Microsoft eyes smart grid with utility software

Microsoft, angling for a bigger piece of the utility business, said Tuesday that it has developed an architecture tailored for utility smart-grid programs.

The Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA) is meant to give utilities a blueprint for integrating and modernizing their IT systems. Microsoft said that its software will work with devices specific to the power industry and help utilities better handle an anticipated wave of real-time data.

Governments around the world are offering billions of dollars to entice utilities to upgrade their electricity distribution networks. These smart-grid programs can take many forms: smart meters that transmit information every few minutes to utilities; sensors on power lines to spot outages; or routers in substations to transmit information back to utilities.

In nearly every case, there's a large IT component to smart-grid programs because utilities expect to collect more usage information from customers in order to run their distribution grids more efficiently.

Earlier this year, Microsoft released Hohm, a Web application aimed at helping consumer reduce their energy use at home. A component of the application was aimed at utilities, though. One business model Microsoft is exploring is aggregating customer energy usage data and providing it to utilities looking for ways to lower electricity use during peak times.

With its utility push, Microsoft joins the large IT companies--Cisco Systems, IBM, Oracle, and SAP--that have or are developing product suites aimed at grid modernization.

[shellcodes_coder]

Another great move by Microsoft

[Super2online]

I agree. There is a huge need for the efficiencies that computers, software and new hardware can bring to the entire industry. From the utility companies, to the lines and stations connecting users, and user facilities both, commercial and consumer.

[jacomo]

Microsoft, along with most other firms addressing this new Smart Grid buzz word, are missing a few key parts of any Energy/Electric Management system and or service. Specifically providing the end user with the ability to gain access (in-home acccess and remote access Service) to a series of in-home devices (Thermostats (HVAC)/Solar & Lighting) as well as the appliances (Water Heater/AC/HeatPump/Refrigerator/Electric Vehicle charger etc) in order to program and create alerts.
Todate, most of these Smart Grid solutions only address what the Utility can gain from a new smart meter (wired or wireless) that monitors and reports on usage. We need both.
In addition some of these Smart Grid solutions are trying to convince Utilities that they need to use the 3G Cell networks to gain acces snad control of these WIreless Meters. Again, a very short sited and costly approach.
We need to keep in mind that many Home Owners are looking at more then just managing the Electric usage in their home. They are looking into Alarm Systems/Video Surveillance/Door Entry and emergin HealthCare monitoring/reporting systems. All of which require far more bandwidth then can be economically provided by a over extended Cellular network-especially when most home owners already have a robust Broadband Wired Link (DSL/Cable Modem/FTTH).

JIm A.

[iptofar]

Color me afraid. Who wants the vista smart grid... anyone???


"There's a large IT component to smart-grid programs"... so i guess it aint so free or efficient.

[Super2online]

Vista is history, it's a 7 world now, get over it.

[WinNoMo]

I for one would never want to trust Microsoft to handle any critical systems like our Country's power infrastructure. Some people never learn.

[shellcodes_coder]

Vista isn't a history, haven't you heard of endangered os--snow leopard aka the new Vista of Mac? It frees up your disk space by deleting your files LOL

[Otto Holland]

Response to WinNoMo and iptofar; have you guys heard about any other Microsoft products except Vista? There are many top notch products within the server side; Windows 2008 for example, that run rings around anything you presently know.

Most people associate MS with desktop operating systems but pay no mind to the heavy lifting backend. This is where these utility companies fall and where MS is pointing these services.

My advise to you guys, read, understand and obtain knowledge before posting.

[shellcodes_coder]

If they don't like Microsoft, why do they install office on their Mac? that's because iWork is crap just like Snow leopard is

[iptofar]

I love when people assume they are so much smarter than everyone else. Power systems are not something you want IT people in control of or desire another level of complication that will increase the failure rates. And to coder dude, many of us have to buy Office because that is a required format by contract, not because we like it. Office has been completely stagnant for years (except for changing the interface so you have to relearn everything) and wasn't even better than it's competitor when it won the market.

[Ebeale]

I trust Microsoft more then Google. Google is getting into this market place as well http://www.google.org/powermeter/

[badnursie]

We're doomed. Buy a generator tomorrow. Kiss civilization goodbye. Apparently we have a society that rewards mediocrity or outright failure (need I mention the banks, the Bush admin., etc.?)

[Get_Bent]

Microsoft products managing the power grid? Time to buy stock in candle and lantern manufacturers.

[WinNoMo]

+1

[LLIB_SETAG]

NOOOOOOOOOO! Microsoft Empire & the Blue Screen of Death linked to Power Grid!

Oops! BSOD & Western half of nation is in the dark!
I don't think so people!

Hands off out power grid Microsith.

[Joe Real]

God forbid that Microsoft have already outsourced the programming to India, China, Russia, Romania, Ukraine or other cheap labor countries so that the few elite managers can save a few cups of Starbucks. You know that we can't prevent them from inserting their own codes of total control.

Even if the codes were exclusively done by Microsoft employees who are 100% US born patriotic citizens (a zero probability), the culture of mediocrity permeating MS, that it is good enough to use and so distribute the software package anayway, the hackers will surely have a field day entertaining themselves with the grid power.

Even all of our computer chips and other peripheral devices that have been manufactured abroad and installed in the government offices already contained nasty easter eggs in them awaiting for the highest bidder or the commands of the enemy military regime who inserted them.

[Bodhi01]

Snore!! We all hate Microsoft, blah blah.

It's so boring listening to people bag Microsoft all the time. Incase you didn't actually notice, Apple has become the new Microsoft with their proprietary hardware/software etc.

Oh how the Apple marketing department love you lot.

[Jill98j]

Bodhi01, you are absolutely right! Apple did a great job and created the brand and now they are enjoying the results by manipulating our opinions form time to time. So many apple-addicted - well done, guys!