Building a Smarter Map:Electric co-ops find successful smart grid deployments begin with pinpoint geographic information system data

摘要

Migrating from paper maps to a geographic information system (GIS) has emerged as a critical step in building a smart grid. Although hardcover map books can help line crews find their way to a job site, GIS—by pulling data from different sources andmashing it together—tells field personnel everything about what they'll actually encounter upon arrival.Much of the expense and commitment associated with GIS involves conducting a GPS-accurate field inventory. And like housework, keeping GIS data up-to-date remains tedious, time consuming, and always unfinished. Many distribution systems enjoying the benefits of GIS find it necessary to engage in a second GPS inventory to gather additional data.