6 Reasons Grid Operators can benefit from implementing a map-based asset management system

Digitalization of the energy distribution sector and its ever-increasing construction projects, urgently needed in order to reach Net Zero, is constantly evolving, and a quality asset management software has emerged as a critical part of next-generation transmission system operators’ toolkit.

As streamlining processes and maximizing efficiency remains a top priority for grid operators and their stakeholders, our latest blog explores the benefits of map-based infrastructure asset management software, and how adopting this technology can assist with decision-making, better collaboration between stakeholders, and provide valuable visual insights.

Read on to find out our six top benefits of a map-based infrastructure asset management system below.

Management of energy assets such as power lines, substations, transformers, underground and sub-sea cables, or control centers comes with its own unique challenges for project teams, often requiring meticulous planning and speedy execution. With an enterprise asset management system, organisations benefit from oversight of the entire lifecycle of their assets, from planning through to decommission. This oversight takes some of the complexity away from project teams, allowing them to focus on other aspects of the future asset, reducing costly errors, improving safety standards and derive value from assets.

By creating a digital asset register, essential information such as location, age or condition of the asset is a click away. Furthermore, a comprehensive view of the maintenance history of the assets affords better planning, informed decisions, and the ability to develop a robust asset management strategy.

A significant advantage to utilising an asset management system is being able to simplify maintenance and operational activities. Asset management software includes task-raising and scheduling capabilities at the asset or component level, so organisations have a helping hand in prioritising tasks. The analysis helps to prioritise, giving insights on maintenance history, to move from reactive to proactive maintenance.
With comprehensive reporting and analytics, project teams can easily spot trends and patterns that mean they can allocate resources effectively, increasing maintenance and inspections where needed, and plan for downtime or replacement of assets with plenty of warning. This can lead to a more strategic approach to maintenance, focusing on preventive measures and timely repairs to avoid costly unplanned outages. Furthermore, it facilitates better planning of asset upgrades or expansions by understanding current asset utilization, projected growth areas, and potential bottlenecks in the grid, thereby improving overall operational efficiency and reliability of the electricity supply.

A map-based asset management system offers powerful visualisations, meaning organisations can take advantage of a clear and intuitive representation of the condition of their assets, as well as other important data such as location or the asset’s attributes. Assets can vary in scope and geographical distance, so this feature becomes particularly valuable when managing a wide array of assets. A map-based asset management system provides electricity grid operators with a comprehensive spatial overview of all assets within the grid, such as power lines, substations, transformers, and more. This geospatial context is crucial for understanding the physical locations and proximities of assets to each other and to potential environmental hazards. It aids in planning maintenance, upgrades, and expansions with a clear understanding of geographic constraints and opportunities.

For example, with Thinkproject’s asset management software, grid operators can filter and highlight assets based on their attributes, meaning users can gain a better insights through filtering for type, and condition, and other such customisations and visualising on a map.

Asset data can be analysed based on parameters such as location, which gives grid operators valuable spatial insights. By understanding how an asset interacts with its surroundings, organisations can then respond to location-specific criteria and take the best action to build and maintain that asset, extending its asset lifecycle considerably.

For example, in regions where high winds and storms are frequent, an electricity transmission operator could use asset data analysis to identify overhead power lines that are at risk of being damaged by falling trees or debris. This proactive identification allows for the trimming of trees and securing of lines before storms hit, ensuring continuous power supply, reducing the likelihood of outages, and maintaining the integrity of the electrical grid.

All grid operators want to strive for clear communication, informed decision-making and accurate, easy to digest information, whether this is for the benefit of their own asset management or project teams, or their external stakeholders.

The benefit of map-based information is the improved decision-making that comes from the asset and operational data. Asset Managers can easily view a comprehensive overview of their assets’ status. This clarity affects everyone, meaning maintenance teams can better plan their workload and visits by, for example, grouping tasks and inspections geographically. All resources can be allocated for the best efficiency and means concentrated issues can be afforded more time.

Within asset management, numerous project teams stakeholders need to come together to maintain assets to the highest degree, but these teams also have their own distinct goals and priorities. Open and transparent collaboration between teams is essential for success which is where a map-based system can come in and aide in this.

A map-based asset management system works as a common visual language that promotes shared understanding between teams. Different fields can align activities effectively by seeing the areas where their issues intersect. This collaboration method can see a great improvement in coordination, streamlining and better asset management outcomes.

Map-based infrastructure asset management is becoming essential for organisations grid operators on their digitalisation journey. Benefits such as centralised data, a single source of truth and clear visualisation bests the traditional form-based approach. Decision-makers empowered with these tools can confidently assess and manage with real-time data to back up planning.

By combining this technology with lifecycle tracking, reporting and analytics, organisations are on the path to elevating their asset management practices and benefit from longevity and optimal performance of their assets.

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