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Utilities see operational, load management benefits in smart grid, according to new Chartwell report
ATLANTA – July 28, 2008 – The smart grid, also referred to as the intelligent grid, offers much promise for electricity utilities and has changed the way industry vendors market their technologies. Utilities see the smart grid as a way to improve load management, offer better customer service and more efficient operation, but it is the latter promise where they believe the value is truly quantifiable, industry research firm Chartwell Inc. reveals in its latest report, Smart Grid: How Utilities View the Grid of the Future.
This is one of many findings Chartwell uncovered in its recent research on the smart grid. Chartwell interviewed 22 utilities to learn how utilities define the smart grid and their plans for implementation. Of the utilities Chartwell surveyed, most agree that the smart grid is a combination of advanced metering, advanced grid automation, in premise networks and IT resources.
“That the utilities we surveyed see more value in operational benefits as opposed to load curtailment benefits is surprising. However, this probably has a lot to do with the fact that at this point, accurately quantifying load curtailment benefits on a large scale is difficult because there are few examples to look at,” Mark Hall, Chartwell’s metering research analyst, says. “Still, based on our industry observations, load curtailment is already playing a significant role in smart grid implementations.”
Chartwell also garnered information on what capital-expenditure timelines utilities are using for implementing smart grids. A majority of the interviewed utilities say they will implement smart grid technologies within 10 years, while some indicate their projects will begin sooner.
Concepts such as smart meters, digital distribution automation, communication networks, in-premise networks, information technology (IT) and distributed generation are examined in the report. For this study, Chartwell surveyed and interviewed directors, managers and front-line personnel, which included technology and business experts at some of the nation’s top utilities.
Smart Grid: How Utilities View the Grid of the Future includes more than 30 pages of Chartwell analyses, highlights of individual surveys and case studies on Duke Energy, Xcel Energy and Southern California Edison.
Smart Grid: How Utilities View the Grid of the Future is available to Chartwell Premier and Metering Research Series members as part of their membership; non members may purchase the report for $995. Chartwell’s Metering Research Series focuses on AMR, AMI, Meter Data Management software and Smart Grid technologies.
For information on membership or the individual report, contact Chartwell at (800) 432-5879, (404) 237-9099; or visit www.chartwellinc.com or Chartwell’s Energy Library at www.energylibrary.com.
ABOUT CHARTWELL INC.
Chartwell Inc. is a specialized information provider that facilitates knowledge exchange among utility professionals responsible for management practices and technology solutions. Chartwell publishes best practices case studies, quantitative research and electronic newsletters, and hosts conferences and other events for utility professionals.
PRESS CONTACT
Mark Hall
404-237-9099 X27
mhall@chartwellinc.com
