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. 1 12 • UTILITY HORIZONS • Q2 - 2013 www.UtilityHorizons.com  http://www.UtilityHorizons.com

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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