There’s no shortage of concerns and excitement around artificial intelligence technology. Once considered science fiction, it’s no secret AI faces the stigma of apprehension. But with any threat also comes immense opportunity. And like any other powerful tool, it can be applied in different ways. It is expansive in nature and a construct that is applicable to various industries and multiple domains. For the purposes of this blog, we will explore AI exclusively in the context of its ability to transform the future of the grid within the energy industry.

How Does It Work?
To best appreciate what AI can do for us, it’s important to understand how it works. To simplify this, let’s think about how a human brain works foundationally. Consider a human’s senses: we have eyes, ears, a sense of touch – and all these senses collect information, and we have hands, legs, etc. to take actions as actuators. That information, or data, is then broken down by the human brain to determine our surroundings, experiences, and learnings. Artificial intelligence utilizes the human brain-like functionalities using what we call “models” - which are designed to perform data science tasks and specific analysis. These algorithms are programmed to recognize patterns and use that data to essentially make decisions.

In an intelligent machine, AI processing has sensors as inputs and actuators as outputs. In developing AI, we are essentially training and programming the machine with various scenarios of inputs and outputs. Much like how a human learns that you can’t touch hot surfaces through the experience of getting hurt as the outcome, machines acquire learnings based on the inputs and outputs developers provide – this is called training the model. Once the training is complete, a test is performed with pass/fail criteria, creating predicative algorithms. The more data the machine receives, the more accurate the forecasts and analysis can be.

The Digital Twin
One element of AI is Digital Twin technology. A Digital Twin is a digital model designed to imitate a physical object, system, or process. The physical product is outfitted with sensors that gather intel and then apply it to the digital copy. Digital Twin technology is being used within the power industry primarily for detection purposes related to cybersecurity and troubleshooting of the grid. GE has gone beyond detection. With GE’s Digital Ghost technology, we’ve enabled localization, forecasting, detection, and neutralization – helping to facilitate the energy transition as we move towards the grid of the future and the associated challenges of the Energy Trilemma.

The Digital Ghost
Let’s back up a bit. AI has many functions and can be applied to many applications – ranging from cyber-defense to asset performance management – and multiple domains such as renewable generators, to transmission and distribution. And as global grid demand grows, so does the computation of power: not only are there more machines, but we have the ability to add more information to more machines. With that said, many critical infrastructure such as electric power grids are operated via central control systems. These control systems act like the brain of the network through data collection from sensors. Due to the critical nature of these assets, protection and safety of these assets is imperative. GE Global Research developed Digital Ghost technology which can go beyond detecting anomalies in the grid system. It has the ability to localize the anomaly and neutralize the impact. With modernization and digitalization of the grid, artificial intelligence has the power (pun intended) to make great strides and solve some of the challenges our modern networks are facing.

During the last decade, many companies have escalated their adoption of AI technology and increased related investments.  It’s clear that artificial intelligence is here to stay – within our industry and beyond.

What do you think: can AI help us build something that will solve the Energy Trilemma?

In my last blog, I explored artificial intelligence as it pertains to the energy industry. I want to thank you for your participation in the corresponding poll where we invited you to share whether you think AI is an enabler for the energy transition or something that needs to be approached with caution. Your feedback was not a surprise – 57% see it as an enabler, while 43% think we need to be vigilant. The balanced view of excitement and caution is a sentiment I echo: AI is an enabler, but we need to do it right and we need to do it with care.

How do we apply and use this technology for the greater good?

So, what is trustworthy AI?
A term coined by the European Commission and based on ethics guidelines, “trustworthy AI” is essentially a standardized methodology for how we approach the use of such technology. It outlines three main criteria for what trustworthy AI should be:

• Lawful: respects all applicable laws and regulations
• Ethical: respects ethical principles and values
• Robust: systems need to be resilient, safe, and secure from a technical standpoint while considering the social environment

And these types of protocols are nothing new. We are a highly regulated industry, and every type of offering faces a level of scrutiny, improvement initiatives, and standardization processes. Much like we have regulations in place to provide reliable, equitable, and sustainable power, the three elements pertaining to AI are critical. The technology needs to be lawful, it needs to be human-centric, and it needs to be technically sound as it considers the specific use case of the industry.

