Siemens (News - Alert) Infrastructure and Cities Sector, a new division of the company that integrates parts of the Industry sector and the most smart-grid-technology-intense division of the Energy sector—power distribution,  has moved 70 employees dedicated to smart grid solutions to a LEED-certified building located at 4920 Westway Park Blvd., in Houston.

The Siemens team comprises software engineers focused on the delivery of smart grid software as well network and field service engineers. The location will showcase several Siemens products and services, such as electric vehicle charging stations and meter data management software used in conjunction with smart meters.

Siemens’ new Houston office at 4920 Westway Park Blvd., Houston

Siemens also plans to hold PTI Power Academy training courses in this office focusing on many topics, including smart grid solutions and implementation. These courses provide time-tested, value-driven, and industry recognized content that drives the energy industry.

The mission of the Siemens Smart Grid Division is to provide a comprehensive portfolio of products, solutions, and services for the protection, automation, planning, monitoring, and diagnosis of grid infrastructure. Among the initiatives that the group has completed in Texas are the following:

• Oncor: In 2007, this large utility, headquartered in Dallas, contracted Siemens to develop and implement an advanced distribution management system (DMS).
• Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative: In late 2009, Siemens agreed to integrate a complete meter-to-cash business process that took advantage of the cooperative’s newly installed smart meters. To achieve the full benefits of smart metering, Siemens configured a meter data management system (MDMS) for large-scale deployment.

In related news, in late December 2011, Siemens Industry Inc. agreed to acquire San Mateo, California-basedeMeter Corp, which will become part of the Smart Grid Division of the Siemens Infrastructure & Cities Sector. EMeter will become a global business segment and center of competence for Meter Data Management (MDM), and will continue to operate from its San Mateo headquarters.

 In a recent report from Boston-based GTM Research, Siemens was named as one of the top ten smart grid vendors of 2011. According to GTM, as one of the few suppliers that can claim a complete smart grid solution portfolio, Siemens expects to expand its business in the near future. It also is sharpening its focus on non-European growth markets— such as China, India, and the United States— aiming to play a major role in their expanding energy infrastructure.

Siemens has 17 other Houston offices, focused on energy, industry, and healthcare offerings. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in Washington, DC, Siemens has than 60,000 employees nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

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