Navigating the clean energy transition and supporting future energy initiatives requires power grids that are fully modernized. Robust field connectivity for utility field assets is the foundation of grid modernization. Utility equipment such as powerlines, towers and substations must be in constant communication to enable the data-sharing and control that supports the flexibility and operational excellence that utilities — and their customers — require.

A new survey by Utility Dive’s studioID and Sitetracker highlighted that asset connectivity is a top utility priority. This survey asked 150 U.S. and Canadian utility leaders and professionals how they are overcoming obstacles to this complex but essential type of infrastructure project. A clear theme emerged in the findings: digital transformation of utility workflows and processes can substantially streamline and accelerate field connectivity upgrades, while yielding additional benefits across the utility.

“Leveraging digital innovation to update business management processes and eliminate the inefficiencies of outdated methods — often justified as ‘the way we’ve always done things’ — is key to overcoming these challenges,” said Emily Obenauer, director of product marketing at Sitetracker. “Our research shows that utility leaders not only recognize the potential of digital transformation to streamline operations, improve coordination and enhance project oversight, but many plan to make significant investments in digital tools in the next 3-5 years.”

The survey uncovered:

• Field connectivity is a top infrastructure priority. Thirty-five percent of respondents said that enhancing field connectivity is one of their utility’s top five near-term priorities — second only to cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) upgrades.
• Renewable energy growth demands robust field connectivity. According to 42%, renewable energy growth is one of their utility’s top strategic priorities. Upgrading field connectivity is needed to manage variable power inputs from renewable resources (a data-intensive process that requires extensive forecasting and automation).
• Boosting reliability. Improving their utility’s reliability is a top priority for 35% of respondents. Highly granular situational intelligence is essential to maintain reliability in the face of emerging grid challenges: more severe weather events, adding energy storage, supporting EV charging and more.
• Challenge to giving field connectivity the focus it deserves. Twenty-five percent said that funding connectivity upgrades often requires folding these projects into more traditional rate-based capital projects, such as building new powerlines. Treating connectivity upgrades as subordinate projects or failing to frame them as strategic investments in a utility’s future, can dilute the focus and urgency needed for successful implementation.
• How to address obstacles. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported that their field connectivity initiatives have encountered barriers around staffing limitations and contractor management. Forty-four percent said that centralized software to manage complex utility projects can support the success of field connectivity upgrades. Other helpful capabilities include simplified handoffs between teams (39%), more robust mobile collaboration tools (36%) and streamlined workflows (34%).

Respondents also offered personal insights on why field connectivity matters. An engineering manager of a large municipal utility observed, “I wish more people understood that connectivity in field assets is a genuine important data structure that can shape our entire future.” From a business perspective, a CEO of a major utility subsidiary noted, “Thanks to our use of field asset connectivity, we can outperform competitors who have not implemented comparable solutions.”

To hear more from these utility pros and learn more about these findings, download the complete survey report, From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Insights from Utility Leaders on Digital Infrastructure Deployment.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

Sitetracker collaborated with Utility Dive’s studioID to survey 150 professionals working for utilities with operations in the U.S. and Canada in mid-2024. This opt-in, online survey included a mix of multiple-choice and open-response questions designed to explore utility perspectives on field asset connectivity, the challenges these upgrade projects face, and how utilities are addressing these challenges to enable the full range of grid modernization benefits. Most respondents are in leadership roles: 43% director, 23% department manager or senior manager, and 16% executive. All utility types are represented: investor-owned (35%), municipal (35%), utility subsidiaries (18%), co-ops (8%), and other (5%). The spectrum of utility size is also represented, with the largest portion of respondents working for utilities that serve 1-5 million customers.