The digital transformations the utility industry can expect in the future
Ebin Thomas
Account Executive at Anyline
Digital transformation in utilities is the wave of the future. It’s changing the landscape for businesses all throughout the world, and bringing together areas such as:
- The capture of mobile data for customers and workforces
- Real-time, decentralized, energy data that’s driven by AI
- Energy fraud detection through machine learning algorithms
- High-end advances in the cybersecurity field
Let’s look at these areas, and how they all come together to digitally transform utilities with the help of OCR and mobile data capture. Here’s what utility operators need to know.
Jump to key topics
Jump to key topics
The Capture of Mobile Data for Customers and Workforces
The heart of the digital transformation is the automation of processes. Until recently, though, utilities have been focused on the automation of internal processes. Now, they need to look at the processes along the edges, specifically when it comes to customer interaction.
In collecting meter readings, many companies rely on paper-based systems and manual processes. Not only are those resource-intensive, but they can easily be prone to errors. Smart meters are becoming more popular, and utilities are also turning toward mobile data capture. By using optical character recognition (OCR), utilities allow workers to scan meters with their smartphones.
If the utility has developed energy management apps for customers, those customers can scan their own meter and provide the data. An email or text message is used as a prompt, and the operator gets instant readings from customers. That’s convenient for everyone involved. Digital tools like mobile data capture helps utilities make data-driven decisions quickly and more efficiently.
Real-Time, Decentralized, Energy Data That’s Driven by AI
AI is showing its value in areas such as grid operations, asset coordination, renewable energy forecasting, and material innovation. Even though AI’s potential has been demonstrated in the energy sector, there have been a lot of restrictions on acceptance and innovation. That means there’s a big opportunity to push AI forward and give it a more prominent role in the transition to zero-emission systems.
There is a rising demand for electrification, along with increased interest in renewables. The market is reacting to those things, and a lot of real-time operations at utilities are being affected. A decentralized approach will allow investors to get involved in the energy market, helping utilities to increase earnings. When done right, everyone will benefit from this and energy success will continue to grow. The customers, operators, and overall market all win with a decentralized model.
Energy Fraud Detection Through Machine Learning Algorithms
Energy fraud is a problem for many countries, even with advancements in digitization. Particularly in emerging economies, non-technical losses can account for nearly 25 to 30 percent of the distribution network. Naturally, that’s a serious issue for the utilities and the customers, as it lowers profits and drives up rates. Addressing these losses is extremely important.
Forensic technologies developed for utilities are using a machine learning algorithm to make the detection of energy fraud easier. These technologies are being integrated into the devices technicians use, so utility companies can benefit. Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Verifying the authenticity of the meter the technicians are scanning
- Scanning the serial number or barcode to make sure it’s the right meter
- Capturing the meter reading and photo, so the scanned data is automatically linked to photographic proof.
Not only are these features extremely beneficial to utilities in trying to combat fraud, but the features can combine with:
- Geo-localization, to ensure the meter that was read was in the right place.
- Time stamping, to prove the data capture was recent, and old data isn’t being used.
With the ability to include all those features and benefits, energy fraud can be greatly reduced
High-End Advances in the Cybersecurity Field
In recent years, utility providers all over the world have seen a steady rise in physical security and cybersecurity events. That has led many utility industry leaders to cite cybersecurity as one of their most serious concerns. It’s a real threat, and since it’s on the rise it’s important to make sure the interconnectivity and automation of the energy infrastructure are protected.
In order to do that, leading utilities will need to consider:
- Undertaking studies focused around building a cybersecurity plan that identifies and prioritizes critical assets, as well as how to handle the loss of those assets.
- Developing security architecture with processes that have been designed from the ground up, instead of just added on later.
- Investing in core security measures and continuing to strengthen them. These measures include anti-virus applications, firewalls, encryption, trust zones, and user access controls.
By focusing on the four areas addressed here, utilities can move toward digital transformation with convenience and confidence for everyone involved.
In the end, technology can improve the many different aspects of the utility industry and the problems it’s facing. Mobile data capture can empower customers to read their own meters, or give better tools for utility workers to gather that data efficiently and accurately. By adopting this kind of technology, utility companies can cross part of the problems from their list and focus more on issues that are harder to face, like securing their network physically as well as digitally
If you are interested in mobile meter reading and how you can start using it with your existing processes and devices, try our 30-day free SDK trial or contact us today!
