Bonita Springs, Fla. – The 2011 Rural Smart Grid Summit (RSGS) has announced AT&T, Cooper Power Systems and Verdeeco as award winning vendors at the second annual RSGS held at the Hyatt Regency in Bonita Springs, Florida – September 19-21, 2011.

Thirty-seven of the top smart grid technology vendors competed for three separate awards that were voted on by the ninety-three utility executives in attendance. The utility executives spent three days collaborating with top smart grid technology vendors discussing current and future solutions available for rural cooperative utilities. Discussion topics included: advanced meter infrastructure (AMI), grid security, demand response, home area networks (HAN), distribution automation and energy storage, just to list a few. The summit format allows each vendor to focus on the individual needs of each cooperative through multiple channels including: senior level boardroom presentations, the RSGS solution showcase, and various networking activities.

The nominees for Best Overall Vendor Presentation were, ABB, AT&T and S&C Electric. The winning vendor who left the best overall impression with the entire body of work at the summit was AT&T.

The Vendor to Watch award went to the up-and-coming vendor with the most innovative smart grid solution. The nominees were Grid 2020, MeterSense and Verdeeco, and the winner was Verdeeco.

The Best Smart Grid Product or Solution went to the vendor who provided the most exciting product or solution. The nominees were Cooper Power Systems, Landis+Gyr and MeterSense, and the winner was Cooper Power Systems.

Bill Booth, General Manager, RSGS “For a lot of the vendors this was their second show with us and that was reflected in the tight competition and close voting, but our VIP utility guests did an excellent job of identifying and rewarding the vendors who put their best foot forward. We will expand the awards category next year in San Diego given the planned sponsor growth and interest in meeting with the rural utility guests we invite.”