Digital Transformation for Energy Efficiency

We’ve called efficiency the unsung hero of the energy transition in the past. While the energy transition will happen first through the transition of energy usages, like the shift with transport, from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, or from fuel or gas boilers to heat pumps, we cannot ignore the utmost priority of the energy transition: efficiency. Efficiency is the greatest path to reduce our energy use, our impact on the world’s climate through CO2 emission reduction, and very importantly, the best way to make solid and practical savings. In its most historical form, energy efficiency is about better insulation, to reduce heating (or cooling) loss in buildings like family homes, warehouses, office high rises, and shopping malls. This is useful, but expensive and tedious to realize on existing installations. Digitizing home, buildings, industries and infrastructure brings similar benefits at a much lower cost and a much higher economic return. The combination of IoT, big data, software and AI can significantly reduce energy use and waste by detecting leaky valves, or automatically adjusting heating, lighting, processes and other systems to the number of people present at any given time, using real-time data analysis. It also allows owners to measure precisely progress, report automatically on their energy and sustainability parameters, and benefit from new services through smart grid interaction. And this is just the energy benefit. Automation and digital tools also optimize the processes, safety, reliability, and uptime leading to greater productivity and performance.

We were standing in the middle of one of our production halls. Machines humming. People focused. And one laptop screen showing us something crucial: our energy reality. Mathias Weßelmann and I weren’t looking at a dashboard for the sake of it. We were looking at live data from our Energy Management Service Proficloud.io. It didn’t just show consumption—it revealed patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities. This system connects machines, infrastructure, and buildings into one transparent energy landscape. And ISO 50001 gives us a solid framework for this. But the real value comes when we bring it to life with digital tools. Tools that don’t just collect data, but help us understand where we’re wasting energy, where we’re efficient, and where we can do better. That’s what our Energy Management Service is about. It connects the dots between data, people, and action. Real-time insights allow us to act immediately, not wait for monthly reports. That’s a shift—from reactive to proactive operations. And it supports our sustainability goals without slowing us down. How are you approaching energy management in your operations? Are you using live data or still relying on manual tracking? I’d be interested to hear what’s working for you and where you see room for improvement. Energy efficiency is becoming a strategic capability. Not because it’s required, but because it makes us better. Better at making decisions, better at reducing costs, better at building resilient operations. And that’s exactly what industrial transformation demands. And sometimes, it starts with two people, one laptop, and the willingness to look closer.

Digital and Sustainability Integration 🌍 This framework developed by Bain & Company shows how digital technologies can strengthen sustainability strategies when they are applied in a coordinated way across the business. The approach is presented as a game plan, highlighting different actions to drive transformation, build resilience, and capture opportunities. It organizes the strategy into three key zones: offense, midfield, and defense. Each zone addresses different levers companies can use to combine digital tools with sustainability goals, creating a balanced and forward-looking approach. The offense zone focuses on renewing strategies, innovating with agility, and building collaborations across value chains. These actions help accelerate the benefits of integration while anticipating risks, testing new solutions, and forming partnerships that expand reach and impact. In the midfield, the emphasis is on measuring performance, optimizing processes, reducing waste, and augmenting work models. Accurate measurement and transparent tracking enable better decision-making, while digital optimization unlocks efficiencies in resources, materials, and operations. Reducing waste and improving circularity remain central, supported by digital technologies that make recycling, reuse, and redesign easier to scale. Hybrid work models are enhanced through digital platforms that expand access to talent and strengthen inclusion. The defense zone covers reskilling employees, protecting stakeholders, and securing systems. Preparing the workforce for the era of automation ensures adaptability, while strong digital safeguards protect people, data, and operational integrity. Digital and sustainability agendas are becoming increasingly interconnected as businesses recognize that one enables the other. Digital tools provide the data, automation, and analytical capabilities needed to measure impact, optimize resource use, and scale sustainable practices across entire value chains. At the same time, sustainability priorities guide the focus of digital investments, ensuring technology is applied where it delivers environmental and social value alongside financial returns. This convergence is accelerating because market expectations, regulations, and competitive pressures demand solutions that are both efficient and responsible. From AI-powered energy management to blockchain-based supply chain traceability, the technologies driving digital transformation are also unlocking new pathways for sustainable growth. #sustainability #business #sustainable #esg

