MEPPI Leading the Charge in Grid Modernization: Pioneering Smart, AI-Enhanced Power Systems for Future Demands

MEPPI recognizes the landscape of power demands and grid modernization is rapidly evolving, underscored by recent discussions at DISTRIBUTECH 2024.

With US data center power consumption projected to double by 2030, the urgency for innovative solutions has never been more apparent. Simultaneously, efforts towards grid modernization are gaining momentum, focusing on creating a more adaptable, reliable, and green energy infrastructure. Integrating smart grid technology, featuring digital, sensor-based, and AI-driven systems, is set to revolutionize energy demand and supply management.

Amidst these technological strides, the insights from Tricia Breeger, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI), emphasize the critical role of industry expertise and corporate culture in achieving these ambitious goals. Her conversation with Ben Thomas from the floor at DISTRIBUTECH 2024 offers a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of power utilities and grid modernization with a human-centric approach.

Ben and Tricia's Thoughts

Challenges and Solutions for Power Demands

Ben

"MEPPI represents not only some of the greatest names in technology and utilities but also serves a lot of different verticals, including the world of LED technology, which a lot of our viewers are familiar with as well. One of the conversations we keep hearing at DISTRIBUTECH this year centers around the power demands of data centers and technology hubs. What are some of the challenges and concerns that you’re seeing? What are some of the ways that you guys are addressing it?"

Tricia

"So, a great question. And it's something that's front and center here at DISTRIBUTECH. The needs of some of the largest customers in our segment, which are data centers, are front and center, and they need the power that they're putting on power utilities. So, power utilities have a lot on their plate. And as they build out generation, transmission, and distribution, they also focus on grid modernization. And you see a lot of those technologies here today. It's software monitoring that will allow you to integrate distributed energy resources. It'll give you more flexibility in managing demand response. Those types of technologies are offered by MEPPI, with our smarter grid solution software packages and many other suppliers here today."

Understanding Smarter Grid Technology

Ben

"You talked about smarter grid technology. I think that means a lot of different things to different people. In the context of Mitsubishi and MEPPI, what does that mean to you? Does that mean grid resiliency? Does that mean leveraging AI technologies? What specifically does that look like?"

Tricia

"The answer is a little bit of everything, but when you're getting smarter on your grid, you need connectivity, and you need to be able to monitor. There's a lot of ways to do that. So you can have digital monitoring where the products and solutions you provide have software content, where you can monitor and pull data and get into a preventative analytic type response with that equipment. You also have camera visual monitoring. You see a lot of pan and tilt cameras here that are monitoring assets. We have a software called POWER-I® that provides the analytics behind that kind of visual monitoring, whether it's delivered by a drone, whether it's delivered by a robot or a pan and tilt camera. So, you have traditional visual and digital monitoring, all of which is to bring more information to the utility about what is happening on their grid so they can react to it quickly, autonomously, and be very flexible."

The Importance of People in the Industry

Ben

"We talk a lot about AI and technology, but it's about the people in the industry. Few people have the experience, knowledge, and expertise you have, especially staying with one organization for as long as you have now, literally getting to run this entire division. What does it mean to you to be able to be here and represent a company like Mitsubishi from that subject matter expertise perspective?"

Tricia

"It's such a great question. It means a lot. I am very passionate about our organization. I'm passionate about this industry that we serve. We're both going through a transition. You know, our customers are the north star of our company. And so, as they transition towards green and clean power generation, so do we. We are transitioning to support them. And that starts with our people. I'm so proud of our company culture. I should mention I've been here for twenty-four years. Our commitment to our customers is matched with our commitment to our employees.

We emphasize quality and integrity in what we do. We like to do the hard things. We like to customize our solutions for our customers, and we like to solve their problems. So, we're more than a hardware supplier. We're a solutions provider. And that's something we can all get excited about, all the employees here joining me today. Just incredibly passionate about this market and the customers that we serve."