The Ivanovich Group, a third-party firm dedicated to providing strategic services for the building industry, recently conducted research on smart grid, focusing on the building owners, engineers and manufacturers’ perspective on the smart grid technology. The research project has been assigned by Danfoss, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration and motion systems.

Through a press release, Danfoss announced the release of the report -- Industry Research & Report: Smart Grid -- that summarizes the company's qualitative research on how building owners, engineers and manufacturers view the smart grid.

The Ivanovich Group reportedly interviewed senior executives in facilities and plant services for industrial, K-12 schools, university campuses, commercial offices and government facilities; senior executives in engineering firms; and senior executives for HVAC product manufacturers for the research. The idea was to learn what they know and what they think about the smart grid.

Each interview lasted for half an hour. In the course of interviews, researchers examined what this sample set perceives to be barriers and benefits to the smart grid and what would motivate them to invest in the smart grid. In general, the survey revealed that  there is skepticism and still low awareness on what the smart grid is, what it can do and how much it will cost, which underscores the need for communication.

The report pointed out that in order to leverage the benefits of smart grid technology, the obstacles and challenges that must be addressed by all stakeholders.

While most respondents believe that elements of the smart grid will be in place within three to five years, 43 percent feel it is unlikely the smart grid will be substantially complete in that same time frame. 52 percent of the participants, however, indicated that they are currently engaged in some form of smart grid activities.

The report suggested that the value of the smart grid needs to be thoroughly communicated in order to better encourage building owners to act.

The research revealed that many buildings are not equipped with control systems that interact with the smart grid. As such, smart grid investment may include retro commissioning or retrofits to ensure buildings can take advantage of the benefits the smart grid offers, suggested the respondents.

Building owners, engineers and manufacturers agreed on the top four motivators to invest in smart grid technologies -- more effective communications from utilities; financial incentives; significant cuts to electricity rates; and security, the research showed.

"The Danfoss smart grid report has a lot of useful information for utilities and others in the smart grid arena about the expectations and priorities building owners have for the smart grid, and what will motivate them to invest in smart grid technologies for their buildings. It's also interesting to learn how HVAC manufacturers and consulting engineers are preparing for the smart grid, and what issues they believe need to be resolved in order to ensure that the smart grid will bring its full potential of benefits.

Overall, it's good to see such interest and involvement at this stage of smart grid developments, and the utilities industry looks forward to working with all constituencies to bring the smart grid to market,” vice president and general counsel of the Utility Telecom Council Michael Oldak noted in a statement.

 Few months back, Danfoss awarded a seven-year contract extension to Capgemini (News - Alert), one of the world's foremost outsourcing, consulting and IT services providers. Through this new contract extension, Capgemini is required to deliver Danfoss' Finance & Accounting services through a dual model of service delivery split between Krakow in Poland and Kolkata in India.