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Utilities Business Review | Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Transmission and distribution (T&D) of electricity have grown step by step over more than 100 years. Yet, using digital technologies for construction, maintenance, and monitoring presents huge opportunities to build cost-effective, efficient, and more dependable T&D lines.
FREMONT, CA: Many nations' present electric power supply systems depend on deteriorating transmission and distribution networks. This infrastructure reflects technological improvements made in the 1950s, which also struggle to keep up with today's rising demand. Around 40 to 45% of T&D assets must be substituted now or shortly, needing substantial investments on both the transmission and distribution fronts. Among the most distributed assets held by electric power providers are overhead T&D lines. Even in remote locations, these T&D cables span numerous miles, making monitoring and inspection hard for utilities to achieve. Previously, inspection teams would travel to the T&D lines' locations to check for issues or perform routine inspections once or twice a year. Although this task is essential from the utility's point of view, it can be time-taking and expensive. Also, the spread of remote causing and renewable energy sources has formed many problems for the electrical system, involving instability. Renewable energy sources, like wind energy, are intermittent, and keeping a consistent electricity supply for consumers is a complex issue for grid operators. Further, these sources have brought operations near the grid stability limits and raised the grid system's demand.
Modern digital technology can support resolving problems that T&D industries are facing. Utilities globally have accepted these technologies and are now being applied in different contexts. The following are some samples of digital technology that can support the T&D sector overcome obstacles. Preferably, systems built on artificial intelligence can make the most application of vast volumes of weather data to expand the capacity of power networks. Based on the weather, it may better the current lines' usage. In addition, the power grid system's efficiency, dependability, and safety can all be improved with AI. Ultimately, the AR/VR goggles that engineers can access can be used to execute a virtual site tour. This can be performed by going into a station and communicating distantly with stakeholders through web streaming, which can help carry out different design tasks.
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To uphold the expected global GDP growth rate until 2035, countries must invest USD 3.7 trillion in economic network infrastructure annually. Based on this estimate, the investment required for the electrical industry's value chain alone accounts for almost 30% of the total investment. These expenditures are crucial for resolving issues with aging asset health, like substations, gridlines, etc., that the T&D sector is facing. Modern digital technology can favorably guide the T&D industry over many obstacles that could enhance operational effectiveness and outcome in cost savings over time. These technologies have also contributed to making workplaces safer for workers, which has raised productivity. In the varying environment that the integration of renewable energies has dominated, the rising share of EVs in total vehicle sales, penetration of distributed energy sources, etc., and technologies comprising AI, digital twin, and machine learning, etc. are also presenting opportunities for utilities to disturb their business model and create value for the end customers.
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