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Energy & Grid Management
Jessie Peters
Jessie Peters
 · Posted in Energy & Grid Management

Uncovering the Invisible: Closing the Visibility Gap in the Power Utility Sector

As the global energy transition accelerates, utilities are racing to modernize their infrastructure, integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), and meet the evolving needs of consumers. Yet many utilities face a fundamental challenge that hinders progress: They simply can’t see what’s happening across large swaths of their low-voltage (LV) networks in real time.

This lack of visibility—the visibility gap—is a quiet but critical roadblock. Without detailed, real-time insight into voltage, phase balancing, and transformer loading at the distribution edge, utilities are often left reacting to problems after they occur. It’s an unsustainable model in an era defined by rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and bidirectional energy flows.

And in a landscape where unexpected outages are becoming too common, from the Iberian Peninsula to Puerto Rico to New Orleans, customers are growing increasingly impatient. Fortunately, forward-thinking utilities are beginning to address this challenge head-on—by making the invisible visible.

 

The Visibility Gap: A Barrier to Proactive Grid Operations

Traditionally, utilities have relied on SCADA systems to monitor substations and medium-voltage feeders. They utilize AMI to collect data at the customer’s meter. But between these two endpoints lies a critical blind spot. Even with advanced AMI deployments, data remains delayed and limited in scope — leaving utilities with incomplete situational awareness across the LV distribution network.

This data lag leaves utilities operating in a reactive posture. Problems such as transformer overloads, phase imbalances, and voltage excursions often go undetected until customers complain or equipment fails. And when it comes to integrating new loads—like EV chargers or rooftop solar—utilities struggle to assess hosting capacity or forecast grid constraints.

The visibility gap not only hampers operations but also inflates capital costs. In the absence of real-time data, utilities often overbuild or over-upgrade infrastructure as a hedge against uncertainty.

 

From Reactive to Proactive: The Power of Real-Time LV Monitoring

The answer lies in closing this gap with real-time LV visibility—specifically, by monitoring transformer-level conditions and delivering granular, actionable data to utility operations teams.

Edge Zero works with utilities to implement cost-effective LV monitoring solutions that provide continuous insights into grid performance. These systems enable dynamic load management, early fault detection, and improved integration of DERs.

By transitioning from a reactive to a proactive operating model, utilities can use real time data to:

  • Detect and address voltage violations or phase imbalances before they escalate
  • Maximize use of existing infrastructure by understanding real-time capacity limits
  • Prioritize investments based on actual needs rather than assumptions

 

Visibility as a Foundation for Measurable Success

The benefits of real-time visibility go beyond troubleshooting. They establish a data-driven foundation for defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the energy transition.

For example:

  • Voltage stability metrics can help measure power quality improvements.
  • Transformer loading patterns provide insights into asset utilization and life extension.
  • DER hosting capacity metrics support equitable access for customers installing solar or storage.

Armed with this information, utilities can make smarter operational decisions, justify investments to regulators, and build public trust through improved transparency.

 

Case Study Spotlights: Turning Visibility into Value

Endeavour’s Future Grid – Laying the Groundwork for the DSO Transition

Endeavour Energy deployed Edge Zero’s platform across the distribution network to support its Regulatory Proposal for 2024–2029. The utility’s aim: evolve into a Distribution System Operator (DSO) capable of managing dynamic DER behavior.

By targeting LV monitoring for 1 in 3 pole-top transformers (about 1 per 75 end customers), Endeavour built foundational data infrastructure to enable dynamic operating envelopes, defer capital expenditure, and optimize DER hosting.

The investment paid off. The project is forecast to generate a net present value (NPV) of $55.9 million AUD over the current regulatory period and set the stage for long-term improvements in reliability, voltage management, and regulatory alignment.

 

Vermont Electric Cooperative – Rural Visibility That Prevents Outages

In rural Vermont, the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) piloted Edge Zero’s platform to gain visibility into its circuits. Within a month of deployment, the utility identified and resolved two critical issues:

  • A faulty transformer causing high voltage, which was corrected before an outage occurred. Four members were fed by the transformer, and all would have experienced an extended outage.
  • A phase imbalance disrupting a wastewater treatment plant member’s equipment, which was diagnosed and stabilized
  • End of line voltage visibility for feeder backup, allowing for real world visibility instead of relying on a engineering model that is run on an annual basis.

These early wins demonstrated the power of visibility—not just for solar integration or long-term planning, but for day-to-day reliability in rural contexts where outages can be costly and difficult to resolve.

 

SA Power Networks – Enabling World-Leading Rooftop Solar Uptake

South Australia leads the world in residential solar PV adoption, with over 40% of homes equipped with rooftop systems. SA Power Networks (SAPN) faced a unique challenge: how to maintain grid reliability amid rapid DER growth while overcoming the limitations of temporary, seasonal transformer monitoring. These ad hoc methods proved inefficient—especially during summer peaks, when accurate forecasting was most critical.

In partnership with Edge Zero, SAPN deployed continuous monitoring across 1,500 LV transformer sites. This shift allowed the utility to forecast load growth more accurately, reduce field crew dispatches, and avoid costly guesswork in network planning. The result: an estimated $5.3 million AUD in OpEx savings over five years and an NPV of $4.23 million AUD over the asset lifecycle. More importantly, SAPN’s improved data accuracy and availability now support proactive investment, improved customer service, and a more resilient grid for the solar-powered future.

 

Conclusion: From Visibility to Resilience

The utilities highlighted here show what’s possible when grid visibility becomes a strategic priority. Whether avoiding unnecessary capital costs, enhancing reliability, or enabling DER participation, real-time LV monitoring provides a tangible foundation for the grid of the future.

At Edge Zero, we believe the energy transition must be built on a deep, dynamic understanding of the grid’s most granular behaviors. Visibility is not a luxury—it’s a prerequisite for resilience, equity, and innovation. These principles are further highlighted in recent conversations Endeavour and its clients have had with Energy Central, highlighting at DistribuTECH 2025 how Edge Zero and Australian utilities have created the roadmap for other power companies adapting to DER growth.

By uncovering the invisible, utilities can finally stop reacting—and start leading.

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