There are currently over 30 million smart meters in the U.S. that will provide electric customers dynamic ways to manage, monitor and control their electricity consumption. Further, new communication networks have been deployed that enable real-time monitoring of the health and stability of transmission and distribution systems. New transmission and distribution systems offer faster outage response times, and provide true two-way communication between homes and businesses and the utility company. As these new developments are incorporated on a wide spread basis, an integrated network management system becomes increasingly important. A network management system provides utilities with the ability to analyze and monitor multiple networks, devices, and mission critical operations across the utility value chain. The U.S. market for Smart Grid network management systems, deployed by utilities, is projected to grow from $225 million in 2012 to $1,050 million in 2020. This represents an annual growth of 21% from 2012 to 2020.

U.S. Smart Grid Network Management Systems 2012 is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

There are major challenges facing the U.S. today, and one of the most important of all is to meet growing energy demands. The U.S. needs a more diverse, cleaner mix of energy sources (see figure 1) that will provide security without causing irreversible harm to the globe. With shaky renewable energy support from the American public, gas prices at an all-time high (despite slight drop this week), spending from the 2009 stimulus bill mostly spent (see expired U.S. energy initiatives above) and a presidential race bringing significant focus to energy policy, clean energy will have to become more than a political-focal-point – Zpryme examines the clean energy landscape.

Inside Clean Energy: A 13-Page Special Report on the Current State of U.S. Clean Energy is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is the process by which carbon dioxide is captured from coal fired power plants and stored in either underground, offshore (below the ocean bed) or in mineral deposits, thus preventing it from being released into the air. The process involves three stages: (1) capture of CO2 at point sources (such as power plants) and compression of the gas, (2) transportation through pipelines and (3) sequestration (geological, marine, or mineral). Although long-term costs associated with CCS may be cost-competitive (as indicated in the chart it Part 2), within each part of the process, different technologies exist with varying costs based on their level of development and maturity, elaborated below. CCS is an emerging technology which has still uncertain costs. While feasibility studies and pilot projects have been undertaken, large-scale commercial demonstration projects have not yet been carried out, although some are in planning stages. Cost uncertainty also exists around site-specific variability.

Coal: Closer Look at CCS (Part 3 of 3) is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

The State Grid Corporation of China’s (SGCC) size is mind-boggling. It supplies power to 88% of China and serves an area populated by over 1 billion people. At the end of 2011, SGCC had 286 million customers. Leveraging its huge size and ability to start building Smart Grid technology into its transmission infrastructure from scratch rather than retrofitting an antiquated system, it is not only the driving force behind China’s efforts to build a nationwide Smart Grid, but also for China’s push to be the world leader in developing a large-scale Smart Grid system. According to the SGCC, only 36 million smart meters have been installed as of 2011, but they have an ambitious plan to install over 300 million smart meters by the end of 2015. The sheer enormity of the state-owned transmission company, coupled with streamlined regulatory processes designed to promote rapid construction without barriers typical in further developed countries are among the key reasons that China is the largest, most important market for Smart Grid development in the world.

China: State Grid Corporation of China Profile is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

Japan paused this past Sunday at 2:46pm to recall the earthquake-induced tsunami that struck its northeastern coast on March 11, 2011. Much has been learned from last year’s tsunami and now government agencies and residents are becoming better equipped to handle another natural disaster. Since the wake of the crisis Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) was ordered by the government to invite bids from both domestic and foreign firms for approximately 17 million smart meters by 2019, according the Nikkei newspaper. The smart meter initiative is part of a blueprint to slim $1.3 billion in electric operating costs over the next 10 years. Companies such as Toshiba, GE, Fuji Electric, Hitachi, Panasonic, and Osaki Electric are already engaged with TEPCO on the Yokohama Smart City Project (YSCOP). YSCOP is one of four Smart Cities in Japan designed to establish the country as a global leader in designing Smart Grids. Smart grid technology is the focus in Japan after last year’s tsunami caused massive blackouts and meltdowns at a key nuclear power plant. Supply has since stabilized, however parts of the country including Tokyo are still closely monitoring daily power consumption and utilities are asking customers to limit power use. Already a focus for the future of Japan, a forward-looking leader in technology and green information technology, the disaster has brought Smart Grid to the forefront of the agenda for Japan’s government, technology and utility companies, and the public psyche alike. All the data point toward a Japanese Smart Grid technology market projected to reach $7.4 billion in 2016.

