INSIGHTS
A collection of insights by Xtensible and our clients
Through years of engagements with our utility customers, Xtensible has acquired deep knowledge and experience in helping utilities establish a solid foundation for the future, one step at a time. Below are some publications and presentations from industry events showcasing how our clients are leveraging our solutions and services.
Publications
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EPRI Common Information Model PrimerCommon Information Model Primer helps readers understand how the Common Information Model (CIM) is used at electric utilities. The primer explains how the CIM originated and was developed through the years, with the support of working groups of Technical Committee 57 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. Xtensible contributed to Case Studies. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducts research, development, and demonstration projects for the benefit of the public in the United States and internationally. |
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Smart Grids: Advanced Technologies and SolutionsThe book identifies the technical framework of enabling technologies and smart solutions and describes the role of technology developments and coordinated standards in smart grid, including various initiatives and organizations helping to drive the smart grid effort. With chapters written by leading experts in the field, the text explains how to plan, integrate, implement, and operate a smart grid. Xtensible contributed to Chapter 14 Convergence of Technology and IT/OT Integration and Chapter 15 Data Analytics for the Smart Grid. |
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Using the Common Information Model for Enterprise IntegrationThis article elaborates on two different approaches and reasons for CIM implementation, page 56. One being minimalist, project-oriented and tactical in nature. The other being strategic with a long-term view on business and data. Drivers and restraining forces are explored. |
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The IEC CIM Key to Integrated Grid InteroperabilityMany utilities have recognized that if they are going to successfully tackle levels of operational complexity the first step is to foster a data-driven culture coupled with a future looking framework. |
Analytics
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Taming the Data ChaosA presentation on how Exelon and JEA drives business value through data and analytics. Exelon is the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers through six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities. JEA, located in Jacksonville, Florida, is the eighth-largest community-owned electric utility company in the United States and the largest in Florida. JEA serves more than 420,000 electric customers; 305,000 water customers; and 230,000 sewer customers. |
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Enterprise Analytics for Distribution PlanningA presentation on the role of analytics in modernizing SCE’s system planning, and integration of DER. Southern California Edison, the largest subsidiary of Edison International, is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 15 million people with electricity across a service territory of approximately 50,000 square miles. Enterprise Analytics for Distribution Planning
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Navigating the Data Analytics Open WatersNavigating the waters of enterprise analytics can be seen as a daunting journey. If you’re not careful you end up floating in the endless waters of data trying to figure out where you’re trying to go and what to look for. |
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Frictionless Access to DataThis whitepaper addresses some of the core pain points – describes why little data is just as large a problem as big data and discusses what is meant by frictionless access to data, and how data management challenges can be better managed. |
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Advanced Metering Infrastructure
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An Approach for Open and Interoperable AMI Integration SolutionA white paper on Consumers Energy’s endeavor to develop and implement an open and interoperable Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) based on industry best practice integration and standards. Consumers Energy is a public utility in the US that provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. An Approach for Open and Interoperable AMI Integration Solution |
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A Complete SOA Solution for AMI IntegrationA presentation on SDG&E’s comprehensive strategy for defining the future direction of application integration addressing people, process, and technology. San Diego Gas & Electric provides natural gas and electricity to San Diego County and southern Orange County in southwestern California, United States. They serve 3.3 million customers through 1.4 million electric meters and 800,000 natural gas meters in CA. A Complete SOA Solution for AMI Integration
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Application Integration
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Building the Business Case for Semantics in Application IntegrationA white paper on how Électricité de France is establishing a methodology, tools and infrastructure turning data sources into a coherent body of information. Électricité de France S.A., commonly known as EDF, is a French multinational electric utility company, largely owned by the French state. Building the Business Case for Addressing Semantics in Application Integration |
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Common Infrastructure and Language to Integrate ApplicationsA paper on Distribution Management and Asset Management integration approach to lower life-cycle costs and improve business adaptability as more applications are integrated at FPL. Florida Power & Light Company, the principal subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., is the largest power utility in Florida. It serves roughly 5,145,225 customers and 11 million people. Common Infrastructure and Language to Integrate Applications |
