Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013 - (Page 12)
Inside Tracks
Insider Perspectives on Utility Automation | With Eric Murray |President & CEO | Tantalus Systems, Inc.
A
s we entered
2013, Smart
Grid trends and
predictions were
available in
abundance.
Now that we’re more than a
quarter of the way through
the year, it’s been interesting
to assess how many of those
prognostications have already
rung true – and which ones
seem to have missed the mark
so far.
In this issue, Eric Murray,
President and CEO at
Tantalus, shares his insights
on how 2013 is shaping up so
far and where he sees things
headed in the future.
As the popular 1965 Byrds
song says, “To everything there
is a season…” – Ed.
Smart Grid Outlook: To
everything there is a
season…
uhQ: Eric, perhaps you could begin by
giving us a bit of background on your
perspective and a summary of your top
trends for 2013….
Murray: I’d be glad to. Let me
must first say that in my 25+
years in the industry, I’ve seen
many trends rise and fall – and
then rise again in popularity. It’s
essential to note that although
each year those of us in the
Smart Grid technology world
love to tout a breakthrough
feature here, or a revolutionary
development there, yet the
Eric Murray,
issues most pertinent to public
President & CEO.,Tantalus
power utilities and the day-toSystems, Inc.
day challenges that utilities
face have remained largely unchanged. When I took
a step back and first thought through trend predictions
for 2013, I found that while many of the “buzzwords”
have changed (e.g., big data, demand management,
cyber security) the root issues around how to deliver
quality power at affordable rates have remained the
same.
uhQ: True. Was that thought in the back of your mind
as you narrowed down your list?
Murray: Absolutely. Coupling those thoughts with
several key events in 2012 like the first major IPO
in the Smart Grid industry and Superstorm Sandy
helped to shape my perspective. Five of the major
trends that I believed would play out in 2013 were:
1. Consolidation of Smart Grid vendors continuing at
a steady pace
2. The era of ROI begins
3. “Demand Management” is the buzzword of 2013
4. Investments in outage management and AMI will
rise in the wake of big storms like Sandy
5. Consumer backlash against smart meters begins to
lose ground
Several of these trends have been developing with
Other examples in 2012 would include the acquisition of Elster by Melrose (a private equity group); SmartSynch by Itron;
Metrum by Aclara; the Duke Energy/Progress Energy merger; and in 2013, the acquisition of Consert by Toshiba.
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12 • UTILITY HORIZONS • Q2 - 2013
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013
Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013
Publisher’s Message
Contents
The Queue
Automation Rising!
Inside Tracks
Focal Point
Automation and Innovation at Epcor Water Services
BLeading Edge: Advanced Technology Perspectives
Consumer Engagement: The Future Goes Mobile
Demand Response: Why the Future Is in the Cloud
Building Paths to Smarter Water Management
Bullet-Proofing Your Scada System Against the Evil-Doers
Education Matters
Standard Bearings
Regulation De Rigueur
On the Horizon
Purviews
Intersections
Eventualities
Thinking It Through With Sparky Flamedrop
Loose Ends
Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013
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