Energy Utilities Shift Focus to Grid Resilience and Affordability
News fromCourierPR · 2 min read
LONDON, Sept. 24, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, has released findings from a new global study that reveals a significant shift in the priorities of energy and utilities companies. The research, conducted by Censuswide and involving 850 C-level and senior utility executives, highlights a dramatic change in focus from sustainability and decarbonization to grid resilience, energy affordability, and reliability.
According to Carol Johnston, VP of Energy and Utilities at IFS, the shift is driven by the need to address aging infrastructure, affordability pressures, and reliability challenges.
The study identifies grid hardening as the top priority, with 26% of utility leaders actively re-evaluating their asset portfolios to prioritize investment in existing grid infrastructure. The focus on grid hardening is aimed at enhancing reliability against extreme weather events and cyber threats.
Industrial AI is emerging as a critical tool to support these efforts. Fifty-seven percent of utility leaders believe AI is essential for reducing operational costs, while 47% see it as crucial for optimizing asset performance and managing the demand growth driven by electrification.
However, the adoption of new technologies is hindered by foundational data challenges. Forty-nine percent of utility executives are constrained by operational data silos that impede real-time decision-making. Despite heavy investment, most utilities remain in the "developing" stage of asset lifecycle management, with 51% operating in silos with limited predictive capabilities. Only 33% describe their asset lifecycle management capabilities as advanced.
The research also highlights a growing shift toward grid flexibility, including the use of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), to manage demand volatility and protect against prolonged outages. Utility leaders predict that advanced geothermal (22%) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) (18%) will have the greatest long-term impact on securing continuous clean baseload power.
The findings underscore the need for a balanced strategy that addresses growing demand and affordability pressures.
The full Censuswide report, commissioned by IFS, will be available at the end of September. To find out more information, visit IFS's website.