Modernizing grid operations requires intelligent use of data on multiple fronts, including supply and demand forecasting—particularly for renewable energy—and management of the alarms that help keep your processes running smoothly and safely.
Renewable energy forecasting
Because they depend on weather, renewable sources such as solar and wind are inherently challenging to predict. In contrast to traditional statistically based methods for forecasting renewables, AI and machine learning solutions can tap into hundreds of data sources in near real time and are capable of training—and re-training—themselves, resulting in
- More accurate forecasts based on up-to-the-minute data
- Reduced need for specialized expertise
- Faster adaptation to changing environmental factors
Our approach to renewable energy forecasting
AI and machine learning platforms can mine data in real time from a wide array of sources, including
- Historical weather patterns
- Satellite images
- Weather station measurements
- Smart sensors on wind turbines and solar panels
- Observational inputs (e.g. from drone cameras)
Artificial intelligence applications, including platforms like Splight and others, use advanced models to evaluate data from these and other sources in producing highly accurate forecasts of both supply and demand, enabling utilities to accommodate fluctuations and ensure an optimized flow of clean energy. Over time, machine learning–based platforms can identify patterns and use these insights to update their models, eliminating the need for manual retraining.
Intelligent alarm management
Proper handling of alarms is critical to safe, efficient grid operation. With the proliferation of field technologies such as IoT devices, “alarm overload” becomes a real possibility, reducing operators’ efficiency and increasing the possibility that truly critical alarms could be overlooked.
Intelligent alarm management enables utilities to automate alarm monitoring and prioritization, improving operators’ ability to make the right decision at the right time.
Our approach to intelligent alarm management
Intelligent alarm management is about more than just technology. It’s about combining governance, people, process, tools, and techniques to contextualize alarm data and make it relevant to the operator for optimized decision making in every situation.
Our process begins with a thorough assessment of where your alarm system is today compared to where you want it to be. Then we develop an alarm philosophy, which guides alarm identification and rationalization, enhanced alarm design, implementation, and performance monitoring and assessment. Finally, we establish an ongoing audit system that can drive continuous improvement in your alarm philosophy and implementation strategy.
Benefits of intelligent alarm management
- Improved operator effectiveness
- Reduced operator fatigue
- Ability to adjust and “teach” systems about possible inaccuracies
- Reduced time-to-resolution for fault situations
- Increased alarm usability
- Improved system reliability