Below are examples of how the Sierra Energy Group team provides exceptional value to our clients, including:

Entering a New Market
Established companies are always looking for new market opportunities. SEG's offerings - from off-the-shelf reports to proprietary research programs - provide strategic advisement and direction for companies looking for growth in their business via an entry into new market segments or the launch of new products and services.

Assessing Technology
With the ever-growing complexity of the technologies that exist to solve utility business problems, SEG provides objective assessments to technology solutions for both the vendor and utility communities. This includes assessing vendor technology solutions for how well they are aligned with current and future market needs to arranging for partnerships or mergers to assisting utilities in their quest for best-of-breed or integrated technology solutions.

Identifying Market
Opportunities
While there are a number of outlets that offer a strategic view of the market, SEG takes this one step further by "drilling down" into the enterprise solutions and T&D automation markets and providing detailed information on market activity, enabling solution providers to focus their business development activities on real market activity.

Industry News Itron and Elster Announce Second Meter Source for OpenWay Elster announced today that the two companies have executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate Itron's OpenWay advanced communications platform with Elster's REX2(TM) and A3 ALPHA(R) meters. Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A., 22 July, 2008 (News Release) 500 kV Bradley Substation Now in Service On April 28, the automation and protection world took a giant step forward when Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) inaugurated its Bradley Substation. The event heralds the first IEC 61850-compliant substation where all of the available features promised by the communications standard were implemented and proved to work in a 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission substation. RALEIGH, N.C., July 22, 2008 (News Release) Status and Outlook: New Rules of the California Climate Regime Large-scale mandatory climate control regimes are on the verge of being implemented in California, soon to be followed across much of the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. July 22, 2008 (News Release)

Sierra Energy Group (SEG) is the research and analysis division of Energy Central, the leading provider of information and media services to the global power industry.

SEG was formed in March 2005 with acquisition of a 10-year-old independent research firm, and the bringing together of the Group's two principals, Mike Smith and Warren B. Causey, who together have nearly 50 years of experience in utility IT and automation research and analysis. SEG provides a variety of off-the-shelf reports, programs and proprietary research solutions to clients who are active along the business and technology interface of the utility industry. The group's practice encompasses three main business areas:

Enterprise Solutions: As utilities continue implementing systems for management of customer and work processes, the need for integrated solutions providing business intelligence evolves. SEG analysts provide a range of research solutions addressing this fast-moving marketplace for vendor and utility audiences.

Transmission & Distribution Automation: The aging T&D infrastructure demands that utilities implement different types of control and communication systems to ensure that they get maximum operational and customer value from these massive infrastructure investments. SEG staff has a range of tactical and proprietary research solutions addressing this demanding marketplace.

Business & Workforce Issues: Utilities face a myriad of challenges going beyond a "simple" technology solution. From aging workforces to increased regulation to ever-increasing budget scrutiny, SEG staff maintains on-going research efforts providing research-based support for client initiatives addressing these complex business and workforce issues.

Tying it All Together
SEG is the only utility research firm connected to a leading global media provider. This unique combination enables SEG to provide both stand-alone research solutions as well as solutions enabling clients to develop and deliver their solutions to the market via Energy Central's many online and print content and marketing channels.

Sierra Energy Group clients include companies ranging from global Fortune 500 market leaders to niche solution providers. Contact your Energy Central Account Executive or SEG directly for more information.