IBM global energy and utilities general manager, Guido Bartels, said the Intelligent Network will transform the way power is delivered, managed and used - in Australia and around the world.
Bartels said IBM has tapped its wide range of energy industry business consultants and technology experts to develop an Intelligent Network blueprint in close collaboration with Country Energy.
The two companies, he said, will also work together on the design and build of the Intelligent Network research and education centre, including vendor evaluation and solution design.
The development of an Australian Intelligent Network builds on more than two years research and development work by Country Energy, including an Australian-first trial of smart metering and dynamic pricing, and the deployment of a 'broadband over powerline' solution.
Christine Richards, an analyst with Energy Insights, and IDC company, said climate change and regulatory requirements in the utility industry are driving increased investment in energy and information technologies, including the Intelligent Grid.
"Throughout 2008, we expect to see utilities -- like Country Energy -- investing in technologies to enable better grid efficiency, greater integration of renewable energy sources, and improved reaction time to events," Richards said.
Country Energy is Australia's sole representative in the Intelligent Utility Network Coalition. Other members include CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s electric transmission and distribution subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and Washington DC-based Pepco Holdings, Inc..
Utilities and related companies based in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific are expected to join the Coalition in the next few months.
Country Energy owns and operates Australia's largest energy supply network across 95 per cent of New South Wales - a state bigger than Texas, and employs around 4,000 people serving more than 870,000 customers.
Managing around 195,000 kilometres of powerlines, 1.4 million power poles, 113,000 distribution substations and 120,000 street lights, Country Energy is owned by the NSW government.