Editor in chief
TERESA HANSEN
We changed our name! It was a bold move, but the editors, Publisher Michael Grossman and I know it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
When established in 1995, Utility Automation magazine covered automation, control and IT systems for electric, gas and water utilities. Through the years, we expanded the magazine’s coverage to include SCADA, distribution automation, automatic meter reading and more.
The magazine further broadened its coverage in 2003 to include everything T&D related—from generating plant switchyards to customers’ meters. That’s also the year PennWell expanded the magazine’s name to Utility Automation & Engineering T&D, reflecting the expanded coverage.
Since then, we’ve continued to change the magazine to ensure it covers the latest trends and technologies in electric power delivery, from equipment inside power plant control rooms to devices inside homes. Even before the term smart grid was coined, we were covering it. The name POWERGRID better reflects the magazine’s content, as well as the industry’s latest terminology. And although the magazine has always included some international content, we plan to add more in coming months; therefore, we think it’s appropriate for International to be a part of the new name. Advanced technology is making the world seem smaller, and it’s important for us to make sure you’re informed about the latest happenings in North America and throughout the world.
The staff is excited about the name change, and we think it will allow the magazine to remain a leading publication in the industry’s power delivery sector—something it’s been since it first launched nearly 15 years ago.
The name change is not our only recent change. We’ve redesigned our Web site. If you haven’t visited the site in a few weeks, you need to do so. The magazine’s editors and PennWell’s digital media group worked hard for several months on this new site, which went live in mid-August. We’re continuing to improve it every day. We’re proud of it, and users will find it easier to navigate and full of good content. The new site features topic centers across multiple areas, including metering, smart grid, energy efficiency and demand response, T&D, customer service and renewables. I hope you’ll visit the site and become familiar with it. While our existing Web address will continue to work for you, we’ve added a new Web site address to reflect our new name: http://power-grid.com.
The industry is changing fast, and we’re changing with it to provide you with the most up-to-date information available in print and digital media. We’re happy with our new name and re-designed Web site, but it’s more important to us that you’re happy with the results. Please let me know what you think.
