As we approached the tip of the AVEVA 2025 occasion, I had the pleasure of interviewing Phanney Kim Brevard, the Chief Technique Officer of ETAP, a expertise chief specializing in software program options for the design, development, upkeep, and operation {of electrical} energy techniques.
By way of digital twin expertise, ETAP empowers operators and power stakeholders to handle power techniques confidently by simulating varied situations. Phanney mentioned the vital position of ETAP’s software program within the nuclear power sector, emphasizing its significance for the protected operation and administration of energy vegetation:
“We assist a variety of industries, with most U.S. nuclear energy vegetation counting on our expertise to mannequin, design, and simulate their electrical networks earlier than operation. By way of digital twin expertise, we allow operators to confidently handle energy techniques by simulating completely different situations and variables, even testing adjustments with out impacting precise operations,” defined Phanney.
Specializing in energy relatively than simply processes, ETAP’s digital twin software program can successfully simulate and map power consumption throughout vegetation or refineries, demonstrating how particular adjustments could have an effect on energy hundreds, power flows, and consumption—in the end guaranteeing optimum effectivity and security. In accordance with Phanney, there’s rising demand from power operators to grasp the protection of their operations and the necessity for software program coaching, resembling digital twins, for threat mitigation:
“Operations groups could not at all times have electrical engineers, however they should perceive find out how to run their vegetation and react safely to power adjustments. The hot button is situational consciousness—recognizing when one thing is fallacious and understanding the context. Our partnership with Aveva performs an important position in bridging the hole and coaching groups to deal with these situations.”
These challenges have gotten extra widespread as utilities face rising calls for and new power sources introduce extra obstacles for power suppliers. Nevertheless, one factor is obvious: modernization should happen with out disrupting current processes and workflows to totally reap the rewards of additional digitization:
“Modernization should occur with out disrupting what already works. There’s little room for error in energy administration, however present challenges additionally open doorways for co-opetition and new partnerships. The longer term lies in constructing mutual belief and collaboration between utilities and power suppliers to make sure a steady, adaptable grid,” Phanney remarked.
In March 2024, ETAP unveiled the world’s first digital twin that simulates manufacturing unit energy necessities from grid to chip in partnership with NVIDIA, using its Omniverse platform as a part of a broader effort to modernize current techniques. Phanney shared his pleasure about this improvement and its potential affect on the facility utilization of enormous AI-driven factories:
“NVIDIA’s Omniverse is making important strides in modeling {the electrical} calls for of enormous AI information factories, not simply information facilities. These services, that are basically primarily based on AI expertise, change power hundreds and necessities, affecting what utility corporations can present. We’re witnessing thrilling progress on this space.”
As we wrapped up our dialog, we touched on using industrial AI inside ETAP’s companies. Phanney emphasised that the corporate goals to proceed coaching operators on find out how to use its AI-driven instruments, such because the newly launched ETAP AI studying module, enabling them to navigate the decision-support mannequin extra successfully and perceive the implications of their selections from an influence perspective.
As I left the dialog, I used to be energized by Phanney’s enthusiasm and fervour for ETAP as a catalyst for digitization inside the energy trade. By collaborating with companions like NVIDIA, ETAP goals to boost manufacturing unit security, effectivity, and sustainability in alignment with emission discount targets within the struggle towards local weather change. ETAP’s options will play an important position in realizing this mission with a large scope of affect.
