DECEMBER
2019
EDITOR‘S NOTE
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or the past 12 months, GineersNow editorial team were able to published thought provoking articles pertaining to the Power and Water industry. From the latest wastewater technologies to power transmission and distribution trends, we have written articles that everyone enjoyed reading. On behalf of the GineersNow news team, GineersNow TV crew, GineersNow events management and GineersNow digital, we would like to thank you for making us the number one online platform for engineering community, industrial companies and technology enthusiast in Asia-Pacific. Here are the best stories that went viral in the past 12 months.
January 2019 Utilities, Power and Water Forecast The integration of IoT solutions this 2019 will also be remarkable this year in the water industry. This is to address age-old infrastructure issues of water and the industries incorporated on them. A lot of research is now ongoing so they can set and reshape business strategies for companies in the water industry. 4
The Best of 2019 Power & Water February
March
ASEAN Water and Wastewater Challenges
There are Power and Water Utility Apps for That
A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology entitled, “Projections of Water Stress Based on an Ensemble of Socioeconomic Growth and Climate Change Scenarios: A Case Study in Asia” suggests that in 35 years, Asia will suffer from serious water shortages with roots from economic and population growth on top of climate change. Using a detailed modelling to measure the full range of scenarios involving water availability and use in the future, the scientists conclude that there is a “high risk of severe water stress” across Asia.
Utility companies, which provides our need for water, power, and others, are not oblivious to this scenario. Using mobile apps to reach customers and to improve services will bring myriads of advantages to the companies. However, only a small fraction of these big companies have adapted mobile technology. What benefits will they gain once they develop mobile apps?
April Social Media for Power and Water Utility Companies Social media can also be used to inform customers that they are aware of existing problems (such as power and water outages) and that they are already taking action. Doing this not only serves the purpose of informing
consumers, but can also earn media coverage.
May The Untold Story of Blockchain in Utilities The potential of blockchain has not been realized fully, but with the fast-paced rise in technology, the industry will surely consider adopting this secured and highly costeffective method into their day-to-day operations.
June How Workflow Automation Flows in the Utilities Labelled as a very complex industry, the professionals in the power and utilities industry utilize a variety of workflow automation systems to shed loads of work from one’s schedules and work hand in hand with these to create model systems.
July Power and Water Utilities to the People An examination of short and long term change drivers reveals how the industry will likely look in the future and how to manage it. At the crossroad of a traditional past and future, the energy and utilities industry have been fairly successful in placing itself at a high level of technology maturity. The next level of transformation for the industry is aimed at providing enhanced customer experience and optimizing
operational efficiency costs in a highly competitive landscape.
industry today, especially in the power and water industries.
August
November
Online Security Threats in Power, Water and Utilities
Electric Power & Utility Water Robots
Cyber-attacks are now becoming an impactful problem in the digital world, and while there is a multitude of easy ways to counterattack these vulnerabilities, some companies are not just too aware of the possible consequences outdated systems bring to their workforce and overall processes.
Robots have significantly taken over the majority of the sectors of the industry, may it be the oil and gas industry or the construction industry. Their applications in the industry have proven to be virtually limitless, from stacking bricks in the construction field to exploring oil reserves in extreme environments.
September IoT Utilities: More Electricity and Cleaner Water IoT can alleviate the power and water industry making it more efficient in more ways than one. Using smart devices, both the consumers and utility companies will have an accurate understanding of the sector.
October Power & Water Utility Sector’s Virtual Reality Benefits We are now in the age where holograms and augmented realities are no longer a work of fiction. There are many startups and big companies venturing into the development of virtual reality (VR), mainly because such technology is expected to be of significant use in the 5
CON TENTS
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The Safest Water Dispenser in the Philippines
How Blockchain is Transforming the Utility Sector
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How to Find The Magic of Industry 4.0
How Workflor Automation Flows into the Water Industry
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11 Must Have Products In Your Jobsite
20 2019 Power & Water Forecast
52 The Best Prediction About Asia’s Water Problem
76 Mobile Apps: How It Can Improve Utility Efficiency and Productivity
94 How Social Media Can Help Power & Water Companies
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A Response to Future Demand: Balance in Utility Industries
160 Security & Hackers in Power & Water Industry
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The Internet of Things will Strengthen the Utility Sector
180 Benefits of Using Virtual Reality in Power & Water Sector
192 Using Robots in the Power & Water Industry
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F E AT U R E S T O RY
The Safest Water Dispenser in the Philippines
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hey say that water is the lifeblood of all things. It’s necessary for healthy living and a happy mood. However, the ironic thing is, a lot of people in urban areas in the Philippines just don’t drink enough. For some reason, office workers and frequent over-timers aren’t hydrated enough. It may be the stresses of the corporate life, the stigma that the only beverages one needs in this day and age are coffee and alcohol, or the inadequacy of the current water dispenser in the office. TOSOT may not have a solution to change the working or drinking behaviors of people, it does have one of the best solutions for the third reason: the TOSOT Water Dispenser.
office water dispenser and, while filling their tumbler, thinks about how they can have better quality drinking water—it’s simply an uncommon thought but one that is definitely worth thinking about. Like all things, problems appear when one looks closely and takes in the daily routines of getting water.
Its two types, the Bottom Load Water Dispenser and Table Top Water Dispenser, are kitted with a wide array of features aimed to appease the thirstiest of people.
Luckily, the TOSOT Water Dispenser promises no more lifting and no more back pain when loading a water container. With a 304 stainless water tank, the TOSOT Water Dispenser is a beautifully crafted endorser of ease of use. The bottom loading water dispenser is personally tailor fit for hassle-free wa-
It’s not every day an employee comes up to their
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One such hassle of the everyday drinking water dilemma is the awkwardness of being the person who has to replace the gallon-large bottles of water. For those who actively avoid the gym, this task is counterintuitive—you have to lift and break a sweat to get a cold refreshing drink.
ter container loading, giving even the most averse to the weight rack an easier time with quenching their thirst. All they really need to do is push the large bottle in and you’re good to go! Also, unlike run-of-the-mill water dispensers found in most buildings, the TOSOT Water Dispenser also offers three faucets that pour water with different temperatures: hot, cold, and lukewarm. This eliminates the second type of water-related hassles, which is becoming a chemist as you frantically mix hot and cold together to get your perfect warm water mixture. As a bonus, the TOSOT Water Dispensers also have a certain sleekness to their design. While most people imagine a white, plastic contraption supporting a large, awkward cylinder of water, these dispensers sport a cleaner, sleeker metallic look that fits like a glove to most minimalistic and modernized office and workspaces right now. Common finishes include black, silver, and stainless steel. They are also the perfect size and are able to fit smoothly anywhere. If you’re concerned about where you would place the TOSOT Water Dispenser, then know that both variants have their rightful places anywhere. TOSOT’s bottom loading water dispenser is sleek and flat, and placing this water dispenser in any corner is like fitting the last little piece in the last space of the magnificent corporate puzzle. For a more personalized setup, TOSOT’s table top water dispenser is the perfect low key water dispenser that does not infringe upon the overall theme of the workplace. Lastly, the TOSOT two Water Dispenser variants dispense only clean, high quality water. It’s a simple detail most would overlook, but different water dispensers dispense water that “tastes” different, if only a tad bit. The various tastes are nuanced but ultimately speak a reality about the water dispensers: that both the brand and the model matter. With TOSOT’s two water dispensers, water is purified, cooled to perfection, and comes out looking like liquid diamond. The taste is subtle and perfect for thirsty throats and hits the mark of refreshing all those who need a healthy drink every now and then. So, whether you’re working in a humble start-up
or have cemented yourself in one of the biggest agencies and companies in the Philippines, you and everyone else requires the water of TOSOT’s two types of water dispensers to kit the office pantry, hallways, executive rooms, meeting rooms, and other such places. Because as they say, staying hydrated is good for the mind, body, and soul, and with the TOSOT Water Dispensers just right around the corner, you can constantly and easily stay refreshed, hydrated, and focused as you burn the midnight oil. 11
How to Find The Magic of Industry 4.0 I believe that when it comes to industry 4.0, the true potential of your enterprise is not in what it does, but what it can do. The potential of your team is not what they can do today, but what they could do in the future. The opportunity doesn’t lie in what we know, it’s in what we don’t know yet. The rate of change in the modern world is staggering and it shows no sign of slowing down – in fact, it is speeding up. Industry 4.0 is both an example of this, and a result of it. Digital transformation is at the heart of fundamental societal changes that are emerging. In the region that I lead for Rockwell Automation – specifically the Middle East, Turkey and sub-Saharan Africa – there are huge changes in progress. Let’s start with the Middle East. It’s an area that is no stranger to change, with great cities having risen from the deserts – as well as great economies. And the industrial change in the area now is one of rapid diversification as whole new industries are envisioned at national levels and realized at break-neck speeds. Turkey, the ancient empire(s), bridging Europe with Asia, bridging tradition with future, bringing cultures together, is another market with enormous potential and possibilities for growth, always in a cycle of changes and reinventing itself. 12
The continent where everything started for humanity is set to reassert its position in our future. In sub-Saharan Africa, the population is projected to double by 2050. In fact, in the next 30 years the world’s population is set to grow by an incredible 2bn – an increase of more than 25% - and a large portion of that growth will be in sub-Saharan Africa. This exponential population growth comes at a time when the largest demographic for this region will be of working age – a fact that points to the potential for huge economic growth. Growth, incidentally, that will be championed by the digital generation. The opportunities for industrial enterprises in these regions are evident. There is no doubt that the enterprises meeting the needs of the new markets by leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies and strategies are the ones that will succeed. For most enterprises though, leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies requires strong change management capacity. It requires learning new skills rapidly, investing in the workforce, investing in new approaches, systems and technologies. It requires embracing disruptive technologies – and often it will entail being a positive disruptor.