How do we do it?
By default, artificial intelligence will not be human-centric if we are not ahead of it. There are critical considerations to take into account. At this point, AI cannot be ignored – it is imminent. The question then turns to: how do we develop it responsibly? There’s no doubt that this is a powerful technology, so we need to get ahead of the game and innovate with equal parts caution and optimism. Because trustworthy AI can enable and propel the energy transition into territory never seen before.

In terms of its development, it’s imperative that we work together and collaborate as an industry, and I deeply respect the international-level initiatives and discussions taking place on the topic. In tandem with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN’s AI for Good is a platform where AI developers and innovators can share their learnings and connect to build solutions that can help advance the SDGs. AI can play a massive role in this respect and have a global impact. Another example is the European Commission’s funding opportunities, encouraging industry participation and engaging in this type of work. Furthermore, I recently participated in an international Power and Energy discussions regarding AI/ML applications for power systems.

But how can we be cautious? When computers and the Internet first revolutionized the world, there was a similar cautionary fear. But technology has immense benefits: it has enabled innovation beyond our wildest dreams, it has afforded enhanced efficiency, and has provided improved safety for what were previously risky jobs, for instance.

Safety first
The truth of the matter is, at GE Vernova and across the industry, we take AI development and implementation very seriously. We are applying rigorous verification processes in place for AI enabled innovations, considering evolving international standards and regulatory guidelines. We collaborate, taking part in various partnerships and consortiums. Our research is driven by more human-centric initiatives at a global level. And simply put, if it doesn’t prove to be trustworthy, we will continue to innovate until it is. We must be ready to learn from the challenges and trials that AI technology will inevitably bring.

There is no room for compromise.

It’s no secret that climate change is increasing the quantity, size, duration, and severity of adverse weather events. Canadian officials labelled 2023 as the worst wildfire season for the country on record. Unfortunately, similar sentiments can be shared about the rest of the world. In recent years, fires have ravaged Australia, Hawaii, Greece, and Algeria – to sadly name but a few – pointing to an alarming increase. Arguably, the striking growth in these extreme events is linked to changing climate conditions. Heat waves, for instance, can make a wildfire season last longer than average, and fires are also erupting in areas that previously hadn’t seen them due to drought and rising temperatures. And with fires emitting CO₂, a vicious cycle is created. Not only is this sounding major alarm bells, but it’s also necessitating innovation.

A wake-up call for action: how can the grid help?
The reality is that times are changing, and we need to collectively be more vigilant than ever before. The power and energy industry has a significant role to play, and it’s important that there is growing attention being given to wildfire mitigation and other related (and unrelated) safety aspects, and it is evident that organizations are placing needed emphasis on such topics. A California-based utility, for example, published a report in June 2023 in which wildfires were featured as a key research and development theme with its own chapter. Other utilities also have wildfire mitigation guides and more robust safety protocols in general.

There is no shying away from the notion that the grid is in an interesting position. The world is seeing massive development and growth in infrastructure. With this growth, we’re seeing more and more overhead lines and transmission cables sometimes passing through areas of vegetation, creating perfect conditions to potentially ignite a fire. As a result, safety and resiliency are at the top of the agenda for our industry.

Grid safety has always been a priority – from cybersecurity threats to physical hazards (extreme or not). One of the key initiatives of developing the grid of the future is making the grid more safe and more resilient, and the pathway is two-fold. On one side we have the construction of policy, such as wildfire prevention strategies at a business level. Here, collaboration is absolutely critical, and we need to continue working with utilities on the challenges facing our industry. Furthermore, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our product and solution offering. The grid requires hardening for safe operations – innovation is a key ingredient in designing a safer network.

How GE Vernova's Electrification business can help
Our fire mitigation solutions put protecting people and property at the forefront. Our GridNode High-Speed Falling Conductor Protection solution detects and isolates broken overhead line conductors before they hit the ground, reducing the risk of fire ignition. I’m proud to work alongside many peers with vast expertise in this space.

