By Sam Adair
At nearly every industry event in the last few years, grid modernization has been a central theme.
Talk of resilience, cybersecurity, visibility, and system hardening is dominating utility discussions, and while well-intentioned, these conversations can quickly overwhelm. At the same time, the definition of a “modernization effort” is continually expanding. It’s no wonder that many leadership teams have been cautious about where to begin.
At this stage, utility leaders generally agree on one thing: steps will need to be taken over the next several years to support reliability and future demands. What remains far less clear is what their specific system will need and how to evaluate the options available to them.
The utilities approaching modernization strategically are taking things one step at a time. Before comparing technologies, they’re clarifying where they are today and which key priorities will matter most in the years ahead. And they start by asking the right questions.
For utilities looking for help answering these questions, a technology assessment can serve as a practical next step.
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Questions Utility Leaders Are Asking to Make Informed Decisions
The purpose of these questions is to help frame important conversations, highlight gaps in understanding, and establish a foundation for longer‑term planning.
Do we have a clear, shared understanding of how our grid is performing today?
Before improvements can be discussed, utility teams must be aligned on present-day performance. Essentially, do operations, engineering, and leadership see the same picture when discussing current grid conditions?
For teams with consistent, shared data, this answer may be “yes.” But for those with separate or unintegrated tools, this is a great starting point to get all parties on the same page.
Are our systems and data working together, or operating independently?
Most utilities have added processes and software incrementally over time. New tools were introduced to solve specific problems, sometimes without full integration due to time or resource constraints.
Now, though, leaders must consider how much effort is spent bridging gaps between systems through manual workarounds. Here, some of the most meaningful gains come from identifying areas where tools already exist to support modernization but are not fully connected.
How prepared is our grid to support growth and new loads?
Preparing for grid modernization requires an honest look at what lies ahead and how long a utility’s infrastructure can support it. Rather than predicting exact outcomes, utilities should define the strengths and challenges of their system, asking questions like:
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Understanding how growth will affect the system helps to frame which investments are critical and which can be spaced out over time.
Are we using our communications network to support operations, or solely to serve customers?
| Many utilities have invested significantly in communication infrastructure, often with customer connectivity in mind. But that same infrastructure can also support internal operations, grid monitoring, automation, and response capabilities. When communications are treated as a foundational system rather than a single‑purpose asset, they play a meaningful role in improving visibility and coordination across the grid. |
Do we have a prioritized, defensible plan for the next 3–5 years, or a list of competing initiatives?
Many modernization initiatives are contending for attention all at once: cybersecurity, reliability, workforce enablement, grid optimization, and more. Without clear priorities, these initiatives can split attention and resources.
Can the utility clearly explain which initiative should come first and why? Is there alignment among stakeholders on how near‑term actions connect to long-term outcomes?
A defensible plan should be in place before any (or further) modernization efforts begin.
Where do we go from here?
Even when utilities ask the right questions, it can be difficult to find the time and internal resources to answer them thoroughly. After all, these topics touch multiple systems across multiple teams.
In many cases, a structured, third‑party assessment can help utilities work through this process in a methodical and unbiased manner. This type of assessment looks across systems, data, people, and future needs to establish a clear baseline and identify where attention is best applied.
Irby’s Technology Assessment Program guides utilities through this process, evaluating their position across key operational and technology domains. The result is a clear picture of how the utility operates today and how to prioritize efforts over the next several years.
Connect with our team today and discover how a no-cost Technology Assessment can help you plan and prioritize your utility’s future.
About the Author
Sam Adair is the Director of Technology & Automation for Irby, where he helps utilities modernize their networks and operations. With 15+ years in the utility and broadband sectors, Sam specializes in utility technology audits, broadband operations, grid modernization planning, and operational readiness—bridging the gap between engineering, IT, and C-Suite executives.