A Transformative Leap
Elizabeth Cook is Vice President of Technical Strategy at Association of Edison Illuminating Companies.
The journey toward an electric grid that meets the needs of the twenty-first Century represents a transformative leap for electric utilities, driven by the urgent need for a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy infrastructure. This transition is not merely a technological upgrade but a comprehensive overhaul of utilities’ existing systems, processes, and cultures.
It necessitates a shift from traditional, centralized power systems to a dynamic, digital, and distributed energy network capable of integrating new energy sources, supporting advanced data analytics, and enhancing customer interaction.
At the core of this transformation are the utility IT systems, which have historically focused on administrative support, customer billing, and essential network management. To support Grid Mod, these systems must be significantly upgraded. The integration of advanced data analytics platforms, adoption of machine learning for predictive analytics, and the implementation of secure data storage solutions to protect against increasing cyber threats are essential to achieving operational excellence.
These technological advancements will enable utilities to manage the complex dynamics of future energy systems, including the real-time balancing of supply and demand, integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), and providing enhanced customer services.