Avoiding asset damage and/or failure and ensuring safety while providing reliable power is a requisite of every global utility. Analytical approaches and advanced solutions can and will enable the industry to make data-driven decisions and take action to safeguard the grid, and consequently, the planet.

If you are a part of the power industry, you’re likely familiar with the International Energy Agency (IEA), a global, autonomous, and intergovernmental organization that is responsible for industry data analysis and policy recommendations. In parallel with the aforementioned responsibilities, the agency publishes reports at regular intervals on topics related to the energy sector. On October 17, 2023, the IEA released a report titled “Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions”, whose focus was two-fold: first, it took on a global view of electric grids and what the industry needs to do to effectively navigate through the energy transition.

At a high level, the report consolidates the challenges of the Energy Trilemma and the required path forward for a successful grid of the future. Overall, the themes are nothing new: we know the innovation and collaboration that’s critical. We also know the magnitude of the problem. At least, I thought we did.

Challenge 1: Magnitude
While the topics of the report were not a surprise, the data was alarming. With a global growth in power consumption, the grid needs to almost double in size by 2040. Problematically, there are at least 3,000 GW of renewable power projects in connection queues, meaning the grid is becoming a bottleneck for the transition to net-zero emissions.

The scale of the problem is increasing. In fact, it’s evident that numerous factors are compounding. Grid congestion is growing – and it’s increasing operating costs. Higher electricity prices are causing regulators to shift to output-based schemes, but grid-related outages are simultaneously having a major economic impact worldwide. In fact, per the report, outages amounted to “a global economic loss of at least $100 billion USD in 2021.” At the same time, voltages are increasing, and as the voltage increases so does the complexity of the grid.

Challenge 2: Speed
To complement the rise in electricity generation and the magnitude of the challenges the grid is facing, modernizing our networks needs to be done at a faster pace. Aging infrastructure is a setback while the race to the future is upon us, and if we don’t pick up the speed, we’ll collectively fall behind. Of course, software is faster to design and implement than hardware, so while digitization and automation can be deployed at a faster rate, high-voltage equipment, for example, takes between 5-13 years to develop and build. To provide you with further general benchmarking, software-defined engineering can take anywhere from days to hours, automation systems typically take months, and physical equipment like power lines takes years. And years are a luxury we don’t have.

What Needs to Be Done
A lot needs to be done in order to (re)build the “foundations of resilient, sustainable, and affordable power systems”. Innovation, investment, collaboration, and unison in policy are key instruments in accelerating the speed at which we expand the grid of the future. To meet decarbonization objectives, investment needs to nearly double in the next six years. There also needs to be a stronger emphasis on modernizing our systems for resilience, reliability, and overall security. Predictive monitoring and autonomous control are areas to examine closely. With that said, urgency around these matters is apparent. On October 18, 2023, shortly before the release of the IEA report, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a massive billion-dollar+ investment in the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program aimed at enhancing grid resilience through selected projects in the U.S.

Anterix – a telecom operations company that is now the largest holder of licensed, 900 MHz spectrum in the U.S. – held one of its Industry Insights webinars on the development of a multi-band LTE communications module that is helping to modernize private LTE (PLTE) networks. I was privileged to participate in the session, along with other panelists from members of the Anterix Active Ecosystem program which included GE Vernova, 4RF, and RAD. These three vendors are collaborating with Anterix and Sequans on collaborating on the development and manufacturing of the LTE Cat-4 module, which will be integrated into the GE product line to provide North American utilities with a flexible, high-performance, and cost-effective solution for their critical PLTE infrastructure.  

So, what is the LTE Cat-4 module?
The session started off with an overview of the features of the new module before going into the benefits and a discussion on how this solution will help accelerate the PLTE device ecosystem. In short, the module has the capability of combining 900 MHz, CBRS, and common public carrier bands, giving a utility flexible deployment options. What this means is that it could run on public networks such as AT&T or Verizon, as well as private networks, namely Anterix and CBRS.

When you think of how “smart” and connected our world has become – from our phones to electric vehicles, to modernized power grids, there is a growing need to capture information in real time for optimal decision-making and control. This drives the need for high-speed PLTE networks and easy-to-deploy and flexible solutions that this module enables.

