As electric vehicle targets accelerate globally, utilities are racing to stay ahead in 2025. Governments are prioritising the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of their efforts to meet net-zero carbon objectives, which continue to gain momentum into the new year. In the UK, the government has set a mandate that all new cars and vans must be zero-emission by 2035. Utilities must be ready to handle this growing demand whilst ensuring that the energy used to power electric vehicles does not undermine the environmental agenda set in place.
Upgrades are urgently needed
To prevent outages, respond to unplanned disruption and ensure grid resilience, accurate data from the grid will be crucial for utilities to prepare for the increase in EVs. Data is at the core of every successful transition, playing a vital role in adaptation. Therefore, significant upgrades to the current infrastructure are needed for how grid data is documented and shared to support this influx of new technology.
These upgrades are urgent, as utilities face pressure on local grids from both home and public charging points, particularly during peak hours. To handle this pressure, charging strategies will need to be implemented, in the form of time-of-use tariffs and smart-charging. Without proper organisation, substations risk becoming bottlenecks for energy distribution.
The role of data in forecasting and management
To forecast and manage the demanding load on the grid, real-time information about the state of physical network infrastructure is essential. Accurate load forecasting depends on real-time data about energy consumption, grid capacity and substation status. This information is critical, because without it, utilities risk overloading sections, causing expensive repairs and service interruptions.
Effective management is essential to balancing energy supply with the surge in EV demand. As such, utilities must enhance their ability to manage physical grid infrastructure.
Increasing the complexity of an already complex grid
With demand on the grid rising and the volume of work for network operators increasing, teams need to deliver faster than ever, with reduced or the same level of resources. Utilities need automation throughout their operations to ensure tasks are performed with maximum efficiency and precision, adding to the growing complexity of an already complex network.
To maintain grid stability, automated demand-response systems can adjust charging schedules during peak hours. At the same time, predictive maintenance algorithms, supported by real-time data, can help utilities address issues before they interrupt the service. Both National Grid in the UK and PG&E in the US are already adopting automation technologies like this to actively manage charging schedules during peak times.
The necessity for highly accurate, real-time data about grid infrastructure, combined with its reliance on automation, means that data must now be gathered from a variety of sources. Traditional methods, like manually updated paper records, are insufficient for the task.
Automation cannot work with outdated information. Digitising workflows and integrating mobile solutions are essential steps for utilities to maintain the synchronisation of physical network data between field operations and central systems. Overall, this improves the efficiency of field teams whilst also ensuring the accuracy of physical network data, an integral component for effective grid management.
Future-proofing the utility industry
When systems are built on robust network models and data foundations, they can meet the growing energy demand fuelled by technological advancements and decarbonisation efforts. By allowing data input from multiple decentralised sources, operations become future-proof, preparing them for a time where utilities rely on an increased use of drones, robots, and satellites.
The utility industry needs to make sure that its people, processes, and systems are prepared for the upcoming ambitious net-zero goals. The sector has been at the forefront of innovation for decades, navigating complexity to provide a crucial service across the world. To continue serving with energy efficiency at its heart, the industry needs to prepare for the next step.
However, much like a pilot rebuilding their aeroplane mid-flight, it’s vital that utility systems remain functional while they’re being updated. Many operators have already begun the digitisation process by exploring predictive analytics and machine learning to manage the grid demands and improve reliability. Despite this, the integration of numerous sensors and automation tools generates an overwhelming volume of data, which can be difficult for traditional systems to process effectively.
Using efficient data management to meet EV demands
Network operators must focus on digitisation to enjoy the benefits of automation. Any delay between data collection in the field and updates in the back-end systems will prevent automation. This means that the technology must be built on accurate network information.
Prioritising data flow and management is crucial to the success of broader utility initiatives. Automation is impaired if staking, inspection or surveys are not recorded in real-time. Therefore, implementing unified data management systems that provide real-time access and updates from multiple network touchpoints will improve the accuracy of digital twin models. This also supports regulatory compliance and streamlines operations.
By focussing on the accurate flow of physical network data in 2025, operators can improve productivity and make better informed decision about grid performance. This will enhance daily field operations and ensure that long-term objectives are achieved throughout the year. By providing real-time, accurate network management solutions that increase automation, utilities can accommodate the growing demand from EVs. Operators must be ready to handle the increasing demand, while keeping the environmental intention of the mandates at the forefront of decisions.
Adrian McNulty, vice president of Utility Solutions, IQGeo
‘Archaic rules’ torn up to green light new nuclear
Producing hot water - steam - to generate electricity and wasting 65% of that expensive energy in the process, looks to me like the most illogical...