IBM unveils new R&D lab to tackle China’s smart grid issues

http://www.ecoseed.org/en/general-green-news/green-topics/smart-grid/smart-grid-software/6546-I-B-M-unveils-new-R-D-lab-to-tackle-China%E2%80%99s-smart-grid-issues

Monday, 08 March 2010 20:44

By Claire M. Umali I.B.M. aims to improve energy and utility networks that will address China’s smart grid demand through its first Energy & Utilities Solutions Lab. The lab, situated in the company’s China Development Labs in Beijing, will zoom in on various advanced analytic skills and operations while identifying specific solutions for the energy and utility industry. The E&U Solutions lab will employ developers and information technology architects who will collaborate with business partners, utilities and experts in the company’s research and development labs in China and beyond. The lab’s initial development efforts resulted in new and enhanced energy industry-specific solutions, which offer network automation and efficiency to enable utility companies to optimize performance. The lab has been working with state-run corporations to develop two platforms in the integral area of distribution network solutions development. Together with the China Electric Power Research Institute, a subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China, the E&U Solutions lab will develop an optimized distribution network planning platform for decision-making for energy savings, reduction of energy loss and improvement network reliability. On the other hand, an intelligent I.T. platform is being implemented to analyze possible factors that cause unnecessary energy consumption. Other projects included in the lab’s development pipeline are the wide area grid monitor alert, which addresses the technical obstacles of wide area power grid monitoring and operation, and the renewable energy monitoring and power grid integration, which forecasts power output through weather analysis and a wind farm centralized operational system. "As part of our growth strategy, we strive to become a key part of China's energy and utilities ecosystem, working with the Chinese government, utility companies, solution providers and business partners," said Matt Wang, vice president of I.B.M. China Development Labs. The E&U Solutions lab is also I.B.M.’s strategic move to answer China’s calls for smart grid initiatives. Previous reports indicate that China will surpass the United States in smart grid venture with an investment of $7.32 billion. "Our strategic collaboration with China to develop utility solutions that meet the unique energy demands in China will benefit the industry not only here but also countries around the world," Dr. Wang added. The country’s energy demand is likely to rise to yearly average of 5.5 percent towards 2020, which has elicited a timely response of energy system reform. With the financial crisis over everyone’s heads, global calls for improvement in energy delivery, clean energy and international cooperation prompted China to designate the monetary investment to grid networks and renewable energy. Research predicts the global worldwide investment in smart grid technologies will reach $200 billion by 2015 due to the governments and industry leaders’ course of overhauling existing electricity grids. Studies identified the desire to lessen impact on the climate while balancing power generation supply and demand as factors contributing to powerful thrust toward smart grid. The State Grid Corporation of China, which provides power to 25 provinces in the country, is one of the utilities that invested in smart grid technologies. Last year, the utility ventured into a smart power grid program which sought to boost flexible operations, effective energy transmission, power resources allocation, and renewable energies. Known for breakthroughs in information technology, I.B.M. (NYSE: IBM ) had collaborated with China’s Northeastern University and the Chinese local government to establish the Shenyang Eco-City Research Institute. The multinational corporation is China’s only hardware, software and consulting company for smart grid ventures. I.B.M. has about 60 smart grid engagements and is ranked top in December 2008 among large companies for climate change strategy and practices.