Accelerating advancements
As we face the grid of the future, better connectivity and coverage is essential. For example, a utility needs to be able to adequately provision for increasing use cases including electrical vehicle charging and distributed generation (like solar and wind). But there are additional reasons for utilities opting to choose private LTE. With growing cybersecurity attacks and adverse weather events, better resilience is critical. Users want a network that is in their control, while having access to public networks in the event of a failover. Proprietary solutions aren’t the go-to anymore – they want something that’s supported universally by the industry.

Sustainable, secure, flexible, resilient, and reliable – these are the key words when discussing critical infrastructure networks. Utilities are increasingly considering PLTE as a technology choice for their future private networks. They want solutions that provide the flexibility of deploying multiple spectrum options in a cost-effective manner across their service territories. This need is driving vendors like GE Vernova to offer a single SKU that can utilize both Anterix 900MHz and CBRS spectrum choices. And these are all important ingredients in the development of the Cat-4 module. And in addition to being standards-based technology, customers are getting an added layer of validation being backed by the Anterix Active Ecosystem. As the grid gets modernized, this module is allowing us to support utilities in accelerating the advancement of highly optimized, resilient, and reliable networks.

Teamwork makes the dream work
Value chains are extraordinarily complex, so it helps to have partners and vendors across the ecosystem. Most recently, the pandemic highlighted a number of supply chain issues, and in many ways, new ways of doing business. This drove customers to look for increased supply chain diversity, with various vendors supplying redundant and compatible offerings. I applaud the Anterix Active Ecosystem for taking the lead for the utility community and vendors to collaborate and help finance the effort of the development of the module to be refined by different vendors in their individual product offerings, and at a higher level, to help modernize LTE networks.

What’s next?
The future remains incredibly difficult to predict. If recent events are any indication, we will continue to face unprecedented challenges. We don’t know what’s ahead of us, but we are seeing an uptick in the adoption of private LTE from utilities and the solutions GE Vernova is working on let us put resiliency, reliability, security, and sustainability at the top of the list.

For more information, watch the full webinar here.

From June 7-8, 2023, I had the privilege of attending the 2023 UTC Telecom & Technology Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The event brought together more than 1,200 industry professionals for educational seminars, an exhibit hall, and networking opportunities – all pertaining to trending topics in the industry. And private LTE (PLTE) was a common theme that made a lot of noise.

Behind the scenes

An important aspect of our participation at this year’s event included presentations and open discussions with our customers and industry peers. Collaboration is a hot topic at GE Vernova, and we strive to build partnerships and work together with key utilities and EPCs as we face the energy transition and evolution to the grid of the future. Through understanding our customers’ needs and educating them on their available options, we can determine our strategy about the migration to PLTE and the formulae of the existing ecosystem to determine where our business can add value and explore the turnkey solutions GE Vernova offers.

From the “why?” to the “how?”

It is evident that the industry, in general, is moving beyond the “why private LTE?” and is currently at the “should we invest or how do we implement this?” stage. Many utilities are convinced on the value PLTE brings, but perhaps stalling on which option to move forward with. And rightly so. The cost of implementation is significant, and utilities are challenged to justify the large investment a PLTE network requires, which is why it’s critical to collaborate and share the use cases and benefits.

The market for private LTE is strong. Though it is in its early stages, the next few years will see significant growth as spectrum solutions develop and more options emerge globally. There is no doubt that technology is heading in this direction and larger scale migration will be seen, which is one of the reasons GE Vernova will continue to invest and develop solutions for cellular and PLTE.  These solutions need to be reliable, resilient, and flexible in order to future-proof our customers’ next generation networks. 

Our focus is, and always has been, providing cost-efficient, reliable, and innovative solutions. Our attendance at the UTC event re-enforced the need for deploying better and expanded solutions to drive further acceptance and adoption. And although the future is hard to predict, it’s safe to say that that PLTE will be part of it.

