Microsoft Corp. Joins GridWise Alliance
Energy industry group seeks to bring innovative information technology insight to help transform the United States' electric power system.
REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 14, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. announced today that it has joined the GridWise™ Alliance, a collaborative venture between private industry and the U.S. Department of Energy. The organization's goal is to transform and modernize the nation's electrical power system so that energy can be generated, distributed and consumed more efficiently, cost effectively and environmentally friendly. Microsoft will bring its information technology and software expertise to help the Alliance progress toward this goal.
"As collaboration and innovation are critical to any major industry transformation, we are pleased to have Microsoft as part of the Alliance," said Guido Bartels, chairman, GridWise Alliance. "By passing the new energy bill, Congress has signaled a significant shift in our nation's energy policy, and having leading companies like Microsoft join the Alliance fits our strategy of building a broad consensus for implementing these smart grid concepts."
Microsoft's expertise in helping utilities use information technology to improve their utility business operations is making an impact worldwide and will be critical in helping GridWise with the goal to move the nation's industrial-age electric grid into the information age.
"It is critical for everyone involved to look at industry operations in new ways—from evaluating processes to reviewing the entire energy ecosystem—in terms of energy efficiency, reliability and reducing our carbon footprint," said Jon Arnold, worldwide utilities industry managing director for Microsoft. "As a new member, the Microsoft team is ready to help the GridWise Alliance paint the vision for the energy ecosystem of the future through an intelligent infrastructure that is pervasive and integrated—incorporating generation, transmission, distribution, energy markets and the consumer."
For more information about the GridWise Alliance, visit www.gridwise.org.
About Microsoft in Utilities
Industry solutions from Microsoft and its partners empower utilities to thrive in today's market-driven environment by optimizing their business operations in customer care, generation, trading and risk management, transmission and distribution, regulatory compliance, and enterprise services. With these capabilities, people can deliver innovative services, implement operations and maintenance best practices, enhance planning activities, create profitable customer relationships, and establish high-value connections with suppliers. Utilities offerings from Microsoft and its partners uniquely amplify utilities professionals' efforts, creating winning relationships with customers, partners and regulators. For more information, please visit www.microsoft.com/utilities.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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For more information, press only:
Carol Barreyre, Brooks & Associates, (214) 629-5157, carol@barreyre.com
Ted Ladd, Microsoft Corp., (646) 225-4722, tedladd@microsoft.com
Lee Coogan, GridWise Alliance, (202) 530-9740, lcoogan@navista.net
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