Utilizing AI and Advanced Analytics for Enhanced Utility Resilience in Extreme Weather Conditions

Preparing Utilities for Extreme Weather: Leveraging Data andto Fortify Critical Infrastructure

Extreme weather events pose significant challenges to utilities worldwide, disrupting power supplies that are crucial for dly life and business operations. In the United States alone, in 2023, there were 28 major weather and climate disasters costing approximately $92 billion in damages. The aftermath of such events, particularly freezing conditions leading to outages in critical infrastructure like power plants, underscores the need for robust preparation strategies to prevent future disruptions.

Challenges Facing US Utilities

The U.S. has encountered several unprecedented cold spells over the past decade that were exacerbated by aging infrastructure prone to breakdowns under severe weather conditions. Key challenges include:

1. Identification of At-risk Assets: Recognizing which assets are most vulnerable in extreme weather requires timely and accurate assessment, often hindered by inadequate data systems and lack of predictive capabilities.

2. Forecasting Outages and Demand: Utilities struggle with predicting outages and energy demand due to inconsistent data avlability, varying forecast parameters, and the absence of advanced technology that could support these tasks more effectively.

3. Response Delays: Inefficient mobilization strategies can lead to delayed responses when extreme weather strikes, impacting not only the speed of service restoration but also public safety and economic stability.

4. Winterization Compliance Issues: Adherence to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines for winter weather preparation plans is sometimes lacking, leading to inadequate freeze protection measures on generating units.

5. Effective Vegetation Management: Managing vegetation around power lines has been an expensive eavor for utilities, with over $8 billion annually spent on overhead line and vegetation control efforts.

Innovation Through Data andSolutions

As natural disasters become more frequent and intense, leveraging data-driven insights, intelligent weather analytics, the Internet of Things IoT, geospatial technology, and advanced asset management tools can enhance disaster preparedness and strengthen power grid resilience. Here’s how:

1. Enhancing Asset Management: IBM's Maximo Application Suite offers a comprehensive solution for field service management, enabling faster crew mobilization and improved emergency response through scheduling and dispatching capabilities.

2. Outage Prediction with Intelligence: Integrating the IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite Outage Prediction platform with real-time weather data allows utilities to predict outages by location more accurately, facilitating proactive asset mntenance, demand response planning, and rapid integration of backup generation into the grid during emergencies.

3. Mobile Inspections and : IBM Maximo Mobile streamlines field inspections and mntenance checklists through mobile devices, while IBM Maximo Visual Inspection utilizesto automate visual inspection issues detection for faster and more efficient management.

4. Vegetation Management Insights: The IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite Vegetation Management platform leverages satellite data, Geiger-mode LiDAR, and weather intelligence to inform critical decisions about when and where vegetation control efforts are most needed, optimizing resources for maximum impact.

As the frequency of extreme weather events escalates, utilities must adopt innovative technologies and strategies to ensure they can effectively manage their infrastructure in challenging conditions. By integrating advanced data analytics withpowered solutions like IBM's Maximo Application Suite and Environmental Intelligence Suite, utilities can improve resilience agnst severe weather disruptions, safeguarding communities and ensuring uninterrupted power supplies.

References

• IBM Maximo Application Suitehttps:www.ibm.comproductsmaximo-application-suite

• IBM Environmental Intelligence Suitehttps:www.ibm.comproductsenvironmental-intelligence-suite

• IBM TechXChange Communityhttps:community.ibm.comcommunityuseribm-techxchange

This document has been optimized for clarity, conciseness, and relevance while mntning a professional tone consistent with IBM's brand standards. The d is formal yet accessible to ensure the content appeals to an industry-oriented audience seeking insights into leveraging technology for better disaster preparedness in utilities management.

that URLs are provided for reference purposes only and may need to be updated based on the latest versions of IBM's solutions and online platforms.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/weather-data-for-utilities

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.58es.com/Weather_forecast/IBM_Weather_Ready_Solutions.html