About the author
Anastasia LeBar is the Marketing Manager at Fulcrum. She brings with her over 25 years of marketing and sales experience in the B2B industry.
The 2023 T&D World Live Conference was a landmark event, bringing together the brightest minds in the transmission and distribution sector. Fulcrum was among many who exhibited and attended with a team of experts in their field. Although the show was well attended by major players in the industry, the environment was one of a close-knit community.
“It’s a big industry, but it’s a small industry in a way. We’re all trying to solve similar problems together.”
Jake Freivald, Fulcrum, VP Product Marketing
The conference, held over several days, was packed with sessions, tours, and discussions that provided deep insights into the future of the energy industry. Topics and conversations included transition technologies, satellite and drone imagery, AI fault-detection sensors, grid management systems, and digital transformation driving analytical data-driven decisions.
Here are three key takeaways from the conference, along with how tools like Fulcrum can enhance the utility industry’s operations:
Embracing electric transportation and transition technologies
The conference began with a learning lab focused on electric transportation and other emerging transition technologies. Led by Doug Houseman from 1898 & Co., the session emphasized the growing importance of electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, the Commercial Electric Vehicle & Infrastructure Conference expanded on this topic with insights from Charlie Allcock and Terrell Davis. These experts discussed both the challenges and the opportunities associated with developing large-scale EV infrastructure across the utility sector.
How Fulcrum fits in
With the rise of EVs, utilities will need to gather accurate data on charging station locations, usage patterns, and grid impacts. Fulcrum’s field data collection platform can help utilities capture this data efficiently, ensuring they are well-prepared for the EV revolution.
Modernizing the grid for a clean energy future
Several sessions at the conference emphasized the urgent need to modernize the grid for long-term reliability and flexibility. For instance, “Next Generation ADMS/DERMS for Managing the Clean 21st Century Distribution Grid” explored advanced grid management tools. In addition, “Quantifying and Modeling Climate Impacts” highlighted how climate risks affect grid operations and the need for proactive planning.
How Fulcrum fits in
As utilities work to modernize the grid, they’ll need to collect vast amounts of field data – from equipment inspections to renewable energy site assessments. Fulcrum’s platform can streamline this data collection process with geospatial capabilities, ensuring utilities have all the information they need to make informed decisions.
Data-informed grid modernization and digital transformation
One of the standout sessions was “Data-Informed Grid Modernization – Leveraging Analytics for Investment Decisions?” which focused on data’s role in smarter planning. Specifically, the session emphasized how utilities can use analytics to guide investment decisions in modernizing the grid.
As the grid grows more complex with renewable integration, asset solutions, and advanced management systems, data becomes increasingly essential. Therefore, utilities must leverage these insights to determine where to allocate resources and maximize the impact of each investment.
How Fulcrum fits in
Digital transformation lies at the heart of today’s data-driven approach to modernizing the electrical grid. In this context, Fulcrum’s platform plays a pivotal role by helping utilities collect, analyze, and act on field data instantly. Whether it’s evaluating infrastructure, monitoring renewable energy systems, or tracking consumer usage, Fulcrum supports smarter, real-time decisions in the field.
In conclusion, the T&D World Live Conference 2023 offered valuable insights into both challenges and opportunities facing today’s utility sector. From the rise of electric vehicles to urgent modernization needs, the event highlighted key topics shaping the industry’s future. Most importantly, it reinforced the critical role of data in driving smarter, faster, and more sustainable decisions. Tools like Fulcrum, with advanced data collection capabilities, will play a pivotal role in helping utilities navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities.
Ready to experience the power of Fulcrum? Dive into the world of efficient field data collection for the transmission and distribution sector with Fulcrum. Whether you’re in the electrical utility sector or any industry that requires robust field data collection, Fulcrum is designed to meet your needs. Don’t just take our word for it – schedule your free demo today and witness the transformation firsthand!