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Thermal vision cameras, fixed or attached to drones, can track transmission and distribution lines, substation equipment, and other assets to detect temperature fluctuations that could signify operational anomalies, safety issues, and safety hazards.
Fremont, CA: Electric utilities with a modernized grid can utilize Edge computing technologies to process, analyze, and gain insights from a continuous stream of data from connected devices. These insights allow utilities to control and track a wide range of their activities at a far higher granularity level than in the past, clearing the path to new data-driven use cases.
Here are five benefits of edge innovations:
Remote inspections
With computer vision solutions, electrical providers can remotely inspect structures, installations, and grids via fixed, drone, and aerial cameras. Also, with intelligent Edge solutions, utilities can simultaneously run algorithms to evaluate and rate the assets' status inspected, assessing areas that require urgent attention.
Safety and Security
With Edge analytics, connected devices make quicker choices to cause danger warnings that warn grid operators to take action, such as identifying hazards during compulsory fire monitoring procedures at nuclear power plants or identifying hotspots at power generation plants.
Similarly, cyber protection at the Edge will defend against malicious cyberattacks, becoming more frequent and more severe. Edge protection is crucial to reducing the possibility of unauthorized activity on the network.
Predictive Maintenance
With the abilities of Edge and IoT solutions, utilities can track equipment data to enhance predictive maintenance, prevent destructive outages, and minimize expensive customer and regulatory penalties. The result of this predictive maintenance is beneficial.
Modern Grid Platforms
Grid modernization calls for stable industry-standard servers on the Edge and standard platforms in the core data center. Essential to this OT/IT integration, there is a single standard software interface that simplifies and removes complexities.
Supply and Demand Forecasting
Total renewable energy capacity is expected to increase by 50 percent between 2019 and 2024. This inflow of energy from intermittent power sources increases the need for Edge and IoT solutions that provide operators with real-time insights required to balance supply and demand. Streaming analytics at the Edge lets utilities track electricity production and usage, handle peak demand more efficiently, and take decisive action when necessary.
