Robert (Bob) Schultz, an Electric Utility Industry Specialist for Locusview, held a livestream presentation at SUMSF 2023. The topic of his talk was “The Rapid Growth of Electric Infrastructure Impacts on Utility Processes and Systems of Record.” 

His presentation included discussions about today’s utility construction landscape, business impacts, supply chain and asset traceability for electric and gas (SCATE), and an overview of Locusview. Schultz said infrastructure construction is booming. There is a $1. 564 billion government investment in electric infrastructure through the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathway program. This will result in new asset installations. 

Schultz addressed the different impacts on utilities, such as high safety risks from poor markouts, backlog growth, ineffective decisions, system reliability and resilience targets are not being met and there are high CWIP and AFUDC balances. There are outside forces impacting resource availability.  These forces include lack of workforce availability, product defects and recalls, manufacturing capabilities are overwhelmed and rising material availability delays. 

What’s the solution? Schultz says “We’ve all got stories of failed field automation attempts.”

Utilities must reimagine work processes and technology as need for high-fidelity data and rapid system growth is here to stay. Schultz proceeded to introduce Locusview as a pioneer for DCM for gas utilities with proven adoption and value. 

He further discussed supply chain and asset traceability for electric and gas (SCATE). Locusview is working with IEEE, EPRI and other utilities and manufacturers to establish a universal ID naming convention and QR code for electrical assets. There was a pilot program focused on underground electric conductors, which showed progress, and there was also a proof of concept project.  

Schultz moved on to discussing solutions, such as managing the construction process from planning to close out. Watch the video to discover what other solutions are possible.