Siemens and Accenture have launched a joint-venture company called Omnetric Group. Based in Munich, this will provide utility companies with ‘smart grid’ solutions and services focused on data management and systems integration to boost energy efficiency, grid operations and reliability.

These solutions will integrate operational technologies such as distribution management and real-time grid operations with IT systems such as meter data management (to support smart metering), demand response (to manage energy consumption) and ‘virtual’ power plants (to enable load management).