Everywhere you go, you hear the term “energy transition”. It’s a topic of broad and current interest, particularly as the industry – and the world at large – face unprecedented change. In this recent interview from ENLIT Europe 2023, we caught up with GE Vernova’s Business Incubator Leader, Claudia Blanco, to get her thoughts on what’s happening in the power sector and what’s next for the future of energy as we strive to ensure energy security while also achieving the world’s decarbonization goals. 

What would you say are the top three challenges in navigating the energy transition? 

By 2040, global electricity demand is projected to grow by 50%. At the same time, a heightened focus on sustainability objectives demands that we integrate renewables into the energy mix at a faster rate. Around the world, aging grid infrastructure is ill-equipped to meet this growing demand and integrate renewables, requiring investment in grid modernization as well as a rethinking of the regulatory, industrial, and resource environment to enable hurried modernization. 

The integration of renewables into the grid introduces new variables that challenge reliability and stability. As an industry, we must look to new technologies to ensure uninterrupted, stable electricity when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. We must create a digitized, bidirectional grid that can adapt to faults, changing loads, and multiple energy sources in microseconds. 

In the past five years, geopolitical events, the pandemic, and extreme weather have all challenged energy security and supply chain stability. The lesson learned is that we need to have secure, resilient, and sustainable technology, networks, and supply chains to ensure such variables (and beyond) do not disrupt the energy transition. 

What would you say is one single action that can drastically accelerate the deployment of more sustainable energy? 

It’s difficult to pick just one as there are so many critical factors necessary. But if I had to choose, I’d argue that long-term investment, backed by sound policy and regulation, is one of the most important action items. Governments and businesses must invest not only in clean energy generation, such as solar photovoltaics and wind turbines, but also in a modernized grid that has the capacity to accept and efficiently use renewable energy in a way that is affordable and reliable. The International Energy Agency estimates that the world will need to step up grid investment from approximately $700 billion currently to $1,200 billion per year by 2030 to reach net-zero by 2050. 

A lot must be done on a global scale for sure. In a regional sense, what excites you most about the European energy transition? 

We are at an inflection point. The decisions we make today pave the way for the future of energy. There have been some strong market signals from governments and policy makers to accelerate the clean energy transition in recent years. I am awed by the innovation of the past decade with the emergence of digital technologies, the arrival of increasingly affordable distributed power technologies, decarbonization through the maturation of renewable energy and energy efficiency options, and finally, the electrification of energy uses. How we deploy these new technologies will set the course for not only a decarbonized future but a world in which reliable, affordable energy is accessible to everyone.   

Do you think Europe is at risk of losing its first-mover status in the energy transition? 

I firmly believe that this is not a zero-sum game of winners and losers. The energy transition demands collaboration above all. We must come together to align policies, regulation, and standardization so we can meet electrification and decarbonization goals as quickly and efficiently as possible. It’s imperative to work together to create a secure energy technology supply chain so that our work is uninterrupted. 

Thank you, Claudia. It’s evident that grid modernization is the key to meeting energy demands and net-zero goals as we work through the energy transition.  

There are challenges, of course, but there are also immense opportunities. I am so privileged to have participated in ENLIT Europe because it’s truly remarkable to see the industry come together. I can’t wait to see what’s next! 

In late 2023, I had the privilege of attending ISGT Europe 2023 in Grenoble, France as both a panelist and a keynote speaker. It’s always an honor to represent GE Vernova, which was the Gold Sponsor of the conference. The conference is organized by the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) and Université Grenoble Alpes in France and this year’s theme was “Powering Solutions for Decarbonized and Resilient Future Smartgrids” – highlighting a variety of trending topics. One such topic was “Mid-term resilience: Securing the supply chain through the Net-Zero Industry Act and Critical Raw Materials Act”. In this panel, I explored how policies and regulations can contribute to improving the resilience of future grids and sought to answer questions like how we can improve power system flexibility and manage the increasing integration of renewables. 

What Needs to Be Done? 
We are collectively witnessing a massive global shift – not just with the energy transition, but with events of impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and unfortunate wars. These events revealed just how fast and how deeply global supply chains can be disrupted. The disruption of critical raw material and key technologies is creating roadblocks for our industry, and beyond. 

