In a meeting of minds and system solutions, Dublin-based Accenture (News - Alert) and Munich-based Siemens Infrastructure & Cities are collaborating to provide advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and meter data management (MDM) solutions that will help electric utilities to improve overall system monitoring, operational efficiency and fault response.

Accenture Smart Grid Services (ASGS) will provide consulting, systems integration and managed services. Siemens (News - Alert) will leverage platforms from its San Mateo, California-based eMeter business, including the EnergyIP Meter Data Management Platform and the powerful new data collection and validation tools in the Analytics Foundation.

Accenture and Siemens will help utilities manage the vast amounts of data gathered through smart meters –both coming and going—which provide detailed information on the status of their distribution systems as well as customer energy usage. In addition, they will help to drive energy efficiency by facilitating the use of grid-tied distributed energy from sources such as solar and wind into the power supply network.

“This collaboration will ultimately lead to customized solutions that can be quickly integrated into a utility’s existing infrastructure,” said Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Business Unit Services within the Siemens Smart Grid Division. “These solutions will help utilities operate their systems more efficiently, thus giving them an economic advantage over their competitors.”

“Combining Accenture’s Smart Grid capabilities, which include advanced IT expertise, and deep industry knowledge, with Siemen’s Smart Grid and Smart Metering technology as well as extensive experience in utility operations, will help utilities improve their operations by better capturing and analyzing customer data,” said Jack Azagury, managing director for Accenture Smart Grid Services. “Together, we can help utilities unlock the value of their smart metering capabilities while reducing risk as they adopt these new technologies.”

Collaboration Goes to Canada

Siemens and Accenture currently are working with SaskPower, a leading Canadian utility based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to help implement an advanced metering infrastructure that will enable the company to provide more reliable energy and better customer service.

According to a sustainability report released by SaskPower last month, the utility has embarked on two major energy programs. First, in the initiative that will involve solutions from Siemens and Accenture, SaskPower has launched a multi-year service delivery renewal initiative that will improve customer response, productivity, efficiency and system reliability, while ensuring that employees are provided with the tools to do their best work.  

Second, the utility has begun to investigate carbon capture and storage. SaskPower broke ground recently at Boundary Dam Power Station – the world’s first and largest commercial-scale integrated carbon capture project, to be located at the company’s largest coal fired station, near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada.

 In addition, SaskPower is partnering with Tokyo-based Hitachi Ltd (News - Alert). to construct a $60 million test facility at its Shand Power Station, also in southeastern Saskatchewan, which will enable international developers to fully evaluate the performance of their systems in capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from coal-fired power stations.

“Innovation is the key to our sustainable development as a company,” said SaskPower president and CEO Robert Watson. “SaskPower’s ability to develop innovative solutions and overcome challenges is how we ensure affordable, dependable electricity for customers, and manage our long-term success.”