Energy & Water (Utilities)

The Evolving Power Grid: Streamlining Operations with Integrated OT Applications 
The modern energy and water utility landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The rise of distributed energy resources (DERs), increased customer demand for reliability, and the need for efficient resource management necessitate a more intelligent and integrated approach to operations. This white paper explores the critical role of integrating key Operations Technology (OT) applications – Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) – in navigating this evolving energy landscape.

​

Saving Time, Money, and Maintenance with Integrated OT Systems
Traditionally, utilities have relied on siloed OT systems, leading to inefficiencies and data gaps. Integrating these systems offers numerous benefits:

• Reduced Integration Costs: Eliminate the need for custom point-to-point integrations between each system. Leverage a single platform to streamline data exchange, saving significant time and resources during initial setup and ongoing maintenance.

• Improved Operational Efficiency: Gain a holistic view of your entire grid or water network. Real-time data from all sources allows for faster decision-making, optimized resource allocation, and proactive maintenance strategies.

• Minimized Maintenance Burdens: Consolidate data management and reduce the complexity of maintaining multiple disparate systems. This translates to a lighter IT/OT workload and frees up resources for other critical tasks.

​

Example:  Imagine a scenario where a voltage fluctuation occurs on the distribution grid. Traditionally, the SCADA system might identify the issue, but the utility would need to access a separate DERMS platform to understand if any connected DERs could contribute to solving the problem. An integrated system would provide a unified view, allowing for a faster and more effective response.

​

Maintaining Device Automation Asset ID Management
Effective asset management is paramount for efficient utility operations. Integrating OT systems ensures consistent and accurate asset identification across your network. This includes:

• Standardized Asset IDs: Assign unique and consistent identifiers to all devices within the grid, regardless of the system they are connected to. This facilitates easier tracking, maintenance scheduling, and troubleshooting.

• Improved Data Quality: Eliminate discrepancies and redundancies that arise from using different naming conventions across systems. Consistent and reliable data is crucial for accurate analysis and informed decision-making.

• Enhanced Reporting and Compliance: Meet regulatory reporting requirements by ensuring all devices are properly identified and tracked within a centralized system. This simplifies data collection and reporting processes.

​

By integrating asset management across OT platforms, utilities can gain a complete picture of their network infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and regulatory compliance.

 

Delivering Real-Time Intelligence with an Operational Historian
Real-time data is the backbone of intelligent grid and water network management. An Operational Historian (OH) plays a crucial role in this process by:

• Data Archiving and Retrieval: Collects and stores historical data from all connected OT systems. This allows for trend analysis, identifying patterns and predicting potential issues before they occur.

• Data Visualization and Reporting: Transforms raw data into actionable insights through user-friendly dashboards and reports. This empowers operators to make informed decisions based on historical trends and real-time conditions.

• Improved Incident Response: Provides a comprehensive record of past events, facilitating faster and more effective troubleshooting during outages or equipment failures.

​

Integrating the OH with ADMS, SCADA, and DERMS allows for a holistic view of historical operational trends across the entire network. This empowers utilities to optimize resource utilization, improve system reliability, and proactively address potential issues.

​

Example:  By analyzing historical data from DERs within an OH, a utility can predict peak demand periods and proactively adjust system operations or incentivize customer participation in demand-response programs.

​

TECBOMO's strategic partnerships and how they can help you achieve an integrated energy roadmap.

 

Partnerships are Important

• TECBOMO Strategic Partnerships: How partnerships with companies offering ICCP (Inter-Control Center Communication Protocol) and Live Energy Connect protocol support can simplify integration.

• Energy Roadmap: Creating a cost-effective and time-efficient roadmap for implementing integrated OT systems.

• Changing Grid Topologies: How the integration of DERs and changing grid configurations necessitate a new approach to OT architectures.

​

4 Strategies for Sustainable Tech in Energy & Water Utilities: How TECBOMO Can Help

The landscape of energy and water utilities is undergoing a sustainability revolution. Here are 4 key strategies for leveraging technology, and how TECBOMO can empower businesses to achieve eco-friendly outcomes:

​

1. Smart Grid & Leak Detection:

Strategy: Implement smart grid technologies like AI-powered demand forecasting and dynamic pricing. Combine this with advanced leak detection systems using sensors and data analytics.
TECBOMO's Role: Expertise in IoT integration can connect disparate systems, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis. AI algorithms can predict energy demands and identify potential leaks, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing water loss.

​

2. Renewable Energy Integration:

Strategy: Facilitate a shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Integrate renewable energy sources with existing grids for a balanced and sustainable energy mix.
TECBOMO's Role: TECBOMO's data management and analytics capabilities can optimize renewable energy integration. They can help manage fluctuations in renewable energy generation and ensure grid stability.

​

3. Smart Water Management:

Strategy: Deploy smart water meters that track individual and district water consumption. Encourage customer engagement through water-saving initiatives and provide real-time usage data.
TECBOMO's Role: Our cloud-based platform solutions offering can collect meter data and generate user-friendly reports. TECBOMO can also create customer portals for transparent water usage visualization, promoting water conservation behaviors.

​

4. Data-Driven Decision Making:

Strategy: Utilize data analytics platforms to gain insights into energy and water consumption patterns. Use these insights to optimize resource allocation, identify areas for improvement, and set data-driven sustainability goals.
TECBOMO's Role: TECBOMO excels at data collection, analysis, and visualization. They can provide utilities with actionable insights to make informed decisions for long-term sustainability.

​

By implementing these strategies and leveraging TECBOMO's technological expertise, energy and water utilities can achieve significant progress towards a sustainable future.