This report examines digital transformation in the Green Energy Tech area as enabled by the key technology groups that are the focus of Transforma Insights’ research, including Artificial Intelligence, Distributed Ledger and Internet of Things. It identifies 8 key 'Domains of Change' in the energy sector, each of which is examined in detail.
Digital technologies hold a tremendous potential to accelerate green energy transitions which includes successful integration of renewables into the energy supply mix, the adoption of electrification in many contexts that have previously been powered by hydrocarbon fuels, and improvements in energy storage. As both centralised and distributed renewable energy sources are integrated into the grid, their variability poses a challenge for energy operators as they lack what has historically been the principal quality needed for integration with the central grid: a stable and predictable power output. In this context, demand-side flexibility is also important to ensure that customers shift their electricity demand to times when electricity is more ‘plentiful and green’ and reduce demand during peak load periods. Digital technologies can help integrate a higher share of (variable) renewables and better match supply and demand from heterogeneous decentralised sources such as electric vehicles (EVs), storage batteries, and connected appliances. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), digital technologies could save USD1.8 trillion of grid investment in the period to 2050 by extending the lifetime of grids, integrating renewables, and minimising supply chain disruptions. To date, progress has been concentrated in developed countries and requires strong efforts by policymakers to realise the full potential of digitalisation.
Green energy transition requires a high level of digitalisation across all grid processes including generation, transmission, distribution, and at the end-user location. Overall, we have identified eight key domains of change in the Green Energy Tech area that are enabled by digital transformation.
These are discussed in more detail in this document and comprise:
Collectively, the activities listed above will bring significant changes to the Green Energy Tech area.
The findings of this report were based on wide-ranging analysis of digital transformation in the Green Energy Tech area, including analysis of sector Case Studies included in Transforma Insights’ Best Practice & Vendor Selection Database. This database includes over a thousand case studies that collectively illustrate how new emerging technologies can impact enterprises in all sectors. At the time of writing, the database included 1,168 case studies in total, 46 of which are in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution sub-sector. The 46 case studies collectively provide 126 illustrations of Use Case deployments in the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution sub-sector sector (since more than one Use Case can be associated with a single case study).
The report examines digital transformation in the Green Energy Tech area as enabled by the key technology groups that are the focus of Transforma Insights’ research. These technology groups comprise:
Accordingly, the aim of this document is not to chart the future direction of the transportation and storage industry, but to highlight key areas of change enabled by new and emerging technologies. The bulk of this report is concerned with the discussion of these key areas of change, including an overview of each area, together with an analysis of the business impact, and associated with each area. We also identify key enabling technologies for each area (from the list above) and provide summary details of illustrative case studies that are available in Transforma Insights Best Practice & Vendor Selection database.
The purpose of this report is two-fold. Firstly, from the perspective of participants in the energy sector the document highlights new and emerging changes that can be expected to impact the electricity industry in the next few years. Secondly, from the perspective of potential vendors to the Green Tech industry, it highlights the key emerging areas of opportunity to sell new products, services, and solutions to the industry. Our analysis of the key technologies that enable each of the identified areas of digital transformation will help vendors of horizontal (technology-specific) capabilities to identify the contexts in which they may secure new business supporting Green Energy Tech.