Finding the Magic We’ve probably all seen the diagram of two circles that don’t overlap, where one is labelled “your comfort zone” and the other is labelled “where the magic happens.” It’s one of those that you look at and instantly recognize the truth of – and perhaps with a tiny sinking feeling as you realize that maybe, you should get out of your comfort zone a little more. The implicit message of that diagram is that “magic” requires change. It is something I believe very strongly, and I’m inspired by the words of Walt Disney (who knew more than most about magic): “If you can visualize it, if you can dream it, there’s some way to do it.” I can’t think of a better message for industrial enterprise leaders in this era of change. We stand with the makers, the doers, the builders; the innovators. Our most successful customers in adopting industry 4.0 approaches have taken the step of visualizing. They have dreamed of what could be done. By coupling this human ingenuity and innovation with the power of machines and Rockwell Automation solutions – we always find a way to do it. That’s where the magic of Industry 4.0 happens. Take a look just outside your comfort zone, the benefits are close at hand, but industry leaders must embrace change to find them. If you can visualize a bright future for your enterprise, come and talk to us, and we’ll help you connect the imagination and ingenuity of your people with the intelligence of machines to make it happen. About Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs approximately 23,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
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F E AT U R E S T O RY
11 Must Have Products In Your Jobsite A complete job site is a safe job site. It’s how you want things to be, especially for your hardworking men. The work area, like any other office, should have the complete tools to be efficient and time-bound. In other words, these are the necessary tools to have if you want your construction job to be smooth sailing. Here are some of the products you should have at hand in your construction site:
1. WELDING SOLUTIONS The welding equipment is the first thing every job site should take into account. And the best welding solutions come from Lincoln Electric. Their welding machines are extremely versatile and capable of both small home projects and big commercial demands. It works smoothly in soldering various types of metals and has a long lifespan. It is easy to use and has low electric consumption.
2. THREADING & PIPE FABRICATION SOLUTIONS The right product applications of threading and pipe fabrication machines are important for any job site. You wouldn’t want your building to have faulty meager threaded pipes for ventilation. It’ll take a lot more time, money, and resources to redo. When handling pipelines, it’s better to get it right the first time around and trust in the reliable threading and pipe fabrication solutions from RIDGID ®. They have threading and pipe fabrication machines that produce highquality threads and long-lasting pipe dies.
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3. DIAGNOSTICS, INSPECTION & LOCATING SOLUTIONS A construction site needs more than the human eye to determine if the job is done right. We need machines to let the engineers know the blind and weak spots of the job site. Luckily, we’ve got RIDGID ® who produces superb diagnostics, inspection, and locating solutions. Their machines set the standard in durability to finish the job. Their powerhouse diagnostics equipment includes the RIDGID SeeSnake® video inspection systems, the NaviTrack Scout®, RIDGID hand-held inspection cameras, and the RIDGID handheld diagnostic equipment. With these tools at hand, your mind can be put at ease that you haven’t overlooked any important construction details.
4. DRAIN CLEANING Drain cleaning is one of the lesser joys in erecting a building. However, the strenuous task shouldn’t be taken lightly because it’s the plumbing your building will have for a long time. You wouldn’t want your credibility ruined just because the drains are clogged or dirty. With RIDGID’s ® Drain cleaning machine, cleaning drains are easy and long-lasting. Plus, the new RIDGID® FlexShaft™ drain cleaning machines are lightweight, so they’re easy to lug around the Jobsite without requiring extra manpower and effort.
5. POWERTOOLS Of course, no job site is complete without power tools. Your workers need superior strength when drilling through walls, setting a foundation, and more. It’s the heavy-duty equipment every job site needs. And the most premium power grade tools produced only by Dewalt, Bosch, and Stanley. These brands focus on giving your men the power they need in building houses or skyscrapers.
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6. MECHANICAL TOOLS AND OTHERS
9. DOOR HARDWARE SOLUTIONS
Another must-have product every job site needs are mechanical tooling kits and ancillaries. There are plenty of brands in the market but only a few stood out when tested and proven: Proto, Facom, Stanley, and Tactix mechanical tools.
Doors are essential parts of any infrastructure, residential or commercial. So if you’re in a job site, the right door hardware solutions should be kept in your inventory.
They’ve created remarkable products such as the PROTO® Tether- ready tools, lanyards and attachment points with retrofitting capabilities. The complete and cost-efficient Facom® CM.160A 527Pc Mechanical Tool Set. The perfect basic tools every job site needs.
Baldwin, Domakaba, and Yale are well-known choices for door hardware. They offer great varieties of styles, affordable hardware, and even manufactures customized door materials. Chubbsafes is an exceptional safety vault for your valuable items at any given jobsite.
10. PLUMBING SOLUTIONS
The STANLEY® 28 in. FATMAX® Structural Foam Toolbox which can handle medium to large mechanical tools made from durable thermoplastic resin.
Plumbing is an important matter for every job site. Without proper plumbing, your building is in danger of flooding or water damage. That’s an even bigger issue for the future.
And lastly, the Tactix® power tool accessories, which have a longer than usual lifespan from most power tool accessories.
Get it right today with Dyson or Delta plumbing solutions. They provide high-grade piping systems and materials for both buildings and houses. They last longer and offer the more cost-efficient prices compared to other products in the market.
7. LIGHTING SOLUTIONS No job site is complete without lighting solutions. If not, it can pose hazardous threats for you and your workers. We’re talking about men working through the day and the dark of night, so the lighting equipment you should have in your arsenal has excellent quality. Pelican® is now offering the 9490 Remote Area Lighting System (RALS), which is a mobile lighting solution you can whip out any time you want. It has over 6000 lumens and 3 preset light levels. The perfect lighting for construction in dark areas.
