June 5, 2023
The utility industry has in essence remained the same over the last century. Regulatory constraints, lack of incentives, and resistance to change have often hindered major transformation. Today, the emergence of new technologies in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as distributed generation, energy storage, electric transportation, and micro-grid technologies are driving a significant transformation in the way utilities operate. This shift, coupled with the need for a more resilient and flexible grid, is redefining the utility industry's role in the energy landscape.
The adoption of DERs is transforming the traditional one-way power flow of the electricity grid into a bi-directional power flow. This shift can lead to grid stability problems and reduce human operators' ability to prevent cascading events across the distribution system and even the bulk electric systems. Without advanced technologies as part of a modernization strategy, safety and reliability issues will increase in frequency and severity, threatening the stability of our electric grid.
The current state of the electric grid is at a critical juncture, and grid modernization represents a necessary and urgent shift towards a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future. To improve the visibility of the dynamic distribution system, traditional Operational Technologies (OT 1.0) must advance to improve situational awareness and automate responses to grid stability issues. These advances we call Operational Technologies 2.0 (OT 2.0), which leverage advances in networking, sensors, real-time monitoring, analysis, and control of grid operations to more effectively manage power flows, prevent outages, and respond to emergencies. The shift towards OT 2.0 represents a major transformation in the way we manage and operate the electric grid, creating a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Throughout this transition to OT 2.0, utilities will need to implement new technologies across their systems, including updated back-office systems, substations, field devices, and edge system operations. These technologies will encompass advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid, DER, ADMS, DERMS, intelligent edge technologies, new networks such as FAN, new DA devices and sensor technologies, electric vehicles, battery storage, and more. Implementation of these technologies will play a critical role in creating a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
In this blog series, we will examine the effects of implementing new technologies and provide insights and solutions into the grid's evolution from OT 1.0 to OT 2.0. The transition to OT 2.0 represents a necessary and urgent shift towards a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future. With the implementation of advanced technologies, the industry can more effectively manage power flows, prevent outages, and respond to emergencies, while also integrating renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
