With information and operations systems of utilities coming under immense pressure to keep up with blossoming smart grid assets, from smart meters to distribution automation devices, leading utilities are rushing to create information and operation systems to support device deployment and offer next-generation smart grid applications to both inside teams and end-users.
As a result, the U.S. utility enterprise is expected to uptick $8.2 billion between 2011 and 2015, according to GTM Research in its latest report, “The Smart Utility Enterprise 2011-2015.” Further report details reveal that the total available smart grid enterprise market in the U.S. is expected to hit $1.3 billion in 2011 alone, and to rise to $1.8 billion each year until 2015.
An in-depth, comprehensive examination of the smart grid and smarter utility segment, GTM’s latest report aims to provide utility leaders with strategic planning insights, and pinpoints some of the market’s pioneering technologies including cyber security, grid optimization, and service-oriented architecture middleware.
In addition, the report hones in on crucial data management and integration strategies for delivering AMI and distribution automation data into the enterprise as combined enterprise information assets, as well as tactics for integrating applications together to build smart grid application and enhanced business procedures enabled by smart grid automation.
“The pace of market activity is quickening as major vendors jockey to provide a complete enterprise value proposition,” said Chet Geschickter, GTM Research senior analyst and the report's author, in a statement. “M&A activity, such as ABB acquiring Ventyx last year, is now being followed by a round of product rationalization and harmonization, where vendors, and the utilities they serve, are evaluating smart grid requirements.”
Some of these vendors, as detailed in the report, include start-ups like Ecologic Analytics and established corporations including IBM (News 
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The full report is available for purchase from GTM Research.
Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet web editor. She covers a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Jennifer Russell