Consistent asset designs mean more rapid deployment using in-stock assets, the ability to increase power where and when it’s needed, and less installation delay. With fewer parts and tools, maintenance is simplified, and training is also easier for new technicians or when crews are brought in from outside the area to help support grid events.

We cannot expect better results with the same designs that have failed in the past. Repairing major damage with that approach is likely to result in repeat damage; the new standards should be applied.

Digitization, fiber optics and miniaturization have all helped to lower the cost and increase the practicality of using advanced sensor capabilities on the grid. Connected consumers rely on intelligent devices and now expect such capabilities from service providers. Modernization efforts are an excellent time to take advantage of technology advancements. Surveys show that younger customers will not typically call to report an outage, because they can’t fathom that the utility is not automatically dispatching the crews.

Grid modernization that is truly smart goes well beyond automated metering. Building a smarter grid affords utilities the opportunity to fundamentally improve operations through outage tracking, analysis, reporting and utility response planning.

Effective grid planning, however, avoids getting swept up in the almost infinite data capabilities and instead zeroes in on the simplest and easiest applications that quickly add value and increase grid efficiency. Programs and elements should work together and build on each other to help transform the operation, interaction and management of grid assets.

Operational metering and sensing
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) serves as a backbone for the grid. AMI is the energy measurement and collection system, including on-site customer meters, designed to take full advantage of the complete smart communications system, not just billing tasks.

This two-way communication capability allows for remote measurement of electricity use; service connection and disconnection; tampering detection; outage location, cause and isolation; voltage monitoring; and more. Utility time-based rate programs, peak demand incentives and energy consumption monitoring also are enabled. Using real operational metering means dynamic tap changes can be made to accommodate more generation or prevent low voltage. It also means that capacitor banks can be remotely turned on and off, or that the inverters on solar arrays can be tuned to provide the right amount of reactive power. All of this reduces line losses and provides higher-quality power.

For maximum advantage and optimal capabilities, backhaul communications and allowed latency are designed to support operational goals, not just daily billing needs. Likewise, these smarter sensing capabilities help consumers measure, monitor and take control of their power usage. For the growing number of homes with smart sensors, devices and EVs, AMI is key to helping manage electricity usage and discharge. Eventually, communications need to flow into the premises to support customer decisions.

Distribution automation and substation automation
Modern grid planning must incorporate a robust, reliable and efficient architecture to handle new loads and customer- sited distributed generation (DG), such as solar. Distribution automation (DA) is a crucial component to achieve these objectives, leveraging AMI and other distribution sensors like remote fault indicators or sensors in reclosers. Intelligent planning of the location of DA assets allows them to be at the right locations without putting in too many. Careful evaluation of placement of automatic circuit reclosers (ACRs), feeder switches and loop schemes should occur for all grid upgrades.

Substation automation (SA) collects and analyzes significant amounts of component and control data to further enhance reliability and real-time response to events. By going well beyond traditional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, SA programs are used to deliver advanced capabilities and improve operations and maintenance. Items like single-phase dry type tap-changers driven by SA can provide dynamic voltage control on each phase, minimizing phase imbalance and maximizing the ability to collect energy from installed DG. With DG, moving transformers from phase to phase to balance the circuit is not possible, because the imbalance changes between day and night.

Smart SA planning addresses a range of considerations, including transitioning to triple singles in a phase-by-phase approach. Protecting power and increasing efficiency comes from the ability to isolate any phase problems while keeping power flowing to customers.

Advanced communication networks
Given the nation’s dependence on electricity, deploying advanced communication networks is vital to supporting a modern grid. Innovative and robust communications provide consistent capability regardless of environmental conditions. These networks also can manage and control grid scheduling, prioritizing data sent and actions needed. Advanced communication networks are used because they are both smart and strong.

For grid modernization planning, smart communications can be designed for transmission, substations, and in the distribution network to the meter and beyond the meter at buildings, homes and offices. Networks capture and transfer the data and insight needed to deliver long-term operational refinement, thereby enabling network predictability and continuous improvement for utilities and customers. Considerable analysis capability can be installed in each of these zones, so that only the critical data must be brought back to the central office; instead, schedules can be pushed to substations and buildings that then manage to those schedules and only report exceptions.

Operational technology and analytics
Although they are installed in the operations center, DA and SA are mostly useless without the systems to analyze the data and make it available to operators. Advanced Distribution Management Systems and other operational technology systems need to be planned into the grid modernization effort.

Modern grid sustainability is twofold: It encompasses environmental responsibility and improves O&M. By attending to both, an advanced grid can be kept strong and smart over time.

Simplifying and reducing grid complexity makes the grid easier to maintain and sustain. Standardizing supplies and components results in fewer parts to purchase, a lower quantity of needed supplies, and greater probability that what is needed will be on hand. Simpler, standardized substations and systems also make for easier training and more readily available field knowledge. Working together, this approach sustains performance. A stronger, smarter grid also enables more environmentally responsible operations, including incorporating EVs, PV, storage and other renewables on the grid. Likewise, in selecting components for the grid, consideration is given to choosing equipment that is environmentally benign and highly recyclable.

Learn, adapt and optimize
Maintaining a strong and smart grid means learning from operations and customer usage to optimize efficiency and performance. Using data analysis and insight, practices and strategies can be adjusted over time to manage usage patterns and reduce failure rates. Smart components encourage customers to take responsibility for energy use. Using this analysis can also define customer programs to meet customers’ needs and desires, while holding prices at a reasonable level.

Data-driven maintenance and vegetation management
Many external assets, such as geospatial data, Google Earth maps, and drones, can complement grid improvements and provide utilities increased understanding about outages and operational threats. Using sensor data, coupled with satellite and terrain imagery, offers a way to proactively manage vegetation and vegetation events such as downed trees, and to schedule maintenance or repair faster and more accurately.

Proactive equipment replacement
Greater grid insight and data tracking can bring attention to load changes and growth trends in communities, planned gentrification programs, and rooftop solar adoption rates. Planning for needed substation modifications or expansion is more efficient and can be budgeted accordingly. With insight into local commercial demand, utilities can proactively plan to support new income-generating opportunities, such as bitcoin mining.

Distributed energy resources (DER) interconnection management
A modern grid, with the ability to sustain long-term technology advancements and support renewable energy adoption, allows for hosting capacity for renewables and DG. More EVs, faster charging, battery storage and highly flexible demand response programs help support the communities of the future.