Josh Mackanic, a former engineer at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), has embarked on a mission to revolutionize how underground utilities are mapped and managed. After a decade with the utility giant, Mackanic left due to frustrations over the lack of information regarding buried infrastructure.
His departure was prompted by an incident where a project was delayed for three days due to an unknown pipe in an excavation site, ultimately costing $60,000. This experience underscored the need for better visibility into underground assets, as PG&E only tracks its own electric and gas lines, leaving a significant knowledge gap regarding other utilities.
In 2020, Mackanic founded CivilGrid, a startup that aggregates data on utility assets, property ownership, and environmental regulations, creating what he describes as a ‘Google Maps for the underground.’ The platform is designed to assist governments, civil engineering firms, and utility companies in making informed decisions about infrastructure placement.
Recently, CivilGrid secured $26 million in Series A funding, led by Spark Capital, with contributions from several early-stage investors. This funding is intended to expand the company’s reach and capabilities. Mackanic highlighted the support from Energy Impact Partners, which includes utility companies as limited partners, as a significant endorsement from the industry.
Christine Cowsert, PG&E’s senior vice president of enterprise business and technology modernization, emphasized the importance of tools like CivilGrid in meeting California’s growing energy demands. She noted that the platform helps identify risks early, enhances efficiency, and reduces unnecessary costs while prioritizing safety.
A case study conducted by PG&E revealed that CivilGrid could help avoid $60 million in paving costs across 1,600 planned gas distribution projects. Mackanic aims to attract more clients and address additional regulatory challenges that complicate construction projects in the U.S.
Currently, CivilGrid provides engineers with essential data to make informed decisions about infrastructure placement. Mackanic envisions further automation of processes, streamlining the permitting and construction phases for utility projects.
While the concept of enhancing visibility into underground infrastructure is not new, Mackanic believes that the challenge lies in effectively collecting, organizing, and securing the necessary data, as well as establishing partnerships with potential clients.
Mackanic’s journey from PG&E to CivilGrid reflects a shift in perspective; he recognized that solving these issues would be more effective from an external standpoint rather than within a traditional utility framework. He acknowledged the industry’s operational constraints, noting that utilities operate with tight budgets.
Reflecting on his childhood aspirations of space exploration, Mackanic’s career path took an unexpected turn into the utility sector. His time at PG&E revealed the critical nature of utility work, which ensures that everyday conveniences, like electricity and water, remain uninterrupted.
“Utilities perform remarkable feats daily, and we often overlook their significance,” he remarked.