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Integration Bus Helps Implement Retail AccessA paper on how projects are taking advantage of the Integration Bus for automating business processes needed for Oregon’s Retail Access. PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, provides reliable energy in 6 northwestern states, for roughly 1.5 million customers. Integration Bus Helps Implement Retail Access
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Asset Management
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Electrical, Water and Wastewater Asset Management with CIMA presentation on how JEA wants to move from janitoring data to analysis instead, utilizing both internal and external data sources for predictive analysis across a diverse set of asset types and processes. JEA, located in Jacksonville, Florida, is the eighth-largest community-owned electric utility company in the United States and the largest in Florida. JEA serves more than 420,000 electric customers; 305,000 water customers; and 230,000 sewer customers. Electrical, Water and Wastewater Asset Management with CIM at JEA |
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CIM for Field, Work, Control and Asset ManagementA paper on program findings regarding adequacy of the CIM, how Scottish Power has and will continue to resolve gaps, and how the resulting enterprise semantic model is being used as a basis for information exchange and business intelligence. Scottish Power is the distribution network operator for Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, North Wales and parts of Cheshire and Shropshire. It is a subsidiary of Spanish utility firm Iberdrola. |
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Using CIM for Asset Management ProgramA white paper on the experience and motivation driving PSEG-LI’s data management strategy and methodology, which has at its core a CIM-based Enterprise Semantic Model. PSEG-LI is a municipal subdivision of the State of New York that owns the electric transmission and electric distribution system serving all Long Island and a portion of New York City. Using CIM for Asset Management Program
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Enterprise Information Management
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Standards-Based EIM for Utility AssetsAn article on how PSEG-LI is planning with periodic change of supplier in mind, thus implementing a strict enterprise information management strategy based on standards and governance. PSEG-LI is a municipal subdivision of the State of New York that owns the electric transmission and electric distribution system serving all Long Island and a portion of New York City. A Common Language Standards-Based Enterprise Information Management for Utility Assets |
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A Smart Grid Reference Architecture Drives EIMA white paper on SCE’s Smart Grid Reference Architecture which serves as a useful starting point for utilities, by addressing questions architects will encounter. Southern California Edison, the largest subsidiary of Edison International, is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 15 million people with electricity across a service territory of approximately 50,000 square miles. A Smart Grid Reference Architecture Drives Information Management |
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Build and Execute EIM StrategyA presentation on SDG&E’s approach to transform its business from silos of an application centric world to a process centric world of intelligence. San Diego Gas & Electric provides natural gas and electricity to San Diego County and southern Orange County in southwestern California, United States. They serve 3.3 million customers through 1.4 million electric meters and 800,000 natural gas meters in CA. Build and Execute an Enterprise Information Management Strategy |
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Building EIM at UtilitiesA white paper on how Oncor and SDG&E have embarked on an Enterprise Information Management journey to better prepare the business for transformation. San Diego Gas & Electric provides natural gas and electricity to San Diego County and southern Orange County in southwestern California, United States. They serve 3.3 million customers through 1.4 million electric meters and 800,000 natural gas meters in CA.Oncor Electric Delivery Company is Texas’s largest transmission and distribution electric utility, the 5th largest in the US, serving more than 10 million Texans in 420 cities and 120 counties in the state. |
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Smart Grid Data Management ChallengesA presentation on meeting data model challenges for the utility, approach, and solution for the enterprise. Succeeding with analytics requires the business, IT, and data scientists to work together. Industry Data Model Solution for Smart Grid Data Management Challenges
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Network Model
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Improving Data Quality with Network Model ManagementA panel session and presentation on SCE’s and Exelon’s strategy on creating and maintaining a reliable, up-to-date, and end-to-end electrical network model across different systems, given during DistribuTECH 2024. |
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Optimizing Asset Investments and Operations with Grid Network Model ManagementA presentation on Ameren’s comprehensive strategy for optimizing asset investments and operations with grid network model management. Their strategy, implementation progress and plans. Ameren provides electric transmission, distribution and generation as well as gas distribution in Missouri and Illinois, United States. They serve 2.4 million electric and approximately 1 million gas customers. |
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Establishing a Sustainable Enterprise Network ModelA presentation on creating a network model with ties to project components such as GID, PI Historian, ADMS project and the future technology vision for distribution technology at Consumers Energy. Consumers Energy is a public utility in the US that provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. |
