Intergraph and Kema are teaming on developing solutions for smart grid initiatives specifically to give utilities better technology for operations control centers. In a report released by Kema,the company believes that of the stimulus money going for infrastructure that at least 10% will be dedicated to advanced IT programs of which operation control centers will be a major portion. From the report (download;registration required):
Kema’s projection anticipates that a potential disbursement of $16 billion in Smart Grid incentives would act as a catalyst in driving associated Smart Grid projects that are worth $64 billion. The impact of these projects would result in the direct creation of approximately 280,000 new positions across various categories,of which more than 150,000 will be created by the end of 2009. Furthermore,we estimate that nearly 140,000 new direct jobs would persist beyond the Smart Grid deployment as permanent,on-going high-value position.
Tony DiMarco of Intergraph believes that the company is well positioned to support the growing demand for infrastructure improvements,specifically outage management,mobile resource management and field force automation. The company is also working with Stellar Grants on a webinar to educate the community on how to attract stimulus money. In the area of critical infrastructure,Intergraph is also offering to assess the vulnerability of utility networks. DiMarco emphasized that Intergraph very focused on improving location-based situational awareness.