Wired Group

Unleashing Latent Value in Distribution Utility Businesses

SMART GRID ROADMAP DEVELOPMENT

Wired Group experience conducting comprehensive, independent evaluations of large U.S. smart grid deployments can help Indian utilities make the most costeffective and valuable grid investments possible. Utilities and stakeholders in India want to know: which grid investments will create the greatest value?
Utilities considering large investments in their grids are bewildered by the vast array of opportunities available and the large number of viable solutions. They are intimidated by the complex inter-relationships among potential technology solutions and the long-term consequences of their investment and implementation choices. And they are largely unaware of the ongoing organizational, systems, operational, and service changes that will be required if they are to maximize the value of their smart grid investments. High-stakes decisions are made more difficult by the high expectations held by customers and governing boards. These stakeholders demand reasonable investment payback periods and quantifiable benefits, including:

Reduce technical losses Reduce commercial losses Improve distribution reliability Defer capital investment through peak load management capabilities Reduce operating costs

Wired Group experience evaluating large smart grid deployments helps utilities develop sound grid modernization roadmaps and appropriately prioritize immediate opportunities.

The Opportunity
Utilities have the opportunity to make the best grid investment choices for their customers and communities when they employ a logical process to develop a roadmap for their grids. A clear understanding of the expectations the regional economy has for its utility, the roles it will play, and the performance it must achieve will help to prioritize goals, while an understanding of the economic and technical opportunities and constraints will help prioritize grid solutions and investments.

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The Roadmap Development Process

Utilities that are contemplating large grid investments can take advantage of the Wired Groups experience evaluating large smart grid deployments to maximize bang for the buck and minimize technical and capital risks. Each utility brings a unique set of issues, capabilities, characteristics, and economics to its grid vision. The Wired Groups roadmap development process has been designed to embrace this uniqueness while leveraging lessons learned. An outline of the process is presented below; more details are available.

Standards-Based, Field Tested

The Wired Group perspective has been developed through the use of emerging guidelines from leading US agencies (EPRI, NIST, the DOE), universities (Carnegie Mellon) and NGOs (such as the Environmental Defense Fund). The Wired Group has refined the application of these guidelines in comprehensive, independent evaluations of large, high-profile smart grid deployments, including: Xcel Energys SmartGridCity Duke Energys Ohio deployment

About the Wired Group Wired Group principals and associates have decades of experience in distribution utility businesses, including rate development, metering, demand-side management, resource planning, regulatory strategy, and distribution operations. The companys services include visioning, business case development, project and change management, customer engagement, benefit quantification, and performance evaluation. Visit us at www.wiredgroup.net for more information. Or, for a no-obligation consultation on your utilitys smart grid plans, contact Paul Alvarez at 303.997.0317, x-801, or palvarez@wiredgroup.net. The Wired Group >> P.O. Box 150963 >> Lakewood, Colorado 80215 >> p 303.997.0317 >> www.wiredgroup.net