Transformation of energy systems: The control room of the future

Several industry sectors have recently undergone a significant transformation of their Information & Communications Technology (ICT) systems to support both current and future business modes of operation. A notable example is the transformation of operational and business support systems (OSS and BSS) in telecommunications. The power & energy sector is now confronting a similar change. Moreover, the industry is transforming from the traditional models of business to embrace a number of new and enhanced technologies that support future smart grid operations. This paper outlines our experience with several industry smart grid projects. This includes automated metering infrastructure as part of a smart community project, intelligent network monitoring and control providing real-time and historical data, and the capability for consumers to view and manage their carbon foot print as part of these programs. We also outline our approach to a `control room of the future´ that manages and leverages the capabilities of these emerging smart grid systems.