| |SEPTEMEBR - 202319CIOReviewThe most exciting buzz around the IT industry is the awareness, growth, and potential possibilities of Generative AIrate design and load management, and ability to plan for changing circumstances. This effort has three parts: A. Integrated volt-var optimization (IVVO): A capability for the distribution business to utilize hardware in the field to optimize voltage and improve the efficiency of the advanced distribution management system. B. Secure grid communications via the Field Area Network (FAN): A private and secure communications network connecting the application, customer meters, and field devices via a mesh. C. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): An integrated system of advanced meters, communications networks and data management systems that enable two-way communications between utilities' business and operational data systems and the meters To accomplish this large multi-year strategic initiative, we utilized a combination of frameworks and delivery methodologies At the beginning of every wave, we conduct an exhaustive blue-printing exercise identifying all the business processes that would be need to be enhanced or modified. This exercise culminates with an end-to-end business process mapping effort and creation of traceability matrices (vision, goals and objectives, business requirements, functional requirements, technical requirements). At this point the delivery method changed to an agile process. DevOps planned program increments (utilizing items from product backlog) and deliveries via multiple sprints to reach a minimum viable product (MVP). Turning attention to technological processes, this initiative brought about incorporation of many new technologies and tech stack. With strong relationships with strategic partners, we stood up AWS cloud instances, and internal cloud instances. This effort also leveraged offerings from Oracle, FD Technologies, Olameter, Schneider Electric2to establish data transfer mechanisms between these vendors, environments ­ on premise, and cloud, batch and real-time. In addition, there was also Significant effort spent on data extraction, data transformation, data correlation, data aggregation (ETL) and loading processes What are some of the technological trends which excite you for the future of the IT Industry? The most exciting buzz around the IT industry is the awareness, growth, and potential possibilities of Generative AI. There is cautious excitement in the business and technology leadership with a focus on early adoption for leapfrog business advantage. These capabilities will mature much faster than previous technologies leading to `AI as a service' model being conceptualized and built. These capabilities will be built in addition to all the automation efforts­ robotic process automation (RPA) that is in-flight. In the Utility industry, the other exciting aspects are A. Acceptance of cloud computing and B. Full stacks development. Traditionally, utilities have shied away from cloud computing due to regulatory constraints and capitalization rules. The conventional thought process has been to integrate a COTS (Commercial Off-the shelf) product into the existing eco-system. This mentality is quickly changing. I am witnessing a shift in the IT organization within utilities. They are becoming more self-sufficient with a true DevOps full stack platform development model and mindset. With our Grid Modernization effort ­ Advanced Grid Intelligence and Security (AGIS), the smarter AMI meters provide a treasure trove of data. I along with Xcel Energy leadership am excited to engage in "Big data and analytics" initiatives to create valuable business insights. The opportunity is ripe with potential to create new product and pricing models. To sum it all up ­ these strategic initiatives are a big step in realizing our strategic goal and commitment to be carbon free by 2050 in the state of Minnesota. I am excited to see the determination and resolve of our talent and leadership to get us to that goal!
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