| Today's Top Stories
1. Research predicts 3.8 million EV drivers by 2020
2. Interstate Reliability Project approved
3. Utility "Digerati" face competitive edge
4. Verdantix announces energy management software standouts
5. New Jersey utility caves to pressure for change Editor's Corner: New Year ushers in smart grid technology twists Also Noted: Spotlight On... Facility energy use data fodder for utility incentives
Google gives free Wi-Fi in NYC and much more... The importance of a corporate vision for smart grid
There are so many business, technology and regulatory components to a smart grid implementation that any utility embarking on a smart grid deployment must have a vision in place to guide the effort. There is a saying that if you don't know where you're going, you'll probably wind up there. The utilities that have been most successful with their smart grid implementations have had clear and cohesive visions for their deployments.Industry Voices NSA secret cyber security testing no longer secret
It's no secret that the nation's electric grid is vulnerable to potentially devastating cyber attacks. It's also no longer a secret that the federal government is targeting utilities to test the security of their grids. Article News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Austin Energy enters ESPC for cooling plant upgrade
2. Waste-to-energy facing comeback
3. Propane provider capitalizes on customer-centricity
| This week's sponsor is Zpryme. |  | Zpryme's Smart Grid Insights and FierceSmartGrid are conducting a survey to assess the current sentiment and outlook for the Smart Grid industry on a monthly basis. We would like to invite utility, energy, and Smart Grid executives to participate in this month's survey. Click here to take the survey.
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New Year ushers in smart grid technology twists
With the New Year upon us, utilities will usher in the same smart grid challenges they have faced in the past but with a different technilogical twist.
Utilities face two major smart grid concerns: Making the business case for the next round of investments and tackling the challenges that arise from those large-scale infrastructure investments. Utilities will grapple with emerging technology such as advanced distribution management systems, outage management systems, customer systems, and enterprise level software, architecture, and communications. Further complicating matters are cloud-delivered applications (analytics, billing, mobile workforce management, load balancing and forecasting, customer management, etc.) that are expected to grow rapidly in 2013. Third-party delivered services such as smart-grid-as-a-service, energy-management-as-a-service, and distributed-generation-as-a-service are other applications that could potentially cause utilities challenges. Read the entire Editor's Corner online at FierceSmartGrid. |
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Today's Top News 1. Research predicts 3.8 million EV drivers by 2020
Since 2010, plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) have become more widely available in Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), are also selling steadily in those regions. Annual worldwide sales of these vehicles, collectively referred to as electric vehicles (EV), will reach 3.8 million by 2020, according to Pike Research. "Sales of EVs have not lived up to automakers' expectations and politicians' proclamations, but the market is expanding steadily as fuel prices remain high and consumers increasingly seek alternatives to internal combustion engines," said Pike Senior Research Analyst Dave Hurst. "Indeed, sales of plug-in EVs will grow at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 40 percent over the remainder of the decade, while the overall auto market will expand by only two percent a year." The increase in EV drivers means potentially more customers for EV charging providers. One such provider poised to benefit is ChargePoint who was recently named as the leading electric vehicle charging station manufacturer by Pike Research for its state-of-the-art features including the ability to search for ChargePoint-enabled charging stations, get directions to charging stations, see if a station is in use or not, check pricing, reserve a station, and receive charging notifications. "ChargePoint is focusing on its core competencies in IT and communications," said Lisa Jerram, senior analyst at Pike Research. "ChargePoint continues to focus on all aspects of the EV charging ecosystem and leveraging the strength of the ChargePoint network by continuing to add other manufacturers' EVSE products to the network. This increases the appeal to EV drivers and subsequently, to potential new customers for ChargePoint's services. Essentially, the more comprehensive the network is, the more it becomes the de facto clearinghouse for EVSE sites," she said. For more:
- see this article
- see this article Related Articles:
Electric vehicle charging drives forward in California
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California will lead EV adoption into next decade
Electric vehicles get more charging options Read more about: Pike Research, Electric Vehicles
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2. Interstate Reliability Project approved
After extensive reliability studies conducted by ISO-New England (ISO-NE), the Regional Transmission Operator and system planning authority in New England, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) has approved the Interstate Reliability Project, concluding that the collaborative effort between Connecticut Light & Power Company's (CL&P) and National Grid is needed to address system reliability constraints in Connecticut and the region. The CSC concluded that the project also has "economic and environmental benefits, and improves system integration both within Connecticut and the region as a whole." In addition to improved system reliability, the Interstate Reliability Project will provide the region's electricity customers with the infrastructure that is critical to a healthy economy, as well as access to cleaner, competitively-priced energy sources. The Connecticut portion of the Interstate Reliability Project includes the construction of a new overhead 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line on 37 miles of existing right-of-way from Lebanon, Connecticut, to the Rhode Island border in Thompson, and incorporates substation enhancements. The Rhode Island and Massachusetts portions extend approximately 38 miles through National Grid's service areas. The project is scheduled to be in-service by late 2015. For more:
- see the Order Related Articles:
PPL steadily increases investment in reliability
UES seeks rate increase for reliability improvements
Investment in new transmission a multi-billion dollar industry
PUC approves PPL $54M power line projects
Pepco to upgrade transmission lines Read more about: System Reliability, National Grid
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3. Utility "Digerati" face competitive edge
