Streamlining Utility Field Services with TOUGHBOOK® and AI
We are living through times of transition, with technological advancements enhancing the daily operations of almost every industry and human-tech augmentation becoming practical for workforces worldwide. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how industries, including electric utilities, manage their field operations. AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of sensor data in real-time allows decision-makers to prioritize issues more effectively and deploy technicians efficiently. As AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, utilities are poised to benefit from predictive maintenance, optimized energy distribution, and reduced downtime, making their operations smarter and more resilient.
AI and its Applications in Utility Field Services
AI stands to disrupt virtually every industry, given its potential to analyze vast amounts of data in seconds. For electric utilities, in particular, AI solutions have great potential for optimizing field operations because they can conceivably analyze massive quantities of sensor data from the grid. A 2023 report found that AI use in the power and energy market is projected to grow to more than $14 billion by 2028, representing a 24.68% increase in valuation from 2021.
Integrating AI technology into day-to-day field service operations will help decision-makers and managers quickly prioritize issues across the grid and deploy field service technicians more effectively to address them. Here are some of the practical applications AI provides for those with boots on the ground, as well as those in bigger-picture roles.
Predictive maintenance and enhanced efficiency
Given its data analysis capabilities, whether from drones, sensors, or other inputs, AI can help predict when infrastructure or systems will fail. It can also help classify the root cause of issues, prioritize the most critical maintenance tasks, and recommend corrective actions. Identifying these trends enables field service technicians to perform maintenance or replace key components before a failure or outage occurs, reducing downtime for any electric utility worker.
For example, a field service technician using an AI-enabled TOUGHBOOK device capable of handling AI’s demand can monitor the vibrational patterns of a piece of equipment in real time. When the patterns indicate abnormal wear and tear or a fault, the technician can receive alerts immediately, presenting an opportunity to perform preventative maintenance before a failure occurs to ensure that critical infrastructure continues to do its job as effectively and efficiently as possible, with minimal downtime.
Energy demand forecasting for electric utilities
AI can use historical data, weather conditions, meter readings and other sources to generate models that predict energy usage. As a big-picture strategy, this can help utilities better plan energy generation and distribution, with real-time data analysis updating technicians using suitable devices in the field, ensuring enough supply during peak times and reducing waste throughout periods of lower demand.
Empowering utility technicians with quicker decision-making
As the front line against grid disruption, field service technicians often make decisions in real time. With AI, a utility worker may be able to run a query that generates a risk assessment for repair in a hazardous situation, pull up a prioritized list of maintenance tasks based on urgency, or receive guidance from Gen AI-powered chatbots to walk them through a particular repair or answer a technical question about a field procedure. These actionable insights help utility technicians make informed decisions effectively, efficiently and safely in scenarios where seconds may count.
Optimizing energy distribution and sustainability
AI can excel at efficiently analyzing data from variable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. For instance, AI models can forecast short-term fluctuations in solar energy production due to cloud cover and preemptively notify human colleagues to adjust the output from traditional energy sources to maintain grid stability; it could provide pointers on when and how to store or release excess renewable energy; and the generation of accurate models for future infrastructure projects also becomes possible, whether it’s integrating more renewable energy into the grid or determining the best ways to reduce carbon emissions.
Smart grid management
Suppose a storm or hurricane knocks out power in one area. In that case, AI can analyze available data about available resources and cross-network patterns to devise a strategy that allows technicians to quickly re-route and redirect energy from less-affected areas. This also allows utility professionals to prioritize power distribution to essential services, such as hospitals and emergency response services, during widespread outages or grid strain caused by surges or drops in power from renewable sources.
Safety alerts keep field service technicians ahead
Let’s say a field service technician is performing utility maintenance in a risky area with unstable terrain or unsafe weather conditions pop up unexpectedly. AI can instantly alert them or their supervisor, and, in emergencies, it can quickly generate optimal evacuation routes or provide step-by-step guidance for handling equipment malfunctions. As systems adapt over time, they can improve safety recommendations and help a utility prevent on-the-job hazards.
Efficient documentation streamlines field service management
By leveraging natural language processing and machine learning capabilities, AI-powered tools can automatically generate detailed work orders, inspection reports, and maintenance logs based on voice inputs or minimal text entries from technicians. For instance, a utility maintenance worker could verbally describe the repairs performed on a transformer, and the AI would generate a comprehensive report, complete with technical specifications and compliance details.
Rugged Reliability to Support AI
Field service operations rely on devices that provide always-on connectivity combined with laptops, tablets, and mobile devices that can withstand the rigors of hazardous work environments and inclement weather conditions.
The durable design of the TOUGHBOOK product line ensures performance in those challenging field environments, making them ideal devices for technicians as they go about their daily tasks. The TOUGHBOOK 40, for example, is the first AI-enabled TOUGHBOOK PC, and comes equipped with Intel® Core™ Ultra processors that feature up to 16 cores and notable CPU, GPU, and NPU improvements. Its dedicated NPU, in particular, speeds up AI-driven tasks across several key industries, including utilities. Overall, data shows that the new Intel processors deliver up to 143% faster AI application performance and 73% faster generative AI than previous processors while lowering processor power used for AI-enhanced collaboration by up to 40%.
Even a few minutes of downtime can be detrimental to utility services. That’s why Panasonic Connect support doesn’t end with hardware. Our Professional Services provide utilities with the ongoing support needed to smoothly integrate AI into existing field operations. From robust warranties to real-time monitoring, asset management, and last-mile deployment services, Panasonic Connect is there every step of the way, even providing on-site assistance.
If you are a field services manager, contractor, or another interested professional in the utility space, learn more about how TOUGHBOOK rugged devices and suite of Professional Services can enhance your teams’ in-the-field capabilities and pave the way for more efficient, safe and productive operations.
