2010 Planned Research Agenda
Our research advisory services encompass topics covering several topics in the energy market. Within each advisory service we plan a series of research projects spanning the range of interest areas each service covers. Our IDC Energy Insights analysts have planned dozens of research projects to help you get the most out of your business in the coming year. The information presented here represents some of our current plans (which are subject to change).
Additionally, Insights research can become the foundation or springboard for custom consulting projects that delve into topics important to your business, such as evaluating new business opportunities, understanding a market segment, exploring new technologies for your operations, improving knowledge of your customers, increasing customer satisfaction, developing a competitive strategy, and more.
Because our Research Agenda may change during the course of the year, regularly check this section for updates. To learn more about the planned research agenda or to learn about regional or country plans, please contact us.
Distributed Energy Strategies |
Energy Insights’ Distributed Energy Strategies service provides exclusive market analysis and direct access to experts — helping subscribers better understand trends and developments related to distributed generation and energy storage. Through an integrated set of deliverables, subscribers receive the latest intelligence on the evolving distributed energy marketplace, enabling them to make better-informed business decisions and develop cost-effective strategies and tactics.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Best Practices | Natural Gas Pipeline Energy Recovery: An Opportunity for Hybrid Fuel Cells? | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Vendor Assessment | Buyer's Guide: Distributed Energy (DE) Dispatch for Demand Response - 3rd Party Aggregators | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Distributed Energy (DE) Perspective - Electric Vehicle Rollout | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | North American Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Small Fuel Cells 2010 | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | Distributed Energy (DE) Perspective - Distributed Photovoltaic (PV) | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Best Practices | Vehicle to Grid (V2G) Integration: Infrastructural Developments | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Vendor Assessment | Battery Storage for Demand Response Applications | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | Distributed Energy (DE) Perspective - Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Reciprocating Engines | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Business Strategy | The Role of Distributed Energy (DE) Under Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Regulation | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | Microturbines: Market Overview 2010 | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | Distributed Energy (DE) Perspective - DE Grid Integration | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | The Big Green Package: Regulatory and Energy Efficiency-Driven Distributed Energy | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Incorporating Distributed Energy (DE) into Resource Planning | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | Distributed Energy (DE) Perspective - Energy Storage as a Demand Response Asset | Oct-Dec 2010 |
European Clean Energy Strategies |
The European Clean Energy Strategies service provides exclusive market analysis and direct access to experts – helping subscribers better understand trends and developments related to green power marketing, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies. Through an integrated set of deliverables, subscribers receive the latest intelligence on the evolving renewable energy marketplace, enabling them to make better-informed business decisions and develop cost-effective strategies and tactics.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Business Strategy | Integrating Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation into the Grid: The Role of Virtual Power Plant | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Best Practices | Vehicle to Grid (V2G) Integration: Edison Consortium Case Study | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | EMEA Renewable Energy Update | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | EMEA Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Energy Storage Showcase | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Clean Energy Update | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Best Practices | City Sponsored Energy Efficiency | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Best Practices | Nuclear Power | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Clean Energy Update | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Carbon Capture and Storage Update | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Business Strategy | New Business Models for Renewable Energy | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Clean Energy Update | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | Renewable and Distributed Generation Integration: A Case Study | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Low Carbon Economy | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Clean Energy Update | Oct-Dec 2010 |
European Utility IT Strategies |
