Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask

SEI Report
This paper recommends the Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM), a tool utilities can use to plan and measure smart grid progress.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

Abstract

Investment in the future of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution continues to grow, with billions of dollars pursuing smart grid benefits such as better management of peak demand, improved grid reliability, and increased operational efficiency. Before embarking on an investment program, a utility should develop its vision for smart grid transformation and create a roadmap to reach its destination. This paper recommends a tool, The Smart Grid Maturity Model (SGMM), for planning and measuring smart grid progress that helps a utility answer:

1. Where are we now?

2. How do we compare with similar utilities?

3. Where do we want to go?

4. How will we go forward with modernization?

5. How can we track our progress?

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Smart Grid Assets

Cite This SEI Report

SGMM Communications Team, T. (2013, May 1). Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask. Retrieved September 17, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/.

@techreport{sgmm_communications_team_2013,
author={SGMM Communications Team, The},
title={Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask},
month={May},
year={2013},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Sep-17}
}

SGMM Communications Team, The. "Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, May 1, 2013. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/.

T. SGMM Communications Team, "Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-May-2013 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/. [Accessed: 17-Sep-2026].

SGMM Communications Team, The. "Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 May. 2013. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

SGMM Communications Team, The. Five Smart Grid Questions Every Utility Executive Should Ask. Software Engineering Institute. 2013. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/five-smart-grid-questions-every-utility-executive-should-ask/