2026 Event Schedule

As utilities advance their Grid Modernization strategies and deploy ADMS, they are evolving into the utilization of more automated, data-driven systems and processes. Technologies such as Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR), combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI), are poised to redefine how Crew Resource Management (CRM) is implemented and optimized.

One persistent challenge for grid operators is that CRM—whether for planned or unplanned outages—remains highly manual and heavily dependent on control room decisions and inputs. When FLISR is introduced, operator workload can increase dramatically, making efficient dispatch and rapid outage reduction aside from the load picked up by the reconfiguration nearly impossible.

The solution: Integrating trained AI capabilities such as decision support, predictive analytics, and natural language processing can significantly reduce or eliminate inefficiencies caused by manual dispatching. This approach enables faster, smarter, and more consistent decision-making.

However, integration comes with challenges, including:

• The need for high-quality, accurate data
• Cybersecurity concerns
• Resistance to change among field and control center personnel
• Ongoing training and change-management requirements
• Balancing AI automation with human judgment in high-stakes situations
• Maintaining an up-to-date, highly accurate electric model

Perhaps the most complex challenge is managing normal operations versus storm mode, which could warrant its own discussion beyond this presentation.

The payoff: When implemented effectively, FLISR and AI can accelerate restoration, improve efficiency, and deliver substantial savings in both capital and O&M budgets—freeing resources for reinvestment elsewhere.

Session Sponsored by WSP