Unlocking Solution Compatibility with the GridOS® Connect Partner Program

Author Sticky

Pradeep Akurati

Former Global Partner Ecosystem and Alliances Leader

Grid Software, GE Vernova

Pradeep Akurati has served as the former Global Partner Ecosystem and Alliances Leader for Grid Software, GE Vernova. He is responsible for the development and execution of go-to-market strategies, the creation of joint solution portfolios, and the delivery of joint value propositions to ensure customer success and the overall financial performance of GE Vernova's global partnerships business.

Prior to joining GE Vernova, Pradeep held the position of Chief Alliance Officer at Smart Energy Water and senior executive leadership positions at HPE and HP Software.

Pradeep holds an Executive MBA from Henley Management School in the UK and a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications from Bangalore University of India. His experience and education have helped him navigate the complex world of energy and business.
 

Nov 14, 2024
3 minutes

I wrote a blog not too long ago describing the benefits of the GridOS Partner Ecosystem. The Ecosystem was established to provide GridOS customers with a variety of Partner-offered services and applications, all designed to expedite and improve the GridOS experience. In turn, the Ecosystem provides Partner organizations (all with extensive experience working within the utility sector) with expanded market share by connecting them directly to the utility customers that need their expertise the most.

In creating the Partner Ecosystem, our key goals have always been threefold:
  1. Co-innovation
  2. Knowledge sharing
  3. Accelerating the energy transition
In recognition of these goals, the Partners offer numerous services and applications that make it possible for utilities to expedite their grid modernization efforts. In this way, utilities can more quickly and seamlessly prepare for and navigate energy transition challenges like increased renewables integration, more frequent disruptions caused by severe weather, multidirectional energy flows from DERs, and more.

I am excited to announce a thrilling new development within the Partner Ecosystem – it’s called the GridOS Connect Partner Program.

All the Partners within this special certification program offer applications that are readily compatible with the GridOS platform and the applications that comprise it. In other words, these Partners’ applications work seamlessly with the GridOS platform and applications, while also meeting specific requirements for interoperability, reliability, scalability, compatibility, and security.

Utility customers who leverage these certified Partner applications gain significantly increased value from their GridOS experience in three key areas:

Diversified options

The GridOS Connect Partners’ applications are readily interoperable and compatible with all GridOS applications and the platform as a whole, providing customers with a broader selection of applications to solve the unique use cases they may encounter.

Accelerated time-to-value

When a utility invests in a grid application – be it ADMS, SCADA, DERMS, or another – time is of the essence. They need to minimize their time-to-value, or the time lapse between investing in a solution and getting said solution up and running, so they can begin generating value and resolving challenges.

Applications that are not GridOS-compatible may incur longer deployment times while compatibility and interoperability issues are worked out. That is not the case with GridOS Connect-certified applications. The traditional lengthy compatibility period is avoided due to pre-established compatibility, enabling applications to be deployed significantly faster.

Enhanced interoperability

GridOS Connect-certified applications facilitate interoperability across OT, IT, and external data and applications, further offering improved reliability, scalability, compatibility, and security. All are crucial for successful grid orchestration and accelerating the energy transition.

One example of a GridOS Connect Partner with a certified solution is KUBRA, with its Storm Center solution. When storms hit, it’s important for utilities to know exactly when and where outages have occurred. KUBRA's Storm Center outage mapping software makes it easier to track, report, and communicate outages – especially as a certified application that is readily compatible with the Outage Management System of ADMS. Scenarios like this call for a solution that is compatible with a customer’s existing solution, with the outcome of combining the capabilities of both within a single pane of glass. Having an integrated solution bridge a utility’s ADMS and customer-facing platforms offers a seamless outage workflow.

Another GridOS Connect Partner with a certified and readily compatible solution is EnergyHub – a leading provider of Edge DERMS software and services for utilities. This integration enables utilities to leverage the extensive range of demand response resources enrolled through EnergyHub’s Edge DERMS platform. This can be done seamlessly from the control room by directly using the GridOS DERMS interface. The partnership with EnergyHub enables a true single-pane-of-glass solution for the grid operator. It unlocks access to integrated visibility, optimization, and control of demand response resources alongside other grid operator resources connected to GridOS DERMS such as SCADA-connected DERs.

The certified applications of the GridOS Connect Partner Program are all readily compatible with GridOS applications and their underlying platform, making for simplified interoperability, expedited time-to-value, and diversified application options.

If you'd like to learn more about the GridOS partner ecosystem, click here.

Author Section

Author

Pradeep Akurati

Former Global Partner Ecosystem and Alliances Leader
Grid Software, GE Vernova

Pradeep Akurati has served as the former Global Partner Ecosystem and Alliances Leader for Grid Software, GE Vernova. He is responsible for the development and execution of go-to-market strategies, the creation of joint solution portfolios, and the delivery of joint value propositions to ensure customer success and the overall financial performance of GE Vernova's global partnerships business.

Prior to joining GE Vernova, Pradeep held the position of Chief Alliance Officer at Smart Energy Water and senior executive leadership positions at HPE and HP Software.

Pradeep holds an Executive MBA from Henley Management School in the UK and a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications from Bangalore University of India. His experience and education have helped him navigate the complex world of energy and business.