IBM (NYSE: IBM) unveiled a new software platform the company hopes will become a standard for smart grid installations.

The new Solution Architecture for Energy and Utilities Framework (SAFE) is designed to integrate numerous functions for utilities, including plant operations, smart meters and personal utility management. The new framework utilizes elements of IBM's entire software portfolio including WebSphere, Tivoli, Rational, Lotus and Information Management products.

IBM also announced a business partner validation program that it said will allow utilities to accelerate the development of their smart utility solutions. TX-based CenterPoint Energy already uses the SAFE software, and IBM said other vendors including Trilliant, BPL Global, Coulomb Technologies, eMeter, Itron (Nasdaq: ITRI), OSIsoft and PowerSense have been certified or are seeking certification for it.

Cisco's Push

Not to be outdone, Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) announced the creation of the Cisco Smart Grid Ecosystem to facilitate the adoption of Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications standards for smart grids. Initial members of the Ecosystem include Echelon (Nasdaq: ELON), GE (NYSE: GE), GridPoint, Infosys, Itron, Landis + Gyr, Siemens (NYSE: SI) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ).

Cisco also said it has formed a Smart Grid Technical Advisory Board (TAB) made up of utility and energy companies that will help the company align its service, support and product direction to specific business requirements.

Finally, Cisco announced that it has joined the ZigBee Alliance to help drive the adoption of IP-based communications.

SCE Smart Grid Kickoff

Southern California Edison, and Edison International company (NYSE: EIX), kicked off its Edison SmartConnect program which will eventually include the installation of 5 million smart meters that will allow two-way communications between the utility and its customers.

Corix Utilities Inc. will install most of the smart meters--supplied by Itron Inc.--through 2012.

Xcel Launches Boulder Smart Grid

Colorado utility Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a step ahead with its demonstration SmartGridCity project in Boulder, CO. The company announced that it is finished building the infrastructure needed for the $100 million endeavor. With the launch of its management software--provided by Current--Xcel said Boulder is now the "first fully functioning smart grid enabled city."

Beginning in 4Q09, Xcel said Boulder residents will be able to log on to an energy management website, provided by GridPoint, to review and customize their in-home energy usage.

Duke Announces Partnerships

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), the nation's third-largest power company, announced additional partnerships for its smart grid initiatives. The company selected Convergys Corp. (NYSE: CVG) to supply billing and customer management technology; and Ambient (OTCBB: ABTG) to provide its X-series communications node to transmit data from residential and commercial smart meters to the utility's network operations center.

Duke has committed to building smart grid deployments over the next five years throughout its service regions, and recently received regulatory approval for an approximate 700,000 electric smart meter deployment in Ohio. The company also has plans for smart grid initiatives in Indiana, the Carolinas and Kentucky.

Duke recently annouced smart grid partnerships with Echelon and Cisco.

Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com