Keeping the channels open

An Executive Interview with Alcatel-Lucent

Walt Paskowski outlines how utility companies can use communications technologies to transform their businesses.

P&E. What are the challenges facing companies in the energy sector?
WP. Utilities in North America are undergoing difficult challenges that are causing a profound change on how they do business. Utility and energy companies are going through acquisition and consolidations, aging workforce and infrastructure, fluctuating fuel prices, rising security and reliability awareness and stockholder pressure for profitability.

Understanding these challenges, how they impact utilities and finding creative ways to use available technologies to address them is now more critical than ever. Alcatel-Lucent is committed to this space and continuously investing in resources and R&D efforts to be positioned to help utilities not only confront these challenges but also see them as opportunities to transform their business to a more dynamic and efficient model. These technology initiatives include smart grid, smart metering, workforce mobility and integrated security solutions, which address compliance standards including NERC/FERC.

P&E. What role do communications play in the development of a federal smart grid system?
WP. The development of a smart grid system is dependent on gathering intelligence from all key components and connections on the national grid. Intelligent networking is the underlying technology that will enable smart grid applications. Developing and deploying an intelligent network capable of collecting and managing real-time data will enable utilities to expand their networks to include distributed generation sources, to gather real time demand data through smart meters, and to monitor and manage the health of the grid.

Utilities will be able to improve the reliability of their network by monitoring and acting on grid performance data collected by their network; they will be able to more quickly recognize and predict changes in demand and take the appropriate power supply actions to satisfy their needs at the lowest possible cost; and they will be able to provide their customers visibility and control capabilities over their own usage via a web portal. Communications, the intelligent network, is the foundation for building this Smart Grid environment.

P&E. What is the best solution for ensuring security within a communication infrastructure?
WP. As the dependency on electricity grows, security emerges as one of the major concerns of the US government and of utility executives. There is some debate in the industry on the breadth and depth of any security solution. On one hand utilities want to automate major functions and increase the mobility of their workforce. On the other hand, these initiatives, while empowering utilities to become more efficient and competitive, make them more susceptible to security breaches.

Alcatel-Lucent understands that a careful assessment is required to study the overall infrastructure and identify potential risks in the development of a good security strategy, which should address all layers of infrastructure, including physical, network, services, and applications. These layers are constantly evolving. A security solution should be flexible and dynamic to accommodate change.

P&E. How is the increased focus on energy efficiency changing the way in which communications are employed?
WP. Utilities are focused on increasing efficiency as both a way of meeting the growing demand for power and for achieving mandates in carbon emission reductions. The first element in addressing energy efficiency is being able to capture and analyze accurate, real-time usage data, which will require an intelligent network connecting the key end points from generation through to the energy users. Utilities are investing in technologies that will enable energy efficiency and demand response programs, including smart grid, smart metering, home area networks, in-home displays, smart thermostats and web portals. A secure, intelligent network is the key to enabling these applications and capabilities.

P&E. What is the importance of communications for a mobile workforce?
WP. Utilities are looking to mobilize their workforce to increase the efficiency of their operation and reduce operational expenditure. Mobility also allows utilities to make the right resources available when needed, which is critical when addressing emergencies and failures. A true mobility solution enables the workforce to become geographically independent and enhance the collaboration between the various organizations and expertise within the company. This collaboration includes voice, video and data and even applications sharing. Mobility solutions have multiple building blocks that need to be integrated and customized to address specific business models. When implementing mobility solutions, utilities should be focused on ensuring that security is not jeopardized. For this reason, security should be an integral part of any mobility solution. 

Walt Paskowski, Vice President Sales, heads the Alcatel-Lucent Vertical Market Sales Team for the Americas. He has been with Alcatel-Lucent over 11 years, focusing on serving the needs of his energy, state and local government and transportation clients.  The team has been involved in helping these clients with all aspects of their business, with a strong focus on their mission critical networking.