Advanced Control Systems Joins Industry Leaders in NextGrid NOW Alliance

ATLANTA, GA, May 17, 2007 -- Advanced Control Systems (ACS), a leading global provider of smart grid solutions to the electric power industry, announced today that it has joined with Arcadian Networks, EnerNex Corporation, GridAgents, Horizon Energy Group LLC and UTInnovation LLC as a founding member in the NextGrid Now Alliance.

NextGrid Now will focus on the smart grid requirements of municipal and cooperative utilities.  For over 32 years ACS has delivered value through innovation to rural electric cooperatives and municipalities.

“Advanced Control Systems’ people, products, and great customer service to municipal and cooperative utilities will help us in our mission of ensuring that smaller utilities realize the system-level benefits of smart grid technology and strategy,” said Steve Pullins of NextGrid NOW.

With 30 percent of US consumers and greater than 50 percent of the electric service  across the nation, cooperative and municipal utilities have different challenges than  large investor-owned companies. Cooperatives, state and municipal utilities face significant operational challenges due to aging infrastructure and rising customer expectations.  NextGrid Now is tackling these challenges with open, flexible solutions specifically designed for municipal and cooperative utilities.
Each company in the NextGrid Now Alliance has contributed to leading smart grid projects across the country.

Advanced Control Systems president David Moore concluded, “ACS is committed to the continuing development of leading smart grid technologies.  We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with the other members of the NextGrid Now Alliance to deliver open, integrated and cost-effective solutions that will help utilities increase system reliability and improve customer satisfaction.” 

About Advanced Control Systems
Established in 1975, Advanced Control Systems (ACS), Inc. is a leading provider of smart grid solutions to the global electric power industry. The ACS software suite provides integrated distribution and outage management, simulation, optimization, and enterprise business intelligence. ACS automation product lines include a wide range of flexible and cost-effective substation, distribution, and feeder automation solutions. ACS is powering the utility of the future – today. For more information visit www.acsatlanta.com.

CONTACTS:
Advanced Control Systems Media Relations:
The McDonnell Group, Inc.
ACSPR@themcdonnellgroup.com
Tel: (404) 583-0003

ACS Sales
sales@acsatlanta.com
Tel: (800) 831-7223