How to ensure a successful deployment of an ADMS platform

The utility industry has continued its efforts in digitizing the power grid and ensuring reliable and safe delivery of power to their customers over the last decade and half. These include a number of digital transformations within the operational technology space such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) at scale.

As with any technology implementation, there are improvements and learnings over time that the industry as a whole can leverage to ensure future deployments of said systems are successful. Following are the three elements for every utility that is looking to embark on an ADMS implementation program should consider.

• Streamlined Program governance structure

Some of the major obstacles to these large transformation programs are the lack of program governance as well as lack of clarity in both ownership and accountability for each individual contributor on the program. It is imperative to make sure that there is a clear governance structure in place with roles and responsibilities defined up front with your product vendor, system integrator, business integrator and any other contract vendors that you might be looking to onboard on your program. The lines of reporting between the various stakeholders and the program leadership need to be established early on to ensure that the program runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

• Ensuring both the business and IT teams are equal partners

An ADMS implementation is a perfect example of an ‘IT-OT’ convergence where the core platform is able to control devices in the field that enable the most efficient method of power delivery by leveraging enterprise scale IT systems that have the latest technology built into them. With that in mind, it is crucial to have both the business and the traditional IT organization to partner together to bring the best-in-class technology that delivers the most value to the business as well as its customers. Making sure that program organization includes representation of both IT and business at both the leadership level as well as at the individual workstream level is of utmost importance.

• Align program objectives and timelines with enterprise strategy

There are several factors that go into embarking on this journey, whether it is mandated by the regulators, or there is an “end-of-life” system that is no longer going to be supported by the vendor or an enterprise strategy that prioritizes such endeavors. With all these factors at play, these ADMS programs end up impacting the core operations of an electric utility, its people and the customers. Hence, it is critical to understand the costs associated with the benefits that will be realized by releasing each component (OMS, SCADA, Advanced Applications, DER integration) of the ADMS and to lay out a timeline for the implementation in a fashion that provides the biggest bang for the buck to the utility. 

While these large digital transformation programs come with their own set of challenges and each utility will have their own set of constraints that will need to be addressed. The above considerations are key to ensuring a smooth kickoff and continued progress that will provide timely delivery of the product to all stakeholders involved.

If you have read this far and are interested in connecting with me on how I can help you in your journey, then feel free to reach out to me via email – abhinav@grid-transformation.com or via cell - +1-437427-5155

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