The Energy & Utilities Project: Innovation in Action is thought leadership that explores the growth challenges that lie ahead for energy and utility company executives. Montgomery Research initiated this project in 2001 and publishes annual editions with key sponsorship from IBM's Business Consulting Services group. The project features a boardroom-quality journal and an interactive online resource.

The current volume stresses the importance of innovation and strategic leadership as pressure builds around policy and regulatory issues, as customers change the way they view energy consumption, and as financial markets demand enhanced performance despite tightened budgets. Environmental concerns and the prospect of further restrictions on various emissions are shaping many of today’s actions, and utilities will need to use innovative optimization frameworks and tools to find the best mix of solutions for both the short and long term.

Volume 7 of The Energy & Utilities Project presents up-to-the-minute thinking on the intelligent grid; achieving compliance; dealing with an aging infrastructure and workforce; driving strategic growth; managing business data and information; servicing customers cost-effectively and much more. These insights will help utilities of all shapes and sizes prepare themselves for an exciting but challenging future.

The publication and its accompanying website was developed as a decision-support tool for energy and utilities leaders facing financial performance issues, aging assets, market conditions and risks and a renewed focus on the workforce.