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By Doug Peeples

SGN News Editor

 

It seems there's always speculation and commentary that the smart grid initiative is slowing down. And while it's true in some sectors, we certainly aren't seeing that as an overall trend. Global smart meter shipments are growing at an impressive rate as is the market for smart building managed services. And while renewables have experienced some setbacks, we're seeing growth there, too.

 

We're going to share what we're seeing in those markets in the variety of papers and reports that keep coming our way. And we're including some cautionary news on smart grid cyber security.

 

Demand jumps for smart building managed services

According to Pike Research, the global economic recession pressured building owners and managers to install building energy management systems (BEMS) to cut energy use and operating costs. But while the systems can deliver much greater efficiency, they can be too sophisticated for the abilities and resources available to a building's operations or maintenance staff. So, Pike says, smart building managed services are more in demand and getting more popular as a way to deal with those and other building energy management issues. The bottom line? Global spending on those and related services will increase from $291 million in 2012 to $1.1 billion by 2020.

 

And while their numbers and scopes are different, an earlier report from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) underscores that trend. BSRIA says the smart building market overall will grow from its current level in Asia of $427 billion to $1,036 billion in 2020. The report explains that Asia will use 45% of the world's energy by 2030, and that the unheard of urbanization rate in the region "relies on smart buildings to reduce climate change impact." It goes on to say smart cities are being developed in South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, India and very likely others. Singapore is slated to become a 'smart nation' by 2015.

 

Smart meter market growing fast... elsewhere

In its Worldwide Quarterly Smart Meter Tracker report, IDC Energy Insights says  global smart meter shipments in the second quarter of this year were 33.6% higher in volume than the previous quarter and up just above 51% year over year. IDC expects to see annual global shipments exceed 130 million by year end. The advisory and consulting firm adds that while the U.S. market continues to recede from its stimulus era high, the smart meter markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are picking up momentum – although Europe's overall initiative seems to be lagging because it is taking longer than expected to complete the regulatory framework. The report also highlights Brazil, Russia, India and China as having "significant potential" for the AMI industry, because of quickly growing energy use, outdated infrastructure and other issues.

 

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