IBM takes smart grid work down under

The latest beneficiary of IBM's skills in integrating and managing energy smart grid projects will be Australian energy company Western Power. The company is already involved with close to 50 smart grid engagements around the global, including what it describes as seven of the 10 largest advanced metering infrastructure rollouts.

The Australian deal includes deployment of an intelligent network, replete with smart meters, as part of Western Power's pilot related to the Perth Solar City Project. The latter is a $73.5 million program that is being built out over the next four years. Residents will receive free "energy advisory services" and price reductions related to solar hot water systems and solar photovoltaic systems.