Beyond the Grid: Equipping Utility Crews for a $1 Trillion Transformation

After more than a decade of relatively flat electricity use in the U.S., demand is climbing, with electricity consumption predicted to markedly increase over the next two years. In response to rising demand, electric utilities are expected to invest more than $1.1 trillion between 2025 and 2029 to expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, and scale renewable energy and battery storage. Utilities are also expanding networks of high-voltage transmission lines to maintain system balance and ensure reliable electric service across the country.

But powering the future is about more than plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines — it's about the people doing the work, and the important role of building, managing, monitoring, and maintaining these electrical systems.

As grid upgrades ramp up, demand is rising for field technicians, inspectors, and contractors, with a 2025 study co-authored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers estimating that the global power sector will need between 450,000 and 1.5 million more engineers by 2030 to build, implement, and operate energy infrastructure.

An important part of keeping crews connected, safe, and productive during the energy transition is investing in the right tools – including rugged laptops and tablets. These devices, which bring intelligent computing, accessible data, and critical communication to the field, can help utility companies meet rising consumer demand by making crews of any size more productive.

What role do rugged mobile computers play in maintaining the power grid?

As the power grid becomes more connected and modern, crews working to upgrade and expand infrastructure need reliable laptops and tablets to stay connected, streamline workflows, manage work orders, and increase productivity. Rugged mobile technologies are especially helpful because they give crews access to real-time information in the field, even in demanding conditions that standard, consumer-grade devices and pen-and-paper systems can’t handle.

Rugged mobile devices meet higher durability standards than consumer-grade devices, and they are engineered to handle processing demands in any conditions and any location in the field. Field technicians and inspectors can leverage these devices to: 

• Monitor infrastructure status: With access to real-time data, field technicians can keep tabs on all parts of the grid, helping to ensure consistent power delivery and system resilience.
• Prioritize grid upgrades and repairs based on preventative maintenance data: Preventative maintenance software can identify potential faults, so a technician can be deployed to the site to make a repair before an outage occurs.
• Better allocate resources: Reliable communication through on-device 5G and other advanced connectivity solutions allows crews to quickly identify the nearest available technician, minimizing downtime and optimizing travel routes. 

Why are TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets essential for utility field work?

Our rugged laptops and 2-in-1 tablets remain the premier choice for utility workers because of the quality and reliability of their design to improve productivity and make utility teams’ jobs easier.

TOUGHBOOK devices are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, water, drops, dirt, and other harsh field conditions. Along with MIL-STD and IP certifications that help to ensure reliability, TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets undergo rigorous testing by national third-party independent labs for a range of conditions from endurance and environment to temperature and connectivity tests to ensure they can withstand any job. The devices also feature long battery life, user-replaceable batteries, and daylight-readable and glove-touch friendly screens for a seamless experience in the field.

To help field teams stay connected, even in remote locations where grid expansions are needed, TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops and tablets come with multiple connectivity options – including 4G, 5G, and other industry-specific private LTE networks. With fast, reliable connectivity, field technicians can access the real-time information they need to make informed decisions and stay connected with each other and the central office.

Panasonic Connect’s rugged mobile laptops and tablets also come equipped with hardware-level protections, enterprise-grade encryption, and biometric security features to help keep information secure. As cyberattacks on the power grid continue to increase, utility companies and their crews must keep security top of mind to prevent vulnerabilities that could lead to cyberattacks and risks that could jeopardize public safety and reliability.

How do TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets integrate with existing utility systems?

The modular, customizable design of TOUGHBOOK laptops and 2-in-1 tablets makes them easy to integrate with existing utility systems. Technicians can adjust the devices to fit job-specific needs, for instance, by adding additional ports and customizing expansion areas to allow them to easily connect to legacy equipment or barcode scanners to manage parts during grid upgrades.

TOUGHBOOK devices are also compatible with the software and data systems that utilities rely on, integrating seamlessly with GIS, asset management, and dispatch systems. Instead of struggling with compatibility issues and downtime, field teams can update data instantly and coordinate with control systems with confidence, knowing they have everything they need at their fingertips.

How can you get started?

To make sure your teams have the tools they need to keep up with rising demand, learn more about how rugged laptop and tablet hardware, software, and services are improving utility and energy operations across the country and supporting the next generation of energy professionals.