Smart Grid Forum: a crossroads for cross pollination

Hello,

Upgrading the power grid is a huge effort. It will effect all of us. There are many stakeholders: power generators, government, utilities, IT, research labs, regulators, etc. There are a few national conferences

• GridWeek is the annual gathering in Washington, DC, of Smart Grid stakeholders and thought leaders.
• DR-Expo is a conference and exposition focused on delivering tangible information on the implementation of Demand Response in North America.
• Gridwise Expo

Texas based Clasma Events, Inc organizes these and related events.

What I do not see are either online groups or regional forums to talk about the smart grid.
People from a variety of backgrounds could feed off the work of others. Gaining insight and understanding requirements. Learning how other parts of the industry operate. Please leave a comment if you know of a group, forum or have an idea about forming such a group online or a regional forum.  I'm particularly interested in a regional forum in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

-jk