In today’s dynamic world of energy utilities, Tom’s career spanning decades in both the electric and gas utility industries has seen him gain insights into significant transformations, particularly in the context of regulatory shifts and technological advancements. Tom’s expertise not only encompasses strategic planning and technology integration, but also emphasizes the critical importance of sustainability and resilience in modern utilities. In this exclusive check in interview, Tom takes the time to discuss the intricate details of how gas utilities can leverage emerging technologies, such as GIS and real-time analytics, to enhance operational excellence and business success. This conversation offers a rich perspective on the future of gas utilities and the strategic measures necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Enjoy!
Matt Chester: You’ve had an extensive career in both the electric and gas utility sectors. How have you seen the industry evolve over the years, and what do you see as the most significant challenges and opportunities on the horizon?
Tom Coolidge: Through the years gas utilities have adapted to significant regulatory and business changes. Each adaptation resulted in better and stronger gas utilities. Today gas utilities are in the midst of adapting to yet another significant change – the energy transition to a carbon net-zero world. Lessons learned from the past aided by amazing advances in technology position gas utilities advantageously to continue playing their role as key suppliers of essential energy to power the world’s economies and everyone’s way of life.
MC: Part of your area of expertise includes understanding client needs and engaging colleagues to satisfy them. In the context of the utility sector, how do you approach understanding the evolving needs of utilities, especially with the increasing focus on sustainability and resilience?
TC: Listening and thinking are keys to understanding. That’s why I spend as much time as I can with gas utilities around the world and those who regulate them to get their take on where things are and where they see them heading. Fortunately, gas utilities by their nature are well positioned for sustainability and resilience. But both need to be continually factored into a gas utility’s planning and execution.
MC: With your experience in strategic planning, how do you see the role of technology, particularly GIS, evolving in the utility sector? What are the key considerations for utilities when implementing GIS solutions?
TC: GIS as an enterprise system is essential for gas utilities committed to sustainable operational excellence and business success through today’s and tomorrow’s business environment. That is because location is critical for all their tasks and workflows. It’s important for gas utilities that are implementing or further evolving their enterprise GIS to stick to a Commercial-off-the-Shelf strategy and prioritize configuration over customization. Gas utilities adhering to COTS and configuration-first principles place themselves in a favorable position to take advantage of further technology advances and as quickly as possible meet their changing needs.
MC: As the Director of Gas and Pipeline Industry Solutions at Esri, what emerging technologies or trends do you believe will have the most significant impact on the gas and pipeline industry in the coming years?
TC: In coming years, I think you’ll see more and more gas utilities implement into their GIS a fuller suite of real-time capabilities and advanced analytics – including artificial intelligence. Together those capabilities will power a whole new generation of solutions that will speed and smarten decision-making and activity management.
MC: You’ve noted a prioritization in lifelong learning. In the context of the rapidly evolving energy landscape, what strategies do you employ to stay abreast of industry developments and emerging trends?
TC: As I mentioned, I spend as much time as I can with gas utilities around the world and those who regulate them to get their take on where things are and where they see them heading. Beyond that, I am a voracious consumer of industry news and analysis from leading industry associations, periodicals, forums, and analysts. All these sources contribute to telling the story of where the gas utility world is and where it is headed.
MC: What value do you hope to bring to the Energy Central community in the coming year? And how do you get the most value out of your time interacting on Energy Central?
TC: One of the things I value and admire most about the gas industry is its strong sense of community and engagement. I see Energy Central as an important facilitator of that community and engagement. In the coming year I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts about how enterprise GIS can contribute to modernizing and strengthening gas utility capabilities needed for their sustainable success. And, of course, listening and thinking about the expressions of others. Connecting with others in the community always is a good and thought-provoking thing! ________________________________________
Thanks to Tom for joining me for this interview and for providing a wealth of insights and expertise to the Energy Central Community. You can trust that Tom will be available for you to reach out and connect, ask questions, and more as an Energy Central member, so be sure to make him feel welcome when you see her across the platform.
The other expert interviews that we’ve completed in this series can be read here, and if you are interested in becoming an expert, you can reach out to me or you can apply here.
