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2030: Energy and utilities

Energy and utilities : We've moved from a world of centralized energy production based on big facilities generating from carbon and nuclear, to a massively distributed architecture based on the input of millions of small, local renewable energy resources. We've gone from essentially dumb, one-way grids to highly intelligent two-way smart grids that...

Energy and utilities : We've moved from a world of centralized energy production based on big facilities generating from carbon and nuclear, to a massively distributed architecture based on the input of millions of small, local renewable energy resources. We've gone from essentially dumb, one-way grids to highly intelligent two-way smart grids that feature accelerated load balancing - they support millions of production and input sources. The architecture of the grid itself has changed - for example, most cars and trucks have now become a part of the energy grid through vehicle-to-grid battery connectivity, storing energy during off peak hours and feeding it back into the grid later on. Most utilities have also found themselves operating in the highway and road-building industry, as electrified roads and charging infrastructure appeared everywhere to support a world that involves a majority of electric-battery vehicles. We continued to see dramatic faster decline in renewable energy cost due to the acceleration of the computer technology involved, as well as the payoff from massive investment in battery technology at the start of the decade.
20-trends-into-2030foresight-receipt
Publish Date2019-12-24
Updated Date2026-09-18
Made Date2019-12-24
Target Date2030-12-31
Horizonlater
Outcomeopen
Confidencemedium

Prediction #9 in 20 Trends into 2030.

Energy and utilities : We’ve moved from a world of centralized energy production based on big facilities generating from carbon and nuclear, to a massively distributed architecture based on the input of millions of small, local renewable energy resources. We’ve gone from essentially dumb, one-way grids to highly intelligent two-way smart grids that feature accelerated load balancing - they support millions of production and input sources. The architecture of the grid itself has changed - for example, most cars and trucks have now become a part of the energy grid through vehicle-to-grid battery connectivity, storing energy during off peak hours and feeding it back into the grid later on. Most utilities have also found themselves operating in the highway and road-building industry, as electrified roads and charging infrastructure appeared everywhere to support a world that involves a majority of electric-battery vehicles. We continued to see dramatic faster decline in renewable energy cost due to the acceleration of the computer technology involved, as well as the payoff from massive investment in battery technology at the start of the decade.

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