Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), a multi-service utility owned by the City of Gainesville, Florida, is a vital provider of electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications services to approximately 93,000 retail and wholesale customers in the region. Seeking to enhance outage management operations in preparation for hurricane season and to deliver safe, reliable, and competitively priced utility services in an environmentally responsible manner, the GRU team collaborated with UDC and AspenTech to achieve this ambitious goal.
Expert Insights and Panel Discussion
During a recent panel discussion, experts from GRU, UDC, and AspenTech delved into crucial aspects of optimizing outage management. Tony Holstein, the Utility Project Team Leader at Gainesville Regional Utilities, shared his extensive experience spanning 22 years in utility operations, emergency management, and leadership. With a background as the Distribution Operations Manager at Systems Control, Holstein emphasized the importance of storm restoration and leading cross-departmental teams to bolster operational efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Richard Gunton, a Technical Systems Analyst at GRU, also provided valuable insights during the discussion. Additionally, Ron Yoshimura, the Principal Consultant at UDC, brought over 35 years of experience in developing and implementing enterprise software solutions for electric, gas, and water utilities. His expertise in GIS consulting and network modeling has been instrumental in supporting UDC clients with pragmatic business solutions to address unique challenges.
Derek Paquette, the Senior Director for Partner Programs at AspenTech Digital Grid Management, shared his extensive experience in consulting and system delivery within the utilities industry. Over the past three years, Paquette has focused on building a Delivery Service Provider ecosystem for the Digital Grid Management software suite, contributing significantly to the advancement of utility operations. Sally Jacquemin, the Vice President and General Manager of Power and Utilities at AspenTech, rounds out the panel with her wealth of experience in digital solutions for electric and gas utilities. Jacquemin’s oversight of business strategy and customer engagement has been pivotal in driving global growth opportunities for AspenTech’s Digital Grid Management product suite.
Enhancing Outage Management Operations
The discussion also touched on critical elements of outage management, including the even and reliable distribution of electricity to prevent system overloads, outages, and blackouts. By implementing a responsive plan to address equipment failures, vegetation or animal issues, crew dispatch, and prompt service restoration, utilities like GRU can significantly enhance their outage management capabilities. Moreover, focusing on distribution infrastructure maintenance to improve efficiency and reliability, while integrating new technologies like smart meters and distributed energy resources, plays a crucial role in optimizing outage management operations.
Gainesville Regional Utilities’ proactive approach to outage management serves as a model for other utilities looking to enhance their operational resilience and customer service. By leveraging the expertise of industry professionals and cutting-edge technologies, GRU has positioned itself as a leader in providing safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible utility services to its customers.
In conclusion, the collaboration between GRU, UDC, and AspenTech underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative solutions in optimizing outage management operations. By continuously evolving and adapting to new challenges, utilities can better prepare for unforeseen events and ensure the seamless delivery of essential services to their customers. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing technological advancements and best practices will be key to meeting the ever-growing demands of a modern utility landscape.