European utilities face a variety of business and regulatory challenges. Climate change, security of supply, merger and acquisitions and new technologies are changing the European landscape. These organizations have to respond to demands for increased reliability, customer satisfaction, and safety, but they must do so amid growing pressure to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and overcome the twin issues of aging assets and an aging workforce. Information technology is playing an increasingly important role in allowing organizations to address these challenges. To that end, the European Utility IT Strategies research and advisory program assesses the impact of technology investments on business performance, through an integrated set of deliverables.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Best Practices | Case Study: Palm Utilities Deploys Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing Solution | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Vendor Assessment | Top IT Vendors in Utilities in Europe | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | EMEA Utilities Industry Quarterly Update | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Best Practices | Case Study: Pioneering a Smarter Metering in Gas: The Gas Natural AMM project | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Business Strategy | Smart Metering in Europe | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | EMEA Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Best Practices | Smart Grids and Security - A Case Study from Portugal | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Utilities Industry Quarterly Update | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Pivot Table | Western Europe Utilities Industry, IT Spending Forecast, 2008-2013 | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Best Practices | Western Europe, Utilities Industry, IT Budget Distribution and Channel Selection - Survey | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Utilities Industry Quarterly Update | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Western Europe, Utilities Industry, IT Solutions and Technologies Survey | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Smart Metering and Beyond: The Role of Demand Response | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Utilities Industry Quarterly Update | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | Managing Capital Intensive Projects in the Power Industry | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Best Practices | Achieving Operational Excellence: The Role of Predictive Analytics | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | EMEA Utilities Industry Quarterly Update | Oct-Dec 2010 |
Intelligent Grid Strategies |
IDC Energy Insights’ Intelligent Grid Strategies research and advisory program is dedicated to helping utilities and technology providers understand the complex dynamics of the rapidly evolving intelligent grid market. This service will explore the business and regulatory impacts of emerging intelligent grid technologies and provide innovative strategies such as distributed energy resources. Technologies covered will include sensors, smart metering, network automation and control, analytics, and communications technologies such as broadband over power lines (BPL) and WiFi/WiMAX.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Technology Selection | Communications Networks for Intelligent Grid (IG): The Journey and the Converged Destination | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Utility Networks for Intelligent Grid (IG) Pilot Projects: New Kids in the Sandbox | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Best Practices in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Device Management | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Business Strategy | Smart Cities: Comparative Study of Results | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Business Strategy | Intelligent Grid (IG) Forecast Highlights (Select Findings from the Multiclient Study) | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | North American Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | Adding Intelligence to traditional Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Infrastructure | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Best Practices | Electric Vehicles: Utility Industry Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Investment Priorities | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Intelligent Grid (IG) and OMS: Evolution or Revolution? | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Smart Home, Smart Partnerships: Utilities and Service Providers | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | One Year Past: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Intelligent Grid (IG) Standards Progress | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | Best Practices in Grid Security - Update | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Home is Where is the Smart Is: Key Enabling Technologies for Energy Efficiency (EE) and Demand Response (DR) | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Vendor Assessment | Top Communications Network Vendors and Service Providers | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | The Role of Network and Control Device in Demand Response Success | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Smart Cities: Comparative Study of Results | Oct-Dec 2009 |
Oil and Gas IT Strategies |
The Oil and Gas IT Strategies research advisory service provides insights and analysis on the impact of information technology investments and business process initiatives on business performance in the upstream and trading sectors of the oil and gas industry. Studies will include business strategy, best practices, technology selection and vendor assessment.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Vendor Assessment | Hydrocarbon Accounting Short List | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Business Strategy | Worldwide Revenue for the Top 50 IT Vendors in the Oil & Gas Industry | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Oil and Gas IT Strategy Update: First Quarter | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | Worldwide Oil and Gas Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Reservoir Management with Real-Time Technology | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | Oil and Gas IT Strategy Update: Second Quarter | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) Marketplace | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | Exploration and Production (E&P) Supply Chain | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | Oil and Gas IT Strategy Update: Third Quarter | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Vendor Assessment | Oil and Gas Buyers Guide for Upstream IT Services | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Asset Management with Real Time-Technology | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | Oil and Gas IT Strategy Update: Fourth Quarter | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Best Practices | Production Optimization | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | Oil and Gas IT Outsourcing | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | Oil and Gas IT Strategy Update: First Quarter | Oct-Dec 2010 |
