Smart Grid Operational ServicesHelping Utilities Deliver Complex
Smart Grid Projects On Time, On-Budget and at Industry-Leading
StandardsEnergy, Utilities & Chemicals the way we do
itOverviewAging infrastructure, changingregulation, increasing
customerdemands and the worldwide call tolower carbon emissions are
among the myriad of challenges confrontingenergy companies around
the globe. To meet them, utilities are increasinglyturning to Smart
Grid.But, as some utilities have discoveredthe hard way,
implementing Smart Gridcan create a whole new set of issues.To
steer around them, utilities should seek the help and guidance
ofcompanies who have already been down the Smart Grid
path.Capgemini is exactly such a company.As one of the world's
foremostproviders of consulting, technology andoutsourcing
services, Capgemini is a leader in providingsustainable solutions
in the energy andutilities sector. We have the strongestend-to-end
Smart Metering experienceand are working right now on the
mostcomplex Smart Grid implementationsacross North America. Over
the past decade, Capgemini hasbuilt an unrivaled track record
inhelping utilities migrate to SmartMetering. With millions of
installedpoints and many projects under ourbelts, we have performed
all levels of technology installations in all varieties of terrain
and conditions. 2Through successful projects on some of the most
advanced systems in theworld, Capgemini has developedunmatched
Smart Grid deploymentexpertise. As a result, we haveoptimized a
deployment strategy and a proprietary Smart GridOperational
Services method to deliver projects on time, on budget and at
industry-leading standards.How Capgemini Helps UtilitiesMake
Successful Smart GridTransitionsCapgeminis approach to
successfulSmart Grid transitions includes theCapgemini Quality
Audit Program inwhich we monitor performancethroughout the project
to ensureaccuracy, efficiency, andprofessionalism.Because we
collaborate with our clientsto tailor and align their Smart
Gridprojects with their unique businessobjectives, we approach each
projectaccordingly. However, all of our SmartGrid initiatives share
several coreelements, including:Corporate Stewardship &
Environment: Capgemini is committed to delivering services that are
safe for the environment and ensure the health and welfare of our
employees, clients,customers and service providerspersonnel, and
general public. Ouroffices around the globe have takensteps to
consume less energy andincrease recycling. In the utilityindustry,
we have introduced leadingmeter recycling programs and green fleet
vehicles for Smart Grid projects.Privacy, Security and
Confidentiality: Capgemini and its deployment partners are required
to comply withthe Capgemini Company Code ofConduct that specifies
policies onethical behavior, privacy, confidentialityand security
of information. All clientcustomer information is handled
withprofessionalism and confidentiality that protects and includes
compliancewith client confidentiality ofinformation
standards.Because no two utility companies or their Smart Grid
projectsareexactly alike, we work closely with each of our clients
to ensure thatproject results meet their business goals and
timelines. Thats why wedesigned our Smart Grid OperationalServices
method as a highly flexible,iterative approach based on
leadingpractices, innovative deliverables, andlessons learned from
previous SmartGrid deployments. It provides amanaged, transparent
and efficientapproach and is guided by threefundamental principles:
Safety for customers and employees Customer service Productivity
through automationand process efficiencyFor each of these
principles, wemanage compliance by implementingoperational
governance procedures that include operations
monitoring,performance reporting, issue triage and resolution
processes.Capgeminis Smart GridOperational Services Method:How It
Works The keys to ensuring a smoothtransition from manual meter
reading to Smart Grid are strategy,planning, management and
experience.Therefore, we have specificallydesigned our Smart Grid
OperationalServices method to include five phasesthat provide focus
and direction fornavigating through the project lifecycleof a
large-scale, complex Smart Grid.Within each of these phases are
severalinterdependent projects and workstreams. Following are some
of the keyhighlights and milestones.Phase 1 Project Initiation: In
thisphase, the project team, partners and vendors are recruited,
and a Field Deployment Charter, ProjectGovernance Plan and Budget
Forecastare created for client approval.Phase 2 Solution
Definition: This is where we collaborate with keydecision-makers at
the client companyto determine the best balance of costSmart Grid
Operational Services 3Energy, Utilities & Chemicals the way we
do itand risk for the project. We alsostreamline and/or scale up
the clientsprocesses to meet project needs.Phase 3 Solution
Development:During this phase, the project teambuilds and validates
the selected SmartGrid technologies and supportingbusiness
processes at pilot sites. At thispoint, the project teams size
isrelatively small in order to increaseefficiency, flexibility, and
focus whilereducing both risk and cost. Once thetechnologies,
supporting processes and capacities are validated, the teamsize is
appropriately ramped up.Phase 4 Solution Implementation:The largest
of all four, this phase iswhere deliverables from earlier phasesare
revisited, detailed and expanded as needed. Continuous tracking
andmeasurement of performance metricsare key to this phase.Phase 5
Close Down and Transition:When new meters are performingreliably,
Capgemini collaborates with theclient to provide the critical
transitionback to normal operations levels. Thisincludes training
for long-term systemsoperators and maintenance personnel, as well
as closing down such activities as inventory reconciliation and
closureof facilities. Project-specific applications,tools and
processes are eitherdecommissioned or transitioned to the
sustainment organization.To ensure that each phase is
completedrapidly and successfully, the CapgeminiSmart Grid
Operational Servicesmethod builds in severalinterdependent work
streams, each of which is managed by experts with a wealth of
experience in therespective domain.Documenting, Managing
andControlling All Aspects ofDeploymentDeployment Management Office
