Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: NCI) announced plans to launch a major multi-client study on the convergence of the Smart Grid with Photovoltaics (PV). 
 
This comprehensive and focused study will help participating organizations identify the key technology components of a PV Smart Grid; understand how the Smart Grid could create additional value for distributed PV; gain insight to the implications for utilities; and identify trends and valuable market opportunities.  Navigant Consulting is accepting participants for the study beginning today.   
 
"It’s an exciting time for PV and we see tremendous opportunity with regards to the emerging Smart Grid,” stated Lisa Frantzis, Managing Director, and leader of the Renewable Energy Team within Navigant Consulting’s Energy Practice.  “We’re seeing companies positioning themselves now for leadership in this rapidly converging PV Smart Grid future.  This study will describe the likely evolution of PV and PV-enabling Smart Grid technologies, and the potential for new business models that will arise out of the convergence of the two.” 
 
Decision-makers from a wide range of organizations will benefit from participation in this study, including electric utilities, equipment manufacturers and installers, energy service providers and financial lenders and investors.  The study’s target launch date is late April 2008 and is expected to last approximately five-to-six months.  Navigant Consulting will host a meeting at SolarPower 2008 to review key findings and facilitate a conversation with participants.  Participants will also receive a comprehensive final report. 
 
“Our work in recent years increasingly points to the disruptive potential of the PV Smart Grid in the traditional models of electric power distribution and sales,” stated Shannon Graham, Associate Director with Navigant Consulting’s Renewable Energy Team. “Unlike ‘off-the-shelf’ research reports, this study actually provides a high level of interaction among the participants and with our professionals, along with the opportunity for participants to actually shape the focus of the study based on their specific needs.” 
 
For more details on this multi-client study or to participate, please contact Lisa Frantzis, Managing Director at 781.270.8314 or lfrantzis@navigantconsulting.com or Shannon Graham, Associate Director at 415.399.2164 or sgraham@navigantconsulting.com.