Xcel Energy to Unveil Next-Generation Utility Innovation Initiatives at DistribuTECH 2006

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) and its Utility Innovations (UI)partners IBM, Indus Itron, Meridium, SmartSignal and the U.S. NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will unveil the companies' latestprojects and discoveries here at DistribuTECH 2006, February 7-9. Themost recent UI initiatives demonstrate how advanced technology can beapplied to key issues facing the utility industry, including renewableenergy, predictive maintenance, communications and automated design.The results of the technology applications are improved operationalefficiency and increased customer satisfaction.

New initiatives will be on display in the Indus (#301) and Itron(#900) booths in the DistribuTECH exhibit hall. Also, leadingexecutives from Xcel Energy and its UI partners will be availableduring the following events to discuss the projects, the value offorming partnerships, results of the Utility Innovations first phaseand how products are developed:

-- Meet The Innovator Reception - Invitation Only - RSVP Required Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6:00 p.m., Room 30B, Fourth Floor, Convention Center

-- Hosted bar and hors d'oeuvres

-- Meet and talk one-on-one with UI executives and project managers

-- Panel Discussion -- "Do It Together - Innovation Through Partnership and Collaboration"

-- Wednesday, Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m., Room 24, Convention Center

-- Utility Innovations senior executives will discuss the partnership's evolution and how new products were developed in the program.

To RSVP to the reception or set up a one-on-one interview with aUI executive, contact Doug Wiest (303-294-2350;douglas.a.wiest@xcelenergy.com).

About Utility Innovations

Created in 2004, the UI program has created unique strategicpartnerships that integrate research, innovation and technology toimprove reliability and increase customer satisfaction.