Achieving a resilient grid is a multidimensional challenge that affects the entire power value chain from power generation, transmission, and distribution to managing it at the local level (mining, refining, data centers, etc.). A total end-to-end value analysis of the supply chain must be done if we really want to make our electricity systems resilient.

As such, it’s critical to consider: 

• An increase in demand will require an increase of critical raw material extraction and critical technologies. 

• The limited availability of countries that offer critical raw material and critical technologies will impact cost. 

• Permits for extraction of critical raw material. 

• The increased cost of electricity. 

• Growing digitalization of supply chain management. 

Two Acts, One Vision 
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) published in March 2023, was presented in parallel with the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The CRMA contains proposals for legislation to further the production of critical raw materials while the NZIA aims to scale up the manufacturing of clean technologies within the EU. Some of the proposals that the CRMA and NZIA bring forward are: 

• The CRMA sets benchmarks for improved domestic capacities in the EU: 

• At least 10% of EU annual consumption from extraction within the EU by 2030 

• At least 40% of EU annual consumption must be processed and refined within the EU by 2030 

• At least 15% of EU annual consumption sourced from recycling by 2030 

• Opportunities to access public and private financing for strategic projects 

• Streamlining permitting procedures 

• Set up of an EU export credit facility 

• Net-zero strategic projects 

• Investment opportunities 

• Facilitating access to markets 

• Innovation: establishing regulatory sandboxes 

As a result, these two Acts are critical to pay attention to as we move forward. Governments, policy makers, utilities, and technology/raw material providers we must work in partnership to solve the complex problem of supply chain resilience that we have in front of us. 

The global energy landscape stands at the threshold of a remarkable transformation, driven by the compelling need to combat climate change and pivot toward more sustainable energy sources. This monumental shift, often termed the “energy transition,” presents an array of formidable challenges for power utilities, the essential actors in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. In this blog, I will explore the key challenges confronting power utilities as they navigate the energy transition and look at potential solutions, with a specific emphasis on the pivotal role of digitalization as a catalyst. 

The Forces Behind the Transition

The energy transition is propelled by a convergence of factors, including the imperative to slash carbon emissions, the ascendance of renewable energy technologies, and the burgeoning awareness of environmental sustainability. These factors collectively pose substantial challenges to power utilities.

Among the most pressing challenges facing power utilities today is the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into established power grids. These sources are characterized by their intermittent and variable nature, necessitating effective management strategies to balance supply and demand while ensuring grid stability. 

In response to the energy transition, power utilities must be upgrading protection schemes and dynamic loading mechanisms to enhance grid resilience and accommodate the fluctuations in power generation associated with renewable sources. 

The Role of Digitalization 

Digitalization, made possible through advanced sensors and monitoring systems, empowers utilities to collect real-time data and perform sophisticated analyses. This enables utilities to anticipate and manage the variability of renewable energy sources, ultimately optimizing grid operations and stability. 

The prevalence of aging and outdated power grids worldwide compounds the challenge. Modernizing these grids is essential for improving operational efficiency, enhancing reliability, and bolstering resilience in the face of changing energy demands. 

In the era of the energy transition, having real-time knowledge of the actual condition of electrical assets is invaluable. It allows for optimized operational expenditure (OPEX) through condition-based maintenance and facilitates informed capital expenditure (CAPEX) decisions by prioritizing assets based on data-driven assessments. Digitalization paves the way for Asset Performance Management (APM) systems, which harness data analytics and predictive maintenance algorithms to identify and address potential issues. APM extends the lifespan of equipment, augments grid reliability, and facilitates the shift from time-based to condition-based maintenance. We recognize the important role APM plays in digitalization. Amongst GE Vernova’s APM solutions, the capabilities provided by our EnergyAPM software solution stood out and helped secure our position at the top. 

As power utilities increasingly rely on digital technologies and smart electrification, they become more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. In response, safeguarding critical infrastructure against cyberattacks becomes paramount. Critical communication technologies, fortified with robust cybersecurity measures, ensure secure and dependable data exchange within the power grid. These technologies are instrumental in thwarting cyber threats while preserving operational efficiency. 

