Another OUUG is in the books. And, like in all years past, this event was a terrific mixture of networking with peers in the utilities space, informative presentations on trending topics from thought-leaders, and a little bit of socializing enlivened with armadillo racing. (We were in Texas, after all.) We also hosted our annual HEXstream dinner, which is a great chance to connect with and thank our customers, partners and friends.

Here are our takeaways from OUUG:

“I am biased, of course, but I found the presentation by my colleague Satish Saini, HEXstream utilities industry specialist, and Tom Eyford, Oracle Energy and Water global industry specialist, to be particularly timely. The duo explored changes spurred by the growth of electric vehicles and all of the emerging applications of artificial intelligence within power distribution. Attendees to this presentation learned how DERMS can boost grid reliability and optimize energy distribution. This was a lively discussion on topics that are making headlines each week.”

Jamal Syed, HEXstream CEO and president 

“The announcement of Oracle’s EWDI (Energy and Water Data Intelligence) generated curiosity among customers, who wondered about timelines and the migration path from OUA to EWDI. Now back in the office, I am addressing these topics with our internal team and our partners—there is great change afoot and much opportunity to be explored. We’ll have much more to communicate about this in the coming days.

During conversations with OUUG attendees I recognized a trend about the impact of EV/PV on the grid—several folks stopped by the HEXstream booth seeking help with detecting EVs on the grid and properly managing the load, which are services that we’re currently providing to clients.”

Andreas Walter, HEXstream senior vice president of global sales

“Smart billing was at hot topic at OUUG, with presenters and audiences exploring all facets of this trend, from overcoming the complexity inherent to utility billing processes, to boosting customer-engagement tools that ease the process of paying for power. Smart billing, at its core, addresses utilities’ overarching goal—maintaining customer satisfaction.”

Chris McNamara, HEXstream senior marketing manager

“There were many exciting trends at OUUG. First is the hot topic of EVs changing much more than merely how we drive. Penetration of EVs into utility distribution systems is prompting massive changes in transportation policies and spurring efforts toward energy transition to reduce emissions and promote use of electric vehicles. Of course, this growth will increase loads on utility distribution systems, which are—currently—not ready to handle such increases. There were many discussions in Austin about how to solve this problem. We at HEXstream have a handful of solutions.

Similarly, there is a need to strengthen distribution systems, in particular the key assets that handle this increased load, lest these systems collapse. Currently there is no accurate mechanism to identify the installation and deployment of EV-charging infrastructure. New technologies like AI, data analytics, and AMI/smart metering can help with this.

Utility-asset management is on the rise. With new applications digitizing the utility grid through IT/OT integration, a new holistic approach is required for managing utility assets and infrastructure. I had a few discussions about this trend at OUUG, focused on the growing need to move from a siloed approach toward an integrated, holistic approach. Similarly, ADMS, AMI and other platforms can help optimize asset performance and operations while reducing asset outage and damages and enhancing efficiency and asset lifecycles. There was much interest in these approaches in Austin.

It wouldn’t be a technology conference if we didn’t discuss digital transformation and its role with the utility-customer experience and related applications. AI, data analytics, and AMI/smart metering provide guidance for customers as well as utilities to enhance the customer experience and boost utility efficiency. Good meter data-management systems, cloud services and KPI dashboards are needed to realize digital transformation (including real time CIS and self-service portals). Likewise, customer engagement in energy and power-system operations through IT/OT integration will help achieve energy-transition efforts through various DR demand-response and other programs.

Lastly, I found great interest among OUUG attendees in DERMS and DERs, and their ability to realize sustainability and resiliency in our energy future. I was encouraged by my peers’ interest in these topics, and happy to share my perspective on how utilities can take full advantage of these approaches.”

Satish Saini, HEXstream utilities industry specialist

Connect with HEXstream about any of these topics. Click here to contact us!