Utilities Tech Outlook Weekly Brief
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What are some of the current day-to-day responsibilities you face as the product manager of RFL brand products at Hubbell? 
Emmanuel Duvelson, Product Manager, Rfl Brand Products, Hubbel
I am responsibility for managing the RFL product line, which provides solutions to substation communications infrastructure. The role’s key responsibilities are to support the sales team in offering solutions to customers and develop new products according to the latest trends and customers’ overarching needs.
What are some of the latest challenges that are impacting the utility space and how can utility professionals address them?
As the world continues to modernize, utility companies face significant challenges in keeping up with the latest technology trends. These companies often lag behind by 15 to 20 years, making it crucial for them to modernize their infrastructure and provide services that align with the demands of the digital age. Another challenge is ensuring the security of their critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity is a major concern, as any vulnerability in the system could potentially disrupt power supply to entire regions like the seaboard or Western areas.
To address these challenges, collaboration for devising advanced solutions is necessary. Stakeholders must work together to assist utility companies in modernizing their infrastructure and adapting to current trends.
Considering the transformations and disruptions that are prevailing in the space, how do you envision the future of the industry?
The power utility industry is currently focused on modernization, particularly through the digitalization of operations and other aspects of the industry. This digital transformation entails harnessing the abundant data flowing through the system and using it for predictive analytics, which has the potential to improve the reliability of the power grid. Using this technology, companies can predict potential failures and issues and prepare for them ahead of time. The future also holds great potential for utilizing A.I to leverage the wealth of digital information within the power utility sector.
"The future holds great potential for utilizing A.I to leverage the wealth of digital information within the power utility sector"
Integrating A.I other digital solutions into the power utility allows key stakeholders to make informed choices, improve system management, and provide superior customer service, while reducing costs. Given the ongoing modernization efforts in the power utility industry, it is expected that these trends will continue to evolve and gain momentum over the next 20 years.
In the projects you are currently working on, what are the technological and process elements you have leveraged to make it successful?
Recognizing the prevailing trends in digitalization, enhanced power delivery, and communication systems optimization, Hubbell strives to deliver effective solutions that enable its customers to achieve their desired objectives. We have undertaken a project focused on facilitating the migration of existing infrastructure, including legacy devices and applications, while enabling customers to embrace modernization on their own terms. The innovative system not only ensures backward compatibility with legacy applications but also provides forward compatibility with advanced systems, thereby empowering customers to take on the 21st century and beyond.
What is some advice you would like to share with the other leaders and fellow peers working in the utility space?
The key advice is to foster successful collaboration between the vendor and the power utility. This partnership should be built upon a foundation of understanding, active listening, and addressing the pain points and needs of both parties. Embracing this two-way partnership dynamic can help achieve mutual benefits, in addition to overcoming previously insurmountable challenges. This creates a more effective relationship than a traditional buyer-seller transactional model.
