TAIT Communications launches webinar: Utilities need to address modernization and optimize operations

Philip also discusses how utilities are investing in modernization and how new value is being derived on multiple fronts, including through the use of digital mobile radio.

The goal in presenting this webinar is to highlight three key motivators of change in the industry

1. Regulatory mandates, or the must do’s,
2. Obsolescence, or the need to do’s,
3. Technology advancements or the want to do’s.

Many utilities start with a basic recognition that mandated regulatory changes, such as integrating renewable, be limited by obsolete grid architecture, a reality in industrialized countries throughout Europe and in the US. Utilities are prioritizing their investments accordingly;

• Modernize the grid architecture – Prepare for renewable integration, add wires and poles, more intelligent assets, embedded sensors, and greater monitoring and control capabilities
• Replace old assets with new, intelligent, connected assets.
• Implementation of an advanced distribution management system, distribution automation and remote asset management
• Apply analytics to grid data to reduce energy costs reduce operational expenses and optimize asset life cycles.

These grid modernization investments are taking place while many in the industry struggle with the decision to upgrade their legacy land mobile radio environment. The cost is not insignificant, and the value has traditionally been limited to voice dispatch, which is in decline with data dispatch to laptops and smart devices.

While Digital Mobile Radio is the obvious upgrade path for legacy LMR, it can be difficult for utilities to justify the cost based on the remaining voice dispatch use cases, which are infrequent but mission critical.

Please, click here to register for this Live Webinar that will be held on the 15th October 2014