Simple Steps to Becoming the Utility of the Future Now
Transcript of Simple Steps to Becoming the Utility of the Future Now
Simple Steps to Becoming the Utility of the Future NowMichael Karl and Jacob Young, Brown and Caldwell
Water utilities are leveraging technology to address population growth, increased regulations, and conservation goals
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• Population expected to increase
by 2.5 million people by 2050
• Increased reporting requirements
• Utah has a goal of reducing per
capita water consumption by 25%
by the year 2025. So far, Utah’s
conserved 18%.
• More distributed, automated, and circular
• Savings in energy, infrastructure replacement, and maintenance
• Web-enabled mobile devices and cloud computing to enable unattended operations, adjust operations in real time
Industry leaders are capitalizing on advances in information technology to address critical issues
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Municipalities in Utah and across the country are preparing for the future with a “Smart Utility” approach.
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Smart Utility is a new approach to utility management that leverages advancements in information technology to better support a utility’s sustainability and service objectives through increased integration of its information systems and real-time analytics.
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This holistic approach connects a utility’s systems and services to simplify business operations.
Effective Utility Management
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Strategic Planning
Leadership
Operational Approaches
Measurement
Continuous Improvement Framework
Keys to Success
Source: AWWA
This shift in technology is allowing utilities to capitalize on a wide variety of benefits
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CMMS: Conduct
condition-based
maintenance
Water Quality: Manage events
in real time
Automated Meter
Infrastructure
System:Capture near real
time water loss
information
GIS: Solve problems
quickly and easily
with convenient
access and
mapping
Document
Management
System: Easy access to
information
Hydraulic Model: Test operational
responses to event
prior to
implementation
Security: Protect critical
infrastructure
Customer
Information
Interface: Understand
customer
systems
JVWCD Case Study
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• JVWCD currently serves as a wholesale supplier to 17 member agencies
• 3 Water Treatment Plants
• 14 pump stations
• 41 wells
• 15 reservoirs
• 66 meter stations
Jordan ValleySalt Lake Valley, West Jordan, UT
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JVWCD discovered the possibilities of Smart Utility during the Master Planning Phase
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Master Plans
HMI Selection
FutureProjects
Implementation
Where do we want to be
in 10-15 years?
What software will
help us get there?
Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District is creating a sustainable future through innovation and a shared vision
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Provide a safe and secure water
supply by maximizing the strategic use
of technology and reinforcing reliable
business services, while being
scalable to support growth.”
Jordan Valley Water
Conservation District’s vision
Installed 8500 new water meters that automated the meter reading process and captured better customer information.
Laid the foundation for water conservation with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
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Developing a sustainable and resilient SCADA system that meets industry standards and supports the District over the next 25 years
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Steps to implementing Smart Utility
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1. Review the utility’s sustainability and service Objectives
2. Identify each department’s (multi-disciplinary team) responsibility in achieving those objectives
3. Define the real-time analytics that would assist the departments in their responsibilities
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4. Figure out how to the connect the information system and create a platform to perform the real-time analytics
Jordan Valley – Smart Utility Brain StormingSalt Lake Valley, West Jordan, UT
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Jordan Valley – Smart Utility Brain StormingSalt Lake Valley, West Jordan, UT
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Dedicated to continuous improvement
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Specific examples
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Defining a better process to manage water loss and water quality
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+ +Define department
roles in meeting
those requirements
Define current analysis
and methods to meet
those requirements
Define how the
information system
could be connected to
facilitate the analyses
and methods
Example 1: Managing Water Loss
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Jordan Valley Water Conservancy
District is making strides to meet
the state’s goal of reducing water
use by 25% by the year 2025.
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Zone 2
(gpm)
Avg.
Annu
al
24 hr
Avg.
Current
Inflow 1000 1800 1600
Usage 920 1725 1410
NRW 80 75 190
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Example 2: Managing Water Quality
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Call Complaints
Smart Utility Focuses Decision Maker Efforts on the Last Step: Analyze and Respond
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Call Complaints
Chlorine
Smart Utility Focuses Decision Maker Efforts on the Last Step: Analyze and Respond
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Tanks 1-5
Chlorine
Smart Utility Focuses Decision Maker Efforts on the Last Step: Analyze and Respond
Next steps
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Imagine Smart Utility for you
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Utilities are already collecting large quantities of data.
A smart utility compiles this data, analyzes it, and filters
the information based on the individual user’s needs to
better meet a utility’s overarching business objectives.
This platform allows utilities to gracefully adapt to
changes in technology, growth, and regulations.
Imagine the potential of
assessing information
and adapting our
response based on real-
time data and staff
objectives
• A staged approach to implementing smart utility allows you to implement new technology in phases to limit re-work.
Phased maturity model helps modernize without reinvestment
AWARENESS ANALYTICSPREDICTIVE AND
PRESCRIPTIVE
ANALYTICS1 2 3
Questions
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