Technology That Doesn't Scale

What kinds of technologies are experiencing scalability issues in DER planning during power restoration after Hurricane Milton? Are there specific challenges or solutions that have emerged as particularly noteworthy?

Have you ever thought about how new technology can sometimes be a double-edged sword? Take portable generators, for example. They’re incredibly handy when we experience power outages, providing that much-needed electricity to keep our lives running, even if just for a little while. However, one significant drawback is their limited runtime. Imagine you're in the middle of a storm, and the power goes out. You crank up your generator, thankful for the light and warmth it brings. But as hours pass, you realize that it won't last forever. Frequent refueling becomes a necessity, and this can be quite a hassle, especially in widespread outages when fuel supplies might be dwindling.

It's interesting to consider how this limitation affects people differently. For some, a few hours of power might be sufficient, while others may find themselves scrambling for gas and facing long lines.

New Technology with Limited Runtime: For instance, some portable generators used for temporary power restoration have limited runtime and require frequent refueling, which can be challenging during widespread outages.

Jurisdictional Differences: Different regions have varying regulations and standards, making it difficult to implement a uniform technology solution across all areas2. For example, some counties may have specific requirements for grid interconnection that differ from neighboring counties. After Hurricane Helene, some counties like Lee County updated their building codes to require higher wind resistance for new constructions and renovations. However, neighboring counties like Collier County might not have implemented these changes yet, leading to inconsistencies in infrastructure resilience. Different counties have varying emergency response protocols. For example, during Hurricane Milton, Hillsborough County might have a more centralized approach to disaster response, while Pinellas County could have a decentralized system, affecting how quickly and effectively power restoration efforts are coordinated.

Lacking Integrated Technology Functionality for Unit Commitment: Many utilities struggle with integrating new technologies into their existing systems for unit commitment, which involves scheduling and dispatching generation resources. This can lead to inefficiencies and delays in power restoration.

>News article: Early AM Update on Hurricanes Helene and Milton – Power Outage Restoration: This article discusses the ongoing power restoration efforts and the challenges faced by utilities in reconnecting homes and buildings that have been severely damaged.

>News article: Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall in Florida as Category 3 Storm: This article provides details on Hurricane Milton's impact and the difficulties utilities face in restoring power amidst widespread damage.

Significant Integrations and Dependency on Corporate Systems/Data: Integrating new DER technologies with existing corporate systems and data can be complex and time-consuming. For example, incorporating smart meters and IoT devices into the existing infrastructure requires extensive coordination and data management. This complexity could significantly affect recovery efforts after hurricanes like Milton and Helene.

It's frustrating to see that during these hurricanes, utilities struggled while still sending out self-promotional press releases.

The effectiveness of real-time data from smart meters and IoT devices in monitoring and managing the grid is crucial. However, what intrigues me is the apparent lack of seamless integration with existing systems—could this be the heart of the delays and inefficiencies in the restoration process? It’s fascinating how utilities faced hurdles in swiftly integrating new technologies to restore power.

Moreover, the sheer volume of data these devices generate raises questions about data management systems. What challenges did they encounter in managing this deluge of information? It really makes you wonder how these complexities complicate the recovery efforts. What innovative solutions could potentially address these issues?

Integrating smart meters seems like a fascinating but complex task, doesn’t it? It requires collaboration among different departments within a utility company—like IT, operations, and customer service. I wonder how they manage to align on installation schedules, data management protocols, and troubleshooting processes. It’s intriguing to think about how this coordination becomes even more challenging during a hurricane, especially with the immediate pressure of recovery efforts. How do teams navigate these hurdles and ensure everything runs smoothly?

Then there is data management, legacy system issues, security concerns, document compliance (in its own document lifecycle challenges with access to permits, protocols, training material, etc.)

Data Modeling and Accuracy Challenges: Accurate data modeling is cruccial for effective DER planning and operation. However, obtaining precise and real-time data can be difficult, especially during and after a natural disaster. This can impact decision-making and the efficiency of power restoration efforts.

>News article: How Helene and Milton compare after landfall: Which had worse impact? This article provides a detailed comparison of the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, including the challenges faced by utilities in restoring power.

Ad Hoc Technology Development: Developing technology solutions on an ad hoc basis, without a long-term strategy, can lead to scalability issues. For example, quickly deploying temporary solutions during a disaster may not be sustainable or scalable for long-term use.

>News article: 10 Tech Companies Navigating Hurricanes Helene, Milton: 'We're All In This Together': This article highlights how some solution providers, vendors, and distributors have been helping customers and their own businesses get back online after Hurricane Helene, while preparing for Hurricane Milton. It discusses the need for long-term strategies to ensure scalability and sustainability in disaster recovery efforts.

>News article: Helene and Milton are both likely to be $50 billion disasters, joining ranks of most costly storms: This article discusses the massive financial impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the challenges faced by utilities and governments in managing the recovery process. It highlights the need for sustainable and scalable solutions to address the long-term effects of such disasters.

These challenges highlight the need for comprehensive planning, standardized protocols perhaps adopting an 80/20 rule, sandbox environment for testing, and robust integration strategies to ensure effective and scalable DER deployment, especially in the context of disaster recovery.

The challenges briefly presented by these technologies above can really make us appreciate the reliability of permanent solutions, but they also push us to think creatively about how to respond to unexpected situations.

Note: Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I will do my best to provide accurate answers. If there's a question I can't answer, I'll direct you to someone who can. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Follow my profile for the latest updates and opinions on digital strategies in 2024 and beyond.