Additionally, navigating a swiftly evolving regulatory and policy landscape is another aspect that power utilities are facing. Government mandates, incentives, and evolving regulations can exert profound impacts on utility operations and business models. 

Power utilities must remain agile and engage in advocacy endeavors to influence policies conducive to the energy transition. Collaboration with government agencies and industry stakeholders is indispensable for aligning regulatory frameworks with sustainable energy objectives. 

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

The energy transition ushers in both challenges and opportunities for power utilities. To successfully navigate this transition, utilities must embrace digitalization as a transformative force. It empowers utilities to confront the key challenges presented by the integration of renewable energy sources, grid modernization, cybersecurity, and optimized asset performance. 

Monitoring and diagnostics of electrical assets, coupled with digital technologies, critical communication systems, and adaptation to evolving regulatory frameworks, constitute essential components of a sustainable and resilient energy future. As power utilities evolve and harness digital innovations, their pivotal role in facilitating the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy paradigm will profoundly influence the future of energy production and consumption. 

The world is facing unprecedented change at unprecedented rates. From climate change to growth in power demand to supply chain disruptions, the industry has undergone a massive shift in the last decade – and that shift is about to get a whole lot bigger. We sat down with GE Vernova’s Business Incubator Leader, Claudia Blanco for a discussion about what’s next for the future of energy. 

Last year, we faced numerous scenarios globally that brought energy security to the top of the agenda. What do you think the industry will face at the start of this year?  

I think there’s a sense of “cautious optimism”. Grid operators are increasingly looking into better system reliability amidst power supply shortages during peak hours. We’ve heard warnings about aging infrastructure and networks being almost exhausted in many areas, especially with the growing demand for solar panels, heat pumps, and charging stations for electric vehicles. 

With this, governments and utilities are working together on implementing preventative measures and to help meet demand. For example, the Netherlands announced proposing incentives for large companies to use less electricity at peak times.  

What are the key factors to making electrical grids more resilient?  
We have seen some disruptions in supply chain management, particularly during the recent pandemic. If we want to accelerate the energy transition, we need to ensure access to raw materials and key technologies. Steel is one such example, as a lot of critical infrastructure, such as wind turbines, are made from it. What do we need to do to ensure that energy producers have the steel they need to move forward without delay on these key projects?  

What about policies? Would regulations create resilience?
Policies are definitely a part of the equation. Ensuring energy security and achieving net-zero is both a technology and a policy challenge. One key piece of legislation in Europe is the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which focuses on ensuring that Europe isn’t relying on other countries for 16 strategic raw materials that are essential for clean technology products as well as clean energy.  

We know that electricity demand will increase by 50% over the next two decades as more industries and the transportation sector decarbonize and electrify. What do we need to do to meet that challenge?
There are a few core things that are required to meet the challenges of decarbonization, including raw materials, increased manufacturing capacity, skilled engineers, digitized supply chain, and harmonized regulatory policies.   

Do you think clean hydrogen has a role to play?
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and we know how to create zero-carbon fuel by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This element has a key role to play in the global energy transition by helping to diversify energy sources worldwide, as well as foster business and technological innovation. Its unique properties make it a powerful enabler for the energy transition, with benefits for both the energy system and end-use applications like chemicals, transport, and heat generation. 

You also mentioned the need for more engineers and people skilled in the STEM fields, where there is a bit of a gender gap. As an industrial engineer, what would you say to girls and young women who are considering STEM as a career? 
STEM careers are key to addressing the challenges that face our world today and into the future. To meet net-zero targets and the 2030 agenda, we need these careers. We compete with jobs that seem more attractive, like being an “influencer”, and the industrial field isn’t perhaps perceived as “attractive” or “fun”. But it’s a fulfilling career where you can make a massive impact. We must innovate in the way we attract diverse talent and make this industry appealing. We’re being innovative in our products and services, and there’s an excitement in that. I’ve met so many women in the field who I am so motivated by, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for the industry. 

Thank you for your time, Claudia – we appreciate the valuable insight! 
Thank you!