What We Learned About the Green Energy Transition at Enlit 2022

In 2022, the energy supply chain erupted into public consciousness like never before through spiralling energy prices. Government borrowing programmes have softened the blow to consumers, but as we move into 2023, the transition to sustainable energy can’t come soon enough.

This transition depends on governments, business and civil society harnessing technologies that already exist. From the software that helps energy companies manage astoundingly complex operations, to the critical hardware like solar panels and turbines, the building blocks of a green energy future are ready to be moved into place. It just takes people to make that happen.

The Enlit conference gives those people a platform to plan for the energy revolution. The most recent event at the end of 2022 brought together leaders from the green energy world for three days of discussion, collaboration and idea-sharing.

As a software partner to some of the most important players in the energy industry, we made sure to be there. First and foremost, the energy transition will be a story of technological acceleration. We wanted to know how far along the road we are, what’s got us there and what’s blocking further progress.

Here’s what we learned from three days of panel events, exhibitions and one-to-one chats with green transition’s brightest and best.

1. Data is leading us forward

Data analytics are key to the energy transition. Data is crucial for optimising energy production and usage, so that the transition to sustainable energy is efficient and cost-effective.

As the energy industry continues to evolve, data has emerged as a crucial factor in unlocking a successful digital transformation. At Enlit, industry leaders emphasized the importance of effectively compiling, processing, storing, and utilising data in order to drive innovation and stay competitive.

Regulators have encouraged energy companies to open up their data. However, half of these companies are either hesitant to share or simply don't understand their own data well enough to know where to start. This is where companies like Endava, with our team of over 1000 data scientists, can provide valuable guidance on meeting regulatory requirements and liberating data.

2. Digital acceleration needs to accelerate

Siemens Energy made a compelling case for the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) in managing the increasing complexity of electrical grids. Further back in the chain, OT components like sensors and control systems can monitor the performance of renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels. This data can then be collected and analysed by IT systems to optimise the efficiency and reliability of the whole energy chain.

OT and IT are becoming more interwoven thanks to the Internet of Things (fittingly acronymised as IoT). Smart hardware will help suppliers and retailers manage their renewable energy assets more effectively. As the field’s key players become more aware of their digital obligations, they will inevitably seek to expand their IT capabilities.

3. The digital talent gap needs closing

The problem for digital acceleration is that organisations tend to rely on out-of-the-box solutions instead of developing their own. This can limit their agility in adapting to changing market conditions.

Digital transformation only happens when businesses take responsibility for transforming themselves. However, the sector is facing a talent shortage when it comes to digital skills. This makes recruitment expensive, labour-intensive, and often unsuccessful. According to Gartner, 64% of IT executives see the talent shortage as their biggest barrier, compared to just 4% in 2020.

Virgilio Bacigalupo of Siemens put forward a strong case for making recruitment a priority. In this sense, the behemoths of the energy supply chain have two options. They can invest in building up their workforce’s digital competencies; a long and expensive endeavour, but one with great potential dividends in the long run. Alternatively, forming partnerships with specialist tech companies may be a quicker way to help energy companies scale their IT stacks.

4. The metaverse is coming

In one particularly fascinating talk at Enlit, the Fabio Veronese, the Head of Grids Digital Hub at Italian energy giant Enel, outlined the company’s vision for deploying the metaverse as part of grid management.

The metaverse, a collective virtual shared space, has the potential to play a key role in the transition to a more sustainable energy system. It can be used to test and improve the performance of renewable energy sources through hosting virtual simulations of real-world hardware, known as digital twins. For instance, imagine that every turbine is assigned its own digital twin. This is constantly updated with data from the physical wind turbine, and provides a detailed, accurate representation of its current state.

This data could include information on the turbine's performance and output, as well as any potential maintenance needs. Testing in the metaverse can help optimise the efficiency and reliability of these systems without jeopardising real-world performance.

The metaverse can also incubate innovation in green energy by providing a virtual space for individuals and organisations to connect and collaborate, regardless of geography.

A look ahead

Enlit provided a flickering glimpse of a future where every nation can rely on a stable, secure and sustainable flow of energy. The growing convergence of OT and IT systems gives us considerable hope that this mind-bogglingly complex transition is becoming more manageable.

Data is the activator here. Utilities companies must prioritise a transparent approach to processing their data.

Adopting to the mercurial pressures of geopolitics will require a talented workforce, so addressing the talent shortage is of paramount importance.

By utilising these technologies and leveraging their own unique capabilities, organisations can better manage their renewable energy assets and support the transition to a more sustainable energy system.