Modeling electric utility business processes with UML

Abstract

Electric utilities are an important part of today’s society and electric quality requirements are continuously getting stricter. Recent years have brought major changes to the business processes at electric utilities. The increasing use of information systems and automation are the main reasons. The effective integration of systems and workers has become a key aspect in productivity. The recent growth in automatic meter reading is a prime example of where advancements in technology have rendered old ways of doing things inferior. Today the information systems are linked throughout the processes and automatically transfer data between themselves. This thesis is made for the University of Vaasa and the objective is to model existing business processes at electric utilities. Unified Modeling Language was selected for the purpose of showing different diagrams. The electric network is a continuously developing entity. The entire chain of processes starts with new projects that are a result of new customers requesting connection. The project is thoroughly planned and constructed economically. Upon completion the project is inspected and documented. The operation and maintenance processes are supporting the life expectancy of the electric distribution network and make sure the network is reliable. When the electric network needs refurbishment or strengthening a new project is ordered and a new cycle of planning and construction follows.