8. MATERIAL HANDLING SOLUTIONS Another product every construction site need is a storage space for their materials and tools. Proper storage is vital in any job site, especially when taking tools into account. You wouldn’t want any important equipment to go amiss when you need it the most. For great storage solutions, trust in Storageworks, Durham, Stanley, or Toh. These four brands manufacture great material handling solutions. All of them highly durable with a flexible price range for any budget. 16
11. CLEANING SOLUTIONS Cleaning time is the signal your job is near its end. Finish your new infrastructure with the best cleaning solutions out there from RIDGID ®, Nilfisk, or Viper. They can scrub your job site clean and ready for its occupants. Especially Nilfisk ® which is an established leader in cleaning technology. They offer a wide range of industrial vacuums, sweepers, and scrubbers in the market today. So remember, before starting work at your job site, tick off every single product we mentioned above for a better construction job. It’ll save you both time and effort in the long haul. Apart from efficiency, having all these products also promote the well-being of your workers. Where to Buy? Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. is the largest authorized distributor of the best industrial hardware solution brands in the Philippines.
Edsa Corner Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City, Philippines Phone +632 6364895 Phone +632 6364896 About CBK Hardware For almost a hundred years, a family’s surname has become synonymous to the country’s biggest hardware supply company. Co Ban Kiat Hardware Incorporated, of the Cobankiat family has a regular client network of more than 1,500 industrial organizations; 1,600 traditional community hardware stores, and 584 home building specialty chain of stores across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This ever-growing conglomerate traces its humble roots to Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer enterprise started by family’s patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in 1920. Despite the ruins of World War II, the business goes back to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a storefront from the very same spot where it was known for three decades. This ever-growing conglomerate traces its humble roots to Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer enterprise started by family’s patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in 1920. Despite the ruins of World War II, the business goes back to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a storefront from the very same spot where it was known for three decades. While the Filipinos continue to rebuild their lives post war, CBK Hardware sees the opportunity to introduce the retail concept once unheard for in hardware industry. The Hardware Workshop Store is the fruit if this endeavor. CBK Hardware further cemented its legendary distribution channel with the creation of Coby’ Design Center in Edsa Shangi La in 1996, a specialty store that caters to discriminating taste of modern Filipinos.
To shop online, visit https://www.cbkhardware.com/ Co Ban Kiat Hardware, Inc. Ground Floor Cobankiat Building II 231 Juan Luna St. Binondo Manila, Philippines. Phone +632 2476557 Phone +632 2432734 Coby’s Designer Center Unit 467 level 4 Shangri-La Plaza
In 1997, Mr. Johnny Cobankiat, the 4th generation Cobankiat leader, set another milestone for the company when he brings a franchise of Ace Hardware USA to the Philippines, and signs up CBK Hardware as one of its major suppliers. This further expanded into delivering quality world class products nearer to families of Filipino overseas workers in the countryside. A century’s excellence can quickly pass, and guided by the vision to be the largest network supplier of the biggest global brands in the hardware industry, CBK Hardware resolve to source the best products to supply its customers anytime and every time. 17
Regional Office: LG Electronics Gulf FZE, P.O Box 61445, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 279 9222, UAE, Mr. Amjad Abu Alika, Tel: +971 50 450 9808, email: amjad.abualika@lge.com; Fortune International Trading LLC, Mr. Wail Halbouni, Tel: +971 50 481 3570, email: fortintl@emirates.net.ae; Ghantoot Trading, Mr. Nour Haboush, Tel: +971 50 109 4109, email: nour.h@ghantootgroup.ae; District Cooling Company, Mr. Ahmed Henedi, Tel: +971 50 658 4832, email: ahmed@districtcoolingcompany.com; Al Yousuf Electronics, Mr. Moitra, Tel: +971 50 457 6170, email: pmoitra@alyousuf.com; Bahrain, AJM Kooheji and Sons, Mr. Jayachandran, Tel: +973 36888801, email: v.jayachandran@ajmkooheji.com: Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com,kw; BLK, Mr. Imad Rhayel, Tel: +965 5 157 1229, email: irhayel@blk.com.kw; Oman, Oman Gulf Enterprise, Mr. Narender Kumar, Tel: +968 9 747 4505, email: narenderk@otegroup.com; Aspire Projects and Service, Mr. Vivek Wagh, Tel: +968 99357694, email: vivekwagh@aspireoman.com; Azerbaijan, NBC LLC., Mr. Elkhan Sadikhov, Tel: +994 50 216 3363, email: elkhan.sadikhov@nbc.com; Al-Con Maxiwell Group, Mr. Vagif Alexperov, Tel: + 994 50 216 2092, email: maxiwellbaku@inbox.ru; Armenia/Georgia, ARAY Gulf, Mr. Vilson Melikjanyan, Tel: +374 9 307 7755, email: vilson@aray.am; Yemen, Modern House Exhibition, Mr. Khaled Jabr, Tel: +967 71 172 0202, email: mail@mhe-yemen.com; Pakistan, Iceberg Industries (Lucky Goldstar), Mr. Imran Jamil Khan, Tel: +923 21 277 6100, email: ceo@icebergindustries.net
2019 Power & Water Forecast
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This year, the power and water sector will be stepping up its game into bringing better utility services through empowered technological transformations. More unconventional ways will be done to deliver services that are anchored not only on the economic aspect but also on uplifting sustainability for the future.
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POWER & WATER LEADERS
hey were true when they said ‘time flies so fast.’ It may be hard to believe but 2018 is done and we are looking ahead for this new year, 2019. Power and Water Industries would never deny how the year 2018 has made some breakthrough and paved the way for them to work smarter through technologies.
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In power industries, 2018 has set a milestone in the total transformation and evolution of renewables and also to the electricity industry. There is a notable resiliency as to the electricity production and delivery. Also, it is a very interesting year for the water industries as the number of water infrastructures altogether increased.
The utility sector is striving more than ever as the demand increases day after day and calls for greener solutions is roaring. The key to keep a steady pace in the business, power and water leaders need to assess the areas that they need to alleviate in terms of making a positively impactful change in the communities they serve while maintaining reasonable prices and creating a more sustainable system.
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P O W E R T O C L E A N E R T R A N S F O R M A T I O N
In the last two years, there are notable investments in renewable energy. Anywhere in the world, you can see houses with solar panels on the roof, a waterside area with wind panels and many other more that have put renewable energy in the trend. Studies have shown that in the first quarter alone of 2018, there has been over $10 billion of new investment in renewables. In addition to this, a significant number
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of coal plants have announced their retirements. Thus, this year 2019 we will expect more of energy sources turning into renewables as they are not just environmental-friendly but will also pull the economy up considerably.
Aside from this, we will watch for more electric vehicles in the year 2019. Technology has been integrated
POWER & WATER LEADERS
into the Electric Vehicle (EV) market already. Thus, experts have forecasted that more states and countries around the world will shift into vehicle electrification. Aside from the fact that yes, it may be because of the trend but also, countries are up to reduce carbon emissions and utilities in the five more years. More electric utilities, industries
aside from power and water will gear towards investment in EV.
The last but definitely the coolest thing for power, in the year 2019, it is expected for them to elevate on energy efficiency through technology. The response to energy efficiency has been
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a challenge to the industry for many years already. It is due to the high demand of energy from traditional technologies in the form of appliances, heating and cooling equipment.
The good news is for 2019, it is expected that energy efficiency can be accomplished into something beyond our minds can control. A variety of
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means will be integrated into the power industries such as sophisticated use of energy management, Internet-connected thermostats, and data analytics. HVAC homes will soon be operated through the Internet of Things (IoT) as there will only be a click away to control, on and off systems. Firms in their operations will be managed and monitored through data analytics.
This year, the power and water sector will be stepping up its game into bringing better utility services through empowered technological transformations. More unconventional ways will be done to deliver services that are anchored not only on the economic aspect but also on uplifting sustainability for the future.
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W A T E R T O G R E A T E R R E S I L I E N C E We will surely keep our eyes wide open to watch for trends and innovations not only in the power sector but more so, to the water industries. Water, as we all know is every day present. It remains to be a sector that has been around since day one but it is something that can’t be substituted easily. Thus, innovation is really essential to maintain a steady supply.
