Siemens and Accenture are preparing to form a joint venture named Omnetric Group which will operate in the smart grid sector to develop solutions and services that allow utilities to improve efficiency and achieve greater supply security. The company will establish its headquarters in Munich and will employ around 100 people in its first year with operations initially targeted towards Europe and the US with a view to expanding globally in the future.
Omnetric Group will focus on solutions and services for system integration and management of the growing volume of data created as part of power grid operation. This will enable utilities to integrate operational technologies (OT), such as real-time grid management, with IT such as smart metering. The group will combine Siemens products and solutions with Accenture’s expertise in consulting, system integration and operating solutions complemented by both companies’ experience in the power industry.
The solutions and services provided by the new company will address a whole host of challenges faced by energy utilities today such as the pressure on energy prices resulting from the rapid rise of distributed power generation which threaten utilities business models and jeopardizes the stability of the grid. Demand response solutions, for example, can be used to actively manage consumption. Virtual power plants can enable new profitable business models and meter data management makes usage transparent for consumers and permits energy-efficient consumption.
“By bringing together the experience of both Siemens and Accenture, Omnetric Group will be a strong and agile company that will meet the needs of a fast-changing market” said the CEO of Siemens Smart Grid Division, Jan Mrosik. “Utilities can improve overall grid reliability and bridge the gap to real-time grid control through integration and implementation of new and previously isolated grid applications.”
According to Jack Azagury, Global Managing Director for Accenture's Smart Grid Services, utilities are seeking ways to increase capital effectiveness while reducing operational costs and integrating an increasing amount of distributed renewable generation into their electricity networks. This requires an enterprise view of systems and data through integration of traditional IT systems with the operational solutions required to manage the grid, something which Omnetric Group will be ideally positioned to deliver. The group will commence operations after regulatory approval and other closing conditions have been completed.
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