PSPS and Emerging Regulatory Requirements: PowerUP 2024 Key Insights

Utilities across the country are increasingly focused on driving situational awareness across all facets of their operations. This emerging trend was particularly evident at the Chartwell PowerUP 2024 conference last month. The discussions highlighted the growing recognition of the need for advanced tools to communicate, engage, and inform key stakeholders and customers, particularly in the context of public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) and related regulatory requirements.

Need for Faster, More Reliable Tools

Reflecting on recent major disasters that have impacted the electric utility industry, such as the devastating fires in Hawaii, there is an urgent need for faster, more reliable communication tools. These tools are essential for not only emergency responders and other key stakeholders but also for regulatory officials who oversee utility operations. The demand for highly available and efficient communication systems is becoming a critical requirement, driven by the necessity to enhance situational awareness and ensure public safety.

Impact on Various Utility Types

This trend affects a wide range of utilities, including municipalities, co-ops, and large investor-owned utilities. It extends beyond the delivery of electricity to encompass other utilities such as water and sewer services. The discussions at the conference emphasized that effective communication and visualization of events such as PSPS and localized grid incidents (e.g., the recent substation shooting in North Carolina) are crucial for providing immediate awareness to all affected parties.

Importance of Communication and Visualization

Notably, presentations from Pacific Gas & Electric, TVA, Alon Grid, and EEI underscored the importance of these emerging trends. Regardless of geographic location, physical landscape, or the types of threats faced, all these utilities agreed that communication and visualization are key components of resiliency. They highlighted that these elements are not only vital for managing current challenges but will also play a significant role in shaping future regulatory requirements. The consensus was clear: regulatory bodies will increasingly mandate robust communication and visualization capabilities as essential criteria for utility operations.

Central Role of Enhanced Communication and Visualization

The Chartwell PowerUP 2024 conference made it evident that the role of PSPS and the broader need for enhanced communication and visualization are becoming central to utility operations. As regulatory requirements evolve, utilities must prioritize these areas to ensure they meet the demands of both stakeholders and regulatory officials, thereby enhancing their overall resilience and ability to manage emergencies effectively.

Conclusion

At DataCapable, we understand the critical need for rapid and accurate information during emergencies and outages. Our suite of solutions is meticulously designed to revolutionize the utility industry. Our comprehensive platform leverages the latest in AI and machine learning technologies to provide utilities with unparalleled operational insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

DataCapable

The DataCapable Community Portal gives all stakeholders the ability to access and share countless sources of vital business information during major events. The Community Portal gives utilities the ability to increase efficiency by eliminating wasted time and improving planning with better information. Finally, the Community Portal fosters excellent communication and collaboration with role-based logins, configurable distribution lists, and historical record keeping. Experience the benefits of improved situational awareness with DataCapable. Request a demo today!