Why the Energy Metaverse Is More Relevant Today Than Ever Before...

Alright, let’s rewind a bit. It’s coming up on almost 4 years since I first started talking about the Energy Metaverse. Back then, the term felt like a bit of a futuristic dream, and many of ye thought I was mad, and some of ye probably still do. ??

But just look at the pace of technological change these days, with next-gen tech and innovations around compute platforms, edge compute, digital twins, reality capture, 3D models, XR, simulation, spatial computing, Gen AI etc, etc ... the tech capabilities we have today are truly impressive. And as we combine more and more of these technologies, are simply accelerated the pace as which we are building the Energy Metaverse.

What do I mean by that?

Well, the core idea behind the Energy Metaverse was always about creating a connected, digital ecosystem that brings together all relevant data, breaking down data 'silos', having systems of systems, enabling simulation and automation, and with more collaborative immersive experiences. All with the goal of transforming our existing processes & workflows, to drive efficiencies, optimize performance, and enable all sorts of innovation right across the energy sector. And these fundamentals haven’t changed at all.

Neither have the strategic energy challenges we've been facing for years. Political and geopolitical "fun and games" are still there, and getting worse. The challenge of securing financing, all sorts of supply chain shocks, global labor force struggles, these are all still real tough issues in 2025. And then throw in the pressure to keep up with new technologies to remain competitive, while simultaneously keeping the lights on & remaining economically viable.

And I honestly believe whether you are in Oil & Gas, renewables, LNG, hydrogen, batteries, geothermal, fusion, electrification, nuclear, grid, hydro, and beyond, everyone in the energy sector is navigating a perfect storm of innovation and pressure.

While the business reasons, the financials, the politics of it all may be very different in different sectors, in different regions, the digital technologies are the same for all, as are the laws of physics.

But Kev, the 'Metaverse' is dead...

As I’ve been saying for years, you might not like the term Metaverse. You might prefer to use Digital Twin, Virtual Twin, Industrial Metaverse, Spatial Computing, Immersive Experiences, Virtual Factory, Industry 4.0, Autonomous Facility, Autonomous Grid, Human-Centric Workplace—and the list goes on.

But here’s the thing: regardless of which term you prefer, it’s because of the combination of all the enabling technologies, the tools, platforms, and the capabilities these all provide —that we’re able to look to integrate, analyze, and act on data in ways we could only dream of just a few years ago.

Personally, I’m still a fan of the term 'Metaverse'. In my opinion, it’s the best way to describe the journey we’re on. It’s digital meets the real world on steroids, it’s connected, in real time, breaks down the data silo's, enabling all sorts of 'what if' simulations, facilitating autonomous operations, and provides collaborative and immersive experience.

So it this 'easy'? Nope !

So the characteristics I’ve been calling out for years in presentations and blogs aren’t just still valid —they’re more important than ever. Neither have all the challenges like interoperability, complexity, and cybersecurity gone away.

And of course, us 'humans' have a huge role to play in all this. As we break down those data silos and become more open in how we work, it’s going to change how we collaborate. And let’s face it—humans aren’t always great at change. So, the human-centric approach will be key moving forward—making the transition smooth, effective and accepted is going to be crucial, but hard.

Building New vs. Brownfield

As I've been saying for a while, the Energy Metaverse really starts to shine when you’re building something brand new. A giga factory, a new LNG terminal, a hydrogen plant, or massive wind / solar mega-installations. Doing everything digitally first—designing, simulating, integrating data, and operating as you go—is like laying the perfect foundation before the first brick is even laid. That’s the sweet spot.

When it comes to brownfield sites, the challenges shift. You’re working with existing structures and systems, and it’s a different set of problems to solve. But don’t be fooled—brownfield sites are also huge opportunities. Applying those same cutting-edge digital tools to make even the most complex existing systems more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable is game-changing. And people are already doing it. Just look at what folks are doing with reality capture technologies today.

So looking ahead in 2025 ...

So, what’s next? Well, let me put it this way: it’s time to double down and do this properly. No more waiting for things to fall into place. The technologies are here, the pace is accelerating, and now it’s all about taking it to the next level.

Ye might say, “Yeah, Kev, easy for you to say…” Well, how many of ye have already been directed to figure out what AI can do in your company? You'll have to break down those data silos anyway to train your AI's. So whatever term you use—Energy Metaverse, Industrial Metaverse, Digital Twin, or whatever else—you’re going to be doing a lot of this groundwork in 2025. It’s inevitable.

So buckle up, folks. This is just the beginning, and trust me, we’re in for a wild ride.

My plan for 2025 ...

Alright, I’ll admit it upfront: I’ve been pretty bad at keeping up with regular editions of this newsletter. As the 3,000+ of you who signed up can attest to. It’s not that I don’t have things to say—because, as ye know, I always do! ??

It’s just that with all the stuff going on, events, and a million other priorities (who isn’t juggling a ton of things these days?), publishing my own blog posts kept slipping further and further down my to-do list.

But now, having returned from CES (yes, it was crazy but fun), and with 2025 officially in full swing, it’s time to do better.

So, here’s my plan: at least two to three editions of this newsletter per month. And, with a bit of help from my 'colleague' ChatGPT, I’m confident I'll stay on track. I’ve got four drafts ready to go!

Plus something new(ish) : A new 'Tech Scout' e-mail newsletter ...

In the past few years, many folks have asked me to regularly 'summarize' my thoughts on the potential implications of some of the cool stuff I come across. While I do post a lot of stuff, no-one has the time to read it all, so many of ye want a summary.

Thus, I'll be rolling out something 'new' for me in the next week or so—an email newsletter, with a bit more of a 'Tech Scout' focus. Sharing a summary of the cool stuff I come across—be it new tech, emerging trends, or interesting breakthroughs—and more importantly, with my own thoughts on what I see as the potential implications these may have. You know, the stuff that might make you go “Hmm, now that could be a game-changer…”

Take care,

Kev.

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P.S My own upcoming travels ...

Looking to the months ahead, I’ll be at a few key events such as Industrial Immersive, CERAWeek, NVIDIA GTC, DISTRIBUTECH 25, and Hannover Messe. If you’ll be at any of these, and what to meet up for a chat, let me know.

#EnergyTransition #DigitalTwin #Simulation #ImmesiveExperience #IndustrialMetaverse