The $4.5 billion in matching funds allocated to "Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability" by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes a significant boost to “smart grid” and smart metering initiatives, aimed at updating the seriously ageing U.S. electrical infrastructure.
“ABI Research believes that the rapid injection of capital to be provided by the ARRA will solidify and encourage more investment in smart metering and the smart grid,” says senior analyst Sam Lucero.“
Many utilities were already implementing plans to upgrade distribution and metering infrastructure, and as regulated industries with rate recovery mechanisms in place, electrical utilities have been somewhat insulated from the worst shocks of the recent economic turmoil. So, says Lucero, “The new federal funding is not an order-of-magnitude game changer, but it will certainly help to encourage and accelerate new smart grid plans, and reinforce those already in place.”
Who will benefit from these provisions of the ARRA and the resulting boost to smart grid and smart metering? There are winners on all sides.
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