Smart Grids - Germany 2010
The utilities sector is changing dramatically. Intelligent power supply networks represent an important factor in this radical change. Smart Grids provide an entire range of new functions, forcing the utilities industry to face an equal number of new challenges.
The most important challenges faced by electricity, natural gas and water suppliers are increased pressure to reduce cost, increasing regulation and greater customer migration. This means, the IT department has to provide greater support to facilitate the optimisation of business processes.
Smart Grids - a vision for the utilities industry
For the majority of respondents Smart Grids enabled the optimisation power network controls. Intelligent supply networks are also perceived as an opportunity for communication between the power suppliers and the consumers or end devices.
The biggest challenge faced by IT in using Smart Grids is IT security. The development of suitable IT strategies and the provision of suitable software solutions are the issues that need to be resolved most urgently.
IT plays a key role in the implementation of Smart Grids. This involves the processing of considerable volumes of data, providing invoicing and accounting systems and connecting IT systems.
Impact of Smart Grids on IT
The IT departments of most power suppliers do not see themselves in a position to cope single-handedly with the challenges of the future. Two thirds of the experts (66%) are sure that they need the help of external partners when it comes to Smart Grids. The area where external support is required most frequently is in the implementation of new solutions (79%), followed by consulting in setting up suitable infrastructures (62%) and training of employees (60%).
Smart Grids are here to stay, and they will be significantly influencing the future direction of the power sector. A pre-requisite for their creation is the introduction of suitable IT infrastructures. Smart Grids are widely understood as a future trend, but implementing such a project requires a considerable planning process and evolving forward looking strategies.
Download PDF (1.1mb)
Logica
Skip to content
