IBM Expands Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition

IBM has announced that five new members have joined the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition, a group of utility companies working with IBM to accelerate the adoption of smart grid technologies and business solutions throughout the world.

New members include DONG Energy of Denmark, North Delhi Power Limited of India, Progress Energy of the Carolinas and Florida, San Diego Gas and Electric and Southern California Gas Co. They join existing members CenterPoint Energy of Houston, Pepco Holdings of Washington, DC and Australia’s Country Energy.

An Intelligent Utility Network fundamentally transforms the way power is generated, distributed and used, adding intelligence throughout the grid to reduce outages and faults, improve responsiveness, handle current and future demand, increase efficiency and manage costs. Consumers can interact with the utility network in multiple ways; select customised services and pricing options; and gain near real-time visibility into their usage and costs. The Intelligent Utility Network also helps consumers actively participate in solving critical energy problems by making ‘smart’ homes and energy-conscious choices possible.

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“With the addition of these five new members, the coalition has expanded beyond the United States and Australia to include utilities from Europe and India,” said Guido Bartels, general manager, IBM Energy & Utilities Industry. “This not only strengthens the coalition’s global scope, but also brings new perspectives, competencies, technology and management strategies that may work in the varied situations and market models across the world.”

The expansion of the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition into an emerging market like India is significant. By 2010, nearly 60 ‘mega-cities’ worldwide – most of these in emerging markets – will have populations of five million or more, up nearly 50 percent since 2001. Governments, regulators and utility companies need to ensure that these mega-cities will survive under the crush of demand for access to the power grid.

Building analog utility grids is not the answer in most cases. Countries cannot afford the waste and unpredictability that characterises energy in so many countries. By contrast, smart grids improve energy system performance, reduce energy loss and enhance customer service. The infusion of digital intelligence will also enable horizontal integration of traditional and new sources of power – wind, plug-in hybrid electric cars, solar, etc. – providing end-to-end insight across all forms of energy. In the process, it will make possible greater levels of repeatability, reliability and security.

“India’s energy demand is growing rapidly and it is imperative to ensure a robust distribution network by adopting the latest technologies to sustain this,” said Sunil Wadhwa, CEO and executive director, NDPL. “By being a part of this global coalition, NDPL will be engaging in a strategic effort to develop smart grid solutions to enhance the efficiency and reliability of utility operations. We are also confident that the coalition will contribute actively in energy conservation through technological intervention and strategy, thereby powering India’s growth efforts.”

The coalition is devoted to finding ways to develop markets, identify cost savings and operating efficiencies, and spread knowledge through lessons learned and best practices. To date, it has been instrumental in the development of the Smart Grid Maturity Model, which is a framework for industry use to guide utilities in planning their smart grid transformation.