Project Highlights:
- DTE Energy
- Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan
- Comprises 7 subsidiaries, including DTE Gas Company
- 1.3M gas customers; 2.3M electric customers
- 2,118mi gas transmission pipeline; 19,127mi gas distribution main
- 21,725 mi of gas services
DTE Gas Company (DTE), one of the largest gas utilities in the U.S., is preparing to transform its gas transmission and distribution GIS by migrating to Esri’s Network Information Management System. The utility has partnered with UDC on an ArcGIS Utility Network data assessment and proof of concept to understand the implications of moving its lines of business from the geometric network to the Utility Network and Utility Pipeline Data Model. These initiatives have guided DTE’s decision to implement two separate gas models within the Utility Network for its transmission and distribution, instead of moving both systems simultaneously as one connected network.
Though a combined Utility Network gas data model remains DTE’s long-term objective, this separate but aligned approach empowers the utility to transition to a connected distribution and transmission network model at its own pace. The staged approach supports a smoother implementation and user adoption. Migrating to individual models as an initial step enables DTE to presently leverage the Utility Network’s network management capabilities and data integrity rules to enhance its distribution and transmission lines of business while preparing its systems, users, and processes for an integrated Network Information Management System.
Transforming through Network Management
The decision to move to Network Management was driven by a need to meet increasing compliance requirements and a goal of streamlining operational efficiencies and processes. The utility’s GIS is currently divided between two lines of business—distribution and transmission—each with separate leadership. This division produced differing mapping standards and verification procedures, duplicating records and efforts across the two GIS systems and teams.
Many of the challenges DTE faces with its existing GIS systems stem from outdated software and antiquated solutions. The shift to Network Management allows DTE to modernize and align its systems and processes and assess its third-party legacy applications. The Esri platform delivers numerous business and operational benefits to the company, including increased data sharing capabilities through the Utility Network’s system of engagement, enhanced data quality and completeness, greater map scalability, automated integrity checks, increased GIS governance, established mapping standards, enhanced linear referencing capabilities, and 3D station piping capability for transmission pipelines.
Laying the Foundation for a Combined Model
As part of the proof of concept, two Utility Network data model environments were configured – one combining distribution and transmission into one model and another with separated network models. Users gained hands-on experience with the functionalities and capabilities of both environments and the ArcGIS Pro tool set while using the company’s specific gas data. This allowed DTE to see how its data would function in the connected vs. separate models and helped the utility understand the data remediation and process requirements for each. This insight empowers the company to make data-driven decisions regarding its migration strategy and provides a clear action plan, including relevant data points for each line of business.
Before the proof of concept, DTE planned to combine its gas distribution and transmission data models to leverage the Utility Network’s system tracing capabilities across its connected gas pressure systems. During the data discovery and exploration activities, however, the utility experienced firsthand the dissimilarities between its distribution and transmission lines of business, namely the distinct processes and mapping standards of each. Bringing those teams and systems into alignment to produce one network data model involves a significant lift on DTE’s part. It will require focused initiatives around people, procedures, schema, and software. DTE also recognized that considerable attention would need to be given to change management when transitioning to the new technology, not only for users but also for backend processes.
Migrating to individual models before transitioning to a combined model gives DTE time to align the lines of business and resolve discrepancies between them. One key challenge the utility will address is duplicated work. DTE must determine the mapping responsibilities of both the distribution and transmission teams and establish a data verification process moving forward.
Preparing the Data
With the business case submitted, DTE has begun preparing its distribution and transmission data for the Utility Network data model. UDC’s auto-migration HEIDE tool categorized the data inconsistencies identified during the data assessment into three cleanup process initiatives: automatic, semi-automatic, and manual. With this list in hand, DTE can streamline its data cleanup tasks.
DTE is undergoing a data completeness initiative to map the features required for subnetwork controllers in the new model. This ensures that these features are spatially and attributably linked to related features. Enhancing the subnetworks in each model and mapping the controllers will enable users to perform subnetwork traces within the Utility Network.
Network Management Preparation Components:
The Utility Network Data Assessment and proof of concept initiatives included:
- Conducting source and Utility Network data analyses
- Fully configuring the sample dataset for subnetwork functionality
- Setting up a sandbox ArcGIS Pro environment using DTE’s gas data
- Conducting proof of concept for a split and combined gas model
- Developing the implementation roadmap for migration, including a statement of work and project plan tailored to DTE’s unique requirements
- Implementing data governance measures to maintain data going forward
Once the data completeness and cleanup efforts are finalized, DTE will migrate its more manageable transmission model, followed by the distribution model. It will then utilize the insights gained from the smaller-scale transmission migration to facilitate a smoother and more streamlined transition for the distribution model.
See our presentation with DTE, Investing in the Future: DTE’s Iterative Approach to ArcGIS Utility Network Migration, to learn more about the project.