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Smart meters with integrated HAN gateways will boost HEMS market

In the next five years, IMS Research expects more than 100 million smart meters will

be deployed with integrated home area network (HAN) gateways. And that will push the market for home energy management systems (HEMS) past $9 billion. But IMS points out that like the approach to the deployment of smart meters themselves, the inclusion of a HAN gateway is typically very country-specific and legislation-driven. Even where there is a common framework, actual deployment strategies vary.

 

Even with barriers stopping widespread uptake of HEMS to communicate with HAN gateways, IMS expects a range of factors, including the growing availability of dynamic pricing, as well as the involvement of commercial organizations such as telecommunications companies, consumer goods providers and security providers, to drive the HEMS market. “There is growing momentum behind not only deploying smart meters with integrated HAN gateways, but also towards retrofitting existing smart meter installed bases with the functionality to participate in energy management systems," notes IMS senior analyst Lisa Arrowsmith. Read more >>

 

Smart grid could mean big savings for Middle East and North Africa region

Though still in the early stages, smart grid development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region could translate into yearly savings of $300 million to $1 billion, according to a new study from the Northeast Group. Middle East & North Africa Smart Grid: Market Forecast (2012-2022) projects the smart metering market will reach 16.1 million units by 2022 with cumulative capital expenditure of $3.9 billion. The study also notes that the smart grid provides an opportunity for MENA countries to incorporate their vast solar and renewable resources, manage growing demand, reduce carbon emissions and cut down on electricity system losses.

 

"Smart grid regulatory frameworks are in the early stages of development but progress is being made," Northeast Group added.  "Governments are realizing they must incentivize energy conservation and are beginning to invest in the technologies necessary to make their grids smarter. Smart city concepts such as Masdar City in the UAE and the Pearl-Qatar in Qatar show that smart grid technologies will be a feature of Gulf infrastructure investments over the next decade." Read more >>

 

What's sustainability worth to utility investors?

Analysis by Target Rock Advisors found that the value of good sustainability policies and practices could be worth $20 to $25 billion to utility investors. The estimate was based on a comparative analysis of the total returns over 10 years for 49 U.S. utilities.

 

“The $20-25 billion estimate is a relevant indicator of shareholder value," said Kyle Rudden, a Target Rock Partner and co-founder."But I think it grossly understates the true economic value of sustainability since market capitalization metrics do not capture socio-economic benefits – including but not limited to reductions in pollution and water use and contributions to local economic health and development – created by utilities but accrued to others and society as a whole.” Read more >>

 

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