Pages

66

Deliverables

Released

2Q 2011

Product Code

RR-AMI-11

Price

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At present, a large proportion of electrical power generation takes place in coal-fired plants that contribute a significant part of the world's carbon emissions. To address such challenges, new solutions have to evolve in the energy value chain. Massive regulatory efforts and business investments aim to upgrade electrical grids with significant new capabilities, specifically in the areas of increased network communications, remote and automated management of network elements in the field, and new power management functionality. A key aspect of this upgrade to a smart grid is the deployment of millions of new smart meters, worldwide but particularly in North America, Europe, and certain countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

This study examines the market for smart grid technology with a strong focus on the deployment of smart electricity meters and the various technological and topological choices required to connect these smart meters to the utilities’ head-end systems. It discusses key adoption drivers and challenges, analyzes value chain and competitive landscape issues, outlines regional trends, and gives particular attention to regulatory and legislative activity. The standards and technologies associated with the smart grid are extensively discussed. Highly granular five-year forecasts are provided for both smart metering and the communication technology options used to connect smart meters. Finally, the report profiles a wide range of players in the smart grid value chain.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

• What is the current size and expected growth of the smart meter market worldwide and by region?
• What trends are occurring with the neighborhood area communications technologies that will be used in conjunction with smart meters?
• What trends are occurring with the wide area communications technologies that will be used in conjunction with smart meters?
• What are the key drivers and challenges to smart metering market adoption?
• What are the key drivers and challenges to fixed RF adoption in smart metering?
• What are the key drivers and challenges to powerline adoption in the smart metering market?
• What are the key drivers and challenges to cellular technologies in smart metering?
• What trends are occurring in the value chain for smart metering technology?
• What is the impact of government regulation/legislation on smart metering adoption?

Who Needs This Report?

• Meter vendors and smart grid/smart meter technology vendors
• Utilities
• Cellular M2M module vendors
• IEEE 802.15.4 IC vendors
• Powerline technology vendors
• Cellular operators, M2M MVNOs, and M2M Mobile Operators
• Vendors of Home Area Networks (HANs)
• Stock analysis firms
• Venture capital firms
• Consultants