Low Code for Grid Modernization & Renewable Energy Management

The energy sector is transforming due to increasing demand for power, new production from renewable energy sources, and changing regulations for power delivery. These changes are pressuring energy utilities to modernize their grids and incorporate renewable energy more efficiently into their management approaches.

Many utilities face an uphill battle to make the necessary adjustments. Legacy grid management systems just aren’t compatible with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and they don’t support the monitoring devices or automations needed to maximize grid efficiency.

Fortunately, low code development provides a solution by enabling energy providers to update their legacy systems with integrations, automations, and new capabilities. Read on to discover the benefits of low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Legacy grid management systems make it challenging for energy utilities to integrate renewable energy sources and keep up with changing regulations.

• Low code platforms help energy companies develop custom integrations and automations for their legacy systems. They also make it easier to add renewable energy sources and monitoring devices to grid operations.

• The benefits of low code include faster development cycles, simplified compliance, enhanced grid resiliency, reduced costs, and more flexibility to adapt to changes in the renewable energy sector.

• When adopting low code for grid modernization, consider your organization’s readiness, cybersecurity needs, and potential partnerships with low code experts.

Challenges in Grid Modernization and Renewable Energy Management

Energy usage is rising by 4% per year, so leveraging your existing infrastructure is more important than ever. That means integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), such as wind and solar, and energy storage systems alongside traditional power generators.

However, legacy systems often get in the way of integration efforts. These systems aren’t designed to manage the highly variable power loads delivered by DERs. Many providers have developed stopgap solutions, but these are easily overloaded with data as new DERs and accompanying monitoring devices come online. As a result, utilities are struggling to scale their operations and use real-time monitoring to automate grid management.In addition, legacy systems can’t keep pace with evolving energy regulations for traditional and renewable energy sources. Your infrastructure could be putting your company at risk of costly penalties and reducing your ability to invest in grid modernization.

How Low Code Platforms Solve These Challenges

Low code development platforms offer a way to rapidly enhance your company’s existing systems and open the door to new energy management approaches.

They enable users to design seamless integrations, automated workflows, and new software capabilities with little to no programming. Instead of code, they use customizable templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and pre-built components to create purpose-built software tools. As a result, grid managers and other members of your team can use low code platforms—not just developers. 

The benefit is that your team can build the capabilities you need much faster than with traditional development tools. Timelines for building grid monitoring, optimization, and analytics tools can shrink from months to weeks.

Additionally, your team can use low code tools to simplify the integration of DERs and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring devices into legacy systems. They also let you develop real-time data dashboards and predictive models for renewable generation performance, which are crucial for load balancing on the grid. All these features make it far easier for your utility to incorporate renewable energy sources and automate grid management.

Another way low code platforms can help energy managers is by automating compliance. For example, you can use low code to build automated reporting workflows or get alerts when new regulations take effect. You can also update legacy grid management systems to ensure adherence to renewable energy mandates.

Key Benefits of Low Code in Energy Management

Low code has additional benefits for grid operators beyond these specific examples. 

First, integrating more monitoring devices and data into grid management systems gives you a more holistic view of your systems. In turn, you can manage your grid more efficiently and predict infrastructure maintenance needs. Low code systems can also identify choke points that could compromise your grid’s resiliency.

On top of that, low code tools can help you better track your company’s carbon emissions and sustainability metrics. This is key to supporting compliance efforts—and can even make your utility more attractive to customers and investors.

Low code also benefits your company by shrinking development timelines. Instead of waiting months for developers to integrate a new monitoring device or build a critical automation, your team can actively develop and deploy software solutions independently. Eliminating reliance on developers can mean significant cost savings.Finally, one of the most valuable benefits of using low code development is that it makes your company more scalable and flexible. Low code solutions can readily adapt as the energy environment undergoes further change with more advanced technologies and new regulations. Your utility will be ready for the sustainable energy future rather than constrained by legacy systems.

Strategic Considerations for Adopting Low Code in Energy

While low code development can be transformational for energy businesses, you’ll want to lay the groundwork for a successful modernization effort. Here are three key factors to consider when adopting low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management:

Organizational readiness

Low code development works best at utilities with grid operations managers, renewable energy asset managers, and compliance officers who are empowered to solve challenges. To get the most out of low code, your business needs a culture of problem-solving and channels for cross-department collaboration.

In addition, low code development requires buy-in from employees, including IT staff, who may hesitate to use this approach. A good way to encourage support for low code is to include staff when identifying specific uses for low code development and selecting a low code platform.

Low code partnerships

Partnering with experts in low code development is a powerful way to speed up your business’s digital transformation and ensure your grid modernization effort is successful. Experienced providers can help you anticipate pitfalls and identify the best ways to apply low code to solve your business’s unique challenges. Look for partners that understand the specific needs of the energy industry and provide support throughout the implementation process.

Cybersecurity needs

Companies throughout the energy sector—whether on the supply or demand side—face significant cybersecurity threats, so low code integrations and automations must be fully secure. The good news is that low code applications can be more secure than full code software. That’s because full code approaches are prone to programming errors and often build on vulnerable code packages.

Many low code platforms offer highly customizable security tools and support for identity management systems to help you protect sensitive data. When choosing a low code platform, you’ll want to consider the security measures your business needs.

Final Thoughts

Low code platforms offer seamless integration of DERs and data-rich monitoring devices into legacy energy management systems. They can help energy businesses incorporate and manage renewable energy sources, enhance grid resiliency, and streamline compliance. Plus, low code platforms speed up development cycles and add flexibility, ensuring your business is ready for whatever changes to the energy sector lie ahead.
Check out CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code to learn more about how this approach can help your company meet the demands of today’s energy environment.

Why You Can Put Your Trust in CLEVR

CLEVR specializes in helping energy businesses benefit from low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management. The company can help you identify opportunities for low code development, choose the right platform for your needs, and build custom solutions. 

CLEVR also provides end-to-end support and serves as a partner for the future, ensuring your company has the tools to scale grid management and remain flexible as the energy sector evolves.

FAQs