Case Study - Alliant's Safe-and-Sane Technology Assessment

Making complex technology choices is one of the most frustrating challenges a utility can face. Far too often, utilities are forced to lean on vendor fact sheets and comparison charts, which may be biased or incomplete. And far too often, they assemble a huge mound of data, but have no scientific way to evaluate it.

Alliant Energy Corporation of Wisconsin faced just such a challenge recently. Its distribution feed monitoring system was deteriorating. It needed to search out a replacement that was compatible with legacy systems while also providing for future growth.

Through a subsidiary, Alliant serves nearly one million electric customers in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. For years, Alliant has used a feeder monitoring system to track power distribution for load analysis, fault detection, and other internal purposes. The original Metricom technology had disappeared in a series of vendor acquisitions, leaving Alliant without a clear source of support when units began failing and needed replacement parts.

But where to begin? And how to ensure an accurate, objective review? The path forward came via the IntelliGrid Technology Assessment Methodology, a way to systematically and scientifically evaluate technology. That methodology is an outgrowth of the IntelliGrid Architecture, an international initiative to develop frameworks for the next generation of energy delivery.

“We helped Alliant objectively assess available technologies across 10 key categories,” recalls IntelliGrid Program Manager Don Von Dollen. The resulting 69-page Telecommunications Assessment evaluate communications technologies (not products or vendors). It also included references and links to specifications and other information.

In addition to the technical specs, the assessment scored technologies against IntelliGrid's "future-proof" criteria, including:

·      Level of standardization

·      Level of adoption

·      Security

·      Manageability

·      Scalability

·      and others

The Technology Assessment Methodology clarifies complex choices. It also creates documents that become useful tools for designing the system, for uncovering the best vendors, and for negotiating the best possible feature set.

Click below for a free download of the full case study, including more details on the methodology, the matrix, the criteria, and the resulting benefits to Alliant. This PDF file can be printed or forwarded to others without restriction.

   Alliant case study (PDF)

   IntelliGrid Web site

   SGN Case Study page

   Email author Scott Dunn