Global Spending on Smart Grid Technologies to Hit $200 Billion by 2015

A new Pike Research report indicates that global spending on Smart Grid technologies will reach $200 billion during the period from 2008 to 2015, and that most of that money will be spent on automation initiatives. The report notes that governments and industry leaders are joining forces with a "newfound urgency" to develop and implement Smart Grid technologies.

"Smart meters are currently the highest-profile of the Smart Grid, but they are really just the tip of the iceberg," according to Clint Wheelock, managing director of Pike Research. "Our analysis shows that utilities will find the best return on investment, and therefore will devote the majority of their capital budgets to grid infrastructure projects including transmission upgrades, substation automation, and distribution automation."

Pike forecasts that those Smart Grid automation initiatives will absorb 84% of global Smart Grid investment through 2015, compared to only 14% for advanced metering infrastructure and 2% for electric vehicle management systems.

The report, entitled Smart Grid Technologies, provides an analysis of the global market opportunity for Smart Grid technologies and applications. It took into account utility business models, regulators and technology issues and end-user demand — and also includes profiles and analyses of 70 major players in the Smart Grid sector. In addition, the report offers detailed global market forecasts through 2015 categorized by region and application.

An executive summary of the report is available for download free of charge on the company's Web site. Pike Research is a market research and consulting company that specializes in global clean technology markets.

   Pike Research press release (pdf)

   Smart Grid technologies resources on SGN