Japan: Tsunami Wakens the Smart Grid is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

From an energy standpoint, Malaysia is as diverse as its art, music, and literature. Malaysia is divided into 13 states and three Federal Territories, separated by the South China Sea with 11 states and two federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) in Peninsular Malaysia and two states and one federal territory (Labuan) in East Malaysia. The demand for energy consumption in Malaysia is projected to increase by 5% per year over the next five years, and is likely to double in the next 20 years. To meet this need, Malaysia’s largest utility, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), has undertaken an ambitious Smart Grid demonstration project working with 5,000 customers in 3 different cities. The goal of this project is to reduce the nation’s dependence on natural gas and coal, and to withdraw from national electricity subsidies in the next 4 years. The national goal of the Malaysia’s Smart Grid program is to reduce carbon emissions to 40% of the 2005 level, and increase the renewable energy levels to 2,080 MW 4,000 MW by 2020 and 2030, respectively. In addition, the Smart Grid will help Malaysia’s utilities reduce grid operational costs and improve energy efficiency.

Malaysia: The Smart Grid Has Landed is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

Abstract

Though companies cited in this INFOgraphic make up the top ten, there is a considerable gap how all utilities engage customers online. As social media becomes a communication staple for all ages, utilities must recognize efforts online need to center around the changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of customers. It’s less about branding and more about “engaging” – from crisis management during blackouts to monitoring smart meter feedback; utilities need to embrace the 24/7 digital consumer.

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Utilities Get Social is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

Zpryme surveyed over 300 executives in the energy, smart grid, and utility industries on their overall 2012 smart grid sentiment. See below for the survey findings and click below to download detailed INFOgraphic.

Zpryme findings from the Smart Grid Executive Survey 2012:

Finding: Almost 9 out of 10 executives believe that federal government support (grants, loans or subsidies) are “very important” to the development of the smart grid
Translation: The deployment of the Smart Grid cannot rely solely on U.S. government support such as grants; 2012 will be the “Year of the Smart Grid Shakeout” as small to mid-tier companies will have their coffers dried due to the lengthy sales cycle associated with the utility industry.

Finding: 8 out of 10 executives believe overall utility smart gid investments will continue to rise in 2012
Translation: The overall U.S. smart grid value chain is cautiously optimistic for long term growth; companies such as Siemens, GE, and ABB will be heavy-hitters in investment for the overall Smart Grid with start-ups and mid-tier companies leading the way in analytics, energy management, security and energy storage. With Duke Energy having allocated $1 billion for U.S. deployment efforts with other utilities such as PG&E, and South California serving up major multi-million dollar investments, the overall U.S. smart grid value chain is more than optimistic for long term growth – industry segments such as energy storage, cyber security, network management software, and analytics will be key growth areas for 2012/13.

Finding: Over half of executives are confident that compared to 2011 smart grid investments will see “moderate growth” in 2012, with almost 1 out of 3 suggesting “strong growth”
Translation: With 2011 being the year of putting U.S subsidies to play, 2012 will be the year for action – industry segments such as energy storage, security, cloud based network software, and analytics (eg. Toshiba, Panasionic, eMeter, Alcatel-Lucent, Coda, BLP Global, Proximetry, and OPower, respectively) will be key growth areas for 2012/13.

Finding: AMI (60%), access/communication networks (43%), EVs (42%), and transmission/distribution automation (41%) rounded off smart grid technologies that executives believe will make the most immediate impact in 2012
Translation: With EVs not quite making a direct impact and the smart home still an industry aspiration, the driving force for the smart grid in the U.S. will be AMI and communications, with distribution automation being the ever-constant backbone. Companies such as IBM, GE, Itron, Cisco, and Telvent will make the most immediate impact in 2012.

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Zpryme findings from the Smart Grid Executive Survey 2012 is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

The total Smart Grid Communications market is slated to experience tremendous market growth with a projected CAGR of 17% through 2015. The total market size in 2015 is projected to reach almost $1.6 Billion. The market is divided between Wired (with a CAGR of 10%) and Wireless Communications (with a CAGR of 26%). Currently the market size of wired communications is larger but wireless communications will surpass it by 2015 and prove a larger market as more investments are made.

Telecom and the Smart Grid is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market

At the end of 2011, the market value for Information Technology Enterprise systems was projected to be $3.6 billion with a projected growth rate of 10%. It is projected to grow to $5.1 billion by 2015. Two main markets exist in the IT enterprise system market. First, network security software and systems has a projected CAGR of 15.2% and is currently experiencing a $700 million market. It is projected to reach $1.1 billion in 2015. Data storage infrastructure is the second main market for enterprise systems. It is experiencing a CAGR of 18.8% and a market of $800 million. Data storage is projected to reach $1.7 billion by 2015.

IT Systems and the Smart Grid is a post from: Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market
Zpryme Smart Grid Insights: Intelligent Research for an Intelligent Market