With stronger hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters, keeping the lights on is a central concern. Now, with the help of IIoT, electric utilities can do a better job of disaster mitigation.
There are times when history helps us remember where we were and the work we still have to do. When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, it resulted in 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in damages.
"With Katrina, the state of Louisiana was in the process of building a statewide wireless network and working with local parishes and New Orleans. But unfortunately, that network was in the planning stage and hadn't gotten the funding," said Mark Moon, corporate vice president for the government and commercial markets for Motorola, a leading radio vendor, in an article in Network World. "It hadn't progressed in time when Katrina hit."
One can't help but wonder how much damage and loss of life could have been avoided if technology like the Industrial Internet of Things, with its ability to transmit real-time information from points of crisis, and data that feeds into predictive analytics, had been in place at that time.
"Natural disasters are increasing in severity," said Matt Smith, senior director of grid management at Itron, which provides energy and water management solutions to the utility industry. "As a result, recovery can be costly without the necessary preparation and response."
In the utility sector, IIoT-based smart sensors now help organizations better prepare for disasters by harnessing the power of networked devices and advanced analytics. "For example, if a pole falls during a hurricane, sensors can detect the failure and crews are quickly alerted to the location," Smith said. "Power is shut off to prevent fires and other possible consequences, and the time it takes to physically fix the pole and restore power becomes quicker and more efficient."
Quicker response times help contain disaster losses. Now with predictive capability, IIoT can help utilities avoid or minimize disastrous situations altogether. For example, an electrical utility with IIoT sensors in the field can detect where vegetation is coming into contact with power lines and eliminate the threat before any fire occurs. In earthquake areas, sensors can detect movements on the ground, and analytics can predict where the most damage is likely to occur.
"predictive analytics helps users understand current and potential threats to quickly address and drive outcomes," Smith said.
