Electricity demand is growing rapidly, driving utility capital investments and presenting challenges for all industry stakeholders. Under the present set of challenges these changes to our industry represent an extraordinary opportunity to provide more energy services with less added utility capital. If more services are delivered with less costs, the denominator counterbalances the numerator effect and unit rates could be pushed down.

The utilities sector is experiencing major flux as it undergoes digital transformation. Utilities are investing in new technologies to modernize the grid and improve the existing grid’s security, reliability, and resiliency. As a result, utilities increasingly require access to a wireless network with superior coverage and adequate capacity to address their security, reliability, and independence needs. One of the fundamental building blocks in any radio communications system is spectrum. This guide is designed to demystify spectrum for utilities decision-makers.

The notion that natural gas would serve as a “bridge fuel” to facilitate the transition toward a cleaner energy future from the dominance of fossil fuel consumption in power generation, industrial production, and transportation sectors first was promoted in the 1970s in the wake of the energy crisis.