Gray and yellow Sentient Energy logo.
  • Solutions
    • Solutions

      Find out how we can help solve your grid challenges.

      Learn More
      activity

      Fault Detection & Location

      Interruption & Disturbance Analysis

      signal

      System & Asset Monitoring

      danger

      Data Source to ADMS Applications

      chart

      Wildfire Risk Mitigation

      trending-up

      Grid Edge Control™

      shield

      Grid Analytics System

      Yellow lightning bolt icon.

      Proactive Outage Mitigation

  • Products
    • Products

      Discover Sentient Energy’s revolutionary intelligent sensors and applications.

      Learn More
      Screenshot of graphs showing load current.

      Grid Analytics System™

      Learn More

      Screenshot of a graph showing current over time.

      Ample Analytics Platform

      Learn More

      MM3 Sensor.

      MM3 Overhead Line Sensor

      Learn More

      ZM1 grid monitor.

      ZM1™️️️ Low Amperage Overhead Line Sensor

      Learn More

      UM3 line monitor.

      UM3+ Underground Line Sensor

      Learn More

      ENGO device on top of a screenshot showing GEMS.

      ENGO® and GEMS® Grid Edge Voltage Control

      Learn More

      sentient-energy-UM1 image for launch

      UM1™ Underground Line Sensor

      Learn More

      sentient-energy-top sites precursor anomalies

      MM3ai System

      Learn More

      Products

      Learn more about our intelligent sensors, software applications, and grid edge technologies.

      Learn More
      Screenshot of graphs showing load current.

      Grid Analytics System™

      MM3 Sensor.

      MM3 Overhead Line Sensor

      UM3 line monitor.

      UM3+ Underground Line Sensor

      UM1™ Underground Line Sensor

      Screenshot of a graph showing current over time.

      Ample Analytics Platform

      ZM1 grid monitor.

      ZM1™️️️ Low Amperage Overhead Line Sensor

      ENGO device on top of a screenshot showing GEMS.

      ENGO® and GEMS® Grid Edge Voltage Control

      MM3ai System

  • Customers
    • Customer Success

      Read about Sentient Energy’s proven client successes, dive into key metrics, and discover how Sentient Energy can help you solve your grid challenges.

      Learn More

      FPL Automatic Phase Identification

      PG&E Quantifying SAIDI Reduction

      Manitoba Hydro Utilizing Line Sensors for Substation Monitoring

      Feeder Fault Isolation & Restoration

  • Resources
    • Resources

      Explore information on Sentient Energy grid edge solutions, products, use cases, and customer successes. Find valuable insights on distribution grid technology best practices and hear from peers and experts on industry topics that matter.

      Learn More

      Use Case Briefs

      Case Studies

      From the Experts

      Public Power

      White Papers

      Product Datasheets

      Webinars and Videos

      Customer Support Portal

  • About
    • About

      Learn more about who we are, what we’re focused on, and the leadership team that supports us.

      Learn More

      Leadership

      News

      Events

      Press

      Careers

  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Solutions
    • Solutions

      Find out how we can help solve your grid challenges.

      Learn More
      activity

      Fault Detection & Location

      Interruption & Disturbance Analysis

      signal

      System & Asset Monitoring

      danger

      Data Source to ADMS Applications

      chart

      Wildfire Risk Mitigation

      trending-up

      Grid Edge Control™

      shield

      Grid Analytics System

      Yellow lightning bolt icon.

      Proactive Outage Mitigation

  • Products
    • Products

      Discover Sentient Energy’s revolutionary intelligent sensors and applications.

      Learn More
      Screenshot of graphs showing load current.

      Grid Analytics System™

      Learn More

      Screenshot of a graph showing current over time.

      Ample Analytics Platform

      Learn More

      MM3 Sensor.

      MM3 Overhead Line Sensor

      Learn More

      ZM1 grid monitor.

      ZM1™️️️ Low Amperage Overhead Line Sensor

      Learn More

      UM3 line monitor.

      UM3+ Underground Line Sensor

      Learn More

      ENGO device on top of a screenshot showing GEMS.

      ENGO® and GEMS® Grid Edge Voltage Control

      Learn More

      sentient-energy-UM1 image for launch

      UM1™ Underground Line Sensor

      Learn More

      sentient-energy-top sites precursor anomalies

      MM3ai System

      Learn More

      Products

      Learn more about our intelligent sensors, software applications, and grid edge technologies.

