By PR-Tech (Portland, Or.)
When you think of staid, traditional industries, utilities might be the first that comes to mind. After all, power poles and lines have been part of the landscape in a similar format for decades. But there’s a dichotomy in utilities: while much of its existing equipment faces aging issues, there are other parts of the infrastructure that are extremely tech-forward. Here are some of the ways that electrical technology has evolved to be a key part of the technological disruption of the 21st century.
Electrical Technology Advance 1: Smart Grid
Smartphones, smart TVs, smart cars. Consumer products have been re-imagining themselves to adapt to the trend, but utilities have also been early adopters of the “internet of things” (IoT), and its potential to control the grid remotely.
The “Smart Grid” refers to the capability of using two-way communication between a utility and its customers. One of the most widely accepted advances in the smart grid ecosystem are smart meters, which promote decreased energy consumption and easier, more accurate monitoring, as well as an increased range of billing options and greater transparency for enhanced customer satisfaction.
In addition, this technology allows utilities to use sensors and analytics to help anticipate—and thus prevent—network issues. Smart meter data also helps identify the highest priority outages which mean crews can be deployed to locations where they are needed most to get power flowing as quickly as possible.
The use of smart meters has grown steadily since their introduction around 2011, and are now estimated to cover more than 75% of U.S. households. The Edison Foundation reports that 58 investor-owned electric companies have fully deployed smart meters. While many others are actively increasing their use.
Utilities know that the costs of generating and delivering electricity are steadily growing and are not sustainable. Demand is rising and with that comes the need to update and repair the existing infrastructure. For that reason alone, the Smart Grid can help in managing capital outlays.
Modernizing the grid will provide positive outcomes for both utilities and customers. According to Smart Grid.gov, benefits associated with the Smart Grid include:
- More efficient transmission of electricity
- Quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances
- Reduced operations and management costs for utilities, and ultimately lower power costs for consumers
- Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower electricity rates
- Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems
- Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable energy systems
- Improved security
While the Smart Grid is a global trend, Smart Energy International points out that the United States and Western Europe are leaders in terms of investments and deployment of smart grid infrastructures. “Rollouts in these regions have been driven in part because of available financial resources but also owing to public policy and private utility decisions.”
The smart grid market is expected to escalate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.76%. to an estimated market size of $92,107 billion in 2026.
One key contributor to electrical outages is our aging infrastructure. It was partly blamed for the 2021 Texas freeze to many of California’s wildfires. The smart grid is anticipated to usher in a new wave of efficiency and reliability.
Electrical Technology Advance 2: Renewables
Gas, oil, and coal have historically been the main generators of electricity. But increasingly utilities are turning to renewable resources. Wind and solar are growing fast due to their properties which make power a cheaper, cleaner, and safer alternative. In fact, a recent study by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory led President Joseph Biden to proclaim that solar power could provide nearly half of the United States’ electricity—up from a current 3%–by 2050. According to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, solar power is “our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy.”
They see it as a key way to limit greenhouse gas emissions, which can help reduce air pollution. It can also serve as a strategy to diversify energy supplies and reduce our dependence on imported fuels. In addition, wind and solar generation don’t have variable costs, the same way that fossil fuels do. While many utilities have large infrastructure that is developed around centralized transmission and distribution networks, they are looking toward the future and how they can compete as renewable energy becomes more popular.
Many utilities are making it easy for their customers to buy this “green power” or “clean power” directly from them. Energy.gov estimates that at least half of U.S customers are currently able to purchase renewable electricity directly from their regular power supplier. Otherwise consumers can purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from outside suppliers.
Many utilities are finding their ability to sell clean power as a market differentiator. Some states are now allowing competition among electricity generators. While green energy can cost slightly more, consumers believe it reflects their environmental values. They are increasingly willing to shoulder the cost—as well as feeling comfortable to push utilities in that direction.
