pwr_february-2025 - 24

TECHNOLOGY
working with customers' digital infrastructure
to launch its SaaS platform. Today,
the solution offers a comprehensive,
end-to-end platform to manage the full
asset lifecycle across multiple industries
(Figure 1). " From early origination, planning,
and development of projects and
assets, to ongoing operations, maintenance,
and eventual asset management
through to end of life, we provide one
centralized place to manage it all. " She
concluded, " This level of centralization
drives efficiency, streamlines resources,
and ensures optimal use of assets
throughout their lifecycle. "
Beyond simply aggregating data, these
platforms are designed to streamline core
O&M activities like preventative maintenance
scheduling, reactive work order
management, and field crew dispatching.
Sitetracker's own tools, for example, provide
job scheduling systems to improve
field resource efficiency and coordination,
mobile reporting tools for real-time updates
from the field, and expense tracking,
invoicing, and work order management.
By digitizing these workflows, asset
owners and operators can realize
significant gains in labor productivity,
cost savings, and risk mitigation. But,
as significantly, these solutions are also
architected to integrate with other critical
systems, from asset monitoring platforms
to financial management tools.
" It's critical to tie everything back to the
financials, " Obenauer said. " Whether
you're an executive or a project manager,
it's crucial to understand how each project
or individual job impacts not just the
financial return of an individual asset, but
also the broader financial performance of
the entire project or portfolio. "
Customization and Scalability
As power companies grapple with an
ever-evolving
portfolio
of
transmission, and distribution
generation,
assets,
the ability to customize and scale O&M
solutions has become paramount, Obenauer
said. While much of the core work
in this space is highly repeatable, each
utility or IPP has unique requirements
based on asset types, operational priorities,
and organizational structures, she
noted. " There's always room for customization, "
Obenauer said. " As new assets
come online-whether for new sites,
projects, or programs-we work closely
with our customers to ensure they're
managed effectively. Our goal is to help
asset owners and operators maintain
long-term asset health while maximizing
return on investment. "
24
However, customization of any solution
must extend beyond the initial deployment,
taking into account that power
companies continually adapt their O&M
practices to new challenges, for example,
to integrate the latest sensor technology,
optimizing maintenance schedules for a
new fleet of electric vehicle chargers, or
adjusting field crew workflows to enhance
safety, she added. At the same time, scalability
is critical, given that power companies
must manage an ever-growing
number of distributed assets, she noted.
The sector must seek out solutions that
can seamlessly onboard new sites, projects,
and work orders-without adding
significant administrative overhead.
The Vast Landscape of Tools
For now, the power sector's existing tool
kit varies widely.
Machine Learning and Predictive
Maintenance. Machine learning (ML)
algorithms have already begun transforming
O&M by enabling predictive
maintenance, mainly by helping to analyze
vast amounts of sensor data to predict
equipment failures before they occur. ENGIE
Digital, for example, reported implementing
predictive maintenance models
using Amazon SageMaker, a cloud-based
ML service, across its global power plant
fleet. By monitoring nearly 10,000 pieces
of equipment, the company says it has
saved an estimated €800,000 annually.
Separately, First Solar has leveraged predictive
analytics for remote monitoring of
its solar farms to address issues like dirt
accumulation and shading proactively.
Digital Twins for Real-Time Monitoring.
Digital twins, another transformative
technology reshaping O&M, are
virtual replicas of physical assets that
could allow operators to monitor equipment
in real time, test scenarios, and
optimize performance without disrupting
operations. In just one example, Duke
Energy's Metrology Services team has
since 2023 used laser scans to create
precise 3D models of nuclear reactor
units to enable virtual planning and safer,
faster execution of maintenance tasks.
A recent motor replacement project,
which traditionally required a full shift,
was completed in just 2.5 hours.
IoT and Sensor Technology. Sensors
enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT)
provide real-time data on equipment
performance, environmental conditions,
and energy consumption, empowering
operators to make informed decisions
quickly. Ørsted, in partnership with Vodafone
and Microsoft, has integrated IoT
www.powermag.com
2. Southern California Edison's (SCE's) drone
program is revolutionizing wildfire mitigation
efforts, conducting 75% of aerial inspections
in high-fire-risk areas while integrating artificial
intelligence or faster, safer, and more precise
infrastructure assessments. Courtesy: SCE
platforms into its offshore wind farms in
Scotland. The system collects and analyzes
data from 1,300 turbines, enabling
predictive maintenance and reducing
operational costs.
Drones. In India, Tata Power has used
drones equipped with IoT sensors for
geographic information system (GIS)
mapping and asset inspection, reporting
that the endeavor slashed mapping
times from 10 days to just three. Another
Indian company, Renew Power, has
deployed drones with thermal imaging
cameras to inspect solar panels and wind
turbines. Heimdall Power in Norway has
gone a step further by deploying autonomous
drones to install IoT sensors on
live power lines to enhance grid reliability
without disrupting operations.
Drones are also becoming indispensable
in hard-to-reach or hazardous environments.
Southern California Edison,
for example, uses drones equipped with
artificial intelligence (AI)-powered image
analysis to inspect high-risk areas across
its 50,000-square-mile service territory
(Figure 2). And in the UK, National Grid
has piloted drones for inspecting transmission
lines and substations, cutting inspection
times and enhancing accuracy.
Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/
VR). Augmented and virtual reality technologies
are reshaping how maintenance
and training are conducted. Siemens Energy
technicians now use AR glasses that
overlay visual instructions onto machinery
during repairs, enabling hands-free
access to critical information. Similarly,
France's EDF Energy has adopted VR
training simulations for its nuclear plant
operators to practice emergency procedures
and complex maintenance tasks.
Robotics and Automation. Robotics
and automation are taking O&M to new
heights by enabling tasks that are dangerous
or labor-intensive for human workPOWER
| February 2025
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_february-2025

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