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You've got to hand it to Glendale Water & Power (GWP). The suburban Los Angeles utility is taking steps to make its smart grid, already ranked as one of the best in the country, even better. Utility systems integrator UISOL has delivered the architecture for the complete integration of GWP's systems and data.

 

The architecture includes guidelines, standards and processes for applications, data and integration while adding an overlay of comprehensive security architecture. It also gives GWP the ability to consolidate communications, implement enterprise service bus (ESB) technology to augment systems integration and improve overall efficiency of operations and business activities. The architecture also includes a five-year implementation roadmap.

 

GWP officials know their utility, like other municipal utilities, is dealing with major changes as it deploys smart metering and smart grids and adopts a variety of new technologies and information systems to get the most out of its smart power program.

 

"Careful planning was a top priority for us," said Glenn Steiger, GWP CEO and general manager. "We needed a utility specialist to help us build a system and process that will accommodate whatever changes occur in technology and applications or in consumer needs in the future. UISOL's leadership integrating enterprise-wide distributed energy resources made them the best possible choice."

 

UISOL CEO Ali Vojdani commented "As silos fall and data becomes more readily available within secure operations centers and across departments, utilities increase efficiency, reduce operational costs and realize the potential for delivering greater value to consumers."

 

Glendale recently wrapped up its smart metering deployment, and the next phase for its smart grid includes distribution automation and grid optimization. The new architecture has allowed GWP to develop a data model and adopt ESB technology to accelerate the integration of the new systems and operations.

 

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Breaking Down Silos

Kudos to Glendale for being willing to cross the proverbial Rubicon by going cross functional. From what I have learned the utilities are well known for being "siloed". Some of it is because historically there has not been a major operational reason or trigger and the rest is cultural. So the first major step is wanting to break down those barriers and the second equally difficult step is to set in motion the systems integration to make it operationally effective. Hope to read more about their effort over time.

David O'Brien - 12/21/2011 - 12:59

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