BRIDGE Energy Group Industry Survey Shows Grid Modernization Gaining Traction Across North America

MARLBOROUGH, MA--(Marketwired - Jan 26, 2016) - BRIDGE Energy Group today announced results from the company's 2016 Utility Industry Survey on Grid Modernization and Outage & Restoration Management. Over 20,000 utility executives, managers and engineers were recently surveyed, revealing that a growing mosaic of grid modernization work is driving smarter networks, more engaged customers and better integration of distributed energy resources across North America. Full survey results are available here: http://bit.ly/1UOWdA1

Tweet this: Modern #utility grid? New Survey reveals #smartmeter & #GridMod
efforts from utility managers. Are we there yet? http://bit.ly/1UOWdA1

Tweet this: Drop by @BridgeEnergyGrp Booth #754 @DistribuTECH Feb 9-11 to #accelerate your #GridMod & register for the ride of your life.

Conducted by BRIDGE Energy Group, the annual utility survey provides insight into the grid modernization activities and priorities of North American utilities. Utilities still rate reliability as a primary objective, although its relative importance has declined for the second consecutive year, with only 66% of respondents rating reliability as priority 1 or 2. 41% of utilities are focused on improving operations through work and asset management, and 34% consider customer empowerment a priority. Other industry questions addressed include:

• How many utilities are planning to deploy a Distribution Management System (DMS)?
• How many utilities rate improved grid flexibility and efficiency as a top objective?
• Who has smart meters deployed within their service territories?
• Are SCADA and smart meters really playing a noticeable role in outage notifications?

The survey also confirmed that modernizing the grid is having a positive effect on customer service. 63% surveyed indicated that SCADA systems and smart meters are now their primary source of outage alerts on blue-sky days -- up from 42% in 2014. In addition, 57% of those surveyed indicated that SCADA systems and smart meters are now their primary source of outage alerts during storms -- up from 46% in 2014.

"Survey results emphasize that utilities remain focused on grid reliability and improving operations in the face of a changing energy landscape," said Forrest Small, VP of Grid Optimization Strategy at BRIDGE Energy Group. "Over the last two years BRIDGE has worked with utilities on grid modernization activities in California, Massachusetts and New York, and we find that these states are driving real change that is gaining momentum across the United States."

BRIDGE Energy Group executives will appear in two presentations during DistribuTECH Conference and Expo, February 9-11 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

• Scott Grafelman, BRIDGE Energy Group's principal consultant, will join Justin Eisfeller, Director, Energy Measurement and Control, Unitil, on Wednesday, February 10 for "A Pragmatic Approach to Grid Modernization for Small to Mid-size Utilities" presentation, held 10:00AM - 11:30AM, Room: W308A.
  
  
• Forrest Small will join other panelists on Thursday, February 11 for the "Rethinking the Grid Edge - New Approaches and Strategies to Secondary Management for Improved Grid Efficiency and DER Hosting Capacity" presentation, held 8:30AM - 10:00AM, Room: W308A. 
  

Small, Grafelman and other BRIDGE executives will be available for further discussions at BRIDGE Energy Group Booth (#754).

The full Utility Industry Survey on Grid Modernization with Outage & Restoration Management Survey Results Summary report can be requested by contacting Research@BridgeEnergyGroup.com or downloaded by visiting http://bit.ly/1UOWdA1

To improve your company's operational performance with grid reliability, transformation, security and management expertise, visit BRIDGE Energy Group at DistribuTECH (Booth #754) or contact BRIDGE Energy Group at 1.888.351.8999 or via email: info@BridgeEnergyGroup.com.

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About BRIDGE Energy Group

BRIDGE Energy Group is the leading consulting and systems integration company focused on improving utility operational performance. BRIDGE combines business, OT and IT domain expertise to deliver and optimize innovative grid operations solutions. BRIDGE's capabilities and expert services enable engagement at any stage in the lifecycle, from strategy & regulatory to implementation & optimization. Founded in 2004, BRIDGE is headquartered in Marlborough, MA. For more information on BRIDGE, please contact 888-351-8999 or visit www.BridgeEnergyGroup.com.