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The first is, integration of IoT solutions this 2019 is set to be done. This is to address age-old infrastructure issues of water and the industries incorporated on them. A lot of research is now ongoing so they can set and reshape business strategies for companies in the water industry.
Furthermore, in industrial companies, studies have shown that this 2019, there will be more companies that will invest in recycled wastewater. In addition, eight percent of reuse projects are in four key states yet it is also expected that there will be more states to invest
POWER & WATER LEADERS
in programs involving water reuse. This is also the reason why industrial applications for water reuse is expected to grow at 72 percent. The good thing is by 2027, it is projected that potable applications will account for 19 percent of total reuse.
The Internet of Things (IoT) as ever, will provide in-depth information on manufacturing processes and operations which could balance production costs.
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In this case, it will definitely be a winwin situation for consumers. Water reuse will assure that water consumption in a way will also pave way for global water conservation. That said, it is expected that this 2019, water for agriculture will become more advanced through smarter irrigation solutions. It was never a secret how water plays an
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important role in agricultural sectors. However, this time, 360 degrees transformation towards better and smarter irrigation is somewhat expected this year 2019.
These are just some of the many more innovations, technological advancement, and solutions to watch out for in the power and water industry. Indeed, it will be an exciting year as these things will make the said industries revolutionary—marking another breakthrough movement in the books of future history.
But aside from that, the best part is that, the moment these forecasts materialize, they will greatly benefit not only us but many other industries that depend on the aforementioned sectors to ultimately make us globally sustainable.
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The Best Prediction A b o u t A s i a ’s Water Problem
It looks like Asia’s relationship with water will be much more complicated as we reach the year 2050. About half of the world’s total population reside in the largest continent. More people only means more demand with water, among other
needs. But it looks like Asia’s relationship with water will be much more complicated as we reach the year 2050.
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A
study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology entitled, “Projections of Water Stress Based on an Ensemble of Socioeconomic Growth and Climate Change Scenarios: A Case Study in Asia” suggests that in 35 years, Asia will suffer from serious water shortages with roots from economic and population growth on top of climate change. Using a detailed modelling to measure the full range of scenarios involving water availability and use in the future, the scientists conclude that there is a “high risk of severe water stress” across Asia.
Climate change by 2050 would lead to about 1 billion more people becoming “water-stressed” compared to today. 54
POWER & WATER LEADERS
The scientists find that the median amounts of projected growth and climate change by 2050 would lead to about 1 billion more people becoming “water-stressed� compared to
today. They looked at a large number of simulations of future scenarios to arrive to this conclusion.
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The scientists used an existing model developed previously at MIT called the Integrated Global Systems Model (IGSM). It has the probabilistic projections of population growth, economic expansion, climate, and carbon emissions from human activity, which they linked with detailed models of water use in Asian countries like China, India, and many smaller nations.
call “Just Growth,” they held climate conditions constant and evaluated the effects of economic and population growth on the water supply. In another scenario called “Just Climate,” they held growth constant and measured the climate-change effects alone. The third scenario, which is “Climate and Growth,” the scientists used the rising economic activity, growing populations, and cliThree main scenarios were mate change as studies of imused as an approach to tease pact. out the human and environmental factors. They were done in extensive series of repeated projections using varying conditions. In one scenario they 58
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The distinct kind of modelling enabled the scientists to evaluate some of the particular factors that affect the different countries in Asia to varying extents. For example, in China, the industrial growth has the greatest impact as people get wealthier. Meanwhile in India, population growth brings upon the greatest effect. The factors vary by region.
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What the scientists also emphasized in their modelling is its complexity: it’s not merely adding the effects of economic growth and climate change, but also on the networked water supply into and out of the area. Part of the model is a network of water basins, which means involvement of upstream and downstream – both of which affect each other. One cited
“The sustainability
of future water resources is of paramount importance and is affected by many factors, including population, wealth and climate.�
BEST STORIES OF 2019
situation is when the amount of rainfall near upstream basins is lowered because of climate change while the population is growing, the basins farther away from the initial water shortage would be affected more acutely. The team of scientists includes Adam Schlosser, a senior research scientist and deputy director at MIT’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change; Charles Fant, lead author of the paper and a researcher at the Join Program; Xiang Gao and Kenneth Strzepek, who are also researchers at the Joint Program; and John Reilly, a co-director of the Joint Program who is a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
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POWER & WATER LEADERS
The Abstract Straight from the authors: “The sustainability of future water resources is of paramount importance and is affected by many factors, including population, wealth and climate. Inherent in current methods to estimate these factors in the future is the uncertainty of their prediction. In this study, we integrate a large ensemble of scenarios—internally consistent across economics, emissions, climate, and population—to develop a risk portfolio of water stress over a large portion of Asia that includes China, India, and Mainland Southeast Asia in a future with unconstrained emissions. We isolate the effects of socioeconomic growth from the effects of climate change in order to identify the primary drivers of stress on water resources. We find that 65
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In the absence of autonomous adaptation or societal response, a much larger portion of the region’s population will live in water-stressed regions in the near future.
BEST STORIES OF 2019
water needs related to socioeconomic changes, which are currently small, are likely to increase considerably in the future, often overshadowing the effect of climate change on levels of water stress. As a result, there is a high risk of severe water stress in densely populated watersheds by 2050, compared to recent history. There is strong evidence to
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suggest that, in the absence of autonomous adaptation or societal response, a much larger portion of the region’s population will live in water-stressed regions in the near future. Tools and studies such as these can effectively investigate large-scale system sensitivities and can be useful in engaging and informing decision makers.�
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Taking the Study Conclusions Further -end-
While the scientists from MIT have used a complicated tool to predict the roots of an impending water crisis in Asia, it got commendation it deserves from various bodies.
nomics Research, through its agricultural economist Channing Arndt, said that the paper is “looking at a really important issue for the world” and thought that the basic finding of the study “makes sense.” The United Nations’ World Arndt added that the scope Institute for Development Eco- and evaluation approach of 72
the paper, which is integrating climate change with economic and population growth, is “worthwhile.”
POWER & WATER LEADERS
“Through climate mitigation, and perhaps most importantly, proper planning and financing of adaptive and protective measures for these anticipated shortages—based on reliable information as to the effectiveness of certain strategies to avert the risks presented above—these future water systems can be augmented to better ensure their resiliency and sustainability.”
MIT’s scientists is taking its study further by working on related projects, like one on the effects of mitigation on water shortages. They are extending on adaptation practices such as more efficient irrigation technologies which will help in alleviating the water problem in nations who are categorized to have high water stress. Their preliminary findings indicate strong cases for effective
actions and measures to reduce risk. It doesn’t stop there though, as the team aims to still look for ways in fine-tuning their modelling, ultimately to estimate significant water shortages in the future. -end-
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Mobile Apps:
How It Can Improve Utility Efficiency and Productivity
Utility companies will harvest huge benefits by embracing mobile technology. Power and other utility providers are investing large amounts of money for infrastructures. Through this, they are escalating towards improvement in operational and customer services. However, it takes a long time before infrastructure
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changes could be applied in a company. If these companies focus on improving their digital technology, they will deliver immediate changes and substantive results. This could be made possible by using mobile apps for many different functions.
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BEST STORIES OF 2019
The fast-paced lifestyle of consumers has a big impact on their preference in services and information acquisition. Majority of power and water consumers are mobile-users which is a green light for utility companies to adapt to this new technology. But not only consumers can benefit from using smart devices. Even the company itself and their workers can also gain a lot of positive 78
results by adapting this technology. Because of this, some utility companies are starting to go paperless and are reverting all transactions via emails, SMS messages and of course, mobile applications that are specially designed for their services.
