ABB The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics (Smartology) White Paper
Summary
This comprehensive research report analyzes the current adoption and maturity of Smart Grid Analytics within the utility sector. It provides deep insights into key industry challenges, including data management hurdles and system deployment strategies. Learn about optimal AMI meter utilization, required organizational structure, and practical applications like outage management, perfect for energy executives and utility professionals planning their digital transformation.
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The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics
A Utility Analytics Institute Research Study, sponsored by ABB
June 13, 2017
Utility Analytics Institute 2821 South Parker Road Suite 105 Aurora, CO 80014
Page Summary Contents For ABB The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics (Smartology) White Paper
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The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics A Utility Analytics Institute Research Study, sponsored by ABB June 13, 2017 Utility Analytics Institute 2821 South Parker Road Suite 105 Aurora, CO 80014
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This page left blank Copyright (c) 2017 Utility Analytics Institute 2 | P
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Table of Contents Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................................................
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Executive Summary Digitalization. The Internet of Things (Io T). Big Data. Clearly, there is no shortage of business buzzwords to describe the impact of our economy’s shift to an interconnected, data-...
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Introduction This report, “The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics,” was produced by UAI; ABB sponsored its development. Following a brief overview of the research methodology used, this report begi...
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Figure 1. What type of utility do you work for? (n = 65) IOU 42% Muni / Federal/District IPP / Transco / Other Coop 15% There is substantial diversity in the job responsibilities of the respondents, r...
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Can Analytics Help? Respondents were asked how confident they are We collect a TON of data that is NOT used. that analytics can help solve the most crucial issue facing their utility using a one to fi...
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The respondent comments below help to illuminate the reasons behind the survey results. Completely Confident • Engineer: “We have tons of data but no way of integrating and drawing out useful pieces o...
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Figure 3. For the analytics projects you have worked on, what is the number one challenge? (n = 75)* Data availability/access 23% Skilled staff 19% Lack of centralized location for data storage 19% Bu...
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For grid analytics initiatives, though tightly clustered, the rank order produced is shown in the following chart with budget in the middle of the pack. Figure 4. Rank order of GRID ANALYTICS initiati...
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Grappling with Analytics Challenges Given the nexus between the level of confidence in analytics to address business needs and analytics challenges, it is important to understand how utilities are cur...
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Figure 5. When we encounter complex issues with our analytics systems, we are most likely to begin resolving them by taking the following action. (n = 71) We handle complex data analytics issues on a ...
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utilities. And, along the lines of what is happening in other industries, Exelon Utilities recently filled a vice president and chief analytics officer position. Twenty-four percent, the largest perce...
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Figure 6. How would you define your utility’s use of data and analytics currently? (n = 76) Data is stored, secured, available (data can be difficult to extract and analyze, 25% but is available) Can ...
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Comparing the above research results to the UAI’s Analytics Value Curve in 7, we see that a substantial majority of utilities are living in the bottom half of the curve. Figure 7. Utility Analytics In...
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Figure 8. To what extent are you using data and analytics to address the following concerns? (n = 75) Customer tendencies - load usage, growth 8% 16% 30% 32% 14% System Planning enhancements - generat...
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Given the above listed applications, why would the combination of extensive or at least frequent use not be closer to 100%? It may be that some of the analytics challenges described earlier in this do...
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Figure 9. To what extent are you using data/analytics to address the concerns shown in Figure 8 Extensive 11% Frequent 23% Occasional 31% Seldom 18% Do not use data/analytics 17% Top Three Analytics I...
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Figure 10. What are the top analytics projects your group is currently working on? (n = 75) System modeling 36% Asset optimization 35% Outage management 29% Distributed energy resource management Grid...
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the bottom of the list) is a rather sizable jump that is likely not explained by survey construct or population differences. It is more likely the increasing and vital importance of system modeling gi...
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On the above data, UAI’s Kim Gaddy said, “While it is great to see utilities relying on analytics to address the most pressing business challenges, one would hope that utilities are using analytics to...
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tag is a challenge for utilities, and these resources can be difficult to attract and retain talent when competing against the Googles and Amazons of the world. The net of the above is that most utili...
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The Current State of Smart Grid Analytics A smart grid depends on a host of data sources and technology components that provide vital information about the health of the grid and support its efficient...
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Figure 14. What data sources do you use for grid analytics initiatives? (n = 69) Spreadsheets (Excel, Access) 6% 93% 1% CIS - Customer Information System 19% 78% 3% Databases (SAP, Maximo) 22% 70% 7% ...
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survey respondents say that their utility has installed AMI meters. Twenty five percent say that their utility plans on installing AMI meters at some point in the future, virtually the same percentage...
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over or under voltage parameters, theft detection and prediction, near real-time identification of meter and infrastructure damaged or destroyed in a major storm, electric vehicle impact assessment, a...
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Respondents selecting the Other category indicated that they are bringing back CCF data13, (oil) pressure data and temperature data, as well as revenue protection-related data. In terms of how that da...
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success and the roadmap should include a description of that model including key roles and responsibilities. A data management process, including a data governance program, will be required and an ove...
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1. A very sizable majority are at least somewhat confident that analytics can help address their utility’s number one challenge which most said is to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. 2...
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Appendix A: Additional Respondent Demographic Information Figure 17. How many meters do you serve? (n = 63) Greater than 1 million 250,000 – 1 million 27% Less than 50,000 22% Figure 18. What services...
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Figure 19. What is your primary job responsibility? (n = 65) Business 31% Operations/Field 28% Planning 22% IT/Technical 14% Other 6% *May not equal 100 due to rounding Copyright (c) 2017 Utility Anal...
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Appendix B: Analytics Program Deployment Figure 20. Select the best description for the deployment of your data analytics system(s) and/or program(s). (n = 71) We are too early in the deployment proce...
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Appendix C: AMI Deployment and Utilization Figure 21. How many years have you had AMI installed? (n = 51) Not applicable 12% Unknown 12% Over 7 10% *May not equal 100 due to rounding Figure 22. How of...
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Figure 23. How are you using that data for analytics within your group? (n = 48) Transformer loading 48% Volt/Var optimization 44% Outage management 38% Network connectivity 29% Other 25% *Multiple re...
Manual Details
| Brand | Current |
|---|---|
| Pages | 34 |
| File Size | 565.63 KB |
| Published | June 05, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary applications for using AMI data in analytics?
The most frequently reported uses include Transformer loading (48%), Volt/Var optimization (44%), and Outage management (38%).
How often do utilities utilize or plan to use AMI data?
Daily usage is the most common method reported (49%), followed by actively collected real-time data at 15-minute intervals (41%).
What structure governs advanced analytics programs in some utilities?
Some organizations employ a cross-functional data council where both product and process owners collaborate on decision-making for the utility analytics program.