Digital management of distributed energy resources, from individual sites to entire systems, has already begun. Before long, mobile applications will extend into smart homes and connected buildings. Many utilities have launched mobile applications for bill notification, presentment, and payment, as well as for outage management. As utilities pursue these opportunities, the effects are already being felt by retail customers. The opportunities are present all along the power-industry value chain, from generation to customer relationship management (Exhibit 1). As the transformation builds momentum, it should open deeper digital opportunities across a wide field.
This can begin with quick moves to improve efficiency and expand the customer base. This means that today’s utilities face a digital transformation of their organization and business. To thrive amid these challenges, the utility of the future will be a fully digital system. Entrants from the digital economy are disrupting the industrial landscape, while governments and regulatory bodies seek to encourage smarter measuring systems and greener standards for generation and consumption.
The competition for customers is shifting to the online channel the Internet of Things promises new product and management options. Data collection and exchange are growing exponentially, creating digital threats but also valuable opportunities. Renewables, distributed generation, and smart grids demand new capabilities and are triggering new business models and regulatory frameworks. The digital revolution is coming to the power industry.
0 kommentar(er)
