KEMA continues strong growth in ‘smart grid’ consulting market
Larry Dickerman joins the transmission and distribution solutions practice
BURLINGTON, Mass. (June 10, 2009) – KEMA (www.kema.com) continues to grow its competitive position in the transmission and distribution and ‘smart grid’ consulting market as utility industry veteran Larry Dickerman joins the firm. Dickerman is joining KEMA’s T&D practice as a principal consultant, and is expected to further the firm’s planning and engineering strengths, as well as contribute to KEMA’s existing leadership in smart grid integration services and solutions.
With over 35-years industry experience, Dickerman is widely recognized as an industry leader and innovator in asset management, emergency restoration planning and automation technology applications. In joining KEMA’s T&D practice, Dickerman will continue to build services in business planning and engineering, T&D information technology / automation integration, and asset management, all of which are important aspects that strengthen KEMA’s smart grid expertise to the industry.
“The energy industry faces complex, interrelated challenges in developing their vision for more reliable, sustainable operations in an increasingly carbon-constrained future,” said Hugo van Nispen, president and managing director of KEMA, Inc. “For many in the industry, a future centered on the ‘smart grid’ as an enabling technology is the only way to meet competing demands. Larry’s expertise, insight into and working knowledge of smart grid and other automation technologies, integration strategy and asset management provides our clients additional, enterprise-wide strategic direction in developing the business cases to support their long-term capital plans and continues KEMA’s commitment to delivering practical solutions to our clients.”
Prior to joining KEMA in May 2009, Dickerman was technology director for American Electric Power’s (AEP) distribution services business unit. He also served as vice president of distribution asset management, responsible for developing asset replacement, maintenance, and enhancement programs.
“Our energy industry is undergoing a technology makeover and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides stimulus to accelerate this trend,” van Nispen continued. “KEMA is actively supporting the grant application process—we see Larry's experience and insight as a way to strengthen this key initiative.”
KEMA is helping utilities and system operators worldwide develop, define, deploy and harvest value from emerging smart grid technologies, systems and initiatives. KEMA’s multi-disciplinary experts in utility planning, operations, system integration, and customer research help clients leverage a proven roadmap approach to automation and smart grid initiatives.
KEMA is hosting its second annual Utility of the Future executive conference on June 17 – 19 in Washington DC. Panel discussions will focus on navigating energy sustainability, including operating a smart grid. Featured speakers include key leaders from PJM, HECO, Duke Energy, Google.org, the GridWise Alliance and Better Place.
About KEMA
Founded in 1927, KEMA (www.kema.com) is a global provider of business and technical consulting, operational support, measurement and inspection, testing and certification for the energy and utility industry. KEMA employs more than 1,800 professionals in 20 countries. The firm’s North American consulting operations (KEMA, Inc.) are headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. KEMA’s global headquarters are in Arnhem, the Netherlands with offices worldwide.