SCANA Corp (NYSE: SCG), based in Cayce, South Carolina, is an energy based holding company principally engaged, through subsidiaries, in electric and natural gas utility operations and other energy related businesses. The firm has a market cap of $7 billion.

The electric and gas utility sector is witnessing massive changes in its core aspects. With increased indulgence towards technological advancement, information technology has a major role to play in pipeline and plant operations along with electric grid infrastructure. The technological element aids in reducing complexity and enhancing sustainability, and further addresses the networking and cyber security requirements. The exposure to technology is a timely development, considering the need to assort huge amounts of information received through operational technology. In addition, the shift in focus towards conventional software from proprietary ones creates a demanding situation. In short, these are extraordinary times with unmatched potential for advancement at all levels for the worldwide utility sector.

Latest Trends in the Sector

As mentioned above, the technological integration is the crucial factor, which has paved way for development at all levels. Two other notable aspects are the opportunities coming up with intelligent grid and the GIS-enabled operations.

With IP connected field devices and meters, the electric and gas industries would be functioning with improved efficiency in terms of the amount of data received and set prices. And coming to the GIS integration, its purpose would be locating infrastructure out in the field and countering concerns regarding outage. The outage remains a crucial drawback, and what GIS aims is to pinpoint the causative aspects and facilitate the necessary reforms. In addition, customers would receive clarified reports on outage concerns and estimates for restoration. There are plans to incorporate GIS services into dispatching systems as well for zeroing on efficient routes to save fuel and time.