IBM expands Global IUN Coalition to advance smart grid development
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Bangalore: IBM announced that two new utilities have joined the GIUNC (Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition), to further the adoption of smarter energy grids around the world - CPFL Energia from Brazil, and Liander from the Netherlands. The coalition now collectively serves approximately 100 million energy customers worldwide. "The addition of these new members furthers the global scope of the coalition and accelerates how we can fundamentally change the way power is managed and distributed," said Guido Bartels, General Manager of IBM's Energy and Utilities Industry. "Each utility company brings specific expertise to the table that allows members to apply new competencies to their own networks." As reported by The FINANCIAL, Liander, one of the largest grid operator in the Netherlands, envisions a smart grid that facilitates sustainable energy generation and consumption. Among other initiatives, Liander is using technology to detect and reduce grid losses and supports energy conservation for consumers. CPFL Energia is a private company in the Brazilian electric sector, and is widely recognized for sustainability in its business practices. The coalition member companies are diverse in their knowledge contributions. The GIUNC shares ideas and best practices through in-person meetings and virtual interactions, benchmarks their efforts, shares knowledge on critical issues and undertakes collaborative initiatives. For example, the successful CenterPoint Energy Smart Grid Demonstration Center gave Country Energy the insight they needed to create their own center in Queenbeyan, Australia. Of the U.S.-based coalition members (CenterPoint Energy, Pepco Holdings, Progress Energy and San Diego Gas & Electric), all four utilities were awarded part of the $3.4 billion of U.S. government funding announced last month, which is dedicated to modernizing the power grid. The GIUNC's first collaborative effort was the creation of a Smart Grid Maturity Model, which has been used by more than 60 utilities from around the world to benchmark their current progress and plan long term smart grid programs. The model was recently donated to Carnegie Mellon's Software Engineering Institute for use by the industry. Other collaborations are focused on the smart grid's impact on climate change, consumer perspectives, standards and interoperability and possible future regulatory models.

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