Why are Proactive Asset Management Concerns, and Increasing O&M Costs a problem?
In 2022, I have seen more Asset Management-related webinars presented by solution providers than I can ever recall; at least during the last 10 years.
Clearly, the combination of Aging Infrastructure, previously unplanned DER, previously unplanned residential EV charging stations, previously unplanned Cryptocurrency mining, and previously unplanned residential-level legal/illegal marijuana grow ops and meth labs has collectively present real grid-edge issues. Couple that with the now planned DER, residential EV charging stations, etc and a REAL concern is indeed upon us.
Logically, it stands to reason that distribution transformers that were sized and deployed 20-40 years ago were not then envisioned to now be dealing with these substantial grid-edge load burden impacts. Nor were the then-deployed transformers envisioned to be dealing with voltage impacts associated with today’s PV (DER) penetration, as is now the case; and is undeniably increasing via people’s wishes, government funded-support, Regulator-supported projects, etc.
We now live in a world where accurate data is the lifeblood of most things. Data drives our decisions, actions, planning, etc. Accurate data is mandatory if we are going to do the right things; inaccurate data is worthless, or worse (aka, causing us to spend time and money on the wrong issues).
While it might appear ‘new’ that proactive Asset Management is coming of age, the GREAT NEWS is that solutions for this critical need are NOT ‘new’.
Advanced Transformer Infrastructure (ATI) technology has been in the marketplace for 10 years. It is a time-proven and field-proven technology. ATI technology is reliable; it provides accurate data, it provides granular data, it provides timely data, it provides novel data. Therefore, it provides proactive data insights for utility operators.
ATI is how Asset Management folks gain accurate, proactive intra-grid conditions awareness, and proactive existing distribution asset visibility. And therefore are empowered to make good decisions.
If Reliability is important, then ATI is a time-proven, field-proven, cost-effective solution. If the endless adding of DER and residential EV charging stations causes an O&M budget concern, then ATI is a time-proven, field-proven, cost-effective solution.
The industry does not have to wait for an effective, proactive Asset Management solution to emerge.
The industry does not have to live with inaccurate info coming from algorithms and/or AMI data due to inaccurate GIS mapping data bases. The industry does not have to endure increasingly painful O&M cost burdens due to increasing grid-edge burdens being introduced onto our already aging infrastructure.
The industry does not have to undertake Trials and Pilots to ‘test’ ATI. That important and necessary step has already been done. ATI has already proven itself with flying colors.
If proactive Asset Management is coming of age; if escalating O&M costs associated with distribution grid asset failures, outages, etc is bearing down hard on the industry, then Advanced Transformer Infrastructure (ATI) is already proven and postured to deliver important help, and relief to the industry.
We can discuss, debate, investigate, test, trial, pilot, contemplate, evaluate, postulate, etc forever.
Or, we can proactively take action NOW to address the real-life, unfolding, grid evolving issues by simply adopting and deploying an already time-proven, field-proven ATI technology.
If the espoused concerns about Proactive Asset Management, Reliability, and rising O&M costs are real, then we can take action NOW.
Securing novel, accurate, timely, granular data from within the grid…right where the actual issues, challenges and problems are unfolding…is THE answer. The cost-effective solution is available.
ATI presents a valuable CapEx solution; solving our grid-edge problems while simultaneously driving revenue growth for our utility operators. That’s a win-win opportunity just waiting to be embraced by our industry.
Seriously…what ARE we waiting for? Why are we expressing endless concern and undergoing endless discussion about an undeniably developing “unknown” fear, when a known solution is already available?
Advanced Transformer Infrastructure (ATI) will directly and/or indirectly address our DER impact concerns, our residential EV charging station concerns, our Reliability concerns, our increasing O&M cost concerns, and our ongoing NetZero goals; all while facilitating beneficial revenue growth for our valued utility operators.
ATI provides the industry (and customers) with a Win-Win outcome. Let’s go solve problems, now!