6 Key Principles that Will Help Utilities Power the Future

As global energy demands surge and the call for incorporating new sources of power generation grows louder, utility companies have a unique opportunity. By embracing visionary thinking and innovative technologies, companies can do more than power our day-to-day lives. They can shape our society's future.

At WWT, we believe that by focusing on the following principles, utilities can enhance service reliability, protect critical infrastructure and meet the evolving needs of organizations and citizens for generations to come.

Here are WWT's six principles to guide utilities in this transformative journey

Principle 1: Essential

Utilities play a fundamental and indispensable role in our daily lives. By leveraging advanced technology, utilities can better anticipate customer needs and adapt to fluctuating energy demands, maintaining a continuous flow of power resources when communities need them most.

This technological empowerment enhances operational efficiency and strengthens the resilience and reliability of utility services. As the grid becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, utilities become more than service providers — they become essential enablers of community well-being, driving sustainability and innovation to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges.

For example, our work with a major West Coast utility provider exemplifies the transformative power of modernizing IT infrastructure. By implementing a comprehensive modernization strategy, we enabled the client to achieve significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. The transition to a multicloud environment enhanced their ability to manage workloads effectively, reducing provisioning time by 90 percent.

This modernization not only improved infrastructure reliability and scalability but also empowered the organization with real-time insights, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making across departments. Such advancements are essential for unlocking optimization, mitigating risks, and maintaining trust and credibility — all of which are essential for delivering reliable and efficient service to communities.

Read: Modernizing IT for a West Coast Utility Provider

Principle 2: Visibility

Through advanced analytics and AI, utility companies can gain unprecedented visibility across environments for real-time insights that unlock efficiencies, mitigate risks and support compliance. This enhanced visibility offers a clear, detailed understanding of the entire infrastructure — from IT systems to field devices and sensors. As a foundational element of risk management, visibility empowers security teams to protect critical infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency and effectively troubleshoot issues.

Furthermore, it allows utilities to manage their technology assets more effectively. Companies can gain a clear picture of where assets are in their lifecycles. This allows operators to consolidate refresh cycles and get advanced technology into the field faster.

As the grid becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, visibility is not just a technical requirement but a strategic necessity, enabling utility companies to innovate in the face of changing conditions.

Watch this 33-minute video to learn more about the criticality of visibility for utility companies.

Principle 3: Connected

By harnessing the power of connectivity, utilities can collect and analyze vast amounts of data, enabling them to implement proactive measures that enhance operational efficiency and reliability. This connectivity allows for predictive maintenance, reducing downtime by preventing equipment failures before they occur. Additionally, by gaining insights into weather patterns and optimizing the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydro, utilities can become cleaner and more efficient power producers.

The integration of connected technologies not only improves service delivery but also supports the transition to a more sustainable energy future. By fostering a connected ecosystem, utilities can drive innovation, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to a resilient and adaptable energy grid. 

Principle 4: Anticipate

Proactive management of utility systems is crucial for staying ahead of potential outages, environmental risks and regulatory requirements. By anticipating and addressing these challenges before they escalate, utilities can maintain uninterrupted service and safeguard critical infrastructure.

Southern California Edison (SCE) exemplifies this approach by utilizing AI-driven predictive analytics to foresee and mitigate potential network issues, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing downtime. In partnership with WWT, SCE developed a GenAI chatbot that accelerates ticket resolution and optimizes resource allocation, allowing staff to concentrate on complex challenges.

This proactive, data-driven strategy reduces maintenance costs and enables continuous service delivery. By anticipating challenges, utilities can effectively protect their critical infrastructure and enhance operational resilience.

Read more: The GenAI Chatbot Transforming Network Operations at Southern California Edison

Principle 5: Resilience

Resilience is essential for utility companies in an era of unpredictability. By reimagining the grid as a dynamic network, utilities can adapt and respond to unforeseen events, directing power where it's needed most. This adaptability not only supports continuity of service but also strengthens the grid's ability to withstand and recover from disruptions, ensuring reliable service delivery to communities.

To achieve this level of resilience, utilities are increasingly modernizing their OT networks. By transitioning to advanced technologies like segment routing and SD-WAN in Wide-Area Networks (WAN), utilities can optimize performance and enhance both reliability and network security. By engaging with business units and technology providers, utilities can better understand future requirements and design networks that support emerging use cases, ultimately fortifying the grid against natural disasters, cyber-attacks and other disruptions.

Read more: Modernizing Operational Technology (OT) Networks for the Grid of the Future

Principle 6: Reliable

Reliability is the cornerstone of trust in the utilities sector. By embracing proven, innovative technologies and sustainable practices, utilities can deliver consistent and dependable service. This commitment to reliability not only builds credibility but also positions utilities as leaders in the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Predictive analytics play a crucial role in anticipating equipment failures before they occur, allowing for more effective maintenance scheduling and reducing unexpected outages. Furthermore, as utilities become increasingly digital, robust cybersecurity measures are essential to protect against evolving cyber threats.

By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, utilities can regularly update operational processes to incorporate the latest technological advancements and industry best practices. Working with regulators, technology providers and community stakeholders helps to reinforce reliability objectives and standards, resulting in shared insights and resources.

Finally, integrating renewable energy sources and sustainable practices into operations not only supports environmental goals but also diversifies energy supply, reducing dependency on single sources and enhancing reliability. 

Start powering the future 

Imagine a future where your utility not only meets today's demands but also anticipates tomorrow's needs, driving positive change for your community.

Whether you're already embracing some of these principles or need guidance to get started, WWT can help you scale them across your operations, creating new possibilities for a thriving future. By setting a vision that prioritizes people, technology and innovation, utilities can power the future with confidence and foresight.