New York Power Authority turns to IoT sensors for full digitalization

New York Power Authority (NYPA) aims to implement IoT technology to cut operating costs, reduce downtime and carbon emissions, prevent shutdowns and help workers in the sector become more proactive and efficient at solving problems. Based on predictive analysis, for example, IoT sensors could help the monitoring and diagnosis center foresee weather-induced anomalies with power plants or power transmission networks.

The company’s efforts are based on Predix, an industrial IoT software platform that runs on-premise and collects data from industrial machines for further analysis and predictions. Predix is part of General Electric’s strategy to support growth of the industrial internet of things. According to Paul Tartaglia, the NYPA’s senior vice president and chief technology officer, future plans include switching the Predix implementation from on-premises to the cloud.

“Our investment in our Integrated Smart Operations Center enables us to have a digital twin of each of our power assets and allows us to collect performance data more rapidly,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO.

“The more we know, the better we can keep down our maintenance expenses and in turn we can provide more value for our customers, who rely on us to provide some of the lowest-cost power available in the state.”

NYPA is the largest state public organization in the US, responsible for delivering a quarter of the electricity in New York State. The utility’s digital transformation is a significant component aligned with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard strategy. Some 24,000 IoT sensors will be integrated to collect data from 16 power plants and 1,400 miles of transmission networks for more accurate tracking.

“With the opening of this state-of-the-art center, we are modernizing our state energy system and creating a more resilient, reliable and flexible power grid helping to grow our clean energy economy,” said New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

The data is shown in real time on a video wall so engineers can immediately address problems. In the near future, further monitoring features will be integrated, including physical security, emergency operations and cybersecurity.