The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. We are entering a New Electric World, a future characterized by rising energy demand and an increasingly interconnected web of digital grids, infrastructures and industries. At the heart of this evolution lies a fundamental truth: every pathway to decarbonization hinges on renewable power generation. Renewables are not merely an alternative; they are the essential enabler of the energy transition.
The trends are undeniable and accelerating. Projections indicate that by 2050, wind and solar will collectively account for a staggering 62% of the world’s electricity. Solar capacity alone is expected to double within the next decade, with a global commitment from COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Alongside this growth, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are scaling rapidly, with forecasts pointing to grow eightfold by 2030. This massive shift in generation necessitates a corresponding investment in grid infrastructure and flexibility—as investments in renewables will accelerate, we believe investments will be made to modernize and strengthen grids. Reports from the European Court of Auditors Making the EU electricity grid fit for net-zero emissions and the European Parliament EU electricity grids highlight the critical need for substantial investment in grid upgrades to accommodate the influx of renewable energy, enhance flexibility and ensure a resilient energy system.
The top priorities for renewable developers and operators
As renewable deployment accelerates, developers and operators face new layers of complexity to bring renewable projects to life:
- Ensuring Grid Integration & Grid Code Compliance: Seamless, compliant integration of decentralized assets into existing grid infrastructure.
- The Imperative for Speed in Project Execution: Accelerating design and construction to reduce time to market.
- Optimizing Operational Efficiency & System Reliability: Maximizing asset performance, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and leveraging BESS for revenue generation and intermittency mitigation.
Our holistic approach in four steps:
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and integrated strategy that spans the entire renewable project lifecycle. We advocate for a four-step holistic approach that empowers renewable developers and operators:
- Early design stage optimization with Digital Twins: At the earliest design stage, we leverage digital twin technology to develop a unique digital model for network modelization and grid code management. This collaborative design software, underpinned by deep domain expertise, optimizes the profitability and design of even the most complex projects, reducing project risk and lowering lifecycle emissions.
- Model-driven control for efficiency and compliance: The operational phase benefits immensely from a model-driven approach, integrating Power Plant Controllers (PPC) and SCADA systems paired with intelligent hardware. This ensures maximum efficiency, safety, and full compliance with grid codes and cybersecurity standards.
- Data infrastructure and advanced analytics for performance: A robust and open data infrastructure environment, capable of operating both on-premises and in the cloud, is vital. Paired with advanced analytics and software-driven optimization, it provides the insights needed to maximize asset and market performance across diverse portfolios, enabling predictive maintenance and proactive issue resolution.
- Multi-hub expertise for seamless execution: Our multi-hub approach for engineering, manufacturing, and project execution ensures global reach with local expertise. This streamlined process facilitates faster installation and commissioning while maintaining full compliance with grid codes and standards, ultimately accelerating time to market.
The grid perspective: Unifying operations with One Digital Grid Platform
The proliferation of decentralized renewable assets necessitates a robust digital backbone for grid management. The One Digital Grid Platform provides this: an integrated, AI-powered foundation for utilities and asset owners unifies data and operations, enabling real-time insights, predictive analytics, and automation for enhanced grid resiliency and efficiency. It connects solutions across the entire grid lifecycle – from planning to flexibility management – crucial for managing multi-sites and mitigating intermittency Schneider Electric’s One Digital Grid Platform news.
The future of energy is electric, digital, and decentralized. We are actively building this future for a more sustainable world.
To learn more, watch our recent live webinar with experts and join us to accelerate the energy transition together.
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