Commentary
-
Mar 23, 2010 |
Can you remember a time before the internet? Those long-gone days when information gathering meant a day in a dusty library. When mass communication meant hundreds of faxes and thousands of letters. It's hard to believe we ever managed to run businesses or social lives without it. -
Mar 18, 2010 |
On November 8, 2009 on CBS's 60 Minutes, Retired Admiral Mike McConnell equated the threat that the United States faces today from cyber attackers to problems facing the banking industry. The true danger, McConnell asserted, is not that hackers might siphon from bank accounts; it's the potential systematic destruction of the entire process by which we account for wealth. The same issue now faces the utility industry around the world and has for some time. -
Mar 15, 2010 |
Back in 2005, a couple of engineers used the term "Smart Grid" to describe their vision of an advanced power system. Particularly in the aftermath of the 2003 Northeast Blackout, Smart Grid quickly became a convenient, attention-getting way to label anything remotely related to grid modernization. Just as "dot.com" described anything Internet at the turn of the century, "Smart Grid" now describes just about anything related to electricity. -
Mar 10, 2010 |
Utility companies generate, transmit and distribute energy to consumers. This can be done more efficiently, cost-effectively and remain sustainable by designing an electric system that integrates smart devices, critical data and two-way communication between the utilities and the consumer-Smart Grid. -
Mar 04, 2010 |
Large businesses are sophisticated energy consumers and they expect a correspondingly high level of service from their energy providers. Utility account representatives know that providing reliable energy and an accurate bill -- the basics -- are essential, but that great service requires more. Beyond the basics, what should utilities and account representatives prioritize to have the biggest positive impact on customer satisfaction? -
Mar 03, 2010 |
There has been much discussion about the need for increased transmission capability and the so-called smart grid. The need has been framed in terms of repair of deteriorating infrastructure, energy independence and security, and economic competitiveness. -
Feb 25, 2010 |
Creating strategic account plans is considered an account management best practice for businesses in any industry. Yet results from the 2009 E Source Account Management Assessment-a recently conducted online survey of utility account management departments regarding the structure, communications, systems, processes, and strategic approaches used in managing business customers of all sizes-showed that only slightly more than half (59 percent) of utilities are creating individual strategic account plans for their key accounts. -
Feb 24, 2010 |
Most successful smart metering programs focus on business process management to maximize benefits (e.g., operational improvements) enabled by an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Improved data visibility, frequency, and quality enabled by AMI technologies, can enhance future-state business processes and allow the utility to truly reach the expectations of the large investment they are making. -
Feb 19, 2010 |
The official worldwide history of electrically powered public transportation began in the year 1890 when electric trams and electric streetcar replaced horse drawn trams and streetcars. Electrically powered subway trains subsequently replaced steam hauled subway trains in London, UK. The construction and introduction of New York City's electrically powered subway trains soon followed. -
Feb 16, 2010 |
Temperature disparity as it relates to buildings and homes is simply noticeable temperature variations in different parts of the structure. Building managers and owners are very aware of the complexities of keeping tenants on different floors and in different parts of the building pleased in a variety of differently oriented, sized, and positioned spaces in changing weather conditions.
