Most recently Ekholm was CEO of Patricia Industries, a division within Investor AB (2015-January 15, 2017). Prior to assuming this position in 2015, he was President and CEO of Investor AB between 2005 and 2015. Previous positions also include Head of New Investments and President of Investor Growth Capital Inc. Ekholm has had various positions at Novare Kapital AB and McKinsey & Co Inc.
The drive to modernize is on. Utilities are accelerating digitalization and unlocking intelligence in search of smarter ways to control the flow of energy. Connectivity is key. Are you ready to experience the possibilities of connectivity and communications?
The Ericsson Utilities Virtual Innovation Day is an exciting, immersive experience, with interactive demonstrations and presentations. You’ll learn about the newest connectivity and communications developments for utilities from Ericsson and industry experts.
The journey to mission critical: What it means for utilities
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Manuel Ruiz, VP & Head of Mission Critical Networks, Ericsson
A keynote by Manuel Ruiz, Vice President & Head of Mission Critical Networks. The transformation from traditional communications to Mission Critical Cellular Networks is one of the most critical components of a digital transformation process. As utilities embark on this journey, they can gain a lot of insights and draw parallels from public safety networks—use cases that span from interoperability between legacy land mobile radio to evolving mission-critical push-to-talk, to disaster relief efforts.
Ensuring your mission-critical communications are as advanced as your next crisis using transport solutions
Â
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Alex Heredia, Business Development, Ericsson
Transport is a critical component of grid modernization with cellular technology. In this session the requirements for reliability and resilience in transport networks are explored. We will also discuss advanced features and deployment models in point-to-point wireless, routers and enhancements to optical solutions. Finally we will discuss how to introduce advanced capabilities in transport solutions, and provide guidance in how to pace that transformation.
Private networks: An essential tool for modernizing power grids and lowering operational expenses
Type:
Panel
Speaker(s):
Jennie Bratten, Utilities Sales Director, Ericsson
Ryan Gerbrandt, Chief Operating Officer, Anterix
Bruce Albright, 4G/5G Solutions Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Brian Carlson, VP Sales, Hitachi ABB
Gautam Talagery, Utilities CTO, Ericsson
Not since large-scale deployments of smart meters has there been as much interest and motivation to transform the utilities communications network. LTE and 5G private networks promise to address a wide range of operational initiatives. In this session, our expert panel will address:
- - What makes cellular a key technology and what is the role of private vs. public networks?
- - What are the key use cases that drive ROI?
- - What investment is required?
- - What first steps can you take?
Security assurance for critical infrastructure
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Jason Boswell, Head of Security, Network Product Solutions, Ericsson
Critical infrastructure requires high security, resilience and integrity. The proven security of 3GPP-based networks integrated with IT/OT infrastructure will create a modern private network that is capable of maintaining the level of secure assurance that all critical infrastructure requires.
This session will discuss recommendations to implement a security architecture in private networks by using techniques like secure digital identities, secure transport, policy frameworks, trust anchors and security monitoring. It concludes with a summary of our experts’ view on what are the critical aspects to get right when implementing critical infrastructure.
Explore the capabilities of LTE/5G that are enhancing the spectrum of use cases within utilities
Type:
Panel
Speaker(s):
Gautam Talagery, Utilities CTO, Ericsson
Jesse Lin, VP, BEC Technologies
Allen Tharp, Senior Project Manager - OT Connectivity, Xcel Energy
Chris Calhoun, VP, Operations and Technology, Newport Utilities
Wireless technologies enable wide area coverage that can flex between latency and speed. This allows for diversity of use cases including slow devices like meters, quick response intelligent devices, and high throughput hungry video cameras. This panel will explore the new capabilities LTE/5G bring to utilities, including:
- wireless portability to existing sensor systems
- bridging existing legacy systems into mobile access
- resilience, multiple priority, and integration into wireless technology evolution
Â
How high performing radio access network solutions are enabling utilities evolution
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Ranjeet Bhattacharya, Principal Solutions Director - 5G Network Evolution, Ericsson
Wireless communications has matured significantly since its birth in 1980. Now it its 5th generation of evolution, Ericsson estimates that by 2026, there will be 8.8 billion subscribers and 5.9 billion connected devices in wireless networks. And, the internet of things (IoT) is and will be a key focus area. Industries like utilities have a great opportunity to leverage wireless connectivity along with IoT to significantly improve efficiency, safety, reliability and costs. In this session you’ll gain an overview of how radio access network (RAN) solutions address key wireless connectivity requirements for utilities.
How the innovative device ecosystem is enabling end-to-end use cases for utilities
Type:
Panel
Speaker(s):
Elisiario Cunha, VP & CTO, Ericsson
Ian Aaron, CEO, Ubicquia
Amir Mahmood, Technology Alliances & Partnerships, Cradlepoint
Andy Germano, VP, BEC Technologies
Enabling smarter, safer and more connected utilities requires cooperation, collaboration and partnership between device manufacturers and network infrastructure providers. This ecosystem panel of experts will discuss solutions that bring redundancy to cellular infrastructure, coordinate power generation, monitor power distribution and ensure employee safety.
Optimizing mission critical applications and public safety using LTE Packet Core
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Gautam Talagery, Utilities CTO, Ericsson
In this session we will introduce the concepts in 4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and discuss how it can help utilities achieve higher performance and lower total cost of ownership. You will also see demonstrations on how the EPC supports relevant utilities use cases:
- traffic prioritization
- mission critical communication
- network slices for implementationÂ
Beyond serving just the grid: Evolving business models for utilities
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Koustuv Ghoshal, VP & Head of Utilities, Ericsson
Alan McIntyre, Engineering Director, Southern Linc
David Hatcher, Director, Grid Connectivity Strategy, Duke Energy
Adam Nathan, Industry Principal, Utilities & Energy Practice, World Wide Technology
We are starting to see the unmistakable signs of a confluence between power, telecom, and electrification of transportation in our cities and communities. This panel of executives and experts engaged in the utilities industry discuss business models they see emerging in the power industry that are helping create products and solutions that have far-reaching impact on the communities they serve.
Transforming mission critical push-to-talk within utilities
Type:
Presentation
Speaker(s):
Kjell Johansson M, Technology Transformation Lead, Ericsson
The transformation of mission critical networks from Land Mobile Radio to LTE and 5G is well under way. And, this transformation promises to provide better economies of scale, improved interoperability, and a broader set of end user capabilities. We will see 5G transform and optimize early LTE based video and multimedia experiences across a range of performance parameters such as latency, throughput, and battery life. Mission critical push-to-talk remains an anchor service across mission critical segments. In this session, learn how utilities can experience increased efficiency in deployments and operations, while being able to provide greater ubiquity in terms of coverage and devices.
Private Networks: Is this a game changer for utilities in the digital transformation journey?
Type:
Fireside chat
Speaker(s):
Koustuv Ghoshal, VP & Head of Utilities, Ericsson
John Hughes, Director of Network Engineering & Operations, Ameren
Ubiquitous connectivity is quickly becoming one of the principal catalysts of digital transformation at utilities. As the concept of a "digital utility" starts to morph from a vision to reality, this keynote session is about one such IOU's journey of leveraging communication technology toward that journey. From providing a secure platform for its mission critical grid, to paving the way for future remote asset management, to enabling evolving needs such as supporting EV charging infrastructure in its march toward a carbon-neutral future, this session is about illustrating the role of critical communications.
