Deliver Modern Network Management by Spatially Enabling the Enterprise

Next-gen geospatial provides capabilities for grid transformation, resiliency and reliability.

Modern network management comes in many forms. While supporting distributed energy resources (DERs), microgrids, bi-directional charging, smart meters and IoT-based appliances means replacing aging infrastructure with digital networks and assets, adapting to the demands of the energy transition requires much more.

Utilities, traditionally late adopters in technology, are becoming more like data companies as they drive to create new pathways for success. Modernizing network management must now include an accurate digital representation of the physical network. That means effectively managing large volumes of data, including location data, and having the tools and applications to take advantage of that data across the organization. 

Specifically, modern network management must be managed through:

• Integrated access and alignment across multiple enterprise systems
• A flexible, scalable solution architecture that enables new technologies
•  Data quality that includes accurate digital representation of the natural world

Today’s geospatial solutions provide the backbone for modernizing the grid. Using the power of location, it connects people, processes, systems, software, data and applications. 

Companies can streamline their IT ecosystem to create a complete, accurate, real-time network representation. Operators gain a holistic view of assets for effective decision-support and understanding that improves all aspects of modern network management. 

Modern Network Management Requires Interoperability

Utilities understand that their enterprise systems should operate together. The challenge? Different stakeholders—from engineering to operations, to field services and customer services—view work in isolation. 

Engineering creates construction blueprints for new infrastructure. Operations monitors  system integrity and performance. Moreover, IT leaders look at the systems, data and technology needed now and in the future. Business executives focus on the organizational goals for profitable operations that provide immediate and long-term value. Thinking of these workflows and processes in isolation creates inefficiency and leads to information becoming less accessible and more difficult to retrieve. 

Departments lack accurate information for decision making. Unprocessed data, inaccurate data models, legacy systems and applications and different data types from satellites, drones and sensors degrade a utility’s ability to manage the network correctly. 

Utilities need a holistic and integrated understanding of the business, where disparate data, people and processes are brought together—where the vision and mission combine. The challenge comes from connecting platforms and leveraging a standard data model across the organization. 

Thoughtfully designed geospatial architectures, specifically enterprise GIS software, provides an integration platform and framework for connecting the organization. Utilities streamline IT and transform how they make decisions everywhere—from the field to the back office. 

Spatially Enabling the Enterprise Connects Everything

Spatially enabling the enterprise by deploying modern GIS meets the needs of utilities now and into the future, particularly when it comes to network management. Software like Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network integrates multiple systems for improved management of networks and infrastructure, resulting in increased safety, reliability and performance. 

A more accurate, connected network model is available through Esri’s Utility Network. It offers improved data maintenance processes and rules to enforce data quality. In addition, it connects to operational technologies, such as advanced distribution management systems (ADMS), for controlling the movement of commodities. 

Utilities create a locationally aware, high-fidelity digital representation of the network that matches the physical depiction, enabling organizations to meet business and operational objectives using data and analytics.

The ArcGIS Utility Network, implemented through a containerized architecture (vs server-based), supports scaling on demand and quickly processing large volumes of data. It integrates and connects data using location and supplies capabilities for creating, managing, analyzing, mapping and sharing data of all types, scales and resolutions. It uses a data model that supports various grid modernization needs, including DERs and real-time sensors.

As a result, companies improve how they carry out multiple network management use cases, including:

• Asset management
• Work order management
• Outage management 
• Network monitoring
• Construction
• Regulatory compliance
• Leak survey 
• Right-of-way management 
• Joint use 

Get Started with People, Not Technology

The recommendations below provide simple first steps to ensure success for utilities that want to implement enterprise GIS to transform operations, including digital network management. 

1. Think people first

It starts with people. What tools  can help do the job and improve the mission of the department and the business? Listen to field workers, supervisors, customer service and other staff to build functional requirements. Think about how maps can help with mission, then drill down into daily work. For example, regarding storm management, mitigation and grid reliability, talk to your NERC staff and ask how maps can help workflows.  

2. Think data second

Determine what data exist is and how to maximize it for operations. Evaluating and improving data quality is paramount. Make sure to review internal capabilities, workflows and integrations. It’s important to assess and determine the impact of modernization on any legacy systems, applications and databases deemed worthy of future-proofing. Identify new data that can improve capabilities, e.g., how and where does an organization use remote sensor data? Aerial? Terrestrial? Mobile device? Inspection schedules, reliability, issues along the line? 

3. Think security before, during and after

From the onset of any digital initiative, make sure to develop a security plan that includes governance of data and systems. Build robust measures for continuity, resilience and rapid recovery–and plan for emergent threats. Security programs must be continuously assessed and updated for new risks. Make sure to address human factors through training and policy. 

Today’s geospatial advances create a foundation for accurate, up-to-date information on the network using location to connect and clean data from multiple systems. Perhaps most importantly, it enables thinking holistically about how previously disparate systems can work together. It supports cloud capabilities, artificial intelligence readiness and mobile mapping, allowing fast and efficient data entry as well as processing of network data. 

Utilities can upgrade the grid and support maintenance and management, as well as regulatory reporting requirements that often prove too difficult and time-consuming using disconnected systems. Ultimately, companies can optimize the grid for a safer, cleaner, more resilient future.