESI
index. www.cleantechfinland.com

Rocket Science PR, for Cleantech Finland
Rich Mullikin, +1-415-464-8110 ext. 216
Mobile: +1-925-354-7444
rich@rocketscience.com
or
Cleantech Finland
Santtu Hulkkonen, +358 40 343 3341
Executive Director
santtu.hulkkonen@finpro.fi

Copyright Business Wire 2010