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Modeling DERs and Extending IEC CIMA presentation on how Southern California Edison is approaching distributed generation energy resources in its territory for the benefit of its customer and in compliance with regulations. Southern California Edison, the largest subsidiary of Edison International, is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 15 million people with electricity across a service territory of approximately 50,000 square miles. Modeling Distributed Energy Resources and Extending IEC CIM
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SCADA
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Integration of Area SCADA SystemsA white paper on how Eskom replaced five of its regional SCADA Systems based on a model-driven architecture and integration methodology. Eskom is a South African electricity public utility, established in 1923 as the Electricity Supply Commission and also known by its Afrikaans name Elektrisiteitsvoorsieningskommissie, by the South African Government and people of the Republic of South Africa in terms of the Electricity Act. Integration of Area SCADA Systems
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Semantic Modeling
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Common Model for Data Warehouse and IntegrationA presentation on a common model for data warehouse and data integration based on industry standards looking at use cases, requirements and the data model at APS. Arizona Public Service is the largest utility in Arizona, serving approximately 1 million customers. |
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EIM Semantics IntegrationA presentation on PSEG-LI’s model driven process for defining, designing, developing, and deploying services on the Enterprise Service Bus and a persistent data store for analytics. PSEG-LI is a municipal subdivision of the State of New York that owns the electric transmission and electric distribution system serving all Long Island and a portion of New York City. |
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Integrated Integration InfrastructureA white paper on methodology, tools, and standards that TVA has implemented into a semantic-based integration infrastructure to automate business processes. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides electricity for 153 local power companies serving 10 million people in Tennessee and parts of six surrounding states, as well as directly to 57 large industrial customers and federal installations. Semantic Framework for Integrated Integration Infrastructure |
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Managing the Life Cycle of Business SemanticsA white paper on semantics unlocking information by a consistent representation. It clarifies meaning and ontology which ensures that data representation conforms to a consistent template. |
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Standards-based Semantic Models for the Utility EnterpriseA white paper on how IEC 61968/70 Common Information Model (CIM) standards lay the foundation for and enterprise semantic model to achieve interoperability. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducts research, development, and demonstration projects for the benefit of the public in the United States and internationally. Standards-based Semantic Models for the Utility Enterprise
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Strategy
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Corporate Digital TransformationA presentation on how to close the strategy map between corporate vision and operational focus with digitalization in mind, to see the stage for future changing business needs at New Brunswick Power. New Brunswick Power Corporation, operating as NB Power, is the primary electric utility in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. NB Power is a vertically integrated Crown Corporation wholly owned by the Government of New Brunswick and is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. They serve around 400,000 customers. |
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PV in context of Smart GridA presentation on challenges and opportunities with renewable energy in context of a smart grid roadmap at Ekurhuleni. The City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa, bears the responsibility to ensure that electric services are provided to all consumers within its area of jurisdiction, including residential, business and resellers.
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Service Oriented Architecture
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SOA Design for Market ProgramA white paper on why and how a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) was implemented by California ISO to realize it’s business processes. The California Independent System Operator is a non-profit Independent System Operator serving California. It oversees the operation of California’s bulk electric power system, transmission lines, and electricity market generated and transmitted by its member utilities. SOA Design for ISO Market Program
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Utility Standards
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DER Integration with OpenFMBA presentation on enhancing DER integration with OpenFMB, associated data modeling, context restrictions and extensions. Focus on traceability and platform independency is depicted for Duke Energy. Duke Energy Corporation is an American electric power and natural gas holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, providing about 7.8 million customers with power across six states, with approximately 51,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity and a natural gas distribution system for approximately 1.6 million customers. |
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CIM and MultiSpeak InteroperabilityA white paper on CIM and Multispeak interoperability, standardization, gaps, recommendations and its impact on the AMI program at Consumers Energy. Consumers Energy is a public utility in the US that provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. |
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Business Data Semantics in CIM Using UMLThis paper examines the existing semantics of the CIM model, and elaborates on the meanings of the UML modeling concepts used. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity |
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