Robert Busch
Chairman
New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority

The Grid: How VARs Turn Into Billions

The power distribution grid has been called the most complex machine ever devised by man.  For decades, it has operated with almost flawless precision, delivering vast quantities of electric power to our homes, businesses and factories.  Yet today, it is too often the bottleneck in the development of renewable energy resources.  Why is it so hard to build high voltage transmission when almost everyone says we need more?  Using current real world examples and blending engineering and economics, Mr. Busch will explain and explore the current use of the grid and how it will need to change. 
*VAR - Volt, Ampere, Reactive, a critical but little understood component of major power systems.

Mr. Busch has over 35 years of broad based management experience in energy and is an expert in providing strategic analysis of the continuing transition of the electric utility industry from a regulated to competitive environment.  Currently, Mr. Busch serves as Chairman of the Board of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority. In that role he is helping to lead the effort to access the large wind and solar resources that exist in New Mexico. Prior to this position, he was the President and COO of Public Service Enterprise Group Services Corporation and CFO of Public Service Gas and Electric.

Earlier in his career as the Chief Financial Officer of Northeast Utilities, he led the first major acquisition of an investor-owned public utility, Public Service of New Hampshire. This land-mark transaction resolved the first bankruptcy of a major utility in the United States in almost fifty years. While at Northeast Utilities during the 1980's as Project Manager of Millstone III, an 1150 megawatt nuclear unit, he led the first successful effort to bring a large new nuclear power station in service ahead of schedule.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Case Institute of Technology, his Master of Science degree in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his MBA with highest honors from Northeastern University.

Thank you to the Case Alumni Association
for being a co-sponsor of this event.