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Improved Customer Satisfaction Mobile technology has a very big impact on customer demands. Instead of the traditional paper bills, consumers prefer digital experiences for outage viewing, billing, outage reporting, and usage monitoring. These will result in improved customer satisfaction, better customer interaction, and increase productivity. Applications can be used in dealing with customer que-
ries and complaints. Instead of personally interacting with them, an automated workflow can be followed which greatly saves time. It is also easier to report outages and other issues through mobile communication channels. Engaging with consumers through mobile app technology is an effective way of bringing previously inaccessible data into the consumers. Utility company needs to make sure that they
have a well-designed app and they could offer a fully responsive solution. Human errors from the manual filing of records can be highly avoided. It is now time to trash the paper forms and use computer systems to store large data of the consumers. This way, all information is intact and mistakes are avoided.
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From Plasma TV’s and HD DVD Players to surround sound systems and advanced gaming, today’s homes contain more electronics than ever. With this automation comes an increased vulnerability to the effects of surges.
One lightning storm could cost a homeowner thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the electronics in a home. Once a surge enters a home and damages the electronic components, the homeowner is forced to embark on a time-consuming and frustrating journey. One must: • Diagnose all of the issues • Attempt to find all locations of
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Increased Accuracy and Productivity for Utility Workers Apart from consumer interaction, utility companies should also use mobile applications for their workers in order to enhance productivity. With easier access to information, utility workers will be able to perform their tasks well. Prior to the existence of computerized data, some information will often end up missing or are inaccurate. Because of this, workers are helpless and are unable to perform their jobs well. Whereas, if field workers are provided with mobile apps to access site information, this will not only result in increased productivity but it will also bring precise fruition. For instance, when an incident occurs, field workers can easily get the information about an infrastructure’s damage. This can help them arrive at an immediate decision on the tools to use and methods to apply. On-the-go apps can also aid them to streamline auditing, manage key field activities, and conduct equipment assessment. Those who perform 24/7 monitoring and maintenance on utility equipment and systems like circuit breakers
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and high voltage products do not need to make phone calls to get updates. Instead, advanced communication features are seamlessly connected to them. This could encourage more accountability to the persons in charge and no incidents can be overlooked. On the other hand, utility technicians can also acquire quick access to consumer files, product availability, and work orders. This saves their time from traveling to one office to another in order to get hold of the information they need. Mobile apps can help simplify communication, redefine work processes, and create more effective daily operations.
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Without a doubt, apps will play a huge role in utility companies. It will provide a distinct feature to solve field service challenges and improve operational efficiency.
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Immense Advantages of Mobile App Usage Companies can also benefit from the use of mobile apps. Apart from improved field service, better customer interaction and reduced costs, a big amount of data can be easily stored. These data are analyzed to determine patterns and trends which
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could help the company in creating significant changes. Without a doubt, apps will play a huge role in utility companies. It will provide a distinct feature to solve field service challenges and improve operational efficiency.
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It can also expand their customer base by responding to problems swiftly and keeping the consumers informed. Mobile technology can arm utility workers as well as customers with real-time information and accurate data. If power and water companies will adapt this technological advancement, they will no doubt gain lots of advantages and will be more efficient in their industry. This will also bring them to the modern day trend of smartphone usage, which is utilized by the majority of its customers. For sure, many consumers are looking forward to this to happen. This sets an exciting ground for power, water, and other utilities since it would be a great breakthrough if all utility companies will use mobile apps. -end-
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How Social Media Can Help Power & Water Companies
Why it is important to keep communication lines open with your customers Social networking sites have revolutionized the way that companies and customers interact with one another. Gone were the days when customer feedbacks, ques-
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tions, and complaints had to be coursed through snail mail or long telephone calls (because chances are, you are going to be transferred from one department to another). Today, one can sim-
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BEST STORIES OF 2019
ply just send a PM or private message to the company’s official Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account because most companies offer 24/7 customer service online. For the companies’ part, all kinds of announcements about new products and services no longer have be advertised on television, radios, or newspaper to make sure that they reach their target audience. They simply have to click a single button and voila! Customers would take it upon themselves to “tag” as many persons as they can to share the news to their social media network. Power and water companies, like all other industries, can take advantage of this development. In fact, an industry research found that by 2017, 624 million customers worldwide will use social media to virtually talk to utility providers. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Accenture in 2012 which found that 30 percent of customers are willing to communicate with utility companies online is backed by a Ventyx study that showed that more than half or 54 percent of respondents believe that social networking sites should be used by utility companies to inform them of power outages and storm warnings beforehand so that they can prepare. 96
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Half of the respondents believe that social media should be maximized by forging a two-way communication with utility providers. Aside from getting updates through social media, they also want to reach utility providers to ask questions and give feedback. Here are some others ways on how utilizing social media boost energy and utilities industry:
1. Assuring customers that you are taking action Utilities are almost always among the last to embrace new technology. Most are not even keeping a record of their customers’ e-mail address and telephone numbers. In the US, there are still power and water providers who do not have smart meters so customers have to report outages so these can be resolved. But because of the challenges brought about by natural calamities, utility companies have learned to step up their game For instance, ComEd, the largest electric utility in Illinois realized the need for social
media when in the onset of a storm that affected 850,000 customers, their efforts to send out power outages and restoration announcements on all outlets except social media proved to be worthless because information posted by other people on Twitter was more accurate, relevant, and on time. This prompted them to introduce the Outage Communications System, which became the source of the “single version of the truth� every time there are cases like this. When Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc more than a year later, not only did they utilize social media to give out warnings---they also used it to update customers of the 97
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2. Educating consumers Social media is the fastest and easiest way for utility companies to reach out to their customers. New services, emergency contact numbers, and places for support services can be posted on all social media accounts. Beyond being a medium to address customer problems and complaints, it is also a great venue for companies to push forward causes such as water and energy conservation and problems with utility use. Getting consumers to attend seminars that will tackle energy efficiency has been a challenge. Implementing social media campaigns to promote these activities can be useful. For example, posting that majority of people in the community have signed up for the program will encourage others to enroll as well. They can also make use of infographics and videos or feature influential people to talk about the importance of attending such programs.
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Social media is the fastest and easiest way for utility companies to reach out to their customers
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3. Listening to their needs Social listening tools are important so that companies would know what their customers are interested about or what they think about the services. Using this tool will make them one step ahead of their customers and quickly come up with possible solutions to their problems or concerns. Monitoring social media trends will help companies come up with personalized computer experiences and be more re106
sponsive to their needs. This also brings to the table the need for effective social media and PR strategies to handle customer feedback that easily go viral and tarnish the company’s reputation. While doing this, it should not be forgotten that being virtually present is not enough because it will not resolve the real issues that triggered them to reach to you online in the first place. -end-
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H o w B lock chain is Tr a n s f o r m in g the Utility Sector
Blockchain is now changing the course of power and water providers You may have heard of bitcoins here and there. You might even have at least one colleague who trades bitcoins regularly. But the power behind such delicate cryptocurrency lies in the potent technology that is blockchain. 112
A promising feature of blockchain includes a joint record book that is distributed to hundreds, if not thousands, of computers worldwide connected in a peer-to-peer network. Every transaction must all be agreed upon by each and every computer for
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it to be recorded in the book. Falsification of records is impossible since one cannot simply change all the contents of hundreds of copies of the book across the globe. Digital frauds and cyberattacks, which are widespread issues in any industry utilizing the internet, are very much prevented with a simple integration of blockchain. The network’s resiliency is heightened and all data are placed in safe hands. Given this very fact, blockchain is considered a lot more reliable than any other technology in 114
the market to date. Another plus in using blockchain technology is the exclusion of the middleman that controls the flow of transactions. The technology also allows people to identify the source and owner of a particular digital value despite the number of duplicates it has. Its digital ledger can contain nearly anything of use from logistic manifests to land titles and loans. The possible applications of this technology are endless.
