Checking In with Energy Central Experts: Pat Hohl, Director of Industry Solutions at Esri – [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Expert Interview]

In this conversation, Pat reflects on his predictions from five years ago in the article Five Tech Trends to Embrace, and One Not So Much, highlighting the tech trends that have significantly shaped the industry, including the transformative power of AI and machine learning. He discusses the ongoing challenges utilities face, as well as how the rapid evolution of AI, cloud adoption, and data integration tools are redefining the utility landscape. This interview provides a comprehensive overview of the current and future tech trends in the utility sector and offers practical advice for those looking to leverage modern technologies.

And don’t let the conversation end there: if you have follow-up questions or notes for Pat, leave them in the comments below to keep the discussion going!

Matt Chester: Pat, five years ago you wrote to the Energy Central community about tech trends to embrace. This interview is a great opportunity to look back on that, where you highlighted the trends: “1. Data is the Greatest Informant, 2. Details Matter, 3. Cross-Platform Applications, 4. Interacting with Information, and 5. Machine Learning.” As you re-read these forecasts, which of your points do you think rang the most true over the past five years?

Pat Hohl: Reflecting on my predictions from five years ago, I see that many of my observations have held true, but the landscape has also evolved significantly. Data has indeed become central to decision-making for utilities and in all aspects of our lives—from choosing restaurants to planning travel routes and selecting TV shows.

Among the trends I discussed, AI and machine learning have been particularly transformative. In the past couple of years, AI has gained massive attention, especially with the advent of large language models like ChatGPT. This explosion of AI interest is evident at industry events where data and AI are hot topics.

A notable challenge for utilities has been the so-called ‘junk drawer’ problem—amassing vast amounts of data but struggling to utilize it effectively. Over the past five years, the focus on integrating and improving data quality has intensified. Tools have advanced, enabling ‘citizen developers’ to create useful applications without heavy reliance on IT specialists. This shift has democratized data usage, making it more accessible to non-experts.

Cloud adoption and AI advancements have emphasized the importance of data governance and real-time data integration. Modern tools now ensure data quality at the point of entry, reducing delays and enhancing utility operations. This progress paves the way for incorporating diverse data sources and leveraging real-time insights, offering new possibilities for the energy sector.

MC: On the other hand, are there any aspects of what you wrote that you wish you could have a redo of because they didn’t quite turn out as you thought?

PH: Looking back, I don’t have specific points I’d want to redo necessary, but there are certainly evolving challenges and nuances that weren’t fully anticipated when I originally wrote that piece. The utility sector now faces greater demands to be environmentally and socially responsible, requiring us to consider demographics and community impacts in our operations.

One notable development is the impact of the Infrastructure JOBS Act, which aims to electrify our society – transportation, school buses, and trucking centers—some anticipating the power demand of a small city. This shift requires utilities to integrate diverse data sources into their planning processes to build and manage a future grid that accommodates these new demands.

Utilities are also grappling with the need to rebuild significant portions of their aging infrastructure within the next two decades. Planning this transformation is complex because we can’t predict all future technologies. This uncertainty necessitates a flexible, data-driven approach, potentially involving still-evolving automation and AI.

While I highlighted machine learning in my earlier article, AI’s broader applications—like large language models—have, of course, gained prominence. These advancements bring opportunities, but they also bring challenges, such as increased energy consumption for data centers. Thus, the utility sector must balance the potential benefits of AI with its energy demands, navigating a path toward a more sustainable and efficient future.

So, while my initial predictions were largely on point, the rapid evolution of AI and the expanding role of utilities in addressing broader societal issues were areas that evolved more dramatically than I anticipated.

MC: An interesting note to your article was also that you cautioned against people taking too much from the idea that AI will take over utility jobs. Did you foresee the type of AI explosion that we’ve seen this past year or two when you wrote this, and would you change any of your advice or forecasts knowing what you know now?

PH: When I wrote my article, I cautioned against expecting AI to take over all utility jobs. The heart of my advice remains relevant today: careers focused on rote tasks like data entry are at risk, but this shift towards AI also allows workers to engage in more creative, higher-value activities.

AI has indeed advanced significantly, automating many routine tasks. However, this automation should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat. It enables employees to focus on problem-solving and innovation, skills we desperately need to tackle the challenges we face. As a tool, AI can elevate our capabilities and value in the business world.

Large language models, like ChatGPT, have gained substantial attention. They’re powerful but not infallible, requiring human oversight. These models are non-deterministic, meaning their decision-making processes are not always transparent. This ambiguity necessitates human judgment to ensure AI’s outputs are sensible and reliable.

There are amusing instances, such as AI providing nonsensical answers due to its broad training data. One example I saw was someone asking when the first cow was put on the moon, and ChatGPT provided an apparently definitive but obviously incorrect answer. This highlights the importance of a human in the loop to verify AI’s outputs. AI should be viewed as a tool that, when used correctly, can sift through vast information and extract valuable insights. Within GIS, AI machine learning is superb at finding patterns in data.

Generative AI will prove to be an advantageous assistant. One fascinating development I heard about is the concept of virtual teammates. These AI assistants could join meetings, summarize discussions, do research, and highlight key points. This innovation shows the potential of AI to enhance productivity and collaboration in the workplace in a positive, enhancing way.

MC: If we were to fast forward five years from now, what tech trends and forecasts taking place today do you think will be the ones most likely to come to fruition? And in which areas are people going to be wrong in retrospect?

PH: In looking five years into the future, I believe the importance of details, especially in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), will continue to grow. GIS is evolving beyond record-keeping and map-making to integrate many concerns, from physical and environmental impacts to customer effects. This integration will be crucial as utilities handle increasingly complex data to make informed decisions.

The trend toward relying heavily on data for decision-making will persist. In the past, operations often depended on individuals’ experience and mental estimates. Now, and increasingly in the future, data analysis will underpin operational decisions, necessitating continuous improvement and expansion of data quality and scope.

However, the particulars of analytics remain less clear. The field of data science has already transformed significantly in the past five years, and it’s uncertain how it will evolve next. Tools like AI and machine learning will continue to advance, but their specific applications and impacts are still unfolding. These technologies require robust data to function, whether they’re addressing environmental impact, sustainability, renewable integration, or vehicle electrification.

Emerging systems will need accurate and current data about the network itself—poles, wires, transformers, and electricity flow. The emphasis will be on enhancing the underlying data models so that systems can operate more automatically and in real time. This approach will allow optimized decision-making about the grid’s operation, from long-term planning to immediate responses.

MC: As the industry continues to evolve, what advice would you offer to utility professionals seeking to leverage modern technologies to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the market?

PH: To stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the evolving utility industry, my first piece of advice is to prioritize continuous learning. Engaging in ongoing training and staying informed through resources like Energy Central is crucial. Utilize the wide array of learning formats available today, including short videos, podcasts, MOOCs,and ebooks. The pace of change in our industry requires us to stay updated more frequently than ever before.

Reading extensively is another key strategy—leaders are readers. Keeping up with the latest industry trends, technologies, and thought leadership will help you understand where the industry is headed and how to position yourself and your organization to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Additionally, we’re not just experiencing an energy transition; we’re also in the midst of a workforce transition. The new generation of workers grew up with digital technology and expects seamless, tech-driven experiences. Embrace technologies like digital twins and immersive simulations for training and operational planning. These tools enhance safety and efficiency by allowing workers to interact with virtual environments before encountering real-world scenarios.

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Thanks to Pat for joining me for this interview and for providing a wealth of insights and expertise to the Energy Central Community. You can trust that Pat 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.