Intelligent Automation in Energy and Utilities

Intelligent automation and the smart, augmented utility of the future

As the world gasps for clean, safe, cheap, and reliable energy, demand from developing countries and the requirements of new usages rises, fueling a backlash against traditional, centralized power sources. As a result, reliance on renewable energy sources continues to grow, and the sector moves from regulation to innovation while its customers transform from passive consumers to demanding prosumers.

Artificial intelligence and automation in energy and utilities

Technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence will be instrumental in capitalizing on these shifts, offering the potential to save between $237 billion and $813 billion globally over the next three years. But are organizations poised to make a success of them?

In the new report from the Capgemini Research Institute, Intelligent Automation in Energy and Utilities: The next digital wave, we surveyed close to 530 business leaders in sector organizations that are experimenting with or already implementing intelligent automation solutions. We also analyzed more than 80 use cases, assessing their maturity, complexity, and the benefits on offer. We found that:

• The sector has underestimated intelligent automation’s true potential
• Scaling-up initiatives is still a critical issue, though significant progress has been made in AI solutions
• Organizations are missing out on critical use cases that can deliver outsized benefits.

Energy and utilities digital transformation

Digitalization is the wave of the future for the energy and utilities sector. To transform into a smart, augmented utility that will prosper, organizations should focus on midstream and upstream activities and on new businesses, such as renewables and opportunities beyond the meter. However, they must be pragmatic and maximize ROI by re-engineering processes before they are implemented. Finally, they must curate a culture and mindset in which these technologies complement the workforce’s skills.