The GMI Insights into a Transformation Final Report is now available.
The primary objective of the Grid Modernization Index (GMI) is to continue to serve as a comprehensive resource for stakeholders that not only assesses the progress made across modernization activities but also accounts for the most current and pressing industry trends. These trends were described in detail by GridWise in partnership with EY in a recent report that examined trends in the accelerated energy transition. This GMI, along with the EY report, offer a comprehensive view of the rapid changes taking place.
Rather than using our long-standing data collection instrument, we revised our approach to this year’s GMI report to conduct a deeper dive into key trends with significant planning and operational implications for the grid.
GridWise interviewed utilities to document the successes of several first-movers across the country and highlight the common principles that will drive real change in the decade ahead.
We hypothesized a report full of resounding success stories, instead the resulting conversations highlighted how important the process of change is to the greater goal.
In the report, we explore five guiding principles analyzed from the experiences of these leading utilities:
- Launch a formal change management process. Establish clear goals; tell a compelling story; demonstrate leadership commitment and support.
- Focus on collaboration. Engage internal (across all utility departments) and external (with customers, solution providers, nongovernmental organizations) stakeholders; break down traditional silos; involve underrepresented, hard-to-reach groups; learn from others’ experience.
- Create a culture of innovation. Focus on internal utility culture, agile processes, and reduced time to market.
- Embrace the digital transformation. Break down technology silos, co-develop technology solutions, include systems thinking; ensure interoperability and cybersecurity at the outset.
- Develop the future workforce. Invest in your people; train them for future technology; get their buy-in to changes.
