Maximizing Utility Operations with GIS Integration

In an era where grid reliability and operational efficiency are paramount, utilities are increasingly integrating their Geographic Information System (GIS) technology with their ADMS and DERMS solutions to enhance visibility, streamline decision-making, and optimize network performance. GIS technology has evolved beyond simple mapping tools into a critical operational asset supporting grid modernization, enabling utilities to optimize workflows, enhance situational awareness, and improve service reliability. 

 The Growing Role of GIS in Utilities 

GIS has long been used by utilities but its integration with ADMS and DERMS has made it a powerful technology for the control room, offering real-time visibility into asset locations, infrastructure status, and network connectivity. By integrating GIS with operational systems such as Outage Management System (OMS), FLISR and SCADA, utilities can harness spatial intelligence to enable faster, more informed decisions. 

Modern GIS solutions allow utilities to: 

• Visualize and analyze real-time grid data, improving operational efficiency. 

• Enhance outage response by pinpointing fault locations and restoring service quickly. 

• Optimize asset management by tracking equipment condition and performance over time. 

• Support DER integration by modeling Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like solar, wind, and battery storage. 

GIS and ADMS: A Powerful Combination 

An accurate and up-to-date GIS model is essential for optimizing ADMS functionality. Whether managing power flow, performing load forecasting, or coordinating outage restoration, utilities rely on GIS data to provide an as-operated view of the network. By ensuring GIS data is complete, correctly formatted, and regularly updated, utilities can maximize the value of their ADMS investments. 

Key Benefits of GIS-ADMS Integration: 

• Improved situational awareness: Operators gain a comprehensive, real-time view of the distribution network. 

• Streamlined outage management: Faster fault identification and restoration using GIS-enhanced OMS tools. 

• Automated data validation: GIS data ensures accuracy in switch orders, feeder maps, and network connectivity models. 

Simplifying GIS Data Management with Automation 

Many utilities face challenges in maintaining GIS data consistency, especially as their networks expand. This can lead to serious problems in moments where every second counts – and it requires that utilities clean and maintain their GIS data prior to integration with ADMS and DERMS solutions.  

Automated tools, such as the SurvalentONE GIS Wizard – a GIS data import application -help streamline the process by validating data, highlighting errors for utilities to correct in the GIS, and ensuring data synchronization across multiple systems. These solutions eliminate manual data entry errors, reduce administrative workloads, and ensure GIS data remains an accurate reflection of field conditions. 

GIS automation can: 

• Reduce data discrepancies between GIS and operational models. 

• Enable seamless updates across ADMS solutions. 

• Ensure the effective operation of ADMS applications like OMS and FLISR. 

• Minimize manual effort required to maintain GIS accuracy. 

Real-World Impact: Enhancing Utility Operations with GIS 

Imagine a severe storm hits a utility’s service area, causing widespread power outages due to fallen power lines and damaged transformers. With GIS-integrated ADMS applications like OMS, operators can: 

• View network disruptions in real-time through an interactive GIS map. 

• Quickly assess impacted areas and prioritize restoration efforts. 

• Direct field crews with precise location data for affected infrastructure. 

• Provide customers with timely outage notifications via automated alerts. 

At the same time, GIS-integrated applications like FLISR can minimize the impact of outages by redirecting power from DERs and neighbouring feeders.    

As a result, by leveraging GIS data across operational systems, utilities can significantly improve response times, minimize downtime, and enhance overall service reliability. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of GIS in Utilities 

As utilities advance their grid modernization efforts, GIS will remain a cornerstone of operational intelligence, evolving to meet the industry’s growing demands. Future advancements may include AI-powered GIS analytics that enhance predictive maintenance and asset optimization, allowing utilities to proactively address potential equipment failures and extend asset lifecycles. Additionally, greater automation in GIS-to-ADMS synchronization will ensure real-time updates, reducing data discrepancies and improving situational awareness for operators. Advanced spatial modeling will also play a pivotal role in supporting renewable energy integration and strengthening grid resilience by optimizing power flows, identifying vulnerabilities, and enhancing load-balancing strategies. These innovations will enable utilities to operate more efficiently, improve reliability, and transition toward a more sustainable and adaptable energy grid. 

Take the Next Step in Grid Optimization 

Utilities that effectively integrate GIS into their ADMS and DERMS ecosystems will be better equipped to manage grid complexity, improve situational awareness, and enhance operational efficiency. By investing in GIS-driven automation and data validation tools, utilities can future-proof their networks and build a smarter, more resilient grid. 

Discover how GIS integration can transform your utility’s operations. Contact Survalent today to learn more.