      Learn More
      Screenshot of graphs showing load current.

      Grid Analytics System™

      MM3 Sensor.

      MM3 Overhead Line Sensor

      UM3 line monitor.

      UM3+ Underground Line Sensor

      UM1™ Underground Line Sensor

      Screenshot of a graph showing current over time.

      Ample Analytics Platform

      ZM1 grid monitor.

      ZM1™️️️ Low Amperage Overhead Line Sensor

      ENGO device on top of a screenshot showing GEMS.

      ENGO® and GEMS® Grid Edge Voltage Control

      MM3ai System

  • Customers
    • Customer Success

      Read about Sentient Energy’s proven client successes, dive into key metrics, and discover how Sentient Energy can help you solve your grid challenges.

      Learn More

      FPL Automatic Phase Identification

      PG&E Quantifying SAIDI Reduction

      Manitoba Hydro Utilizing Line Sensors for Substation Monitoring

      Feeder Fault Isolation & Restoration

  • Resources
    • Resources

      Explore information on Sentient Energy grid edge solutions, products, use cases, and customer successes. Find valuable insights on distribution grid technology best practices and hear from peers and experts on industry topics that matter.

      Learn More

      Use Case Briefs

      Case Studies

      From the Experts

      Public Power

      White Papers

      Product Datasheets

      Webinars and Videos

      Customer Support Portal

  • About
    • About

      Learn more about who we are, what we’re focused on, and the leadership team that supports us.

      Learn More

      Leadership

      News

      Events

      Press

      Careers

  • Blog
  • Contact
Search
Close
sentient-energy-shutterstock Blog Sentient Trial Advisor 631558187 865x483 1

HOW DOES A UTILITY GET THE MOST BANG FOR BUCK FROM ITS INNOVATION BUDGET?

  • September 15, 2017

By Brett Stein

Introducing new, advanced technologies in a 100+ year electric utility industry is a tricky proposition. For the most part, electricity has been reliably distributed to customers in relatively the same way for decades. Therefore, asking a utility to change that process can be challenging. Not only are utilities coping with improving an antiquated infrastructure, they are also adjusting to the realities of Distributed Generation. Even their customers are power sellers now, and that adds a unique toll on the distribution system. Even when the stars align for an innovative new technology, it requires hard evidence of better performance, improved reliability, and in many cases, a reduction in operations and maintenance (O&M) expense.

A primary mechanism for utilities to combat this ever-evolving landscape is their Technology Innovation Budget. This is an allotment of annual capital to not only test new products for functionality, but also to evaluate their specific potential impact if fully deployed. These innovation capital dollars have become more valuable than ever, as decisions on how they are spent are crucial to the long-term health of the utility, the appeasement of State Utility Commissions, and ultimately the satisfaction of their customers.

Examining how you currently evaluate prospective “Innovation Budget” trial programs becomes the first step in maximizing your project value. Keep in mind that these technologies are quite new and often few personnel within the utility walls possess the experience to best perform trials on these innovations. Simply performing lab tests or field trials are no longer the only steps needed. With the new, advanced technologies being introduced today, utility teams need an experienced Trial Advisor. The Trial Advisor can help build a project model that not only handles installation and operation basics, but can also direct correlation of performance to use cases and pre-determined success metrics. A utility going into an innovation trial without a Trial Advisor’s direct experience in that specific technology dramatically reduces the chances of achieving the most productive results.

Sentient Energy’s Trial Management Team works with utilities on innovation projects leveraging a full package of best practices, metrics, and experiential knowledge. This has proven to be massively important in assuring that our utility clients are investing their critical capital in projects that are expedient, productive, and provide a clear post-trial path forward. Whether you are testing intelligent line sensors or some other form of distribution automation equipment, redefining how you plan to evaluate technology will make sure you get the best bang for your Innovation buck.

White and yellow Sentient Energy logo.
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Public Power
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Public Power
  • Customer Success
  • About
  • Blog
  • Customer Success
  • About
  • Blog
Contact Us
Twitter Linkedin

We help utilities deliver safe, reliable, and efficient power.

Copyright © 2023 Sentient Energy, Inc. All rights reserved

Privacy Policy | California Supply | Code of Conduct | Discrimination & Harassment Policy | Terms of Use