Can you talk confidently about the potential ROI from your next smart grid initiative? In this special report for SGN, Christina Haddad of EPRI outlines a 5-step process to help utilities better understand the benefits and costs of putting smart grid technologies in place.
The Smart Grid RoadShow blew into Portland, Oregon with a who's who of presenters – BPA chief Stephen Wright, CURRENT Group CEO Tom Casey, and FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, among others. Click inside for their insights (and even a few bombshells) regarding business cases, smart grid hype, consumer engagement and more.
A convincing business case is important, but will not necessarily ensure regulatory approval. That's according to Rick Hornby, who has testified on smart grid business cases in several jurisdictions, including the BGE case in Maryland. What else do regulators want to see? Rick explains inside.
There’s a lot riding on getting the business case right as utilities around the country take smart meter initiatives to their regulatory commissions. So what’s the secret sauce? In talking to experts, Jesse Berst finds it boils down to three things. Click inside for details.
Security blogger Andy Bochman highlights a discussion he came across on LinkedIn that puts the onus on the industry – not utilities – to do a better job of articulating ROI for Smart Grid projects. Click inside and see if you agree.
Texas A&M University is setting up a six-month research consortium to help electric cooperatives, municipal and other public utilities understand and evaluate the business case for investments in the Smart Grid.
Cost remains the top barrier to Smart Grid adoption according to industry leaders who participated in the Pacific Crest Mosaic Smart Grid survey. But check out what other barriers made the list and how they ranked.
A new study, 'Smart Grid Economics: Making the Business Case for Smart Network Technology,' says the typical electric utility can directly benefit from Smart Grid technologies to the tune of at least $110 million annually
One of the industry’s best-known thinkers suggests four approaches that will help utilities create a clear, step-by-step plan to access Smart Grid benefits. Click to read advice from IEEE Fellow John McDonald, currently GM of Marketing for General Electric, who explains how to develop a strong business case, how to pace investment, and more.
A massive, global trend is underway that will make the Smart Grid even more important than it is today. It will also create startup opportunities as compelling as those in the early days of PCs and the Internet. Click for a link to a new white paper from Jesse Berst that documents the changes and explains the 15 opportunities it opens up for companies large and small.
Steve Pullins discusses paying for the Modern Grid. He'll show how you can spend a fraction of your ‘business-as-usual’ capital layouts on Smart Grid-related improvements at a zero-cost differential.
David Moore is the President of Atlanta-based Advanced Control Systems, a pioneer in distribution automation. In this guest editorial, he explains the five pieces that should be at the foundation of any Smart Grid initiative for maximum long-term value. It is a useful high-level checklist for any utility considering grid updates.
The recently released San Diego Smart Grid Study uncovered 26 technologies key to modernization. More importantly, it documented costs versus benefits, providing an interesting template for other utilities and regions. This report argues that societal benefits could and should be used to cost-justify grid upgrades. Steve Pullins, leader of the Modern Grid Initiative, explains why there can be no Smart Grid without a business case.
Matt Lecar explains why it used to be so hard for E to make a business case for advanced metering. And explains what has changed to make it possible today. The lessons may well apply to many of the nation's utilities.
Modern Grid Initiative team leader Steve Pullins is back to explain how to make the business case for grid improvements. One secret is to quantify and account for societal benefits as well as system benefits. Click for explanations and examples.
Utilities are rushing into advanced metering but missing its biggest benefits and full business impacts. The disconnect between the metering shop and the T&D side is so great that some project managers resort to “guerrilla tactics” to get systems approved and used. Mark Gabriel explains why we need to be studying this issue right now.
We're getting mixed signals about the vitality of the smart grid market. On the one hand, the recent DistribuTECH conference was one of the most successful ever. On the other, a well-known Wall Street analyst recently told his clients that the smart metering sector is "facing several headwinds," including weak regulatory support in the U.S. and delays in European adoption. Taking the pulse of the smart grid industry is this week's Tuesday Topic.
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