Power industry turns to smart maintenance technology solutions

The smart maintenance Technology (SMT) solutions market for the power industry is arguably in its formative stages as power grid operators come to appreciate the benefits of asset management technology and improved maintenance practices for grid reliability. According to a new arc advisory group study, the market is poised for strong growth in coming years as a number of factors converge to drive adoption of SMT solutions, including increased demand for electricity, the proliferation of the smart grid, and the aging of both the power infrastructure and utility workforce.

Investment into the electric grid infrastructure provides an economical opportunity for power grid owners/operators to include an asset condition monitoring infrastructure from the onset of these projects. This will fundamentally change the way that grid assets are managed and maintained. “With smarter electric grids, operators will be able to take a more proactive role to ensure the seamless flow of power,” says analyst Allen Avery, the principal author of arc’s ‘smart maintenance Technology solutions for Power T&D Worldwide outlook’. “Smart maintenance technology solutions will enable operators to identify problems quickly, preventing equipment failures and subsequent power outages.”