Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute and IBM Launch Smart Grid Framework

PITTSBURGH, PA, Mar 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
IBM (NYSE: IBM) and a group of leading utilities -- the Global
Intelligent Utility Network Coalition -- today announced that they handed
over stewardship of their Smart Grid Maturity Model to the Carnegie
Mellon(R) Software Engineering Institute (SEI). As progressive utilities
around the globe modernize power grids with digital technology,
executives want to know that making the grid smarter is the right thing
to do and they want to know how to do it.

The electric grid is the largest and most complex machine in the world and
in places it is now critically overburdened. Impacts of climate change,
available technology, and the current economic crisis represent the final
tipping point for a much needed overhaul. The Smart Grid Maturity Model
will serve as a strategic framework for utilities, vendors, regulators,
and consumers that have a role in smart grid transformation -- from
technological to regulatory to organizational.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if the North American grid
were just 5% more efficient, the energy savings would equate to
eliminating the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from 53
million cars -- one of the reasons that the DoE is supporting this effort
through its Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability and the
National Energy Technology Laboratory. Support of the Smart Grid Maturity
Model by DoE enables it to be accessible to all stakeholders of the
electric power industry.

"The software development industry is a prime example of how maturity
models have moved entire industries forward," said Guido Bartels, General
Manager, Global Energy & Utilities Industry at IBM. "We selected SEI
because of its demonstrated success in providing frameworks that enhance
business and technical processes, security, resiliency and
interoperability -- all critical elements in responding to opportunities
driving the sustainable supply and use of energy essential today."

Part of the global research university Carnegie Mellon, the SEI operates
at the leading edge of technical innovation. It serves as a national and
international resource for architecture, network security, process
improvement, and systems integration. The SEI has developed worldwide de
facto standards, like the Capability Maturity Model(R) Integration (CMMI)
and led international efforts to improve network security through its
world-recognized CERT(R) program.

"We are excited to be part of this new frontier technology," said Paul
Nielsen, CEO and director of the SEI. "The Smart Grid Maturity Model
developed by IBM creates a roadmap of activities, investments, and best
practices that leads to creating a smart grid. Utilities using the model
will be able to establish the appropriate development path, communicate
the strategy and vision, and assess current opportunities."

To stimulate, guide, and support efforts and investments in smart grids,
the SEI will assume primary responsibility for the ongoing governance,
growth and evolution of the model. In order to support widespread adoption
and use, the SEI will ensure availability of the model and supporting
materials and services for the user community; maintain consistency of its
application, validity, and results; and analyze and provide feedback on
its use, value and impact for stakeholders.

Tom Standish, group president of Regulated Operations, CenterPoint Energy,
encourages every utility to participate in the Smart Grid Maturity Model
survey. "It provides insights into where you are on your smart grid
journey and what milestone objectives to set to achieve the benefits of
smart grid -- for both customers and business," said Standish.

In addition to the SEI activities, the World Energy Council (WEC) will be
a channel for global dissemination, participation and adoption of the
model using its worldwide network of member committees.

IBM initially led the development of the model in collaboration with the
Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition and with support from
American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC). More than 40 utilities
worldwide have participated in the model to date, representing 100
million customers of utilities across the globe. A key function of the
Smart Grid Maturity Model tool is to gauge advancements made in Smart
Grids and show returns on investments. This function allows it to be well
positioned to have a role in procedures being implemented in support of
the U.S. efforts to modernize the power grid. The model offers observable
indicators to measure progress, and helps facilitate the development and
execution of smart grid programs.

More information about the Smart Grid Maturity Model visit
www.sei.cmu.edu/smartgrid.

For more information about smart utilities at IBM visit
http://www.ibm.com/energy

About the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a U.S. Department of Defense
federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie
Mellon University. The SEI helps organizations make measured improvements
in their software engineering capabilities by providing technical
leadership to advance the practice of software engineering. For more
information, visit the SEI Web site at http://www.sei.cmu.edu.

Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition

The Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition is a group of utility
companies working with IBM to accelerate the adoption of smart grid
technologies and business solutions throughout the world. Members include
CenterPoint Energy, Country Energy, DONG Energy, North Delhi Power
Limited, Pepco Holdings, Inc, Progress Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric
and Southern California Gas Co.

World Energy Council (WEC)

The World Energy Council is the most representative body of the energy
industry with members in more than ninety countries. Its mission is to
promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit
of all. The London-based organisation has official consultative status
with the United Nations. For information about WEC, visit:
http://www.worldenergy.org

Contact:

SEI Media Relations
Kelly Kimberland, APR
Tel: 412-268-4793
E-mail: public-relations@sei.cmu.edu

IBM Corporate External Relations
Emily Horn
Tel: 415-545-2634
E-mail: horne@us.ibm.com

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