As we approached the top 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 programs.
Via digital twin expertise, ETAP empowers operators and vitality stakeholders to handle vitality programs confidently by simulating numerous eventualities. Phanney mentioned the crucial position of ETAP’s software program within the nuclear vitality 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. Via digital twin expertise, we allow operators to confidently handle energy programs by simulating totally different eventualities and variables, even testing adjustments with out impacting precise operations,” defined Phanney.
Specializing in energy reasonably than simply processes, ETAP’s digital twin software program can successfully simulate and map vitality consumption throughout vegetation or refineries, demonstrating how particular adjustments could have an effect on energy masses, vitality flows, and consumption—in the end making certain optimum effectivity and security. In keeping with Phanney, there may be rising demand from vitality operators to grasp the security of their operations and the necessity for software program coaching, corresponding to digital twins, for threat mitigation:
“Operations groups could not at all times have electrical engineers, however they should perceive methods to run their vegetation and react safely to vitality adjustments. The bottom line is situational consciousness—recognizing when one thing is mistaken and understanding the context. Our partnership with Aveva performs an important position in bridging the hole and coaching groups to deal with these eventualities.”
These challenges have gotten extra frequent as utilities face rising calls for and new vitality sources introduce further obstacles for vitality suppliers. Nevertheless, one factor is obvious: modernization should happen with out disrupting present processes and workflows to completely 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 long run lies in constructing mutual belief and collaboration between utilities and vitality suppliers to make sure a steady, adaptable grid,” Phanney remarked.
In March 2024, ETAP unveiled the world’s first digital twin that simulates manufacturing facility energy necessities from grid to chip in partnership with NVIDIA, using its Omniverse platform as a part of a broader effort to modernize present programs. Phanney shared his pleasure about this growth and its potential affect on the ability utilization of enormous AI-driven factories:
“NVIDIA’s Omniverse is making important strides in modeling {the electrical} calls for of enormous AI knowledge factories, not simply knowledge facilities. These services, that are essentially based mostly on AI expertise, change vitality masses 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 providers. Phanney emphasised that the corporate goals to proceed coaching operators on methods 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 decisions from an influence perspective.
As I left the dialog, I used to be energized by Phanney’s enthusiasm and keenness for ETAP as a catalyst for digitization inside the energy business. By collaborating with companions like NVIDIA, ETAP goals to reinforce manufacturing facility security, effectivity, and sustainability in alignment with emission discount targets within the combat in opposition to local weather change. ETAP’s options will play an important position in realizing this mission with a large scope of affect.
