Pages

88

Deliverable Files

Release Date

3Q 2010

Product Code

RR-GRID-10

Price

Login

Most of the electric utility infrastructure deployed in the industrialized world was built between 60 to 80 years ago, and was designed to provide customers with as much energy as they could consume, generated from a centralized fossil fuel plant. However, much of the infrastructure is antiquated, and with the continuing increase in demand for power, the grid cannot safely and reliably manage the loads of today and tomorrow without significant upgrades. Furthermore, climate change standards and renewable energy mandates are among the key drivers that are forcing utilities to upgrades their infrastructure to incorporate new generation sources that do not negatively impact the environment. In order to accommodate these renewable sources of energy, which usually produce power on an intermittent basis, utilities are needing to install more accurate measurement, monitoring, control and analysis equipment to ensure these energy sources can be properly and reliably integrated into the grid. These intelligent technological and communication enhancements are usually described as the smart grid. This study covers the market for smart grid equipment and services for the 2010-2015 period, covering North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and selected other countries in the rest of the world. It provides the outlook for smart meter installations, as well as the spending associated with them. It also examines and forecasts spending on smart grid-related transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure, as well as implementation of specific smart grid-related components at the utility level, such as synchrophasors and HAN communication chipsets.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

• What are the current sizes and expected growth rates of the smart grid markets, globally and by region?
• What are the drivers and key challenges for utilities?
• What are the key business drivers for smart grid market growth?
• What are the key drivers for Transmission & Distribution companies?
• What are the major regulatory and policy changes taking place relative to smart grids?
• What are the technological drivers for smart grid end-use markets, such as advanced metering infrastructure and Transmission & Distribution investments?
• What end-use markets constitute smart grid markets?
• Which companies are most active in smart grid developments?

Who Needs This Report?

• Utility company executives
• Public utility commission members
• Electric vehicle manufacturers and marketers
• EV charging infrastructure vendors
• Smart grid solution providers
• Energy systems consultants
• Smart meter manufacturers