In this piece published by T&D World, authors Saad Habib, Saifa Khalid, Abdullah Shakil, and Michael Sheppard explore The Digital Backbone of Tomorrow’s Grid. The global energy grid is at a crossroads, facing aging infrastructure, rising renewable integration, and decentralization. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity demand is set to grow 4.3% annually through 2030, while more than 60% of grid assets in developed countries are already over 25 years old. Traditional expansion adding new conductors or substations is no longer sufficient. Instead, utilities are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative force to modernize transmission and distribution systems.

AI enhances grid reliability through predictive maintenance, reducing outages by up to 30%. Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) systems powered by AI can increase transmission capacity by 15–30% without physical upgrades, while advanced analytics accelerate fault detection and restoration. Utilities such as Duke Energy, TenneT, and UK Power Networks are already deploying AI solutions, leveraging digital twins, real-time data streaming, and predictive monitoring to improve resilience and optimize asset performance. Decentralization, electrification, and the surge in renewable integration add further complexity, requiring smarter, faster decision-making. AI-driven forecasting, fault detection, and wildfire risk management are proving essential to keep pace with these shifts.

As utilities worldwide prepare for rising demand and climate risks, AI is emerging not just as an enabler but as the foundation of the next-generation grid. The article makes clear: to future-proof power systems, AI will be the digital backbone driving resilience, reliability, and efficiency.

Follow this link to learn more: The Digital Backbone of Tomorrow’s Grid

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