Pike Research predicted 84 percent of the $200 billion will go toward investing in automating the grid, while just 14 percent will go to smart-meter technologies and 2 percent for electric vehicles !!!

Monday, December 28, 2009, 2:35pm PST

$200B expected for smart-grid technology

Sacramento Business Journal - by Denver Business Journal

Governments and utilities are expected to spend a cumulative $200 billion on smart-grid technologies from 2008 through 2015, according to a report released Monday by Pike Research.

The Boulder, Colo.-based research firm found that utilities will find the best return on their investment, and predicted they’ll invest most of their capital budgets in smart-grid infrastructure projects.

In October, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District was awarded $127.5 million in federal economic stimulus funds that will go toward a $308 million smart-grid infrastructure investment. The award was easily the largest of several issued in the Sacramento region.

“Smart grid” is a term used to describe technological innovations to help conserve energy, such as so-called “smart meters,” which allow homeowners to cut down on electricity usage.

Pike Research predicted 84 percent of the $200 billion will go toward investing in automating the grid, while just 14 percent will go to smart-meter technologies and 2 percent for electric vehicles.