OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan. 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black & Veatch today announced the availability of the new Strategic Directions: Utility Automation & Integration report. The inaugural report highlights many of the common issues that utilities of all types face with regard to adding greater levels of intelligence to their network operations.
"Black & Veatch believes that the performance of all utilities can be improved through the greater use of intelligent technologies," said Paul Miller, Vice President of Black & Veatch's Private Networks business line. "Metering, automation and data analytics are changing how utilities approach their customers and their businesses. And it's a robust telecom backbone that enables the full value of these ongoing and future smart grid investments.
In addition to broad efforts to expand automated metering infrastructure (AMI), approximately 50 percent of utilities indicated plans to implement advanced automation technologies in the next five years. Based on field testing and data from previously implemented projects, these solutions hold the promise of enhanced operations, reduced costs, and increased reliability. Additional knowledge gained through data analytics can improve planning and predictive modeling decisions.
"Most utilities are clearly identifying that automation solutions are their greatest opportunity to capture value from their capital investments and operational expenses," said Martin Travers, President of Black & Veatch's Telecommunications Division. "Another emerging trend is the rising interest in analytics as both a monitoring and diagnostic tool and an adaptive planning tool to evaluate long-term plans for their operations." (Click here to view Executive Overview video.)
Other key findings from this year's report include:
Editors Notes:
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Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building Critical Human Infrastructure™ in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2012 were US$3.3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and in social media.