As the utility industry moves deeper into the energy transition and its many challenges, the electric grid continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. With this evolution comes increasing complexity and difficulty in modeling new grid assets, which frequently include assets at the customer premise. This is further complicated by delays and inaccuracies in network data that impedes timely and accurate network modeling, which is made even more challenging when managing data across multiple legacy systems.Â
The way forward in this demanding environment is one that transforms traditional processes into a modern approach by:Â
Enabling spatially based work executionÂ
Extending the network model to the field
Giving field teams user-friendly smart forms for easy data updates
Sharing digital field updates across the organization in real-time
Using AI photo capture to validate and automate processes
At the core of meeting the needs in this demanding environment is an improvement of the field crew efficiency and effectiveness in a spatially-based work environment. Field crews need to be empowered and equipped to provide accurate and timely data that supports not only the work they are doing in the field, but also mission-critical systems like ADMS, DERMS, and EAM.
Key to making these field crew improvements is seamless access to the network model combined with configurable workflows for enhanced work execution in the field. This is a leap forward from traditional approaches that often involve fragmented systems and manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and data discrepancies that hinder field teams' ability to perform tasks effectively.
With these challenges and opportunities in the field in view, Adrian McNulty, Vice President of Utility Solutions at geospatial network management solutions provider IQGeo adds that, “this is an interesting time for electric utility distribution systems and the crews that help keep the lights on. On the one hand, network models are more complicated now than they have ever been; on the other hand, data, AI, and spatially-enabled systems technology have evolved to where we are seeing some really compelling opportunities to take a leap forward.”
One example of these opportunities that McNulty cites is the convergence of work management tools and spatially enabled network models. He adds that, “putting these types of tools in the hands of field crews not only makes these critical workers more effective, but ensures that the data from the results of their efforts in the field can support key applications that ensure reliable and safe operation of the grid.”
A Leap Forward for the Boots on the Ground
Utility field crews are “on point” when it comes to keeping the lights on, and doing this as efficiently as possible while maintaining or improving accuracy is no small task. One example where this is happening is at WAPA (the Western Area Power Administration). WAPA field crews have over 100,000 structures that need to be maintained. From maintaining the electrical system through routine inspections and implementing preventative measures to identifying defective devices and testing equipment like voltage regulators and transformers, this is no small task.
Due to technology that had become obsolete, WAPA field crews and O&M leadership partnered with their IT staff and leadership to take a much-needed next step in improving their field crew efficiency and effectiveness with spatially-enabled work execution. The scale of WAPA’s operations matter here: the WAPA team conducts ground and aerial patrols of those 100,000 structures along their 17,000+ miles of transmission lines across their 15-state service territory.
To make the needed improvements and support their field crews with seamless access to the network model with configurable workflows the WAPA team landed on the solution from IQGeo. In looking at the scope of this IQGeo implementation, two benefits stand out. The first is efficiency. The solution is deployed in the cloud, so crews have 24/7 access to the solution and the necessary asset and spatial data, and the latency issues with the previous solution are a thing of the past. The speed of entering data in the field has also been improved with fewer clicks and less manual data entry. As one of the project leaders commented, this “…is a big deal. We’re exponentially reducing the time it takes to do each inspection, and talking about over 100,000 structures, it adds up.”
As second feature of note uses technology similar to geofencing to automatically pull up asset info as a crew gets physically close to the asset. When the crew hits the ground, their data with the application is already loaded and ready for their inspection and maintenance operations. As one WAPA lineman noted, “…it shows all of the data we have for that particular structure. We used to have to enter that type of information manually.” The data that is pulled up includes previous rating and deficiency details so the crews can focus their efforts on areas where the inspection and possible repair or replacement needs are most acute.
Looking at the strategic value to this solution, Kevin Howard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at WAPA noted that the IQGeo solution “…enables us to more effectively monitor the health of our transmission system and efficiently react to condition issues while continuing to maintain the high level of reliability we have always achieved.”
Developing the Field Crew Experience of the Future
Field inspection and maintenance operations are rapidly evolving to take advantage of new technologies like using drones and AI for inspections and vegetation management. These new technologies can help make the field crews more effective, creating more time for fixing problems or even moving to the reliability and maintenance promised land of spatially-enabled predictive operations.Â
These advanced capabilities can include using AI to detect problems from imagery from different sources (drones, fixed wing, etc.) or, taking this a step farther, comparing images of the same asset over time to assess wear and tear over time. This also creates more opportunities for predictive operations.
The good news is that these capabilities exist today. For more information on how to upgrade your field crew’s experience can take a leap forward in accuracy and efficiency, visit us here.