OTTAWA — The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) has completed a collaborative research study to identify, define, and size the principle business opportunities presented by the growth of smart grids in relation to intelligent buildings. CABA’s “Smart Grid Impact on Intelligent Buildings” research study estimates that the North American smart grid marketplace will reach $8 billion in revenue by 2013 and will exceed $10 billion by 2015. In 2011, the marketplace was estimated to have reached $6.6 billion.

The study found that the fastest growing components of the smart grid market are grid applications, followed by demand response and peak load management, building energy management systems, and smart meters. While building management systems are not projected to be the fastest growing segment of the market, the study notes that smart grid development will become a major driver for the development and deployment of more intelligent building technologies.

“The information and trends in CABA’s Smart Grid Impact on Intelligent Buildings research study emphasize the need for innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our power generation, transmission, and consumption capacity,” said Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA president and CEO. “Intelligent buildings are prime examples of innovative technology that will aid in the deployment of new smart grid infrastructure. CABA is pleased to have undertaken a report which provides the industry with insightful business intelligence, in order to put sound strategic decisions into action.”