Itron, Inc., a leader in grid edge intelligence, and Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has officially announced an expansion of its collaboration with Microsoft to deliver a comprehensive Grid Edge Intelligence solution capable of addressing utility grid visibility and control challenges.
According to certain reports, the stated collaboration will leverage Itron’s distributed intelligence technology, and it will do so to rope in grid edge intelligence to the utility control center. Such a move should significantly improve grid reliability by establishing high-bandwidth, real-time and scalable data integration between the companies’ systems, while simultaneously providing the necessary basis to use AI and big data analytics.
If we talk about utilities, in particular, they can come expecting the provided grid intelligence to deliver a range of new use cases to improve overall efficiency of the distribution system, its reliability, and service restoration during unplanned events. The intelligence in question should also come in handy when the agenda is to pack together distributed energy resources (DERs).
More on that would reveal how the partnership will integrate Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions, Schneider Electric’s Digital Grid solutions, and Microsoft data and AI solutions, to facilitate seamless data flow and provide visibility into distribution grid bottlenecks.
The result would be a mechanism, where Itron’s distributed-intelligence (DI)-enabled meters would send real-time insights from behind the service transformer, as well as from individual DERs, to Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure ADMS. This, in turn, will enable seamless operation of distribution power system.
Markedly enough, the whole data exchange will be housed in Microsoft’s unified AI-powered SaaS platform, which brings together data and analytics into a single experienced to help utilities dramatically improve system visibility for both load and voltage conditions. The platform also provides a mechanism to reliably manage behind-the-meter DERs, such as EV charging equipment, without relying on the customer’s broadband connection.
“Today’s changing energy landscape and evolving complexity of the energy value chain requires new ways to optimize supply and demand. Itron’s solutions deliver scalable real-time insight at the grid-edge and by expanding our collaboration to include Microsoft, we are furthering our commitment to digitizing, optimizing and automating utility operations for grid flexibility, resiliency and risk mitigation,” said Matt Schnugg, CPO at Schneider Electric.
Talk about the benefits of this partnership on a slightly deeper level, we begin from its promise to provide transformer-to-meter mapping. This involves guiding utilities in the process of mapping which meters are wired to each service transformer.
To understand the significance of such a feature, we must take into account how accurate mapping helps utilities manage distribution system load more effectively, thus minimizing the degradation of transformers and achieving optimal performance and grid reliability for the planned lifetime of an asset.
Anyway, the next benefit in line is of load flow accuracy improvement, something which should allow grid operators to understand exactly when and where the power grid is under strain. By doing that, the technology will provide enough time to make adjustments and prolong the life of existing infrastructure, while simultaneously improving overall power quality for consumers.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in the potential for enhanced Volt-VAR (VVO) optimization. In case you weren’t aware, VVO is a process used for actively managing voltage levels and reactive power on distribution circuits to reduce energy losses and improve efficiency and reliability.
The core objective here is to cut down on the amount of energy required for moving electricity through the distribution grid.
We also have local DER Groups for forecast and management that let utilities build more accurate planning models to increase the efficiency of their future capital spending and reprioritize existing spend for infrastructure projects.
“Electricity demand is rapidly increasing due to the electrification of transportation, heating and more. By 2050, the U.S. grid’s capacity will have nearly doubled compared to 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in Canada, grid capacity is projected to reach 226 GW by 2050. This coupled with the increased adoption of DERs is adding immense complexity to the electric grid,” said Don Reeves, Itron’s senior vice president of Outcomes.
