POWER September 2023 - S43

SEPTEMBER 2023 | WWW.POWERMAG.COM
ral disasters or targeted attacks, and
recommend proactive measures to
mitigate those risks. This predictive
capability enables utility companies to
allocate resources effectively and implement
preventive measures to safeguard
their critical infrastructure.
Enhanced Incident Response
and Recovery
In the event of a substation attack,
AI-powered systems can significantly
enhance incident response and
recovery efforts. Leveraging RGB (a
lighting system) and thermal imaging,
the technology can automatically
generate alerts, notify security personnel,
and provide real-time situational
awareness to facilitate quick
decision-making. AI algorithms can
assist in prioritizing response actions,
optimizing resource allocation, and
coordinating with law enforcement
agencies. This streamlined incident response
process minimizes downtime,
reduces the impact on customers, and
expedites the restoration of power services.
While
the benefits of AI-powered
substation security solutions are evident,
utility companies may face
certain barriers to their adoption-including
concerns about cost, interoperability
with existing systems, and
resistance to change. The increasing
frequency and sophistication of attacks
on substations demands change
and the risks of not embracing AI-powered
solutions far outweigh the perceived
challenges.
Utility executives, including CEOs,
CTOs, and CFOs, must go a step further
and address these barriers to
ensure the security and resilience of
their energy infrastructure. Additionally,
utilities may soon butt up against
increased regulatory pressure as lawmakers
in states such as North and
South Carolina have proposed bills
that would mandate better security requirements
for electrical systems.
Cost Considerations and Return
on Investment-AI investment can be
costly but should be viewed as a longterm
strategy to protect critical infrastructure
and avoid potential financial
losses due to security breaches. A single
substation attack can cost a utility
tens of millions of dollars in repairs
and environmental damage. AI-powered
systems can provide a significant
return on investment by minimizing
downtime, preventing equipment damage,
and avoiding costly legal and regulatory
consequences.
Interoperability and Integration-
True adoption of AI-powered solutions
requires compatibility and integration
with existing security systems and infrastructure.
Utility companies may
have invested in legacy systems that
are not easily compatible with new
technologies. But, with proper planning
and consultation with industry experts,
it is possible to integrate AI-powered
solutions seamlessly into the existing
security ecosystem. Further, utilities
that embrace AI reap the benefits of
a model that is trained on global data,
providing better anomaly prediction
than data contained in a silo. This integration
can enhance the effectiveness
and efficiency of the overall security
architecture.
Change Management and Workforce
Training-Resistance to change and
lack of awareness among employees
can hinder the successful implementation
of AI-powered substation security
solutions. Utility company executives
must prioritize change management
initiatives and provide comprehensive
training programs to familiarize
employees with the new technologies
and their benefits-fully integrating the
technology into the daily workflow. By
involving employees in the transition
process and highlighting the advantages
of AI-powered solutions, utility
companies can overcome resistance
and foster a culture of innovation and
security-one that is better prepared to
integrate with our all-digital future.
Embracing AI-powered solutions
means an added level of security and
risk management for the already overburdened
and vulnerable power infrastructure.
Utility executives must
recognize the urgent need to address
the growing threats to electrical substations
and double down on their investments
in advanced technologies
to enhance their security posture. The
time to act is now, as the threat landscape
continues to evolve, and the
consequences of delayed action could
be severe.
-Eddie Williams is a director with Buzz
Solutions, a company that enables
efficient power utility infrastructure
inspections leveraging artificial intelligence
and machine learning. Prior to
Buzz Solutions, Williams spent seven
years in director and VP level roles at Oracle,
where he helped clients maximize
the value of various cloud and emerging
technologies. He was previously Global
Vice President of Enterprise Sustainability
Solutions at Talisen Technologies.
www.re-plus.com
43
http://WWW.POWERMAG.COM http://www.re-plus.com
POWER September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of POWER September 2023
