The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are collaborating to find out whether businesses, experts and individuals believe being part of the European Union helps or hinders their work on the environment and climate change and what impact EU policies have on the UK.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is upgrading their smart grid infrastructure by implementing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid meter data management, and other smart grid applications from AT&T.

REpower Systems has signed a contract with Burgerwindpark im Kirchspiel Medelby for 27 wind turbines for four projects totaling approximately EUR 90 million.

According to a new study by Siemens, Europe could save €45 billion by 2030 if renewable energy installations were built on sites that offer the highest power yields.

New research shows that almost half of Britain’s small business owners remain optimistic about the country’s economic fortunes, but 75 percent say red tape and regulations are putting their futures at risk.

NetComm Wireless has been selected to supply the 3G communications component for the mandatory statewide rollout of smart meters in Victoria. Singapore owned SP AusNet will manage the replacement of existing mechanical meters with digital smart meters across northern and eastern Victoria.

  Scotland has opened Europe’s first state of the art electricity grid research centre and test facility, which is designed to investigate how advanced technologies can response to the growing demand for secure, reliable, and environmentally-friendly power while shaping tomorrow’s low-carbon power industry.

Itron has formed a strategic alliance with Brazilian technology company Choice. The deal calls for the companies to integrate and jointly market a non-technical loss (NTL) solution, focusing particularly on Brazilian utilities although the product will be marketed globally. The goal is to develop a solution that enables utilities to quickly identify areas of NTL in their service territory so they can deliver a high return on investment.

The Wi-SUN Alliance now has more than 30 member companies. Recent additions as Contributor members include Access Company, CM Engineering, Exegin Technologies, ISB Corporation, Osaka Gas, Rohde & Schwartz, Semtech, Silicon Laboratories, Tateyama Kagaku Wireless Technology, Tessera Technology, and Toshiba Corporation.

The town of Wigton has completed the first stage of an initiative to become a smart energy community. Located in Cumbria, Wigton was previously part of a pilot deploying rural broadband and has partnered with Silver Spring Networks to demonstrate how communities can become energy independent.

In March 2011, the UK Government and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) jointly published the Government’s Response to the Smart Meter Prospectus, which established target dates for the rollout of smart meters in Great Britain.

Orga Systems has joined the eMeter Alliance Program as an Integration, Technology, and Developer Partner. Orga Systems and eMeter will partner to develop and sell integrated solutions for utility smart grid systems. Atreya Chaganty, Orga Systems vice president of business strategy development says, “We are delighted to join the eMeter Alliance Program and believe that our OS.Energy solution, integrated with eMeter’s industry leading EnergyIP platform, will form a key offering for smart utility companies. Offering new tariff options and smart payments, which provide the end customer with transparency and control over the electricity bill, will be essential for utility companies in changing market dynamics.”

Outland Energy Services officially debuted as part of Duke Energy Renewables during the recent American Wind Energy Association trade show in Chicago. Duke Energy Renewables acquired the Minnesota-based company in late 2012. Prior to the acquisition, Outland Energy Services provided monitoring, maintenance, and site management services for wind generation facilities both domestically and internationally. It continues to provide the same services, just under the Duke Energy Renewables banner.

Enel chairman Paolo Andrea Colombo and chief executive officer and general manager Fulvio Conti honored the winners of the 2012 PlayEnergy competition. PlayEnergy, now in its ninth edition, reflects Enel’s renewed commitment to young people and schools. The initiative promotes awareness of, and concern for, energy issues by encouraging children and teens to discover the world of energy and science.

  The European Regional Development Fund has awarded Tidal Energy a £1.6 million grant to fund deployment of Wales’ first full-scale tidal energy generator in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire. First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the news while attending the Renewable UK Cymru conference in Cardiff.

The city of Olympia, Washington, has selected Itron’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution to increase operational efficiency and better manage the municipal water resources. In addition, Itron’s technology will enable the city to improve customer service and promote water conservation.

The Energy and Environment Ministers from nine European member states, including the UK, France, and Germany, have introduced possible reforms to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) to ensure it remains a relevant policy to combat climate change and drive low carbon investments.

Cisco has announced expanded solutions and services that help utilities enhance grid operations while facing greater levels of automation, increased security, and changing regulatory requirements. Cisco’s security strategy addresses both the physical and cyber security layers combined with utility-specific grid service offerings based on Connected Grid Security Architecture. Cisco also extended its substation network solutions to let utilities better manage the grid.

Ventyx has signed deals valued at $6.5 to provide solutions for Ecuador’s smart grid. Transelectric and Ecuador’s National Energy Control Center (CENACE) will upgrade to Ventyx’ latest energy management and wide-area monitoring technologies to optimize the country’s generation and transmission network assets. The agreement includes long-term service, maintenance, and support.

Southern California Edison (SCE) is using SAS® Analytics to improve its forecasting efficiency by integrating and analyzing data as part of an effort to strengthen its energy operations and address smart grid challenges and opportunities.