The grid is going digital, and utilities must adapt. The adoption of digital technology by utilities could transform the way they interact with and understand customers, and drive efficiencies across their organization internally, by using technology to better engage with customers at home, workers in the field and the overall organization. Utilities pressed to reduce costs despite low margins and the realities of grid modernization, a more decentralized approach to energy generation, more environmentally conscious customers, and the explosion of social media just add to the pressure. Customers expect instant engagement and are looking for a more proactive role in managing their connectivity and energy use. Concurrently connected objects in smart energy infrastructures -- such as home energy automation, smart grid and smart city -- are overwhelming utilities with data that of which their business and operational models cannot yet take full advantage. Recent research by Capgemini Consulting and the MIT Center for Digital Business shows that while some utilities are focused on overhauling the customer journey across all external channels, most are under-utilizing customer data analytics to improve targeting, prospects qualification and price optimization, and are behind the curve in using digital to create a more connected, productive and informed workforce. Further, while 87 percent of utilities believe digital is a key driver of their business performance, 62 per cent do not believe they are investing enough. In a ranking of digital maturity level, utilities ranked 20 percent, ahead of only manufacturing (12 percent) and pharmaceuticals (7 percent). "The importance of digital to internal processes and external customer processes cannot be overstated. There is a significant and measurable performance advantage for those organizations that have a highly developed or mature approach to digital transformation," said Philippe David, senior vice president and utilities leader for Capgemini Consulting. "These high-performing companies -- the 'Digirati' -- outperform their industry competitors on multiple financial metrics." For more:
- see the report Related Article:
Protecting mission-critical utility customers in an increasingly digital age Read more about: Digital Technology, Capgemini Consulting
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4. Verdantix announces energy management software standouts
Energy management software is becoming more and more important for utilities in terms of bill management, energy monitoring and targeting, energy reporting and certification, etc. So utilities listen up -- Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, has released its picks for the leading energy management software providers in the world. The research compared 14 enterprise-class energy management software applications based on live product demonstrations, an assessment of suppliers on 134 criteria, and interviews with an independent panel of 15 customers representing firms in 13 industries. Five suppliers emerged as leaders: CA Technologies, CarbonSystems, IBM, Schneider Electric and Verisae. These five companies have established themselves as the market-leading providers due to the breadth of their energy management functionality, proven integration with a wide range of meters and controls, utility bill management, deep energy and industry domain credentials, established enterprise-scale customer bases, and partnerships with systems integrators and consultants, according to Verdantix. "The global energy management software market is poised for growth in 2013," said Alisdair McDougall, Verdantix analyst and author of the report. "Two-thirds of the customer panel expect their annual spend on energy management software to increase during the next three years as they implement new solutions, expand existing deployments and increase the breadth of functionality in use. Successful software suppliers will develop functionality that maps to the specific requirements of energy domains…Product strategies offering a standard set of functionality for all industries have universally failed and have resulted in some suppliers exiting the market." Verdantix analysis reveals that the U.S. market for carbon and energy management software will grow to $558 million by 2014. For more:
- see this release Related Articles:
Light-bulb moment could lead to utility energy management opportunities
ESCOs see growing revenue streams
Strategic alliance sign of maturing energy management market Read more about: Energy Management, Verdantix
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5. New Jersey utility caves to pressure for change
Officials along the East Coast are calling for changes in the way utilities handle storm preparation, outage restoration and recovery. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, at least one utility has changed its operations. Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has made enhancements based on feedback from customers and municipal officials following Superstorm Sandy that will provide additional information to municipal officials and customers about power outage restoration efforts during significant storm events. Enhancements include providing municipalities with maps showing electrical circuit routes; determining liaisons in company field offices to maintain contact with local officials; holding briefings for municipal officials about localized restoration work; allocating additional company personnel to work with municipal representatives; training county and municipal first responders on electrical safety; and participating in advisory board meetings with county and municipal leaders and emergency agencies to outline the company's restoration procedures. In addition, JCP&L is developing mobile technology tools so customers can report outages and access important information. Similar to the company's new mobile website, one new app that can be downloaded to Apple or Android smartphones will make it easier for customers to report a power outage and view the company's 24/7 Power Center maps. Improvements also are being made this Power Center, including a greater level of outage detail and redesigned content to make it easier for customers to locate the information they need before, during and after a major storm. Under development at JCP&L, and to be released in late 2013, are ways that will allow customers to receive outage or account information via text message or email. For more:
- see this article Related Articles:
Utilities feel the wrath of hurricane season
Keys to successful storm response
Compounding natural forces with man-made disaster Read more about: Superstorm Sandy, Power Outage
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Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Facility energy use data fodder for utility incentives The nation's multifamily housing stock holds potential for major energy efficiency gains, which would improve housing affordability by keeping renters' utility bills down, according to the Institute for Market Transformation. With a potential pool of 40 million Americans and new laws that require facility owners to benchmark and disclose their properties' energy consumption, utilities can use the resulting data to create new programs and incentives for energy-efficient buildings. Report >Better data, better security. Article
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>Google brings NYC free Wi-Fi. Article
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