10 U.S. utilities leading the way in smart-grid investment

We all know that utility companies around the world are knocking themselves out to make smart grid investments. But which ones are leading the way, especially in the all important area of demand-side management? Well, Zpryme Research is serving up a list, based on the level of investment (along with megawatt-hours managed and revenue generated). The monetary amounts below represent the amount of estimated money invested during 2010.

1. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. ($585.8 million)
2. Southern California Edison ($493.9 million)
3. Florida Power & Light ($200.3 million)
4. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. ($143.7 million)
5. New York Power Authority ($140 million)
6. Public Service Electricity & Gas ($132.3 million)
7. Baltimore Gas & Electric ($122.6 million)
8. Massachusetts Electric, aka National Grid ($119 million)
9. PacifiCorp ($117.7 million)
10. Progress Energy Florida ($88.9 million)

I found another chart in this report equally as interesting. This one reports the biggest utilities in the United States, based on mega-watt hours of electricity sold. When you cross-reference this list against the one above, it is astonishing to realize how many of the 10 top players ARE NOT on the smart grid investment list. Here are the companies that don't make both lists.

• Georgia Power Co.
• Virginia Electric & Power Co.
• Duke Energy Carolinas
• Alabama Power Co.
• Progress Energy Carolinas
• Commonwealth Edison Co.
• Detroit Edison Co.

What am I missing here?