Workload Automation in Energy & Utilities

Automation is used extensively in utilities, which include industries such as power generation, water and wastewater treatment, gas distribution, and the energy industry.

For example, automation is used to control and monitor power plants, from boiler controls to turbines and electrical generators to manage fuel and water supply, combustion processes, and electrical output.

Automation is also used to monitor and control the chemical and biological aspects involved in treating water and wastewater such as monitoring water quality, adjusting chemical dosing, and controlling the flow of water through the treatment process.

In regards to gas distribution, automation helps monitor and control the flow of gas through networks by monitoring pressure and temperature and delivery of gas to customers.

See how utility companies are using Redwood to optimize meter-to-cash and streamline revenue flow.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a technology that uses bots to automate repetitive, manual tasks, and offers numerous advantages when used in utilities:

• Improved efficiency
• Cost savings
• Better accuracy 
• Enhanced data management 
• Improved customer service 

Because RPA can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans, it enables widespread improvements in efficiency and accuracy across organizations. Automating repetitive tasks like processing payments and responding to customer inquiries generates cost savings while improving customer service. Finally RPA can collect and analyze data from multiple energy sources so operations can get real-time data insights into system performance.

Learn how Redwood RunMyJobs enabled Anglian Water to eliminate billing errors, improve cash flow, and increase customer satisfaction.

In addition to improved efficiency and better customer service, automation has many other use cases for providers in the energy and utilities industry, including enhanced safety, greater reliability, better asset management, and increased sustainability. 

By minimizing human intervention in hazardous environments, like automating turbine inspections, automation minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries in the field. Fewer human error also leads to increased system uptimes. 

Automation also makes it possible for energy and utility companies to manage the use of assets like equipment, machinery, and vehicles, improving job safety and reducing maintenance costs. Finally, automation helps these companies reduce energy consumption and waste.

See how businesses use Redwood for data warehouse management.

Several companies in the energy and utilities industry are already implementing automation to improve their operations:

FortisBC, Canada’s largest public utility company, depends on Redwood for automation to consistently deliver accurate bills to its millions of customers. FortisBC was able to reconcile 65+ internal and external interfaces, connecting and managing information flow end-to-end through one solution. The very first day Redwood RunMyJobs went live at FortisBC, they produced 50,000 bills, each accurate and sent out on time. 

Anglian Water, a United Kingdom water service provider employing 5,000 people and producing 16,000 invoices every day, uses Redwood to modernize their meter-to-cash process. 

Duke Energy, a US-based electric power holding company, has implemented RPA to automate customer service and billing, monitor power generation and distribution, improve efficiency, and reduce downtime and outages. 

National Grid, a UK-based electricity and gas company, uses AI-powered predictive maintenance to improve infrastructure reliability, and has used automation to optimize energy trading forecasting and improve profitability.

Enel, an Italian multinational energy company, and EDF Energy, a UK-based energy company, use RPA to automate customer service and procurement, optimize energy generation and distribution operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

Dominion Energy, a US-based electric and gas company, takes advantage of automation to optimize power generation and distribution operations, as well as improving customer service by reducing wait times.

See how Redwood helped FortisBC in more detail in this case study.

The future of automation in the energy and utilities industry is undergoing digital transformation, driven by greater use of AI, increased use of autonomous systems, improved cybersecurity, integration with renewable energy sources, and greater emphasis on sustainability.

While artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used in the energy and utilities industry, including predictive maintenance and energy trading, we can expect to see greater use of AI and machine learning to optimize energy generation and distribution, improve energy efficiency, and reduce costs.

Autonomous systems, like drones and robots, are already being used in some areas of the energy and utilities industry to inspect power lines and wind turbines. We can expect an increased use of these systems to perform tasks that are dangerous or difficult for humans.

As renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, become more prevalent, automation will play an important role in related management. Integration between renewable energy sources and automation technologies will continue to expand. Additionally, automation use will be increased to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices in the energy industry. 

See workload automation trends from Gartner to prepare your organization for the future.