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Blockchain’s purposes undoubtedly exceed above and beyond cryptotrading. One neat example of this is streamed music that is much popular nowadays. While traditional music streaming allows users to buy an artist’s song through a content provider, blockchain offers a more straightforward approach. Any artist can sim-
ply upload their music in the blockchain network, no more copyrights and contracts with content providers, and everyone can browse through the songs anytime, anywhere. Any user who wants to buy the music can pay the artist directly and the payment will just be recorded in the book, giving the artist 100% of the revenue collected. This does,
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in fact, removes the extra expense of hiring a middleman to get a lot of coverage. Blockchain can provide this and more. With its immense security features and very reliable record of transactions, it is not surprising how appropriate this technology is when it comes to utility companies. Since utility corporations are beginning to adopt smart and autonomous systems into their operations, integrating blockchain technology into the equation will undoubtedly make the system easier and more cost-effective. Blockchain can be a means of securely and conveniently monetizing transactions which can be a tedious job for traditional bookkeeping and documentation. The automated system only needs to transact with another automated device, agree on the changes to be written in the book, and record the transaction altogether. From meter reading registrations to wholesale and even retail energy trading, blockchain expands to support bigger and safely secured piles of data. Even technology services providers such as Wipro are exploring the possible applications blockchain has to offer. As mentioned by Krishna Ram, Wipro’s general manager for the utility digital products and innovation practice, blockchain technology is particularly helpful in the utility sector in attaining a single and mutual record of the data collected in the network. With the consistency this technol119
A promising feature of blockchain includes a joint record book that is distributed to hundreds, if not thousands, of computers worldwide connected in a peer-to-peer network.
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ogy provides, any changes in the record are made by the collective effort of all of the members of the network, and not only a single entity. Ravindra Balija, Wipro’s general manager of digital architecture and technologies for utilities, agrees with this saying that blockchain gives more real-time transactions, making the generation and billing of power almost immediately. The operation does not call for waiting for the data and consuming time in reconciling and validating it 124
since the communications are done in real time. One well-known example of incorporated blockchain in utilities is the Brooklyn microgrid. The project greatly demonstrates how this technology can change the name of the game. Buying and selling locally produced rooftop solar panels from anyone in the community has been an ease for both the customers and the business owners.
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Another great illustration of blockchain was exhibited by BlockCharge developed by RWE and Slock.it. Basically an electric vehicle (EV), BlockCharge offers users convenience in automatically charging their vehicles in any charging station connected to the network and billing the payment autonomously through a blockchain-based method. This does not need any middleman to accept and confirm the payment. The network itself secures the transaction. Supplier switching, which usually takes up to 21 days with the conventional method in the UK, can also be done within a few hours with blockchain. The tedious data transfer and coordination from one supplier to the next can be more convenient and faster with blockchain. Nearly all internal processes are more efficiently done with blockchain. -end-
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Nowadays, it’s difficult for workers to keep tabs on their tasks, equipment, and how efficient the standard procedures can be. There is constant requirement, atop all the responsibilities of a member of the workforce, to meet the standards of any industry. It is easier said than done, as action speaks louder than words. More so, for those in the power and utility industry—a complex institution 130
in need of consistency in management, communication, and the sharing and storage of outputs. It’s a mountain the power and utilities must face, but one that can be climbed with great concentration and a little bit of help. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a series of rules and regulations with the goal of cutting carbon pollution
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from electric-driven power plants by 30%. Ideally, these rule sets should help EPA achieve their goals more than a decade from now, in the year 2030. This decision by EPA acts a sort of modulator of carbon pollution from power plants, as well as a stepping stone towards how we improve the production and usage of electrical power. It also aims to buttress the adverse effects of climate change in our planet and act as the United States’ supplier of dependable, cost-efficient energy. The application of these new rules have resulted in significant disruption in the 132
power and utilities industry, whose members have also armed themselves with modern, state-of-the-art technologies. In fact, research from PricewaterhouseCoopers discovered that power and utilities corporations expect medium to high amounts of home market disruption come the next year. In spite of the ever-altering landscape for the power and utilities industry, there are multiple ways for them to adjust. One way is by using workflow automation software. Workflow automation is the workforce’s solution to wasted time, inefficient office protocols and
processes that need a bit of tweaking, and career-based clutter. This type of software is also capable of consolidating protocols across different locations such that all the workers are aligned, steel the relationships with clients and customers, and provide innovative processes for a variety of worker-types. Workflow automation software provides a more simplistic, streamlined, and connectable way of organizing the tasks of a powers and utilities jobber. Tasks that require little to no effort are swiftly taken care of by largely automatic equipment and, due to this, workflows are able to cleft
free-times in employee schedules so they can be even more productive. In addition, workflow automation technologies are masters of manual—they mitigate, perhaps to the point of perfection, whatever errors only humans can make. This mitigation of human error is, without a doubt, beneficial to the more forward thinking jobber. Be it helping employees finish their on-boarding sessions and training regiments on the dot, or documentation of reports are readied and done, workflow automation technology aims to be a beacon of aid for all its users. 133
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With this software, heavy burdens are alleviated from these worker’s shoulders. In the water industry, specifically those in the industry of cleaning and managing wastewater, workflow automation is utilized to its full extent. One such example is an ambitious wastewater treatment initiative along the Sussex Coast in the United Kingdom. Costing about £300 million, Southern Water’s largest capital project and environmental improvement plan consists of
wastewater treatment works and a sludge recycling centre, a pair of pumping stations, a sewer tunnel that stretches for about 6.9 miles, and a mile-long marine outflow. This was done by workers who were religious about allowing the workflow automation system guide them in their daily battles, culminating in a beautiful and efficient way water is used and discharged overall. Another ingenuous utilization of workflow automation software in the water industry is in the ability of inverters to automatically 135
Workflow automation is the workforce’s solution to wasted time
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conduct a self-diagnosis and transfer this data digitally to the technical department. Data is collected, transmitted, reviewed, and acted upon all in real time, through the efficacy of workflow automation systems. Automatic inverter drives are also one of the primary tools in cementing success for the water industry. Such inverters can even be programmed to tailor-fit basic operations to address a myriad of situations. The latest inverters have routines that are further modelled to see and categorize these situations nigh perfectly. These inverters 138
are capable of deciding when pipe-blockages can be overcome, how and when they can be resolved, and when severe drops or rises in water pressure necessitate a shut-down. For organizations in the water, power and utilities, and other industries, automation is a logical next-step for forward-thinkers. With the promises of improved efficiency and flexibility, streamlining protocols across different locations, and creating diamantine customer-client relations being kept by the workflow automation systems,
workers across all departments of an industry could further consolidate themselves and hone their skills to accomplish bigger, more daunting, more demanding tasks. -end-
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Power utility companies can participate on consumers’ demand response programs, helping to reduce power demands on their local utilities and save money in the process.
strategies by the social partners to improve utility services with the common goal of extending access to services to all communities, enhancing efficiency of delivery and reviewing tariffs and other sources of income Social discourse plays a signif- collection. icant role in developing joint
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Crucial Matters on Utility Industries
One of the key issues in the utility industries is the need to respect international conventions protecting freedom of association, collective bargaining and to avoid breakdowns in the provision of utilities where possible. Water utilities are under tremendous pressure to efficiently and economically manage the precious resource of water. The same holds true for electric power utilities as they struggle to meet increasing demands for power while at the same time being strapped by government reg146
ulations affecting the ability to create new generation capacity. Increasing “reutilization� will open more consumer-utility relationships in the areas of real time billing and mobile payments, digital experiences, energy efficiency audits and home energy management. Power utilities will be taken up by clients’ demands for flexible choices in their usage of power with smart grids and meters. Operational systems are integrated to transform customer touch points in the
areas of payments and communication. Social media may also play a major role in customer support, proactive communication and preventive alerts. Integrated customer relationship management solutions will provide a veer of information about the consumers that can be used to offer personalized services.
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Utilities as Natural Monopolies Utilities are often labeled by economists and technologists as being natural monopolies. There is usually little difference in the product they offer. Electricity from one supplier is little different than electricity from another supplier, so there is little opportunity to differentiate products and develop brand loyalty. For these reasons utility industries often function as monopolies in their service areas. Power supply is an enormous industry. It is also an industry that would still be recognizable to utility executives from a century ago. Delivery of electricity, natural gas and water will remain part of the future but what changes is that future entail for utility companies themselves. Robotics and advanced technologies minimize manual intervention and optimize headcount. Asset firm owners, producers and consumers are able to price and trade energy among themselves in decentralized markets through a transitive energy system generation which allows energy agents to buy and sell based on market value without causing interruptions to the grid.
