Utilities take advantage of big data opportunities

While regulated utilities don’t necessarily compete for customers, they are using the information to better understand their customers and the services that they can provide them in an effort to boost customer service levels.

While some utilities fret over the reams of data that is now available to them from smart grid technologies like smart meters, advanced meter infrastructure and distributed automation, others are taking full advantage of the new opportunities presented by the data.

"We know there is a large potential for what we can do and where we can go with this data," said Gina Weber, a process project specialist on CenterPoint’s analytics and data services team. "One thing we recognized early is that some projects are quicker to develop than others, so it’s important to let each project develop at its own pace."

by John R. Johnson

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