As Artificial Intelligence (AI) terminology establishes itself as part of the conversation and its role in day-to-day life, the utility industry finds itself at a crossroads between embracing technology and only discussing it. Turning aspirations into achievements.
Let’s face it, utilities are facing significant challenges with aging infrastructure, extreme weather including wildfires and increasingly this year, devastating hurricanes, rising operational costs and increased demands for reliability. It’s a lot. But here’s the good news, AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a promising solution. So, let’s stop asking ‘what if?’, and start asking ‘what now?’.
This shift from talk to action signals the next step towards the future of utility management. It’s not just a dream, it’s already becoming our reality.
Powering up AI
At Sharper Shape, we’ve been embedded in automating asset management for utilities for over a decade, refining what AI can look like and what it can provide for businesses with hundreds of miles of powerlines in the most remote locations. And of course, the industry has come a long way in the past ten years.
The next stage for utilities is truly AI-optimized systems which work through the entire inspection process from planning through to reporting, interconnecting data as it does so, providing a clear and actionable plan offering more oversight than ever before.
Our Asset Insights module, part of the Sharper CORE suite, does just this. By automating the detection and assessment of infrastructure components and employing advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms to scan assets, AI solutions provide exceptional accuracy. This technology not only identifies defects such as cracks or corrosion but also assesses overall asset health, allowing utilities to prioritize maintenance and repair tasks effectively.
Asset Insights helps public and cooperative transmission and distribution utilities, and other operators of linear infrastructure, improve safety, manage risk and create operational efficiencies. With an automated review of a utility’s infrastructure and workflow management, users can tap into results and review components and defects across their assets.
Put simply, it’s all about using smart technology to make our jobs easier and more efficient.
The real-world application of such technologies is already showing promising results. For example, utilities using AI-driven systems report a substantial reduction in both the time and cost associated with routine inspections. By automating these processes, AI helps utilities redirect valuable human resources towards more complex issues that require human attention.
As a utility professional, you’ll know all too well the challenges faced in inspection and maintenance, but how can AI lighten that load? Asset Insights can create a representation of an electric utility pole utilizing AI and Machine Learning to automatically identify 25+ components:
- Component types and counts – AI detection provides a list and the number of components from the images ingested in CORE
- Georeferenced database – your assets are defined by their location using precise, up-to-date map coordinates
- Streamlined workflows – get more done in less time
- Dashboard and analytics – from lineman to executive, fully customized data tailored to the interests of each role in your organization
Learn more the data behind our solutions
A little less conversation, a little more action please
AI is already transforming utility asset management from a reactive to a proactive discipline. By harnessing the power of AI, utilities are not only improving their operational efficiencies but are also setting the stage for a future where digital resilience defines utility industry leaders.
Moreover, as utilities continue to face the challenge of extreme weather AI tools like Asset Insights will allow them to stay one step ahead of the status of surrounding vegetation that could fall onto powerlines or catch fire.
Ready to turn theory into practice? It’s not just about what AI can do; it’s about what it can do for you.
Ready to jump into action? Get in touch