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How Utility Industries Respond to Client Needs Demand response is one of the industries’ strategies to retort clients’ demands over the years. According to Cooney, utilities may also find themselves being approached by aggregators to participate in demand response programs. Demand response is a program that allows utilities or aggregators to alert industrial, commercial or residential customers that energy demand is 148
reaching peak levels, so that these clients can shut down or reduce usage of non-critical equipment. In many cases, novel resources are enabled by increasingly affordable and ubiquitous information and communication technologies and by the growing digitalization of power systems. Companies increasingly move away from the commodity based model
to innovative pricing models for alternative energy generation sources, energy storage and monitoring, and data analytics. These are possible through mergers, acquisitions and partnerships. They also explore asset light business models that focus on product and service volumes to create revenues and profits. The utility industries are digitally enabled shared services organization that will provide fully automated and
integrated corporate services, predictive analytics and forecasting. And regardless of the time frame, the utility industries continue to be guided by its central mission: to provide customers with secure, resilient and environmentally responsible electricity.
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Power supply is an enormous industry. It is also an industry that would still be recognizable to utility executives from a century ago.
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COVER STORY
How Technology Affect the Future of Utility Industries Technologies decentralize coordination between parties through distributed optimization and control. Electric and utility companies are poised at exciting opportunities and in the next few years will see the industry rapidly adapt to innovative business models and technologies. They create new
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revenue streams and leverage the power of data to create a cognitive enterprise. They innovate operating models and customer experiences and deploy effective cyber threat security solutions. Utility industries partnering with domain, technology and process experts will develop the required strategy
POWER & WATER LEADERS
and roadmaps for innovative growth. Utility benefits are not limited to increased customers’ demand: A burgeoning technology can balance the grid, integrate renewables and improve power quality, while potentially enhancing customer engagement. It is not certain that the most innovative work being done is central to the existing utility business model.
For some of the most innovative work currently underway, there might not be a clear role for utility companies themselves, now or in the future. -end-
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The industrial control systems (ICS), the systems responsible for managing industrial automation such as water treatment plants, power plants, wastewater plants, and even oil and gas plants, has greatly evolved over the course of the decade thanks to the advancement of the internet and its wireless capabilities. Although this has led to higher efficiency and speed, it also became more vulnerable to unwanted attacks from hackers and viruses. According to one of the top security firms 156
across the globe, Positive Technologies, their researchers could gain access to 73% of industrial organizations, eventually gaining a hold of ICS equipment to play around with. Smart hackers have taken advantage of this fact and used this vulnerability to access and penetrate insecure systems. Some of these notable hacks involving the power and water industry are mentioned below.
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Hacking Incidents over the Years
Hacking of an Electric Company Not long ago, a hacker tapped into the telephone-based outage reporting system of the Ozarks Electric Cooperative and changed the voice greeting to “All of Ozarks Electric’s employees have gone home. Call someone who cares.” Although considered as a minor incident, this historical telephone hacking became a 158
wakeup call for the organization to reinforce its security and review their guidelines. If the hacker can penetrate their telephone system, then it was possible to do more than that. The company then worked on integrating a two-tiered password security into their operations.
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Infiltrating Nuclear Plant Network A plant personnel at Davis-Besse nuclear power plant in Ohio firmly believed their network was safe as it has a firewall. But when a Slammer worm got into their systems and disabled a safety monitoring system for about five hours, the company was forced to maintain and improve their malware detection measures and install intrusion detection sensors in their critical system networks. The main reason behind this vulnerability was that the staff at the plant wasn’t able to install patches for their server to counterattack the Slammer worm. They weren’t aware of any patches even though the patch has been out for about six months.
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Stealing Information from the National Nuclear Security Administration Nearly 1,500 personal information was taken from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) when someone hacked their system in September 2005. The data belongs to employees and contractors and included their name, Social security number, birth date, and more. Although the incident was discovered at that time, higher officials were only informed in June 2006.
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Most manufacturers and companies are not too eager to make any changes to their system as they are worried it might cause unnecessary downtime that their customers would not take so lightly.
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Penetrating a Water Utility Company
hackers. Most manufacturers and companies are not too eager to make any changes to their system as they are worried it might cause unnecessary downtime that their customers would not take so lightly. This then led to outdated systems which were not able to keep up with the technological trend, making them too easy a target for the malicious hackers. Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation once reported that about one-third of manufacturers do not even conduct cyber risk assessments, making their systems fail in no time.
Verizon Security Systems reported a data breach in the control system of a huge water utility service with millions of consumers back in 2016. The hackers were able to alter the computers managing the water chemicals of the plant that makes water safe to drink. The investigators found out that the cause of the breach was quite common among these services — outdated 164
cybersecurity protocols. Eddie Habibi, CEO of PAS, a Houston-based ICS security firm, emphasized how control systems can create havoc in the infrastructure of the company. Such incidents could have been prevented if the organizations were not afraid to upgrade their system to counterattack these high-tech
What makes the situation worst is when the industrial systems are connected to office systems and computers, allowing hackers to penetrate not only the office processes but also the technical processes. This compromises the system altogether and makes information messed up, eventually leading to a complete stop of operation. Experts suggest isolating the office system from the machinery. Human errors also account for some of the vulnerabilities in the system, which is why continuous maintenance and improvement is always a must in the plant.
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With humanity’s high consumption of energy yearly, the utility industry has been keeping up with such an increasing demand. According to the International Energy Agency, it is expected to increase by 37% by the year 2040 dramatically.
Power providers and utilities hoping to use IoT advances to drive inward and outside advantages will make progress as they create programs that urge their clients to partake.
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How IoT Benefits Consumers
In 2020, there is a forecast that the number of gadgets connected to the internet may reach about 50 billion. What does this have to do with energy consumption? Eventually, the connection of these devices relies on the utility industry. The Internet of Things is making sure that the utility companies are getting help in finding solutions to this progressing demand. With such an opportunity, these companies can create a way to engage with its consumers in educating the communities, promote development in the local economy and moreover, to better management of 170
utilities - both energy and water. With the help of IoT- from its software networks to its computing power, it will benefit the power and water industry in so many ways. Advanced communication is made possible through in-field processing power, which provides high-resolution data processing. The adaptive communication technology of today’s utilities combines power line carrier, Wi-Fi, and RF mesh, which enables continuous communication. On the other hand, smart field devices help with locational awareness, which may even have multilingual capabilities.
POWER & WATER LEADERS
Smart metering and progressed metering foundation are the initial phases in this advancement, creating a close ongoing estimation of intensity use and dependability measurements in the conveyance matrix. These frameworks empower more noteworthy gauging abilities, in this manner driving down expenses of age through progressively productive booking and unwavering quality in the network, just as empowering clients to predict spending examples and better arrangement for their vitality utilization after some time. All these make it a lot easier for both the companies or utility providers and consumers. Data gathering is more precise and can be accessed in real-time. With the aid of these advanced devices, results are more accurate, and the marginal of error is lessened. It can even help workers in the industry since their job is now easier and quicker.
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Using IoT for Power Management IoT has introduced its top device - smart meters to utility companies which have by far lifted so much pressure on the demand for energy. Smart meters are connected to a smart energy grid. Then, these devices are attached to facilities. With such a connection, utility companies can oversee the energy flow within its facilities. Utilities use sensors associated with their framework to gauge asset execution and improve condition-based support schedules. Stream rates, temperatures, and voltage information are accumulated utilizing correspondences systems to pinpoint issues and figure potential problems dependent on an investigation. Keen structures can control light and temperature continuously for most extreme solace and effectiveness utilizing interconnected sensors and building control frameworks. For indoor agribusiness explicitly, LED lighting is regularly used to drastically decrease costs while keeping up full-range necessities and offering exactness authority over photoperiods and temperature.
