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Utilities

Utility companies face a very complex environment. They deliver the essentials of modern living but are expected to do so in an open market, at a profit for their shareholders and within government regulations on a range of issues from pricing controls to carbon emissions.

 

The result, however, is that this is a growing industry. An ever-increasing demand for energy must be met to maintain current lifestyles, and encourages innovation and new development in many areas. Technologies that enable cleaner energy sources such as carbon sequestration and wind-powered electricity generation vie with increasingly efficient tools to support new business practices as the greatest contributor to the bottom line. Certainly the impact of the 2008-2009 economic crisis has been cushioned by investment in Smart Grid technologies and government-led funding infrastructure projects across all utilities.

Who pays and who plays in the Smart Grid future?
One of the greatest engineering challenges of our day is the global implementation of Smart Grid technology. This next-generation network will link energy producers with consumers in a two-way link of both power and data. Who pays for it, who sets the standards behind it, and who rolls it out are all burning questions.
Managing Meter Replacement
This article, originally published in Metering International, discusses the challenges of meter replacement programmes that typically involve inventory management of meters, the physical replacement of meters in each premise, and the integration of the capabilities of new meters into operational systems. 
Mobile Technology for Managing Meter Replacement Issues
A look at the stages of meter replacement programs that compares the implementation options open to utility companies, covering managing meter inventories, ensuring field operations have the right meters in the right places, updating back office systems and maximizing productivity of each meter installation.