Getting the Most Out of Data: The Key to Successful Electrical Utility Application Integration
Lawrence J. Kuhl
VP – Partnerships & Business Development
Coherent Networks, Inc.
1 Adler Drive
East Syracuse, New York 13057
Abstract
The electric utility industry is experiencing increased merger activity, more sophisticated
competitors, more stringent regulatory demands, and customers with expanding menus of
energy choices. These are just a few of the factors that drive utilities to look for new
operating solutions. Corporate mergers often require integration of different operating
systems. All utilities strive to implement operational enhancements that involve the
integration of existing systems. When systems are integrated, the data that drives these
systems must be migrated and integrated, too. But the required data integration is not
always a success. In fact, 75 percent of respondents in recent IT surveys report
significant problems as a result of defective or poorly integrated data. Before the
processes that draw on this data can be trusted and counted on, the data itself must be
verified as accurate. This article will examine issues associated with data accuracy, data
sources, target applications, typical errors, and the need for new Operations Support
Systems. It will explore techniques for verifying and validating data to ensure that it is
accurate and complete. Architectures and methods for integrating applications using
advanced gateways, messaging bus, and point-to-point solutions are outlined. Finally, the
benefits of combining integration of technologies are discussed.
Paper
Introduction
The electric utility industry is experiencing re-regulation, the introduction of new more
sophisticated business entities, more stringent regulatory demands, and customers with
expanding menus of energy choices. These are just a few of the factors that have resulted
in increased merger and acquisition activity and that drive utilities to look for new
solutions to improve operational efficiency and meet constituency expectations.
Corporate mergers result in having different operating systems that address the same
basic need. In many cases, to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger, consolidation
or integration of information systems is required. Business expectations drive the need
for operational enhancements, improved reliability, increased customer satisfaction, and
cost reduction. In some cases, these are conflicting goals.
The merging of different business entities typically requires the merging of different
business processes, inevitably leading to the integration and replacement of existing
systems. When systems are integrated, the data that drives these systems must be
migrated and integrated, as well. But the required data integration is not always a success.
In fact, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 75 percent of respondents in recent IT
surveys report significant problems as a result of defective or poorly integrated data.
Before the processes and corresponding applications that draw on data can be trusted and
counted on, the data itself must be accurate.
This paper briefly explores the issues of data accuracy and consistency, the impact of
quality data on Operations Support Systems, and the corresponding need for operational
applications targeted for the electrical utility industry. Techniques for verifying and
validating data to ensure that it is accurate and complete are reviewed. Methods of
integrating applications using messaging bus and point-to-point solutions are discussed.
An example of how the combination of technologies can be leveraged to benefit utilities
is also presented.
Data – Sources, Targets and Errors
10:18 AM 12/17/2003
There are many sources of data needed by end-use Operations Support System (OSS)
applications. Many of these systems rely on a geospatial representation of network
assets. Meter reading and other customer load information, real-time network element
status, analog energy flow, network connectivity, crew, customer status, construction,
cost and other basic information is essential to maximizing the performance of these
systems. For electric-based OSS applications, detailed physical asset attribute and
configuration information, customer-to-facility relationships, phasing, electrical
connectivity, structural integrity, are mandatory components. Typical source systems
include CAD, GIS, CIS, AMR, SCADA, Distribution Automation, Asset Management
Systems, and Graphical Design Estimation. The data from these systems, in turn, drives
Outage Management (OMS), Work Management (WMS), Distribution Management
(DMS), Energy Management (EMS), and Engineering Analysis packages. The
conjunction of data from such a wide range of sources opens the door to data omissions,
conflicts, gaps and errors.