(DMO)The DMO leads deployment strategy;project management; risk
assessmentand management; external and internalcommunication
related to deployment;change management and process re-engineering
and integration;procurement and vendor relations. We apply our own
Smart Grid subjectmatter expertise, existingmethodologies and tools
to our clients environment. Our project planning and
operationsprocesses follow the ProjectManagement Institute
Methodology.Meter and network deployment ismanaged by DELIVER,
Capgeminisleading-practice methodology.Because Smart Grid is
typically acomplex undertaking that touches allareas of a utilitys
operations, riskassessment and management is amongthe DMOs most
critical roles. Inserving this role, the DMO drawsupon the
expertise of Capgeminisglobal team of subject matter specialiststo
identify risk, discuss issues and risks,and create appropriate
resolution andmitigation options. Deployment Cross-DocksCapgemini
establishes firm commercialagreements for a primary
office,warehouse, and meter shop, along with cross-dock facilities
in each area.Both central and deployment areas sites are
established to provide the right working environment andfacilities
to all teams. We also develop a comprehensiveprocurement, quality
assurance andlogistics process to enable all teams to work
collaboratively and safely. Capgemini manages the entire
supplychain, including the strategic sourcingactivities that
support meter andnetwork deployment and provideon-time equipment
deliveries. Thiscreates significant savings, improvedproductivity
and better overall servicesfor our clients.Through innovative
practices andstrong relationships with serviceproviders, we honor
Capgeminissteadfast commitment to zero wasteand 100-percent
landfill diversion for recyclables.Capgeminis approach to
successful Smart Gridtransitions includes theCapgemini Quality
AuditProgram in which wemonitor performancethroughout the project
to ensure accuracy,efficiency,
andprofessionalism.EUC_20080609_AMIFYR_021www.ca.capgemini.com/smartgridCopyright
2009 Capgemini. All rights reserved. Deployment Operations Center
(DOC)Capgemini is widely known for itsworld-class deployment
operationscenters and we bring that same level of service and
skills to all of our SmartGrid projects. At the DOC, alldeployment
and supporting activities are coordinated.As the nerve center of
the Smart Gridproject, the DOC oversees: Change meter orders
Deployment tracking and reportingDeployment process and
toolssupport Meter change automation Meter and network This
includes managing change meterorders; deployment tracking
andreporting; and meter and networkequipment commissioning.A key
function of the DOC is managing the SMART Portal, an online Smart
Meter Actions and Resource Toolset that facilitates
overalldeployment. SMART provides projectand client stakeholders
with real-timeaccess to strategy and planning resourceswith a
user-friendly interface that also facilitates communications
andknowledge transfer (such as projectresources, training
documents, currentdeployment status and weatherconditions) between
the DOC and field staff.Field SupportCapgeminis field support
approach has been engineered to ensure thesafest possible work
environment. It determines acceptable increases in productivity,
constantly managesprocess efficiencies, eliminatesundesirable or
unplanned impacts to customers and improves overallcustomer
satisfactiona challenge for most large field teams.
State-of-the-art tools and resources give field staff the
flexibility tocomplete or change work scheduledeach day. Ride-along
teams provideobservation for efficiency and training support.Field
support team members are theliaison between field resources andDOC
resources. They are also the eyes and ears of the DOC in the field.
Installations Capgemini brings a cost-effectivenetwork of field
personnel to eachproject through local union and non-union partners
who can support theuse of in-house personnel (if desired).This
makes it possible to fulfill the high demands of a full Smart Grid
deployment. For peak demand installation periods, we can add a
flexible sub-contracted workforce. The DMO manages all of the
fieldpersonnels work, making sure thatplans, schedules, and targets
align with the overall installation strategy.An appropriate and
cost-effectiveinstallation strategy is selected for each type of
installation: simple andcomplex meter changes, transformersand
feeders, simple and complexnetwork hardware installations, and a
home area network. Through collaboration, wecontinuously find
innovative ways for our clients to make a seamless and responsible
transition to SmartGrid. Leveraging our flexible approach,utilities
across the world have been ableto answer their many challenges
andachieve their business objectives. Capgemini upholds a
strongcommitment to the Energy and Utilitiesindustries with more
than 10,000professionals dedicated to the sector.Capgemini has the
strongest end-to-endSmart Metering experience and rightnow is
working on the most complexSmart Grid implementations acrossNorth
America. Our end-to-end SmartMetering solutions are built on
deepindustry knowledge, unique business-centric thinking, and
highly flexibletechnology architectures. And we tie our fees to
programperformanceto ensure your utilityrealizes the full promise
of SmartMetering technology, from improveddemand response to lower
costs and a superior customer experience.Capgemini, one of
theworld's foremost providers of consulting, technology and
outsourcingservices, enables its clients to transformand perform
through technologies.Capgemini provides its clients with
insightsand capabilities that boost their freedom toachieve
superior results through a uniqueway of working, the Collaborative
BusinessExperience. The Group relies on its globaldelivery model
called Rightshore, whichaims to get the right balance of the
besttalent from multiple locations, working as one team to create
and deliver theoptimum solution for clients. Present inmore than 30
countries, Capgeminireported 2008 global revenues ofapproximately
$12.74 billion and employs over 90,000 people worldwide. More
information is available atwww.ca.capgemini.com/smartgrid. About
Capgemini and the Collaborative Business Experience Gord
ReynoldsPractice LeaderSmart Energy
[email protected]+1 416.732.2200
