Electric power utilities face many challenges today — rising power and supply chain costs, sharply increasing demand from large loads like data centers, major changes in federal energy policies, and a growing imperative to invest in grid hardening and resilience.
One significant way we support electric utilities in this challenging business environment is by transforming their geographic information systems (GIS) into rich sources of strategically and operationally useful insights. Whether hosted on a utility’s infrastructure or our proprietary DimensionalViewTM platform, these enhanced GIS systems enable utility managers to more accurately prioritize actions based on return on investment (ROI) or other key performance indicators (KPIs) of their choosing. The systems also allow utility managers to plan and execute capital projects more quickly and cost-effectively and streamline critical operations and maintenance (O&M) functions, such as managing stormwater systems and monitoring weather risks.
From Static Maps to Dynamic Utility Intelligence
For utilities, GIS has historically provided static PDFs to map service territories, sets of parcels, transmission corridors, or other assets at a single point in time. Those maps were useful but did not easily support real-time updates, multi-layered analysis, or collaboration across departments, contractors, and vendors. With advanced GIS systems, utility staff can update and display GIS information in near real time, gain a more holistic and up-to-date view of their existing assets, and more easily evaluate project alternatives.
These capabilities are especially valuable when utilities are planning new transmission lines, substation improvements, or other capital projects. Instead of evaluating parcels, access points, environmental constraints, and design alternatives through separate static documents, project teams can use GIS platforms to visualize those factors together. They can test different plan options and reduce time spent pursuing options that are unlikely to work.
The value of a modern GIS platform can also be increased through the integration of lidar and other 3D data sources. Lidar enables utilities to capture precise elevation and spatial information, allowing engineers and planners to better understand corridor constraints, model design alternatives, assess clearances, and support more efficient project delivery.
As utilities sharpen their focus on how conductors, vegetation, terrain, and weather conditions interact, they can use lidar data in a GIS platform to model risks across space and time and prioritize mitigations — such as vegetation management — more efficiently than with older, static GIS."Amanda Byrd and Andrew Dahlman
Historically, much of this work relied on traditional data collection methods and siloed information. Staff often spent significant time coordinating across departments, waiting for colleagues to email files, and trying to make sure teams were working from the same document versions. By bringing data into a shared GIS environment, we can help utilities reduce confusion and spend more time on project decision making.
Parcel-Level GIS Brings New Precision to Utility Planning
Currently, we’re working with the real estate group at a large investor-owned utility on a parcel mapping tool. The utility relies on multiple vendors to support real estate activities such as acquiring parcels and easements. We are working with them to standardize the process for reporting, making inputs easier and customizing the data available based on stakeholder level and need to view the data. Ultimately, this will enable a more streamlined processes for permitting, acquisition, and construction.
Enhanced GIS platforms also improve O&M. For example, the tools can enable better management of stormwater management practices at assets and monitoring weather-related risks. A large utility has hundreds of stormwater features such as retention ponds and underground storage facilities at assets and other properties — features that must be inspected regularly for environmental compliance. Different features may require inspection with different cadences depending on type and locality. An enhanced GIS platform can not only show where the features are, it can be used to integrate inspection timelines, store reference documents such as site plans, manage workload, track follow up items, and facilitate the review of forms, helping staff manage compliance more efficiently.