How smart infrastructure overcomes these challenges
To support the changes in assets, services, and stakeholders, we require a highly distributed management system that allows:
stronger network resilience
more efficiency in how energy is delivered
optimized network design with increased
performance and improved flexibility
shorter deployment times at scale
strengthened cybersecurity within new
network architecture
By using multiple levels of nodes, the management system can work toward these objectives. Each of the nodes will require a certain amount of automation and decision-making capabilities. To manage the complexity of network topology, market, and technical rules, nodes will need to use ML/AI/rule-based algorithms and also possess a high level of OT/IT integration. Node configuration will inevitably change over time to align with the state of the distribution grid, as well as its topology evolution.
IoT solutions and edge technology are required to meet utilities' need to make real-time decisions. Sensors and 'attractors' on the grid gather data to inform these decisions. But it is also necessary to have compute capabilities on the edge, as the type of decisions that utilities make cannot always be managed centrally.
To ensure the smooth running of the smart infrastructure, a common software platform must be developed that allows stakeholders to exchange data in an intelligent, automated way.
