Accenture has launched Intelligent Network Data Enterprise (INDE), a data management platform that enables utilities to manage, integrate and analyse real-time data generated by disparate sources throughout a utility’s smart grid network.
The company said that the new platform comprises a configurable suite of software applications, management tools, databases, analytics tools and processes. In addition, the standards-based offering architecture complements existing systems and processes to resolve the challenges inherent with smart grid deployments.
According to Accenture, the INDE’s architecture allows utilities to manage complex operations and improve business performance and customer operations and unifies a diverse array of smart grid ecosystem products such as communications, smart meters, intelligent network components and sensors. In addition, INDE provides a platform to use analytics to derive insight from raw data that has been transformed into events and other meta-data.
Accenture said INDE provides utilities with capabilities such as, a smart grid blueprint methodology; a sensor network architecture that enables utilities to monitor network performance; and as an open, standards-based data acquisition, transport, event processing and storage architecture.
In addition, the new platform also provides analytics capability that transforms low-level grid data into higher level information that enables business actions based on insight; and acts as a visualisation platform that integrates data from multiple sources and creates graphic representations of analytical results. Its functionality can be enabled by an array of third party technologies.
David Rouls, managing director of smart grid services at Accenture, said: “Our experience from working with utilities in implementing smart grids tells us fundamental change is required in many areas. One key area is the need for utilities to address the challenges of turning data into valuable insights to drive enhanced business value, performance and customer service, to protect existing invesents and produce lasting competitive advantage.”
