Those of you in the electric utility GIS field who have been using ArcGIS successfully for years may have heard about the new “ArcGIS for Electric” platform from Esri and thought, like I did, what is the point?
Well, I sought out some answers to this question, and found that it has some legit value. I’d like to share with you what it’s all about, why it’s happening, and what it’ll cost you.
What is it?
Very simply, it is the mapping platform for an electric utility. Built on the foundation of the existing GIS software and data, ArcGIS for Electric uses ArcGIS Online and web maps to power specific solution templates.
What do you get?
- Model ArcGIS Online Organization
The model organization is a guide you can use as you begin your ArcGIS Online implementation. It will help you configure ArcGIS Online as a mapping portal for your utility, create groups that support sharing, organize map services, and author relevant web maps and apps.
- Solution Templates
ArcGIS for Electric also provides solution templates to help utilities solve specific business problems. These templates are powered by web maps created in ArcGIS Online from your content.
Rather than customized coded applications, they are simple configurations of standard Esri products, like Collector for ArcGIS and Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS. While the solutions team will continue to develop new maps and app templates, here is whats available today:
- Damage Assessment
After a major storm event, operation managers need to determine the extent of damage and deploy crews for restoration. Two linked applications help you manage post-storm damage assessment.
The first, Damage Assessment Collector, runs on tablets and smartphones and allows field personnel to collect damage reports and photos. The second, Damage Collections Dashboard, allows managers to see damage reports in real-time, summarize data based on asset type, and highlight critical or severe damage reports.
These applications enable operations managers to quickly assess conditions across a service territory and make critical decisions about where to focus restoration resources.
- Public Report a Streetlight Problem
Many utilities are looking for ways to improve customer engagement. The Report a Streetlight Problem web application allows customers to view the location of streetlights in their area and report any issues. Customers can access the web app from a home computer or smartphone.
- Public Outage Viewer
Communicating with customers during an outage is critical for utilities. When the power goes out, people want to know when it will come back, and what areas are affected. The Public Outage Viewer ArcGIS Online application shows the status of the electric system by region.
This public-facing, cloud-based application can scale to support utilities in times of high demand and will always be available, regardless of network infrastructure status. The application includes a processing model to calculate the number of outages by area, a map service definition, and documentation to create the outage map.
- Damage Assessment
What does it cost?
ArcGIS for Electric maps and apps are freely available to Esri customers.
Esri customers can contact [email protected] for support and participate in the ArcGIS for Electric LinkedIn Group.
What do you think?