In our recent webinar, "Deep Dive into Grid Hardening Innovation," Keyrus joined forces with Justin Kramer, Director of Emerging Technologies at Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), to discuss the transformative power of a centralized data strategy.
For utilities today, the challenge isn’t a lack of data; it’s the silos that keep that data from being actionable. In case you missed the live webinar, here is a recap of how OUC is leveraging data strategy, AI, and drones for success. You can also watch the webinar replay here.
Industry Perspective: From Paper Maps to a "GPS" for the Grid
Justin Kramer kicked off the session by describing OUC’s digital transformation. Historically, utilities have relied on institutional knowledge and paper maps. OUC’s vision is to move toward a "GPS" model: a single pane of glass where data from every corner of the utility, such as generation, transmission, and customer accounts, is integrated in real-time.
Key Challenges Addressed:
Data Silos: Moving away from manual spreadsheets and isolated Access databases [05:25].
Traceability: The ability to "track an electron" from the point of generation through the substation and finally to the customer meter [07:55].
Manual Processes: Reducing the time spent finding and vetting data sources [07:18].
Driving Innovation with Drones and AI
One of the most exciting segments of our webinar focused on OUC’s use of emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency.
1. Smart Grid Investments
By overlaying data sets like EV adoption rates and PV (solar) forecasts, OUC can make smarter 30-year investment decisions [13:14]. This prevents "gold-plating" (over-investing in unnecessary infrastructure) while ensuring the grid is ready for the surge in electric vehicles.
2. Drone Asset Inspection
OUC uses drones to capture thousands of images for inspections. By stitching drone metadata to GIS (Geographic Information Systems), they can automatically link photos of frayed wires or bird impacts directly to specific assets [16:07]. This allows dispatch teams to know exactly where to go and what they are looking for before they even leave the yard.
The Foundation: A Centralized Data Framework
Kenny Edwards, Keyrus’s Data Insights Portfolio Lead, highlighted the technical "building blocks" required for this level of innovation:
Interoperability: The platform must work seamlessly with existing on-prem systems that are still critical to utility operations [18:16].
Security & Compliance: Frameworks must be built to align with NERC and FERC regulations, utilizing role-based access controls and data masking [21:44].
Data Integration: Using tools like Qlik (Talend) to orchestrate workflows and Snowflake for advanced geospatial analytics [21:21].
The Keyrus Perspective: Why Strategy is Non-Negotiable
Matt Zingariello, VP of Strategic Advisory at Keyrus, emphasized that a business strategy is no longer enough; you need a Data Strategy [25:11].
For utilities just starting their journey, Matt outlined a flexible approach:
Rapid Assessment: Identify the gap between current maturity and desired technical capability.
Roadmap Definition: Prioritizing "quick wins" that show immediate ROI to gain internal buy-in.
Implementation: Building a scalable architecture that supports future AI and advanced analytics [31:43].
Q&A Highlight: The "People Problem"
A recurring theme during the Q&A was that data transformation is as much about people as it is about technology. Justin Kramer advised against trying to "solve governance on day one" [43:53]. Instead, he recommended a use-case-driven approach: deliver value to your business partners first. Once they see how centralized data makes their jobs easier, they become the biggest evangelists for the program.
Utilities Data Journey
Ready to start your data journey? Whether you need a full-scale data strategy or a rapid assessment to find your quick wins, Keyrus is here to help. Read more about our Utilities work here or contact us to get started. You can also watch the webinar replay here.