Europe

The Fortnightly 40 Best Energy Companies

A reshuffling of the rankings. Is nuclear the cause?

Of the top ten movers in this year’s Fortnightly 40, seven utilities rose in the rankings and three went down. But the utilities moving the most from 2013 to 2014 went down hard.

Landis+Gyr to Strengthen DONG Energy’s Metering Management

Landis+Gyr and DONG Energy, an energy group in Northern Europe, have signed an agreement for a meter data management system (MDMS) which will be integrated into the utility's existing IT architecture. The move comes as Dong Energy prepares to start the replacement of its entire metering infrastructure in the residential sector. Over the next four years, Landis+Gyr will deliver its Gridstream MDMS to DONG Energy. Between 2017 and 2020, DONG Energy will replace its entire residential meter base with smart meters, totaling one million metering end-points.

Next-Gen Nuclear

Tomorrow’s options for low-carbon baseload generation.

The nuclear renaissance might be postponed, but technologies continue advancing. The next generation of plants will apply innovation for safety, efficiency, and modularity.

Turning Toward Customers

Utility transformation guided by improved customer insight.

Improved customer insight can help utilities transform their business models, to strengthen engagement with consumers and remain competitive as the energy sector evolves.

Siemens and Accenture Form Smart Grid Joint Venture

Siemens and Accenture formed Omnetric Group, a joint venture in the smart grid field to develop solutions and services that allow utilities to improve efficiency and achieve greater supply security. Its business operations will focus initially on Europe and the U.S., with further global expansion planned in the future. Omnetric Group will focus on solutions and services for system integration and management of the growing volume of data created as part of power grid operation.

ABB Successfully Commissions Thornton Bank Offshore Wind Connection

ABB successfully commissioned the subsea transmission link connecting one of the largest offshore wind farms in Europe to the Belgian grid. The Thornton Bank project, executed for the Belgian company C-Power NV was completed on schedule. The transmission link was constructed as part of an expansion of the Thornton Bank wind farm.

Smart Grid at a Crossroads

Refining the business case for advanced  distribution investments.

As utilities plan their capital budgets for the next few years, investments in advanced distribution systems face an uncertain future. Customers question the value—and propriety—of some programs, while long-term strategic goals depend on seamless integration. What will be the path forward for smart grid technology?