Dive Brief:

• Southern Company has completed a $363 million smart grid technology buildout, which included $165 million in federal stimulus funding.
• The Atlanta-based utility company sees a range of benefits from smart grid technology, including real-time monitoring, controlling electric infrastructure and rapid response to existing and potential problems. Also, the technology makes grid operations more efficient and improves grid reliability, according to Southern.

Dive Insight:

The Department of Energy spent about $4.5 billion on utility smart grid programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Typically, utilities matched the grants with their own funds as well. For Southern, the investments have given the utility company the tools to change the way they operate their grid and the potential to offer new ways for their customers to control their energy use.