Five Steps to Grid Optimization Software for Utilities

The electric grid is transforming at a never-before-experienced pace, amid the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) and renewable energy sources. The modern grid needs to deliver the reliable and efficient energy that customers and the marketplace expect. As the energy transition accelerates, utilities must address changing business and regulatory models while managing continual increases in grid complexity.

To seize the opportunity of renewables and DERs, utilities need an Advanced Distribution Management Solutions (ADMS) software that offers greater visibility and control—one that will connect and orchestrate, delivering network-level optimization. As the grid transforms, utilities need to undergo a digital transformation too, beginning with these five steps.

Shift towards predictive and autonomous grid optimization software

Grid optimization software that has predictive capabilities and autonomous controls allows utilities to make faster, proactive decision and more efficiently deploy staff and resources. An ADMS allows for the safe and secure orchestration of the distribution grid, increasing reliability, productivity, and efficiency.

GE’s DER-aware ADMS enables electric utilities to meet customer expectations of a reliable and resilient distribution. Through a modular architecture that uses adaptive algorithms, predictive analytics, and an intuitive interface, you can access next-generation controls and optimization capabilities.

Maximize grid reliability and minimize network downtime

Severe weather events, which are happening with greater frequency and intensity, can cause significant unpredictability in managing the network and lead to costly outages. During weather events, utilities need the ability to assess the impact on the network, prepare repair actions, determine resource needs, dispatch repair crews, and communicate key damage and restoration information both internally and externally – quickly and with more certainty.

Improving reliability helps strengthen your customer relationships. GE Digital’s Outage Response is an end-to-end grid software optimization solution that provides electric utilities with the integrated tools needed to assess, dispatch, report, and restore power from outages caused by moderate and severe weather events, as well as everyday operations. The solution reduces costs by enabling more efficient outage response.

Ramp up renewables and distributed energy resources (DERs)

Because of the decarbonization energy transition, utilities are seeing increasing levels of renewables and DERs in their network, but this creates challenges in managing planning and operations. Effective management requires modeling, awareness and control of DERs throughout a broad range of scenarios.

Utilities can no longer relegate renewables and DERs to pilot programs or special projects teams, they need to be fully integrated and scaled across the grid. GE Digital's Renewables & DER Orchestration solutions enable utilities to manage and orchestrate these resources in an end-to-end manner with a range of flexible solutions from on-premises to cloud.

Form a connected, validated data fabric

To create an efficient, safe, and proactive operation, utilities should choose an end-to-end grid optimization solution for managing data and processes across the network. Native interoperability – seamless integration between Advanced Energy Management Systems (AEMS), GIS, ADMS, and other planning and control systems – allows you to collect, integrate and validate your valuable data so it’s ready for decision-makers in real-time.  

Better predict intermittency for transmission and distribution

The greater complexity of DERs and renewables means operators are challenged to manage their utility efficiently and effectively in face of intermittency. A comprehensive load forecasting solution helps solve today’s challenges and take advantage of tomorrow’s opportunities, while reducing surprises for control operators.

Is your utility enterprise ready for digital transformation?

The world is changing rapidly, and utilities need to keep up with growing demand for renewable energy sources while maintaining a reliable, resilient grid. You need integrated, end-to-end solutions that optimize distribution, increase efficiency, reliability and productivity, and enable you to move toward a Net-Zero future. 

GE Digital’s grid optimization software solution empowers utilities to optimize the modern grid with greater visibility, improved and autonomous controls, and enhanced connectivity across your enterprise.

Learn more about GE Digital 's ADMS.