27 INSIGHT | Tracking the Future for seamless integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) like home solar and Electric Vehicles (EV) charging. In fact, our Path to Clean strategy includes cutting our emissions 50 percent by 2030 and reducing operationsdriven emissions to net-zero by 2050 as part of our continuing efforts to address the climate crisis. These are challenging goals that are very important to our customers, shareholders and society, and they require significant new investments to achieve them. At the same time, we seek to ensure we maintain reliable, resilient and affordable delivery of power. We have to innovate in all areas of our business so that we can maintain an affordable power supply for all our customers.” How important is technological innovation in your sector? Are there any specific innovations you are excited about? “Again, it’s important in many ways, but I think meeting the changing demands of our customers is the most challenging. We are moving to a digital grid platform to support our customers’ needs that requires updated back-office IT systems, high-speed telecommunications and other advancements that allow us to interface with our customers and operate the grid in new ways. In order to implement this, we need to make sure that we optimize the assets that we already have. For example, leveraging new technologies that increase power flows on our existing transmission systems without building expensive new lines.” Howmuch is digital transformation affecting your industry? “We now have over 10 million smart meters in service whereby we no longer send meter readers out to read power consumption. We now know immediately when there is a customer power interruption so that we can respond quicker than ever to keep the lights on and the gas flowing. These systems require their own high-speed telecommunications and as we all know, the lifecycle for tech isn’t 40 years like in the past, so we must stay on top of our investments. I could also mention all of the advanced distribution automation that has gone into the electric distribution system, which has really improved grid reliability and outage response. There a lot of examples here.” What are the new technological frontiers you are pushing yourself through? “As you know, we operate both electric and gas utilities. We are modernizing our gas system and preparing it for a low carbon future where it carries a mix of cleaner gaseous fuels. Europe is already mixing small amounts of hydrogen into their natural gas pipelines systems which may become a significant part of the future hydrogen economy. Through the Electric Power Research Institute’s Low Carbon Resources Initiative, we are exploring what form the future energy delivery business will take and helping develop and pilot those technologies.” PRYSMIAN GROUP EDITORIAL STAFF 50% Cutting emissions 10M smart meters in service ENERGY TRANSITION DIGITAL TRASFORMATION
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