PSE&G Energy Cloud – Building the Grid of Tomorrow

For more than a century, the American electric sector followed a fairly simply business model: Centrally located power plants generate electricity, then deliver as much of that electricity as possible along a straightline network of poles and wires to as many customers as possible.

Customers expected their electricity to be delivered as safely, reliably and affordably as possible – with service interruptions kept to a reasonable minimum.

But today, our customers’ relationship with electricity is changing in that they are growing more dependent on an uninterrupted, aroundthe-clock power supply – not only to power their lights and other appliances, but also for a growing array of devices that provide information, entertainment and an unbroken line of communication with family, friends and the outside world.

Driven by new and seamless customer experiences in other sectors such as retail or transportation (think Amazon and Uber), individuals, businesses and communities expect personalized, frictionless services that fit their lifestyles and aspirations while still maintaining low-cost services. Customers already are holding energy companies to the high standards set by these new technology-heavy, customer-centric companies. As our customers’ relationship with their energy company is evolving, so must the utility business model.

To match the experience that customers are beginning not only to expect, but even demand, from all service-providers, utilities such as PSEG will need to deploy new smart grid technologies, such as advanced sensors, two-way communication networks, Internet of Things platforms and customer-engagement solutions. At PSE&G, we’re calling this the PSE&G Energy Cloud.

For customers, the PSE&G Energy Cloud is a technology platform that will use intelligent sensors, advanced distribution management systems, machine learning platforms and other transformative smart grid technologies to gather data to make automated real-time decisions and give them better, more automated interactions with PSE&G, insights into how they can more efficiently use electricity, and even predict which appliances inside their homes are failing and need to be replaced.

For the grid of tomorrow, the PSE&G Energy Cloud will intelligently route energy inputs to consumption outputs as efficiently, reliably and sustainably as possible, supporting our efforts to decarbonize the economy through cleaner energy sources and energy efficiency. Its advanced real-time capabilities will help build a responsive, flexible grid that supports and manages the increase in renewable energy generation, dispersed energy storage and microgrids across our service area, and changes in energy demand and use from a mainstream EV market. The Energy Cloud is a critical part of PSEG’s “Powering Progress” vision for the future – a future in which we help our customers use less energy and ensure that the energy they use is cleaner and greener, and its delivery is as reliable as ever.