Energy industry hails tech provision in infrastructure-security bill

A high-tech management measure in an energy-infrastructure bill recently passed by the House is receiving high marks from the energy industry.

Energy-management software is built to perform numerous tasks that help utility providers and consumers use electricity more efficiently. Some software products maximize grid control and efficiency in buildings, while others crunch data to help utility providers optimize their services. Whatever the task, the goal is to maximize access to energy at the lowest cost to consumers and to the environment.

The section on energy-management software in the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015, now under consideration in the Senate,
urges utility operators to employ this technology and requires that states consider letting utilities earn a rate of return on investments in the new technology.

The end game is to help utility companies manage their power grids with lower emissions and higher reliability – with lowered costs to consumers.

It’s a section of the bill that has been praised by the energy industry -- especially energy-management software companies.

"Energy intelligence software empowers consumers with the tools and understanding to lower their energy costs, and enables utilities to engage their customers to achieve improved grid outcomes," Tim Healy, chairman and CEO of the energy-management software company EnerNOC, said. "I commend... the many supporters of this provision for taking action to ensure more Americans benefit from this cutting-edge technology."