More Than a Control: UbiVu® Offers a Pulse on Power

By Keith Chinchar
General Manager, Smart Street Lighting Sales

UbiCell® the industry’s leading smart streetlight control solution, but its capabilities go far beyond scheduling and dimming streetlights. UbiVu, Ubicquia’s powerful data analytics platform, offers power monitoring and grid reliability insights that can help cities and utilities ensure a stable, efficient energy supply.

A New Level of Power Monitoring

UbiCell acts as a critical pulse on the power grid, with real-time streetlight monitoring enabling utilities to identify and prevent outages, reduce excessive energy usage, and maintain grid stability. The UbiVu platform provides real-time, actionable insights into power quality issues, such as day burners, flickering lights, and more, allowing users to take proactive measures before these issues escalate.

Beyond Control: Real-Time Data for Real-Time Decisions

The UbiVu platform UbiVu platform transforms complex data into practical, actionable insights that go beyond improving lighting infrastructure in cities. It enables utilities to respond immediately to issues and make informed decisions to optimize power usage, improve grid reliability, and even prevent streetlight outages. Here are some of the advanced features and use cases where UbiVu goes beyond basic lighting control:

1. Pole Tilt and Vibration Detection
UbiCell monitors poles for tilt and vibration, helping utilities detect potential structural issues caused by severe weather or accidents. This proactive monitoring allows for timely maintenance and enhances infrastructure resilience.

2. Power Quality Monitoring
Power quality is critical for grid reliability. UbiCell tracks key indicators like voltage sags, swells, and momentary outages. By identifying these anomalies in real time, utilities can address them promptly, reducing downtime and improving overall grid performance.

3. Burn-Hour Data and Remaining Life Estimates
UbiCell keeps track of burn-hour data and estimates the remaining life of lighting assets. This information helps utilities optimize maintenance schedules, avoid unexpected outages, and extend the lifespan of their infrastructure.

4. Intelligent Dispatch
With real-time data, UbiVu facilitates intelligent dispatch of maintenance crews. By knowing exactly where and when an issue arises, utilities can deploy teams efficiently, saving time and reducing operational costs.

5. Copper Theft Detection Algorithms
Copper theft remains a challenge for many cities and utilities. UbiCell uses advanced algorithms to detect unusual power fluctuations that may indicate theft, helping to protect critical infrastructure and reduce theft-related losses.

6. Storm Reporting and Recovery
UbiCell’s integration of weather and storm data allows for enhanced response strategies. Utilities can track the impact of severe weather events in real time, improving their ability to deploy resources efficiently and restore power quickly.

Further reading: Turning Data into Defense: Enhancing Grid Resilience with AI

7. GIS Data Integration
By incorporating GIS data, UbiVu provides a detailed visual representation of assets and their status, giving users a comprehensive understanding of the grid. This visual data helps in strategic planning and improves situational awareness for faster decision-making.

Continuous Innovation: Quarterly Enhancements

Ubicquia is committed to evolving the UbiVu platform with quarterly updates that introduce new features and enhancements. This commitment ensures that users always have access to the latest technological advancements, keeping their infrastructure at the forefront of smart grid management.

Transforming the Way We Manage Power

UbiCell is not just about lighting control; it’s about giving cities and utilities the tools they need to actively monitor and manage the power grid. By providing real-time, actionable data, a city lighting management system like UbiCell helps users prevent outages, optimize energy use, and respond swiftly to any issues that arise.

With its comprehensive suite of features and continuous enhancements, UbiCell is a powerful ally for cities and utilities looking to enhance their grid reliability, improve energy efficiency, and future-proof their infrastructure. It’s more than a control point—it’s a pulse on the power that keeps cities running smoothly.

Keith Chinchar, General Manager, Smart Street Lighting, Ubicquia
As General Manager of Ubicquia’s Smart Streetlighting business, Keith Chinchar is responsible for its solution development, go-to-market strategy and profit and loss. He comes to Ubicquia with over 25 years of experience in engineering, business development, sales, operations, and marketing for IoT devices, control systems, and smart city applications. Keith has overseen hundreds of outdoor lighting projects including some of the largest and most complex in the country. His previous positions include business development at CIMCON, electrical engineering of EV design at Tesla, business development at Encelium, along with various solution engineering roles at Lutron.