Smart and automated technologies have revolutionized the way we live our lives. From how we consume content like television and music to the ways in which we exercise and operate kitchen appliances. But with these fresh advancements comes new complexities, including vulnerabilities around consumers’ personal data. On an individual level, vigilance around protecting sensitive information certainly plays a role. But what about the companies who act as gatekeepers of that data? What are the steps they should be taking to protect sensitive information?

Utility companies have the added responsibility of overseeing data that can impact the masses. Fortunately, maintaining excellent cybersecurity and protecting customer data is possible through a few proven tactics that keep data safe and secure. We’re going to share a few of them below. (more…)

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the oldest engineering society in the U.S. that includes the country’s foremost experts on the built environment. For years, ASCE has fervently advocated for updates to aging utility infrastructure, and its most recent report is no different. As published in March 2021, the report focuses specifically on progress made in infrastructure development, saying that “although much work remains to be done, the progress indicates the benefits that can result from increased funding, better asset management, and technological improvements.”

Upgrading infrastructure and expending the necessary capital needed to make that happen can be a daunting proposition for utilities.  They may already be balancing an exceedingly tight budget. Today, we’ll look at the positives of that investment and explore the real impacts of upgrading aging infrastructure. We’ll also look at digitization and securing the grid against natural and manmade disasters. (more…)

The country’s utility infrastructure, the foundation of American livelihood, is a rapidly aging asset. Just how close to end-of-life are many of our infrastructure’s critical components? Here’s a snapshot: Citing a 2015 study from the U.S. Department of Energy, reports show that 70% of power transformers are at least 25 years old, more than 60% of circuit breakers are a minimum of 30 years old and about 70% of transmission lines are 25 years or older.

Of course, the maturity of our infrastructure is hardly news to industry leaders. Around the time of that U.S. Department of Energy study, Utility Dive surveyed a collection of executives on the top challenges facing the electric industry. Aging infrastructure topped the list of all answers given.  Updating infrastructure will certainly require a significant financial investment.  Wise utility companies understand that some moves are more important than others. If your utility company is striving for improvement, here are a few ideas for strategies to upgrade the nation’s aging infrastructure. And also to improve vulnerabilities. (more…)

“Water covers roughly 70% of the Earth’s surface” is a quirky stat that most people learn at a young age. The much lesser-known truth about the world’s water source is that only about 2.5% of it is freshwater. And to make matters worse, reports indicate that the United States relies on freshwater for about 90% of withdrawals for public and industrial use.

It might seem like the importance of water in the utility industry would center solely on companies providing drinking water and wastewater services. Actually, water plays a much larger role across the spectrum of utilities.  Dependence on water for the production and delivery of services like electricity, oil, and gas, scarcity has become a concern. In response, utilities have developed clean water initiatives to make the most of accessible water. (more…)

It starts innocently enough, usually with a polite knock at the door or a quick greeting outside. But the smile beneath that yellow hard hat could belong to someone who is anything but innocent. In fact, it could belong to a criminal. Reports of fraudsters posing as utility workers have become increasingly common over the years. These nefarious individuals seek out new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

What’s at stake for someone who falls for one of these scams? The outcome includes the theft of valuable goods or even the customer’s identity. Customers are being tricked into paying for unnecessary repairs or erroneous bills. Also, a loss of privacy and sense of security is another issue. As a utility company, your customers put their trust in you to safely deliver a service, and part of that safety involves putting plans in place that help your customers avoid situations such as these.

Here are a few proactive strategies utility companies should deploy to reinforce customer safety. (more…)

By now, we all know the drill with those “Exit Only” signs found on roadways and in parking lots. A safety precaution meant to maintain proper traffic flow so that vehicles move in one direction. A backflow prevention system works similarly by protecting potable water supplies from contamination due to backflow. Essentially, it’s a one-way gate that allows a city’s public water supply to flow into a customer’s pipes. It opens one way and stops anything from returning into the main water supply.

When most people think of a leak or a break in a water main supply line, they imagine lost water. Or they picture water actually seeping up from the ground. While that does happen, these events can also be the cause of a significant drop in pressure. When the pressure drops, there’s no force pushing water through pipes. The water that’s now contaminated with pesticides, human waste, soap, and other chemicals can potentially flow backward and straight into the cities water lines.

Today, we’ll talk about how a backflow prevention system works, the commonly installed types, and why it’s important to have. (more…)

Imagine you’re dozing off on your couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon when the doorbell rings. You let out a frustrated sigh before slinking off the sofa and shuffling to the door. Hopeful that what’s on the other side was worth getting up for. As it turns out, it wasn’t. It’s someone selling something, and you’re not interested. You grumble and yawn before retreating back to the living room. (more…)

The usage of data, robotics, and internet-enabled automation have revolutionized our lives. This technology also continually enhances processes and experiences, from watching TV to using cell phones to boiling water for tea. Also known as smart technology, these advancements receive the most attention when integrated with consumer goods. But, there are some industrial use cases for smart technology that are shaking up the status quo.

For utilities, smart technology as part of infrastructure benefits both the company and the customer. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there were nearly 87 million smart meters installed for electric utilities alone in 2018. It’s likely that the number of installations has increased since then across multiple utility sectors, and for good reason. Let’s explore the positive impact smart meters can have on utilities and their customers. (more…)