Frontiers of Energy Transition - Part 7 - Digitalization: Key pivot for Transition to Clean Energy ****************************************** Digital technologies are set to play a pivotal role in ushering to the era of #cleanenergy. Solutions such as internet of things (#IOT) devices and big data analytics have proven their ability to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions aided by the cutting-edge technologies like digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) which offer promising avenues for decreasing carbon footprints, while blockchain technology can foster reliable and transparent carbon trading. Hardware and software solutions constitute the spectrum of digital technologies. On the hardware front, #smart meters, digital substations, smart electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, digital monitoring equipment, and smart inverters are making significant strides. Software solutions encompass tools for demand-side management, advanced distribution management systems (ADMS), energy generation and demand forecasting, as well as network planning tools and geographic information systems. Digitalization's impact extends beyond emissions reduction to improving systemic efficiencies. Real-time data becomes a key insight for an efficient and responsive grid, enhancing reliability and cost efficiency. The integration of smart meters and smart grids through an enabling infrastructure mesh exemplifies how digital infrastructure transforms the grid, delivering significant cost savings to distribution companies. This also provides reasonable control and insights to consumers, propels Distributed Energy Resources through net metering, facilitates the integration of renewables into the grid, and bolsters the net-zero mission by enabling decarbonization. However, the journey towards digitalization requires addressing concerns about #dataprivacy, considering the ever-expanding collection of detailed data from connected devices. Policymakers must prioritize data governance to establish robust frameworks and protocols governing the collection, storage, and utilization of data within the grid. This prioritization enables efficient monitoring and analysis of energy consumption patterns, renewable energy generation, and overall grid performance. Governments, by focusing on these aspects, can lay the foundation for a resilient and efficient energy system, steering the transition towards a Net Zero emissions future. IntelliSmart Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.India Smart Grid Forum International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) International Energy Agency (IEA) The World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

Efficient energy management in workspaces shows how technology can shape more responsible business practices because it reduces waste, improves operational decisions, and strengthens the connection between economic performance and sustainability. When examining how smart sensors and connected systems are transforming buildings, we see more than just automation. We recognize the ability to understand usage patterns in real time, to adjust equipment schedules dynamically, and to reduce costs with targeted precision. These are measurable results that demonstrate the value of integrating intelligence into everyday operations. At the same time, sustainability goals gain practical support. Data-driven energy use reduces environmental impact while aligning with corporate ESG commitments. It is a concrete way to combine efficiency with responsibility, making workplaces more adaptive and future-ready. The question for business leaders is how quickly they are ready to embrace these solutions, because the benefits extend far beyond lower utility bills. They touch strategy, resilience, and the credibility of sustainability pledges. #Energy #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #FutureOfWork

Building ESG: Digital Disruption: A Catalyst for Sustainability _______________________________________ In an era marked by increasing environmental challenges, digital technology has emerged as a powerful tool for sustainability. By leveraging innovative solutions, organizations can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency and resilience. * Strengthening Data Privacy and Security: At the core of any sustainable digital transformation is the protection of data privacy and security. By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, organizations can prevent data breaches and minimize the environmental impact of data storage and processing. * Optimizing Resource Allocation: Digital tools can revolutionize resource management by providing real-time data and analytics. By analyzing consumption patterns and identifying inefficiencies, organizations can optimize the use of energy, water, and other resources. This not only reduces costs but also contributes to environmental conservation. * Enhancing Employee Work and Safety: Digital technologies can create safer and more productive work environments. Remote work solutions, for example, can reduce commuting emissions and improve work-life balance. * Enabling Data Gathering and Storage: The ability to collect and analyze vast amounts of data is essential for informed decision-making and sustainable practices. Digital platforms can facilitate data gathering and storage, enabling organizations to track their environmental performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement targeted sustainability initiatives. * Increasing Energy, Water, or Fuel Efficiency: Digital technologies can play a crucial role in optimizing energy, water, and fuel consumption. Smart grids, for example,can enable more efficient energy distribution and reduce energy waste. Similarly, digital sensors can monitor water usage and identify leaks, helping to conserve this precious resource. * Reducing Carbon Emissions: Addressing climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Digital technologies can help organizations reduce their carbon footprint by optimizing energy consumption, improving transportation efficiency, and adopting renewable energy sources. How can your organization leverage digital technology to drive sustainability initiatives and create a more sustainable future? (Disclaimer: Views are personal, should not be related to organisations view) Please feel free to add your views, in case you want to share this article please click on the link below #buildingEsg #circulareconomy #greenbonds #climatechange #climateaction #enviornment #sustainability #esgrisk #climaterisk #ecofriendly #climaterisks #india #emissions #esgratings #esg #cop29 #greenertogether

