By Randy Cough, Sr. Director of Grid Modernization

Every utility is keenly aware of the need to modernize the distribution grid. They’re faced daily with multiple grid challenges that impact safety, reliability, and efficient grid operations. Among these key challenges are aging infrastructure, unprecedented demand, the wide adoption of electric vehicles, smart buildings and cities, solar power which creates bi-directional power flows, and changing power purchasing dynamics. Beyond all of that, grid security is of national interest as cyberterrorists target critical infrastructure around the globe.  

The nature of power delivery is rapidly changing, and the challenges are becoming more complex. In my experience, there are two key roles at every utility that are essential to keeping the distribution grid safe and operational. They are also at the heart of grid modernization. Today’s operations directors and planning directors not only keep the lights on but do so while undertaking critical grid modernization initiatives. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the responsibility for success has never been more urgent.  

The operations director is at the front line of the grid. This critical person oversees all of the real-time operations of monitoring and managing the distribution grid through any condition including extreme weather and wildfire risk. Operations directors have day-to-day oversight of the functioning of the entire grid. They not only ensure efficient use of resources, equipment, and staff, but also maintain reliable grid operations through maintenance, repairs, and modernization activities.

The second critical utility team member is the planning director. Planning for new neighborhoods, large building construction, maintenance and replacement of older grid components, or upgrading the grid is a complicated and essential role within the utility. Capacity planning and maintaining new levels of grid security and reliability amid power demand increases and changing use patterns requires intimate understanding of grid functionality. Moreover, the ability to model future operations using historical and real-time data, analytics, and models requires a deep understanding of grid operations. Planners must envision a modern grid that’s capable of flexing to meet the dynamic nature of growing communities and industries–and they must assess and minimize any threats to safe and reliable service.  

In my technical solutions role, I work closely with both grid operations and planning directors, helping them to initiate successful grid modernization initiatives. With our utility partners, we focus on five general pillars of modernization. Critical to the success of each of these pillars is the gathering, analyzing, and modeling of system data. 

Success in this pillar requires historical, real-time, and predictive data. Data and analytics underpin most decisions in grid management, but an accurate model of future grid operations, based on past, current and projected demand, is essential for the prioritization of grid modernization investments.  

Data from intelligent line sensors allows utilities to identify current limitations of grid assets—to the edge, and model future weak points. Today’s electrical infrastructure is aging with many components having been in service for 25-50+ years. Not only has technology advanced dramatically, but power use profiles have changed while demand has increased. Grid modernization needs and priorities are more effectively determined when they are based upon system data and analytics. Modernization projects are best modeled and analyzed through data, enabling smarter, more strategic cost/benefit decisions.