4 Smart Grid Stocks for the Obama Stimulus Package

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how a new Obama administration would renew with Keynesianism (i.e. large-scale counter-cyclical infrastructure spending) but with a green twist to: (a) get the U.S. economy out of its funk and (b) propel America into the 21st Century by providing a massive push for its green industries.

I discussed certain rail stocks and electric grid stocks that could benefit as a result. By-and-large, I've been right on both counts about the President-elect's strategy (i.e. Keynesian and green), but I did forget to mention an important part of the plan's focus: energy efficiency and the smart grid. Tom Konrad did discuss energy efficiency.

The smart grid, however, is increasingly being thrown around as a priority of the Obama plan insofar as the transmission system is concerned. It's thus not just about expanding transmission capacity but also about making the transmission infrastructure smarter and more efficient.

Stocks for the Smart Grid Build-out

I'm therefore adding to my two previous lists some potential plays on large-scale smart grid expenditures.

EnerNOC (ENOC). EnerNOC designs, among other things, demand response solutions for grid operators and utilities. The company is earning-less at the moment.

Itron (ITRI). This company is a leading maker of smart meters, the key tool on the consumer end of a smart grid. ITRI is a stock that I've found richly-priced for as long as I've followed the alt energy sector, and at a trailing PE of about 70x, I continue to find it very expensive.

Comverge (COMV). Comverge also makes smart meters and works with utilities to design smart grid solutions revolving around demand response. It's EnerNOC's direct competitor. The company is also earning-less.

RuggedCom (RUGGF.PK). RuggedCom, as its name indicates, designs communication applications for rugged environments such as electric utility substations. That communication equipment embedded at various points of the grid is also critical in building a smart transmission and distribution system. This is a company that already makes money and trades at a reasonable PE of around 17x (reasonable given this sector's growth potential).

DISCLOSURE: Charles Morand does not have a position in any of the securities discussed above.

Comments

[Altiminister:]

SMART GRID----AES HAS DISCOVERED GRID BATTERY FOR
BALANCING LOAD REQUIREMENTS --TESTED BY KEMA 6 MOS. AGO..EXCELLENT RESULTS. WILL ALSO BE USED FOR WIND AND SOLAR FARMS FOR STORAGE. PERFECT SCORE
FOR FREQ. FLUCTUATIONS. MFG. IN RENO,NE BY SMALL CO.,
ALTAIRNANO TECHNOLOGIES (ALTI).

2008 Dec 19 10:23 AM

[wolf411:]

For Canadians interested in RuggedCom.... It trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange as RCM. Website is www.ruggedcom.com/abou... .

2008 Dec 19 06:46 PM

[granger:]

AXTG has been a spec holding of mine. May finely be getting a new listing. Interesting harvesting and sell back technology in their new product. Worth a look.

Thanks for the ideas. I enjoyed the article.

2008 Dec 21 03:12 AM

[Mad Hedge F...:]

Here's another one. For those out there still looking for a “smart grid” play, take a look at Quanta Services (PWR). The Houston based company offers design, construction, and maintenance of power infrastructure networks. At a 17 multiple of next year’s earnings it is not cheap, and the shares have already posted a double since the March 9 low, so the action is definitely there. But when the full force of Obama’s stimulus plan hits, the 30% earnings growth that is the current consensus forecast may look a tad low. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already announced $10 billion in programs, and “smart grids” are one of the few places in the energy space where the government can spend money and generate an immediate result. Up to 10% of America’s electric power supply is thought to be lost through resistance from decrepit power lines and inefficient distribution. That works out to a lot of tankers from the Middle East or train loads of coal from Appalachia. Never underestimate the power of a buzz word to boost earnings. Buy on the inevitable dip.

Apr 22 11:20 AM