Digital transformation will help adapt grid operation to climate change and the energy transition. Agile program management, derived from the agile methodology in the software product industry, can help utilities implement digital solutions with a risk-aware and affordable roadmap: Upon establishing a clear and articulated vision with strategic goals, experts from multiple departments and external vendors brainstorm and collaborate on iterative experiments that can scale fast once the solution's real value and cost/benefit have been demonstrated. We are working with experts on industrial agility like Gonzague Hétier to develop this novel agile approach, which I have labeled Grid Agility™, based on 30 years of return on experience designing and deploying digital systems for grid operation. Grid Agility is designed to assist the progressive implementation of any of the ultimate three pillars of Utilities’ digital grid transformation: - Digital Substations - Digital Twins - Virtual Power Plants Digital Substations are the ultimate evolution of protection, automation, and control (PAC) with the secure application of information technology (IP networks, Virtualization) and global standards (IEC 61850). A digital substation program will reduce the cost of maintaining existing substations and shorten the time needed to build new substations to support demand growth and renewable integration. It will enable a future-ready software platform at every step of the grid to deploy self-healing grid controls and adaptive protection schemes that can react to sudden variations of power dynamics. Digital Twins are the ultimate evolution of operational technology systems (OT) with edge-to-cloud deployment of data management and analytics capable of simulating, predicting, anticipating, and optimizing grid operations. It starts with traditional SCADA systems (EMS/ADMS). It evolves into cloud-based simulators, capable of scaling with the Internet of Things and flow architectures and employing generative AI to assist operators. Digital twins with time series security-constrained economic dispatch (SCED) can continuously optimize grid and plant operations and avoid renewable curtailment while ensuring reliability in market-driven power systems. Virtual Power Plants are the ultimate evolution of DER integration where grid operators trust the capability of DERs to address grid stability in real-time during routine and emergency operations: optimize the cost of supply and avoid renewable curtailment with incentive-based demand management, distributed generation, and storage programs while dispatching these VPP resources to address emergency events in real-time. I will attend the IEEE PES Grid Edge Technologies Conference & Expo in San Diego (January 21-23) and the DISTRIBUTECH conference in Dallas (March 24-27). I will report on what’s new about these three topics. Connect with me or visit my website, www.fidesty.com, for more information.

Exciting update from Brussels! Ahead of this week’s European Clean Industrial Deal, we launched a joint report with Global Counsel: "Enabling Digital Efficiency: The Opportunity for a More Competitive and Resilient Energy Transition." This report provides policymakers with a strategic roadmap to align energy efficiency with economic priorities. It highlights the need for collaboration between public and private sectors, focusing on electrification, AI for sustainability, and energy-efficient digital infrastructure. Key recommendations include setting clear targets, developing aligned standards, fiscal incentives, workforce re-skilling, and modernizing public infrastructure. We hope this report will spark policy discussions and opportunities, aligning competitiveness with climate ambitions. Special thanks to Tom White for co-hosting last week's roundtable—what a robust discussion! Read the report ➡️ https://lnkd.in/enN-uujV Evan G. Pastora Valero Diane Mievis Cecilia Hughes #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #DigitalTransformation