Need a little more smart grid information in your Twitter diet? Here are 11 must-follow accounts to add to your own lists of smart grid tech experts. These tweeters post an array of commentary, breaking news and advocacy, and plugging them all into your feed will undoubtedly help you stay better informed.
We're sure you already follow the official Utility Dive Twitter account, but if you're looking to specialize in smart grid topics a little further, have a look below. Whether you want expertise on automation, big data, cyber security or system management, these faces will give you what you need:
1. RAJ SAMANI AND ERIC D. KNAPP
On Twitter: @CyberGridBook
This Twitter account has only 240 followers, but it tackles the crucial topic of cyber security strategies, which all utilities should be watching. Raj Samani and Eric D. Knapp, a pair of senior McAfee Inc. execs and hacking experts, bring decades of insight into cyber threats and the grid. Samani is the chief technical officer for McAfee Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Knapp, meanwhile, directs McAfee's critical infrastructure markets and global business development.
"A researcher announced he found over 100,000 control systems exposed on the internet" tiny.cc/yea3vw #SCADA
— SmartGrid Security (@CyberGridBook) April 25, 2013
2. SMARTMETERS.COM
On Twitter: @SmartMetersCom
Smart meter experts out of Scotland run this Twitter account—a global smart meter eye for the ambitious utility guy (or gal). Whatever the biggest news, views and information from smart meter initiatives worldwide, you’ll find it here. But also, Smartmeter.com is not a meter vendor, so you won’t have to wade through advertorial Tweets.
Oracle Introduces New Smart Grid, Meter Solutions: Oracle has introduced new solutions to help ut... bit.ly/14KbeNY #smartmeters
— SmartMeters.com (@SmartMetersCom) April 29, 2013
3. STEVEN E. COLLIER
On Twitter: @SmartGridMan
Milsoft Utility Solutions VP of Business Development Steven Collier keeps an eye on lots of tech trends and developments steering the future of the grid. Always insightful, and sometimes a just little off-beat, you'll definitely glean some smart grid factoids by following him.
Brain cells control Smart Grid?! phys.org/news/2013-04-b…
— Steven E Collier (@SmartGridMan) April 26, 2013
4. CHRIS KING
On Twitter: @SmartGridKing
Chris King, the chief regulatory officer of Siemens’ smart grid wing, examines the benefits of smart grids and smart meters. King scrutinizes the energy business, while Tweeting wares such as links to shareholder interviews. Follow this account if you are a consummate utility insider with time to graze on various thought pieces.
UC Berkeley researcher explains how he saved 13% on family's electric bill on PG&E's new #SmartMeter enabled prices ow.ly/kxtDt
— Chris King (@SmartGridKing) April 30, 2013
5. IEEE SMART GRID
On Twitter: @ieeesmartgrid
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) convenes tech professionals worldwide. At IEEE’s smart grid Twitter, you join more than 3,500 followers for reflective smart grid news, re-tweets, and notices of IEEE’s big events. A producer of more than 2,500 papers on smart grids and 100 standards for smart grid adoption, IEEE eagerly shapes the discussion.
Dr. Amin includes lots of data, such as estimates showing a stronger grid would reduce outage-related costs by some $49B. #IEEE #smartgrid
— IEEE Smart Grid (@ieeesmartgrid) April 30, 2013
6. IBM SMARTER ENERGY
On Twitter: @IBMSmartrEnergy
This Twitter frontburners the IT revolution taking place with smart grids. IBM marketing leaders Charles Jenkins and Fabienne Guildhary manage the account that Tweets videos about advanced grid analytics and smart grid IT news. You’ll also get Tweets concerning key practices and recommendations for utilities to achieve better cyber security, customer service, and communication.
Updated smart meter system expected to process 120 million feeds a day: ibm.co/X53uAe #IBM @ieso #bigdata
— IBM Smarter Energy (@IBMSmartrEnergy) February 7, 2013
7. RICK NICHOLSON
On Twitter: @rlnicholson2
We interviewed Nicholson, the newly-installed vice president of transmission and distribution solutions at Ventyx, because his reputation as a grid analyst preceded him. Check out his Twitter account, and you'll see why.
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2013 (2 of the 10 are energy technologies) MIT Technology Review ht.ly/kl1Ay
— Rick Nicholson (@rlnicholson2) April 23, 2013
8. ALSTOM GRID
On Twitter: @AlstomGrid
Mining Alstom’s smart grid Twitter will vanquish any old grid sentiments. You get more than news links and re-Tweets but a blitz of resources such as instructional video and myth-busting analysis. Alstom, based in Paris, is an one the big players pioneering solutions for power generation, transmission and smart grids.
Number of #smart# grid projects by country | #JRC Smart Electricity Systems and Interoperabilitybit.ly/ZixUAM
— Alstom Grid (@AlstomGrid) April 23, 2013
9. ABB GLOBAL
On Twitter: @ABBgroupnews
Now is a good time to join the cheering section that is ABB’s 29,000 Twitter followers. The Switzerland-based ABB is a stalwart of power and automation technologies operating in 100 countries. So when you go to ABB’s global business Twitter, expect an avid score of company deals and an unflinching skinny on ABB’s mastery of several electrical transmission technologies.
What do artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and power grids have in common? abb-conversations.com/2013/04/what-d…
— ABB Global (@ABBgroupnews) April 30, 2013
10. GRID CONSUMER COLLABORATIVE
On Twitter: @sgconsumer
This Twitter account is an unapologetic cheerleader for smart grid modernization. You’ll get a generous helping of smart grid PR, but also lots of educational resources such as links to webinars produced by the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative that runs the account. A non-profit in Georgia, the Collaborative convenes smart grid stakeholders, educates consumers, and works to accelerate smart grid adoption.
11. KATHERINE HAMILTON
On Twitter: @CleanGridView
Hamilton, who founded 38 North Solutions in Washington, D.C., offers tech and policy expertise with some excellent quips and context on what's happening. You won't regret following her.
House panel turns out light on effort to end renewable energy subsidies soa.li/Yib34sB Econ dev in NC = clean energy
— Katherine Hamilton (@CleanGridView) April 27, 2013
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