Utilities Tech Outlook Weekly Brief
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Utilities Tech Outlook
With ample funding for infrastructure improvements and broad consumer support for projects that address the challenges of an ageing power delivery infrastructure, the stage is set for the rapid evolution of the power distribution grid.
FREMONT, CA: Undergrounding cables, replacing faulty components, managing vegetation, and giving modernization projects priority can all contribute to a stronger grid. Currently, utilities use energy management systems and supervisory control and data acquisition systems to collect data from the network, but the data is uploaded and processed too slowly. A more effective grid must have real-time data. Utility companies lack the visibility and control necessary to meet rising demand without it. With it, utilities may set priorities for modernization initiatives and provide the groundwork for operations in the future. Utilities will prioritise acquiring access to real-time data at the network's outermost limits in 2022. The distribution grid's line sensors will offer useful information on power consumption trends, line disturbances, and grid stability. This knowledge will be put to use to further enhance the grid.
Because they force the grid to respond to demand spikes and bidirectional power flow, changes at the grid edge caused by renewable energy and electronic vehicles necessitate greater visibility and control by operators. The distribution grid is at least 25 years old in about 70 per cent of its total area. In response to the need for renewable energy, grid-connected rooftop solar climbed by 19 per cent and is expected to keep growing. Several cutting-edge businesses are introducing rooftop wind turbines to the network. The grid must accommodate bidirectional power flow as a result of these new energy sources at the edge, which may have an impact on stability and voltage quality. Electrical vehicle (EV) charging is already creating surges in demand that make it difficult for the grid to operate efficiently. As EVs become more common, this problem will only become worse. Utilities' attention in 2022 will be on grid resilience and dependability in the face of changes at the grid edge. These businesses prioritise data-driven insights as they try to guarantee quality and dependability. Utilities will deploy more sensors and advanced analytics to collect and analyse grid data to avoid disruptions and outages.
By monitoring and examining the specifics of power distribution and consumption, data collecting and analysis advancements are assisting utilities in being more effective by offering insights and visibility needed to reduce downtime. Utilities can utilise data to detect breakdowns and proactively solve issues before they arise by monitoring the distribution network's status in real-time. To improve efficiency and reliability in their power distribution plans, utilities will employ data in 2022. The power sector is particularly vulnerable to cyber threats as it depends more on data to function effectively. Technologists are bringing more intelligent multilayer security techniques to the utility industry, just like they are doing in almost every other sector of the economy. Utility companies will make grid security one of their top priorities in 2022. They will collaborate with technology suppliers to create and implement significant improvements to the computer and communication infrastructure that will improve situational awareness, allow fine-grained access to and management of every grid component, and streamline operational procedures.
Forward-thinking utilities will put in place extensive education and reskilling initiatives in 2022 to assist their current employees in meeting the difficulties of the current power business. To enhance their capacity to function in a data-driven world, they'll also hire a lot more data scientists, analysts, and digital techs.
