UTC Canadian Technology Conference

Hugo Bertrand is an electrical engineer with a Master of Science degree in RF technology, specializing in antenna arrays, beamforming, and signal processing. He has over seventeen years of experience at Hydro-Québec, a leading Canadian electric utility renowned for its extensive hydropower production and vast transmission network.

Throughout his tenure at Hydro-Québec, Hugo has made significant contributions in various roles, demonstrating his expertise in telecommunications and automation applications for the electric grid. His professional journey is divided into two main phases: seven years as a Telecom Engineer, where he was involved in deploying telecommunications technologies for the electrical grid, and over ten years as a Research Engineer. In this latter role, he has focused on developing and investigating the evolution of information and telecommunications technologies to address the electric grid’s unmet and emerging needs, driven by digital transformation and the introduction of Distributed Energy Resources.

IEEE senior member Sylvain Chenard received his BScA from the Département du Génie Electrique at Université Laval, Québec, Canada in 1994. He also received a technical degree in microelectronics from Collège de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada in 1988. Sylvain is a member of the IEEE Communications and Computer Societies and the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. He is currently a senior product manager at Nokia with a focus on optical network analytics. He works closely with Nokia Bell Labs to define and productize state-of-the-art techniques and algorithms for estimating and monitoring transmission quality.

Koustuv is Vice President and the Global Head of Ericsson’s Utilities market vertical. Prior to this role, Koustuv was the VP and head of Ericsson’s Utilities business for North America. He brings over 30 years of experience in the utilities, other mission critical industry verticals, telecom and the public sector. His domains of expertise, and areas of global focus have been driving the acceleration of grid modernization at utilities through digital transformation. An advocate of sustainable digital ecosystems, he has been increasingly engaged in the evolving convergence of electric power, telecommunications and electrification of transportation sectors. He is an industry recognized thought leader in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainability, grid automation, renewables & storage integration, network evolution, Public Private Partnerships, and M&A. Prior to joining Ericsson, Koustuv had P&L leadership roles at leading companies in the ICT domain: T-Systems/Deutsche Telekom (as Head of Industries for North America), Siemens (Vice President for Utilities business services for Americas), GE (Marketing Director in GE Energy), IBM (Managing Principal for Utilities Strategy practice), and Andersen Consulting (Senior Manager in the Utilities practice). He started his professional career working for an electric utility in the Dallas, Texas area. Koustuv was nominated by PennWell (a leading industry publication) as “One of the Top 50 People in the World in Energy/ICT”. He has Bachelors & Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering in Electric Power Systems from the Univ. of Texas. He lives in the Dallas area and is an avid golf & tennis enthusiast.

Bio Coming Soon

Mr Gosta Kallner holds the position as Executive Chairman of the no profit organisation 450 MHz Alliance and are advisor for industries regarding deployments of private mobile networks. Mr Kallner has more than 30 years’ experience in the telecom industry has been involved in numerous network deployments across Europe, Asia and America with various global telecom operators and equipment suppliers, among them Orange, 3 and Ericsson. The last 18 years´ focused on deploying and operating dedicated network in the lower spectrum with wide range characteristics typical 450 MHz.

Brett Kilbourne is Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel at the Utilities Technology Council, where he provides legal and regulatory guidance and advocacy for utilities on matters affecting their telecommunications and information technology interests pending before the Federal Communications Commission, as well as Congress, the federal courts and state public utility commissions and legislatures.   In addition to working with UTC, he was employed at the law firm of Stevens & Lee, as well as BellSouth and the law firm of Baker & Hostetler.  Brett received his Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University, Columbus School of Law in 1998 and he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the South in 1987.  He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland, and he is admitted to the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.  He is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Federal Communications Bar Association.  He has nearly 40 years of experience working in communications law, including over 25 years at UTC.

A seasoned professional in the utility industry, the career began at Hydro One in 1986 as aTelecommunications Officer.  Designated as a Certified Engineering Technologist while holding various positions throughout my Hydro One career.

With 38 years of experience at Hydro One, expertise includes writing technical specifications for telecom equipment and collaborating with leading OEMs globally on the development and testing of telecom equipment serving protection and control applications. Leadership experience includes over 15 years as Senior Manager for Telecom Design, overseeing significant engineering initiatives for both Transmission and Distribution.

Currently serving as Senior Manager, Telecom Engineering, responsible for design and engineering of telecom assets supporting Transmission and Distribution. This role encompasses thedesign and creation of standardsof all telecom solutions—SONET, MPLS, wireless (licensed and unlicensed), power line carrier, satellite and leased carrier services—ensuring high reliability and low latency of all telecom services while meeting all legislative, regulatory, safety, and environmental standards.

Personal interests include healthy living, fitness, and engaging with peer utilities on common issues impacting the delivery of telecom solutions.

Kathleen McCorriston is the Vice-President, Engineering and Construction Services. Ms. McCorriston has over 23 years of experience in the electricity sector and 15 years as a leader in
Operations.

Ms. McCorriston is accountable for the safe and efficient execution of Hydro One’s transmission and substation work program. Divisions include engineering, stations construction and transmission lines construction and maintenance.

Previously Ms. McCorriston was accountable for project management and project controls for major transmission projects.

Ms. McCorriston holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering, a Master of Business Administration and is a Professional Engineer recognized in the province of Ontario.

Steel McCreery has thirty-five years of application experience in the areas of data communication, automation, and cyber security. In 1983 after graduating from Humber College of Applied Arts and Science, Steel began his career in factory automation while employed at various automation equipment manufactures such Reliance Electric, Modicon, GE Fanuc, Omron, and Siemens. Steel joined GE Multilin in 1999 holding various technical roles before accepting an automation role at SEL in 2012 focused on SEL’s utility communications and cyber security products. Steel joined OMICRON in 2020 where his role’s is focused on power utility communications and cyber security.

Sogo Pierre Sanon is a Research Scientist at the Hydro-Québec Research Institute, specializing in quantum-safe security. His work focuses on the assessment, integration, and operational impact of quantum-safe technologies, including post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution for critical infrastructure.

SYLVAIN RIENDEAU (riendeau.sylvain@ireq.ca) holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in electrical engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1987 and 1991 respectively.  He joined Hydro-Québec’s Research Institute (IREQ) in 1989.  Since, he has been involved in various research and development projects related to measurement, control, protection, and telecommunication systems deployed on Hydro-Québec’s transportation and distribution network.

As part of Electricity Canada team who share the use of LTE and 5G commercial and private cellular networks for mission-critical applications, he is the originator of the PVNO concept. He promotes use of emerging telecom technology and spectrum access for Canadian electric utilities. Through his leadership and commitment, he has positioned Canada as a leader in electric grid flexibility, resiliency, security, and cost efficiency.

His interests include complex system architecture, robust embedded system developments, electronic designs for harsh environments and telecommunication technology adaptation for electric grid use, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and home automation.

He is Vice Chair of Electricity Canada Operation Technology Telecommunication Committee, Co Chair of UTC NTN Services for Utilities Working Group and a Professional Engineer in the province of Québec.