Navigant has launched the Navigant Utility Forum, a panel of senior executives from electric and gas utilities in both regulated and non‐regulated markets, focused on exploring the future of utility operations and organization within the context of the convergence of customer operations, integrated demand‐side management, marketing and smart grid deployment.

Against a backdrop of rising energy costs and an economy just beginning to slowly recover from the financial crisis, utilities are being challenged from all corners to deliver on the promises of the smart grid, meet increasingly challenging energy efficiency targets and enhance customer satisfaction. The Forum’s executive‐level utility representatives are at the forefront of implementing the successful transformation of North American utility operations, while the Forum itself serves to support the strategic and operational goals of its members through in‐person meetings, shared research and a collective voice.

“The utility industry is in the midst of unprecedented transformational change and we are only just beginning to see how the long‐term convergence of customer operations, integrated demand‐side management, marketing and smart grid will impact strategic planning, utility organizational re‐design and other operational imperatives,ʺ says Bill Dickenson, Managing Director and head of Navigant’s Energy Practice. “Today’s energy leaders are building the foundation for the future of the industry, and the Navigant Utility Forum is designed to foster the utility research, cooperation and creativity which will drive the industry forward.”