The Covid-19 pandemic has thrust unprecedented challenges upon utilities. They are experiencing shifts in demand/consumption patterns and supply chain disruptions, besides having to manage a remote workforce with limited access to critical IT-OT infrastructure, operate with a reduced field workforce, and deal with heightened cybersecurity risks.
While efforts to move towards IT-OT convergence have been under way, the current environment is forcing utilities to accelerate this shift. They are prioritising their IT-OT initiatives and realising the benefits of fast-tracking their digital transformation plans in order to be able to work remotely and effectively.
Digitalisation is becoming an increasingly important part of utility operations. New and innovative technologies and digital solutions are being deployed across all segments. For the oil and gas sector in particular, significant attention is being given to data management, with advanced solutions being tailored to each player’s needs. Pipeline network management too is becoming more digitalised. In the city gas distribution segment, smart metering, online payments and real-time asset management solutions have witnessed increased deployment.
The power distribution utilities are adopting a host of automation and digital solutions such as AMI and prepaid smart metering, GIS-based asset mapping, real-time data acquisition and ERP. The transmission segment is seeing a growing uptake of advanced forecasting and real-time measurement systems for renewable energy management, wide area measurement (WAM) technologies and PMUs for better grid diagnostics, and solutions such as EMS, modernised SCADA and ADMS.
Smart water meters, online bill payment facilities and customer relationship management solutions are also witnessing traction among water utilities. New digital tools such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being explored as utilities look to transition to the digital paradigm.
That said, the growing deployment of IT and OT solutions is creating its own challenges as well as generating new needs. The majority of the technologies and applications deployed currently are operating in silos. The absence of data integration and functional interoperability continues to remain a major roadblock for IT implementation in the sector. Clearly, the convergence of OT and IT systems is an area that needs attention and holds immense potential in the years to come.
This issue of Smart Utilities discusses the key information technologies and digital solutions being deployed by city gas distribution utilities to streamline and automate operations. It also highlights some of the new e-governance and m-governance solutions being adopted by water utilities. The issue, moreover, showcases the key information technology solutions being deployed in Assam. It also highlights the future prospects for battery energy storage systems and green hydrogen in India.