Conversation with Southern Company's Shane Powell
Elizabeth Cook is VP of Technical Strategy at the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies.
In the ever-evolving landscape of utility management, the integration of data analytics has become a cornerstone for innovation and efficiency. I recently sat down with Shane Powell, Power Delivery Enterprise Data Analytics Director at Southern Company, to discuss transforming data into actionable insights, a process that has redefined operations and customer service in the utility sector.
The Genesis of Data Analytics in Utilities: Powell’s journey began with a simple yet profound realization: utilities are sitting on a goldmine of data that, if harnessed correctly, can revolutionize operations. Initially, the challenge was accessing and utilizing this data effectively. “We have all the data, but accessing it was a hurdle,” he says. The solution lays in duplicating and migrating data to the cloud, making it readily available for analysis.
Building a Data-Driven Culture: The transition to a data-driven organization was not without its challenges. Powell emphasizes the importance of executive support and collaboration across departments. “It took a lot of groups coming together,” he notes, highlighting the role of leadership in fostering a culture that embraces data analytics. This collaborative approach not only facilitated the integration of data but also ensured that the tools developed were aligned with organizational goals.