Renewable Energy Strategies |
IDC Energy Insights’ Renewable Energy Strategies service provides exclusive market analysis and direct access to experts – helping subscribers better understand trends and developments related to green power marketing, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies. Through an integrated set of deliverables, subscribers receive the latest intelligence on the evolving renewable energy marketplace, enabling them to make better-informed business decisions and develop cost-effective strategies and tactics.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Vendor Assessment | Biomass Torrefaction and Carbonization | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Best Practices | Renewable Energy Grid Integration Developments, Activities, and Trends | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Renewable Energy Perspective - Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Central Solar Thermal Power | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | North American Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Best Practices | Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) Implementation: What's Working and What's Not | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | Renewable Energy Perspective - Landfill Gas and Anaerobic Digestion | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Vendor Assessment | Centralized Solar Photovoltaic | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Best Practices | Distributed and Renewable Energy Outlook Report | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | Renewable Energy Perspective - Ocean Energy and Small Hydro | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Best Practices | U.S. Wind Energy: Onshore and Offshore Developments | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Business Strategy | New Business Models for Renewable Energy | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | Renewable Energy Perspective - Renewable Energy Incentive Policies | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Business Strategy | Anti-Islanding Inverter Failure: A Challenge to Photovoltaic's (PV's) Growing Grid Integration? | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Best Practices | Small Hydro's Renaissance? | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | Renewable Energy Perspective - Emerging Energy Storage | Oct-Dec 2010 |
Utility IT Strategies |
The Utility IT Strategies service covers traditional IT infrastructure of utility companies, particularly as it applies to meeting the needs of the generation, transmission and distribution, and retail businesses at the utility, merchant generation companies and retail energy providers. The service focuses on business performance, business-related IT strategy, IT budget, and best practices in achieving efficiency. In addition, it covers serving customers and managing assets, carbon and the workforce.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Vendor Assessment | Customer Care and Billing Short List | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Business Strategy | IT Strategies - Budgets, Outsourcing, and New Technologies | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Perspective | Virtual Power Plant - Information Technology Underpinnings | Oct-Dec 2009 |
| Top 10 Predictions | North American Utility Industry 2010 Top 10 Predictions | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Intelligent Grid - Impact on Application Spending for Utilities | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Perspective | Work and Asset Management - Impact of Smart Grid | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Technology Selection | Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) Marketplace | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Best Practices | Demand Response - Winners in Technology and Adoption | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Perspective | Best Practices in Energy Efficiency - Update | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | IT Strategies - New Governance with the New Energy Economy | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | Methods and Practices in Meter Data Infrastructure | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Perspective | Billing Systems for Electric Vehicles - New Thinking | Jul-Sep 2010 |
| Methods and Practices | Review of Analytics - Can Business Intelligence (BI) be Applied for All Utility Needs? | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Best Practices | Case Study - A Peek Inside Application Approach of Most Intelligent Utility | Oct-Dec 2010 |
| Perspective | Future of Personal Energy Management | Oct-Dec 2010 |
Worldwide Oil & Gas Industry IT Spending Guide |
Energy Insight’s Worldwide Oil and Gas Industry IT Spending Guide is a semiannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of information technology spending in the oil and gas sector. This global five-year outlook on spending by oil and gas companies provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop effective market strategies. This service combines IDC's extensive technology forecasts with deep industry knowledge provided by IDC Energy Insights analysts and ongoing primary research in the oil and gas industry.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Pivot Table | Worldwide Oil and Gas Industry IT Spending Guide | Jan-Mar 2010 |
| Pivot Table | Worldwide Oil and Gas Industry IT Spending Guide | Jul-Sep 2010 |
Worldwide Utility Industry IT Spending Guide |
IDC Energy Insights’ Worldwide Utility Industry IT Spending Guide is a semiannual analysis of the current status and projected growth of information technology spending in the utility sector (electricity, natural gas, and water). This global five-year outlook on spending by utility companies provides IT vendors with key information needed to develop effective market strategies. This service combines IDC's extensive technology forecasts with deep industry knowledge provided by IDC Energy Insights analysts and ongoing primary research in the utilities industry.
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| Document Type |
Document Title |
Publish Date |
| Pivot Table | Worldwide Utility Industry IT Spending Guide | Apr-Jun 2010 |
| Pivot Table | Worldwide Utility Industry IT Spending Guide | Oct-Dec 2010 |
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