Smarter Utility

The smart grid space was abuzz with news this week related to the smarter utility.

First and foremost, smarter utility leader AT&T (News - Alert) announced this week that it is now offering utilities SmartSynch’s suite smart grid products along with AT&T wireless data services in one, single package. Under the new plan, utilities will have to pay only one bill. On top of this, AT&T is also offering a pre-paid option, in which utilities that have bought AT&T smart meters will be allowed to pre-pay up to 10 years of machine-to-machine data usage on those meters.

“Prepayment of 10 years of data usage gives electricity providers assurance around their data costs. We're responding to the evolving needs of the utility industry by delivering a complete, affordable package of smart meters, software and cellular connectivity,” Vice President of Advanced Mobility Solutions at AT&T Business Solutions Chris Hill explained in a statement.

Armed with a combination of smart meters, wireless technology, sensors and software, utilities will be able to closely track power grids and cut back on energy use when the availability of electricity is stretched to its limit. By gaining insight into the pattern of their power consumption, the consumers will also be able to make more intelligent decisions about how they use energy.

In other news, AT&T’s Smarter Utility community highlighted this week a report suggesting that the smart grid is now presenting the perfect opportunity for the U.S. to develop a strong native environment for the development, deployment, maintenance and service of the smart grid infrastructure and technology. While this requires a smarter utility, it also demands a smarter workforce.

The report, “The U.S. Smart Grid Revolution (News - Alert): Smart Grid Workforce Trends 2011,” suggests that preparing the workforce to embrace the smarter utility and the smart grid from the moment it is deployed will help to ensure its success. At the same time, it also will be the key challenge within the industry over the next decade. Why? New technologies demand new education and training for industry newcomers and current employees, which will be a significant challenge to tackle.

To learn more, read the full article here.

Lastly, new Pike Research (News - Alert) this week revealed that utility billing and information systems transformation will reach a whopping 90 million customers by 2015.

Check back here next week for news related to the smart grid and the smarter utility.

Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet web editor. She covers a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.