By Satish Saini, HEXstream utility industry specialist

Efficiencies in power transmission and distribution (T&D) systems are becoming significant due to multiple reasons and triggering factors. This is a good thing, and greater efficiency is increasingly critical for several reasons, both internal/opertational and external.

Simultaneously, climate changes are affecting T&D infrastructure reliability all while customers are demanding more affordable and reliable power; regulators are enforcing stricter regulations about performance standards; and utilities try to balance economic and sustainability factors.

Let's take a closer look:

• From an environmental perspective, it is well known so far that power systems affect the climate and are subject to climate changes. On one side, better integration and penetration of renewable energy sources in the T&D system is required; on the other side, enhancing the operational efficiency of the existing T&D infrastructure leads to significant impacts.
• Cost reduction using the latest technologies to efficiently plan, design, operate and maintain the T&D infrastructure and assets is another key trigger point. This is both in reference to customer expectations for a affordable energy supply as well as from utilities' business and profitability perspectives.
• Our daily household lives and the infrastructure that supports our society is wholly dependent on grid reliability. We all understand this. Such dependence is what prompts such strict regulation and reporting rules for utilities. 
• Utility transformation leading to enhanced efficiency and productivity in energy transportation and delivery happening globally and latest technologies developments in grid modernization with smarter solutions further supporting and also triggering the needs to bring efficiencies in T&D operations and management.

In short, better T&D system efficiency is triggered by the above factors. This efficiency lowers operating costs, protects the environment, increases grid resiliency/reliability/stability, and supports technological advancements that, ultimately, benefit both consumers and the utilities operating and maintaining these systems.

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