In the fast-evolving landscape of the global energy sector, utility companies are amidst unprecedented challenges and opportunities at a greater scale than ever before. And as the world transitions towards more sustainable and modernized energy sources, the role of technology and innovation has never been more crucial. That timeliness and urgency is what makes conferences like this February’s DISTRIBUTECH 2024 so opportune for leaders to share ideas, learn what their peers are doing, and disseminate critical innovations more quickly.
Itron brought a key leadership team with them to Orlando for DISTRIBUTECH 2024, eager to share the lessons learned and best practices amid today’s grid transformation. In particular, Stefan Zschiegner, Vice President of Product Management, and Ty Roberts, Vice President of Product Marketing for Networked Solutions, held constant audiences at the Itron booth. But amidst their busy schedules, these leaders did graciously find time to sit down for an exclusive conversation with Energy Central to delve into the key themes shaping the future of the utility industry.
In the conversation with Energy Central, Zschiegner and Roberts shaped a compelling narrative, exploring the intersection of technology, collaboration, and operational change in driving the energy transition. These experts shared critical insights on pivotal topics ranging from the growing emphasis on grid edge intelligence and the crucial role of partnerships and collaboration in driving industry innovation. Throughout the conference, Itron’s leaders offered glimpses into the future, discussing emerging priorities and the transformative potential of data and cloud technology, and the importance of developing compelling business cases and securing funding for innovative initiatives.
Focus on Grid Edge and the Technology Force Multipliers
Settling into the discussion on hot topics at DISTRIBUTECH, Zschiegner emphasized the significant shift towards grid edge intelligence within the utility industry. Utilities need increased visibility and control at the grid edge, down to the millions of devices below the substation, including feeders, transformers, endpoints and behind-the-meter devices. He noted that this focus is no longer merely a buzzword but has instead become a tangible area of interest and investment for utilities. Zschiegner highlighted the evolving language around the grid edge, indicating a substantial departure from previous years. This shift suggests a genuine desire within the industry to not only discuss but also implement grid edge technologies. Such transformation signifies a maturation within the industry, where stakeholders are moving beyond theoretical concepts to practical implementations aimed at enhancing grid efficiency and reliability.
Itron’s DISTRIBUTECH Booth Remained Constantly Busy
As another key technology focus, Zschiegner also underscored the critical role of data and cloud technology in enabling the transformation of the utility sector. Emphasizing the importance of leveraging emerging cloud technologies to enhance scalability, agility, and innovation, Zschiegner highlighted Itron’s engagement with cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft as part of their strategy to capitalize on cloud technology’s potential. “The velocity of change has to do with the cloud element,” noted Zschiegner. “The more we are able to take advantage of emerging cloud technologies as a key enabler, the faster other technology will come along.” Roberts echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for utilities to leverage data effectively to drive operational efficiencies and improve customer experiences. This emphasis on data and cloud technology reflects a broader industry trend towards digital transformation and leveraging data-driven insights to optimize utility operations.
Amid these transformative technological opportunities, both Zschiegner and Roberts emphasized that technology itself is no longer the primary hurdle to overcome. The real challenge, they said, lies in putting these technologies into practice in existing frameworks.
“Technology is no longer the barrier. The real challenge utilities need to surmount is how to integrate that technology into their operations.” – Ty Roberts
Zschiegner followed by noting that utilities need an approach that is “more agile and more holistic.” As they integrate future-minded technology programs, utilities must be considering factors such as data management, change management, and partnership strategies. This shift signifies a recognition within the industry that successful adoption of new technologies requires more than just technical implementation—it necessitates fundamental changes in operational processes and organizational culture.
Use Cases On Display at the Itron Booth
Navigating the Next Steps
When looking at the pathway ahead for utilities, Roberts underlined the increasing emphasis on partnerships and collaboration within the utility sector. He noted a growing conversation at conferences like DISTRIBUTECH around how to implement new concepts and technologies effectively. “It’s so exciting to be part of events like this one. Every single one of these industry events is creating a step forward for the industry,” he noted. Roberts further highlighted the importance of industry collaboration in turning these discussions into tangible solutions, citing recent partnership announcements made by Itron as examples. Zschiegner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that partnerships are essential for operationalizing technology and addressing complex challenges facing the industry. This collaborative approach reflects a shift towards a more holistic and integrated ecosystem, where utilities work closely with vendors and stakeholders to drive innovation and efficiency.
In terms of current issues utilities come to Itron for help, Roberts highlighted the challenge of funding new initiatives and developing compelling business cases for regulatory approval. He emphasized the need for utilities to articulate the value proposition of new technologies and demonstrate their potential impact on operational efficiency and customer service. Roberts noted that while utilities are increasingly recognizing the potential of emerging technologies, they often struggle to secure funding and regulatory approval for large-scale deployments. Additional tasks on the roadmap with power companies, he shared, now include “helping utilities understand how they can fund these programs and make their case to their regulators.” This challenge underscores the importance of industry collaboration and advocacy in driving regulatory change and facilitating investment in innovative solutions.
Looking ahead, Zschiegner and Roberts both expressed optimism about the future of innovation within the utility sector, emphasizing the rapid pace of technological advancements and the increasing creativity among stakeholders.
“We have this tipping point we’re reaching. The more we educate stakeholders in the industry, the more the ideas are actually, at this point, self-generated.” – Stefan Zschiegner
They highlighted the importance of continuously innovating to meet evolving customer needs and industry challenges. Zschiegner discussed the concept of a “flywheel” effect, where momentum builds as utilities and industry partners collaborate to accelerate innovation. This forward-looking perspective underscores the industry’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological advancements and driving positive change, and doing so at faster rates than ever before. “What we’re really turning towards,” Roberts excitedly shared, “is having a great idea that we can turn into a scaled solution within a matter of weeks.”
Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
This DISTRIBUTECH 2024 conversation with Itron executives Stefan Zschiegner and Ty Roberts offered a compelling glimpse into the future of the utility industry. Through their insights, it becomes evident that the electrification revolution is not merely a vision of tomorrow but a reality unfolding today. From the buzz surrounding grid edge intelligence to the imperative of collaborative partnerships, the themes explored in this interview series underscore the industry’s collective commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Events such as DISTRIBUTECH where they can meet and connect directly with customers are critical to their roadmap. “There’s still so much hunger by our customers to interact and to learn,” Zschiegner noted, “because the rate of change is accelerating for the utility sector.” Roberts likewise noted that the shifting utility landscape means at these industry events “We’re doing more listening and learning, which is the fun part.”
In reflecting on the trajectory of the utility sector, Zschiegner aptly encapsulates the essence of the ongoing transformation, stating, “The challenges are bigger than any one of us, but there is no reason not to be planning it out to the Nth degree. Expect things will go wrong and then work in partnership to solve those problems. This is the fundamental change in approach.” This sentiment resonates deeply as utilities navigate the complexities of an evolving energy landscape, guided by a spirit of adaptability and collaboration.
By harnessing the power of technology, embracing collaboration, and fostering a culture of innovation, utilities can pave the way for a brighter, greener tomorrow. In the words of Roberts, “It’s incredibly exciting right now because we’re not just dreaming anymore. We’re turning ideas into reality.” The utility industry stands poised to lead the charge towards a cleaner, brighter energy future.
