The 3 Biggest Future Trends (And Challenges) In The Energy Sector

Trend 3: Digitization
This trend is all about the use of digital machines, devices, and technology to optimize energy production, infrastructure, and use. We have “intelligent” everything these days, from intelligent vacuum cleaners to intelligent coffee machines, so why not intelligent energy networks?
This trend is inextricably linked to the previous two. An increasing variety of zero-carbon energy sources will mean our energy networks become more complex. And decentralized grids will need intelligent solutions to monitor and manage fluctuating demand. Digital tools will help us overcome these challenges and realize much-needed changes in the energy sector.
What sort of tools are we talking about? Some of the major contributors to digitization in the energy sector will be:
· AI and predictive analytics – particularly when used to analyze and predict demand, and adjust where power is drawn from on distributed grids.
· The Internet of Things – including smart home thermostats that can help consumers cut their energy use.
· Blockchain – which could be particularly useful for creating smart contracts that allow consumers to trace where their energy comes from.
· Digital twins – which can be used to create a virtual replica of a power plant or even an entire grid, allowing providers to model different scenarios, make better decisions, and improve efficiencies.
These and other digital solutions have given rise to the collective term “Energy 4.0” – playing on the term “Industry 4.0.”
Overhauling the energy sector won’t be easy. Traditional energy companies can be slow to change – probably because they face some unique complications, such as health and safety risks, and the huge amount of capital invested in existing energy assets. But change they must, if they want to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive sector.

The Five Biggest New Energy Trends In 2022
Today, nearly everyone accepts that in order to slow the damage we are doing to our planet and environment, humans must transition away from the use of fossil fuels. This has led to many science and business innovations as we search for new sustainable or renewable alternatives to coal, oil, and gas.

The Five Biggest New Energy Trends In 2022
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Although it would be nice to think everyone wants to do their part in order to save the world, there are strong financial incentives too. The value of the renewable energy market is set to grow from $880 billion to nearly $2 trillion by 2030. And the growing awareness of the importance of environmental and social governance (ESG) issues means there are tremendous political incentives, too.
2022 is set to be a record year in terms of the scale at which the switchover from fossil fuels to renewable sources will take place. It’s also a year in which we will see new and exotic sources of energy emerge from laboratory and pilot projects and start to become a part of everyday life. So let’s take a look at what is predicted to be some of the most impactful trends in the new energy sector over the next 12 months…
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