Part 4: Your nominations are in – smart grid companies to watch in 2011

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We're now on Day 4 of our countdown to the 11 smart grid companies to watch in 2011. If you missed the first three installments, they are linked below. And be sure to return to the site tomorrow; we'll be posting more 11 in 2011 contenders.

Here’s how this countdown works: You sent in your nominations. Our team reviewed all them and did a preliminary sort. Posted below is the fourth set of smart grid companies that made the cut. We’ll run the remaining ones this week, so be sure to check back. Also, what you see below are abbreviated versions of the text provided by the person who nominated the company. Note we have not verified the information for accuracy. Typically we do that but in this case we wanted you to see what readers had to say. You'll see I've added my own comments – and of course we encourage you to add yours using the Talk Back comment form below.

After we're done highlighting all of the 2011 contenders, you will have a chance to vote for the finalists.

Here is the fourth set of nominees in random order:

Augusta Systems will be a 2011 Smart Grid Superstar since its technologies provide the “glue” to make the smart grid function – at least our Allegheny Energy smart grid activities focused on distribution system monitoring and automation.  Deployed throughout a distribution network, Augusta System’s EdgeFrontier provides the opportunity to integrate and connect the devices, systems, and applications that comprise the smart grid.

[Note from Jesse: Although I don't know if Augusta Systems makes a great product technically, I do know that there is a growing hunger for middleware that can integrate multiple devices and multiple applications.]

Consert Inc. The unique capabilities of Consert’s SaaS enable electric utilities to turn homes and small businesses into virtual power plants that assist the utility with peak load management. As a homeowner who uses the Consert system, I appreciate the ability to have multiple programs that manage my heat and A/C, the ability to monitor my electric usage and adjust and change programs online whether at home or traveling, as well as the savings in my electric bill.

Viridity Energy will make some really major announcements this year as they continue to expand their 24/7 real-time energy optimization services in the Northeast, the West and the Midwest.  Their involvement with the Tres Amigas project should also prove exciting this year. Viridity Energy will be advancing and deploying many of the projects you reported on this past year.  They are empowering large energy consumers to become smart microgrid operators who control their energy assets strategically.

[Note from Jesse: Virtual power plants will be one of 2011’s biggest buzzwords (should I say buzzphrases?). Consert, Viridity and several others are racing to convert their potential into real deals.]

ElectSolve is dominating the MDM market space for the small-to-medium coops/munis. They know utility system integration and data management... their core team worked in IOU space for years and pioneered original MDMA service for CA dereg market in mid-90s. Partnerships with multiple AMI vendors and distributors have resulted in big wins with a huge pipeline in 2011.

[Note from Jesse: Two things interest me about this company. First, targeting small-to-medium utilities, a space that gets ignored by many of the larger firms. Second, moving past “basic” MDM into a myriad of extensions, a trend I expect to accelerate.]

Ice Energy brings a unique "energy storage" technology offering air conditioning through ice. By using energy during off-peak hours, the system makes and stores ice for endpoint customers during cooler times of the day (night). The ice is then used throughout the day to air condition the home/building without using nearly the same amount of power as a traditional air conditioning system. The company has grown substantially in the last year with several key partnerships and investments.

[Note from Jesse: With its technology largely proven, the thing to watch in 2011 is whether Ice Energy can find new channels to market. The recent Ice Energy partnership with Trane is a great first step.]

Don't miss these …

Part 1: Your nominations are in – smart grid companies to watch in 2011

Part 2: Your nominations are in – smart grid companies to watch in 2011

Part 3: Your nominations are in – smart grid companies to watch in 2011

Related SGN channels …  

Distribution automation

Microgrids

MDM

Storage

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