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smart water sensors have been introduced to consumers for them to be able to track their water consumption, quality, pressure, and temperature, among others.
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Using IoT for Water Management Apart from the devices mentioned above, IoT has also made sure to be of help in more ways possible, particularly - water, oil, and even gas. In terms of water management, smart water sensors have been introduced to consumers for them to be able to track their water consumption, quality, pressure, and temperature, among others.
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Exact water system frameworks with IoT sensors, including stream and subsurface techniques, incredibly diminish water utilization and can coordinate with utility interest reaction frameworks. Request reaction projects help lessen pinnacle request during times of electrical supply limitation in the network. Water system frameworks regularly use huge electric siphons that can be controlled remotely to react to utility needs and can help in territorial electric network
unwavering quality. We’ve just entered the IoT age. Opening an incentive from these innovations requires more than visually impaired interests in innovation. Those associations destined to pull in front of their rivals will be the ones that emphasis on security, execution and benchmarks usage to drive achievement, just as get their clients on board early.
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The potential uses of augmented and virtual realities in the power and water industries are already foreseen as a big leap for the utility industry. The technology
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is predicted to be of significant use in performing field work, inspecting the equipment, and training new personnel.
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What is Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Augmented Reality, most commonly referred to as AR, is a tool used in presenting computer-generated data overlaid on the physical, real-world. The generated data can either be sound, graphics, GPS data, video, or a combination of all. Virtual Reality, on the other hand, is the technology which places the user inside a 182
computer-simulated reality where one can interact with the items inside the imaginary world. This type of technology is already being used in modern-day gaming systems.
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Advantages Better Performance with Less Cost
Fast Data Transfer
Although the technology is not out for commercial use yet, there are already many players entering the marketplace. It may not be pretty apparent, but virtual and augmented realities are a big hit in the industry, attracting more and more startups and companies to invest in its development and eventually decreasing the cost of the products.
Data is a major player in the utility industry, mainly because the analysis of the collected data can significantly impact decisions and flow of the overall system. But this can only be useful and beneficial when the right data is delivered to the right person at the right time with the right presentation. Integrating Augmented Reality into the equation can provide a fast and superb way of transferring and presenting data, all while preserving the accuracy of the collected data. 183
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Efficient Communication and Reporting Using VR in the field for faster communication is among the top reasons why the deployment of this technology is a must. A worker on the site, especially one that is inexperienced and not knowledgeable on the task, will not be restricted to describing the technicalities and failure of the equipment through phone conversations and photos alone. Instead, the supervisor in the office can see the actual site himself through virtual reality and give accurate diagnosis and decisions. The AR will also overlay the details and specifications of said equipment, making the ordering of parts faster and more reliable.
Safer Field Work for Employees With the use of AR and VR in the field, employee safety can be ensured since the data from the big assets and equipment are displayed in the most intuitive manner possible. There are also additional data, such as invisible gas and leaks, which will be useful in alerting the workers of potential trouble and problems.
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AR, is a tool used in presenting computergenerated data overlaid on the physical, real-world. The generated data can either be sound, graphics, GPS data, video, or a combination of all.
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The Future of AR in the Utility Industry In the near future, workers in the power and water industries will be able to work more efficiently using Oculus headset or Google Glass. With just one press of a virtual button, they can be able to repair leaking substation transformers and pinpoint areas with power outages.
of equipment are displayed to the user, and they are given the option to dispatch a crew to repair the troubled machine. On top of that, some companies are already working on making the equipment like transformers and high-voltage apparatus The demo included special “smart” in the future. They goggles needed to see the plan on connecting hair-like Veolia International Chemical Competence Centres Although this vision is still in virtual world and all of its data. Australia-New fiber optics to these devices Zealand Veolia chemicals manufacturing facility to the works, it is no surprise One can see the leaks of collect real-time data such as that populating these video poisonous sulfur hexafluoride strain and temperature. game-like interfaces can be gas from the circuit breakers, of significant help to the utility which the human eyes -endVeolia Water Solutions & Technologies Australia processes, especially in the Level 4,cannot see in the real world, Bay Centre, 65 Pirrama Road safety department. One suchPyrmont and the low level of insulation NSW 2009 – Australia 0400transformers, / Fax + 61 2 8572 0410 visualization and analytics Ph. + 61oil2 8572 of the which systems@veoliawater.com software startup, the is also invisible to the naked www.veoliawaterst.com.au Space-Time Insight, recently eye. A data chart of both types 188
held a demo in San Diego, California, where people are taken on a virtual tour around their substation which features actual data from several utility companies in the state such as San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison.
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Robots, developed to perform various human functions in a more precise and faster manner, are now becoming a significant contributor to our everyday lives. Since the replacement of hand-built car by robotic assembly lines, robots have slowly made their way into the various sectors of the industry, and the utility sector is no exception. In fact, the global revenue for all robotics, including drones, to be used in the transmission and distribution segments, is predicted to reach about $13.2 billion by 2026. With manufacturers gearing to-
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wards the production of Robotics Process Automation (RPA) bots, the applications of these machines are becoming larger and wider by the minute. This type of robot is capable of mimicking how a human would interact with an application with the same User Interface (UI). With this in consideration, the power and water industry is now researching more ways to incorporate these machines into their systems. The major applications of robots in the utility industry are identified below.
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Possible Applications of Robots in the Industry In finance and accounting RPA bots are expected to be of significant use in the primary business process, some of which are the payment processing, invoice processing, travel and expenses accounting, reporting, and even asset accounting. One successful integration of this system is from a US investor-owned utility. The RPA bots were deployed to manage the billing processes for one of their primary commercial and industrial customer. With hu194
man employees, the process would require 17 new employees on board, but with the utilization of the RPA bots, the employees were reduced to two, thus cutting down on operational expenses as well.
In human resources With automation in the human resources sector, robots can take over repetitive tasks such as training and development, new hire and induction, recruitment requisition, and leave and payroll processes, to name a few.
In operational processes An investor-owned water utility took the risk and implemented a workflow automation system for customer information system (CIS) updates. The automation system was related to taking the customer service orders, and within a short period, the system already improved their service orders from 6% to a whopping 50%. If the process were done with human employees, it would require three to five full-time workers to do the entire job. With the integration of automation, the water utility
POWER & WATER LEADERS
has significantly cut down on operational costs as well.
In the audit function Bots have also proved to be useful in the audit function. One such US utility company developed an employee data protection audit bot that they now use to evaluate the controls protecting their employees’ data and to ensure that Personally Identifiable Information and Protected Health Information are free from scrutiny and misuse. The bot improved the company’s audit processes, resulting to compliance with different utility policies, procedures, and regulations, some of which are the US Privacy Act, HIPPA, and Identity Theft Prevention Act, to name a few. The bot has since been enhanced and is now on a fully functional version which can run against a wide variety of file types like excel and word.
In the field On the ground Equipping robots with visual and infrared thermal imagery sensors, humans no longer need to be present at transmission substations to do the repairs and maintenance. Robots can seamlessly follow their preprogrammed paths and in195
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Equipping robots with visual and infrared thermal imagery sensors, humans no longer need to be present at transmission substations to do the repairs and maintenance.
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spect substation assets for faults, leaks, and any other hazards. They are also loaded with programs capable of identifying high-risk asset characteristics so they can easily tag images of faulty assets. These images will then be presented to the utility engineer for verification before maintenance personnel is deployed to the field.
On the line Robots can also be dispatched to a transmission line pole where they will do a routine inspection. The robots can draw their power from the energized line. Once settled, the robot then travels along the route to collect visual and infrared images of the line assets, particularly the ole-mounted hardware and insulators.
In the air Drones are particularly handy in getting a live video stream of the transmission tower and lines at a bird’s eye view. While its primary purpose is to record its entire flight over the transmission lines, it can also be set to inspect the lines and capture close-up shots of line assets. -end-
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