When contemplating how to become more efficient in power generation, delivery and consumption, there are a number of technologies that can be applied to reveal largely invisible processes. The hidden nature of power requires analysis along all steps in order to discover how our systems can be tweaked, often through simple and inexpensive changes, in order to cut out waste.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have a huge role to play in helping us effect efficiency. ICT offers a combination of sensors to capture performance, communications to combine readings into a holistic picture, analysis tools that reveal inefficiencies in our processes, and intelligent agents that can balance energy based on best practices.

Constant Metering
It will be important to address efficiency by collecting and analyzing metrics of power consumption through metering at the point of production, along the distribution network, and at the point of consumption. The so-called “smart grid” is compelling because of it’s improvement over today’s systems where we don’t know or understand our energy consumption or inefficiencies along the route.

Through metering we can balance the network load and avoid the transmission of excess power that’s needed in order to meet possible peak demands. Knowing consumption levels as power is consumed allows better management of power generation. Currently, the excess power is mostly wasted as it’s drawn off the grid slowly without ever being used. While the costs of installing the infrastructure to realize a smart grid are considerable, the cost savings in reduced power transmission more than compensate.

A new rate structure for smart grid customers can also help fund the change. Higher rates during times of peak demand can increase revenues while driving more efficient consumption practices.

Design
Better engineered electrical devices begin with better design tools, where engineers and designers can improve performance through a better understanding of their collective inputs. Building information modeling, a means for information-based designed, provides the framework for a much better design process that harnesses the experience of a broader team. BIM combines drawing and modeling tools with database tools to capture the details behind the design.

Instead of sharing a design and paper-based documents, BIM provides a means to share both a prototype and the material that reveals how the design will perform in the real world. The manufacturing process has been revolutionized by the use of data models, leading to an automated process. That automation is now being applied to understanding energy consumption, with intelligence now being applied toward greater efficiency.

Situational Awareness
Utilies operate a great deal of infrastructure and assets across broad geographies, which require a geospatial toolset for tracking and managing. Geospatial technology can track the maintenance of a network, and can help manage a mobile workforce that’s needed to maintain the infrastructure.

GIS already supports utility operations, providing a comprehensive inventory of assets. This capability is now being applied to the components of the smart grid, with increasing details on the communications and electrical components of this new paradigm of utility management. With the smart grid, there’s also a need for greater analysis of customer behaviour and network performance, which are both areas where the geospatial toolset excels.

It’s clear that clean technologies, and the greater efficiencies that are demanded in the face of global warming, can benefit greatly from ICT. These toolsets should be applied throughout the full lifecycle of this transition toward more efficient energy use, and investments should be made to enhance these tools for use in pre-planning. Model-based design holds great promise to reduce cost and the time it takes to build new infrastructure projects. Now is the time to push more efficient design and build efforts in order to increase the efficiency of our infrastructure.