Wind farms and solar panel projects are cropping up in many regions—anywhere that the weather patterns are most conducive to harnessing this type of energy. The American Clean Power Association (ACP) reports 13% more clean power capacity commission in the second quarter of 2021 than the second quarter of 2020. The 56 new projects across 27 states included wind projects, utility-scale solar projects, energy storage projects and solar-storage hybrid projects. “This market report shows the record growth across the renewable energy sector. With a record pace of installations in the first half of 2021 our industry not only provides good-paying jobs but also is a key part of solving the climate crisis,” said Heather Zichal, ACP CEO.
An increase in energy storage is also helping drive growth in this area. As consulting firm Deloitte says is its 2021 renewable energy industry outlook, “Energy storage is becoming one of the fastest-growing asset classes in the energy industry. Falling costs and maturing technology are making use cases for storage more economical. This could enable storage to provide multiple functions, from ancillary grid services to on-demand power.”
Electrical Technology Advance 3: Safety
Power line maintenance can be a dangerous job and training for it can be difficult. After all, how do you help new workers learn their way around high-voltage equipment without subjecting them to danger? Or how do you simulate climbing a pole or fixing a wire in a blustery storm? To bring employees into those real-life environments under the guise of “training” would be unacceptably risky. Instead, old-school training centered on videos and classroom sessions, which couldn’t possibly prepare workers for the actual situation.
Enter virtual reality (VR) technology, which allows utilities to train and educate its employees in an immersive and realistic environment via a VR headset that can imitate real-world conditions to help workers respond better in challenging situations.
According to “Future Power Technology,” the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is working with major utilities, like Duke Energy, Consolidated Edison, EDF and Korea Electric Power Corporation, to see how VR can help better prepare the industry’s workforce. California utility PG&E aims to teach workers how to examine equipment with less risk of injury.
Of course, this simulated training must be supplemented with conventional training that includes classroom sessions and on-the-job experiences. But VR is emerging as an exciting way to train workers more safely and thoroughly.
Another important electrical technology tool in the area of safety is remote surveying. In fact, utilities have begun to embrace drones for surveying, which can make the activity safer and more cost-effective. These tasks were once done by costly helicopters or additional staff.
Drones can conduct surveying more safely and efficiently as they can easily access remote areas and cover larger distances quickly. P&R Tech is also working with utilities to use drones to help with the installation of warning flags and bird diverters. With less need for manual fixers, they can add markers more easily, which leads to safer and more effective equipment.
Electrical Technology Advance 4: Data and Analytics
With the growth of “smart” capabilities, comes a massive amount of data that utilities will gain access to. Derived from smart meters, smart grids, and eventually other sources like vehicles and homes. But that data is only as valuable as a utility’s ability to collect it, then sift through it and analyze it to gain actionable insights. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) come in.
When parsed correctly, it gathers important information about how and when consumers use electricity. Tracking consumption patterns can help utilities maximize their service to customers. They have already begun incentivizing customers to use less electricity during peak hours. Spreading out demand can make utilities more reliable and sustainable.
One promising development is sensors and AI that can help distribute and conserve energy in what’s known as a “bidirectional” model that can help better match energy supply with demand. According to business publication Morning Brew, “Iterations of the concept already exist across the country in cities like New York and Los Angeles, where utilities can use smart meters to monitor energy consumption and allow customers to sell surplus energy back to the grid if they so choose.”
ML also plays a role in helping detect weaknesses in the grid, allowing for proactive fixes before outages occur. Using ML to track weather patterns also helps utilities plan for future events and minimize their effects.
Electrical Technology Advance 5: Advanced Sensor Technology (PR-Tech Power Line Sensors)
While P&R Tech is a leader in helping utilities, environmental regulators and other government officials with their power line marker needs, they are constantly innovating to find new ways to solve an ingrained problem, whether via drones or power line sensors. And, they understand the other electrical technology that utilities deploy to make their operation safer and more efficient. If you have questions about how technology can help with safety or efficiency, contact P&R Technologies today.
