Utilities don’t need to fear the cloud. As we explored in our previous article, cloud-based applications offer numerous advantages over traditional, on-premises IT infrastructure in the form of lower upfront costs, greater scalability, and fewer ongoing maintenance requirements.

Thermal & visual substation and transformer monitoring solutions are one example of cloud-based applications that can significantly improve utility operations. By providing greater visibility over critical assets, remote monitoring reduces total maintenance costs and allows the utility to transition away from costly physical inspections.

As the IEEE T&D Conference and Exposition approaches, running May 6-9, 2024, in Anaheim, California, our team is buzzing with anticipation. As exhibitors, we are poised to leverage the many opportunities presented by this premier event to engage with key industry leaders, demonstrate our innovative solutions, and keep on top of evolving trends in the energy sector.

Faced with rising complexity and pressure to deliver affordable and reliable power to customers, utilities must look to new technologies to improve their operations. Energy 4.0 technologies, such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud computing, data and analytics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) are already providing utilities with greater visibility, control, and monitoring of their substation assets and grid infrastructure.

A downstream oil refinery processes hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil each day before storing the various products and distributing them to customers. The refinery takes maintenance seriously, creating maintenance schedules for each asset and conducting regular physical inspections beyond what is required to comply with regulations.

The Scenario - Bulk Storage Tank Levelling and Gauging A midstream oil processing and storage company operates numerous bulk storage terminals across a large geographical area. Product sent through pipelines from upstream oil exploration and production companies arrives at the site for storage, processing, and transporting onward to downstream refineries.

The Scenario - Undetected Leaks at Remote Oil Wells A mid-sized oil exploration and production company operates numerous oil wells across a wide geographic area. To comply with regulations, the company conducts periodic physical inspections using handheld sensors and other manual leak detection techniques. Many of these wells are remote and difficult to access, increasing the time and cost required to dispatch a crew and conduct the inspection.

Oil & gas facilities are difficult and sometimes dangerous places for workers. Hazardous conditions, including the presence of flammable gas, toxic chemicals, and heavy equipment mean that the health and safety of personnel must always be the priority when extracting, transporting, storing, or distributing petroleum products.

Utility substations are often left unattended. Both remote and urban facilities typically operate with little or no direct supervision, especially outside of regular working hours. This makes them vulnerable to a range of security, environmental, and performance risks that could lead to damaged equipment, lost revenue, and outages.

As the electric power industry becomes increasingly complex, utilities need greater visibility and control over generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. When it comes to implementing new technologies, utilities have two primary approaches. Traditionally, utilities have invested significant amounts of resources into on-premises and in-house IT infrastructure, communication networks, hardware, and software.