The Future of the Grid: Facts vs. Fiction
Amid headlines about blackouts in Europe, soaring AI data center demand, and the rapid rise of EVs, one reality is getting lost: the industry is being pushed to evolve faster than it’s prepared for.
Doble Engineering’s latest Pulse Survey reveals how workforce and technology gaps are converging, threatening to outpace utilities’ ability to modernize reliably and at scale.
To understand what’s holding progress back, Doble surveyed power and utility professionals, revealing where common assumptions fall short and what the data shows utility leaders must do next.
Myth #1: “We’ve Got the Grid Modernization Challenge Solved.”
Fact: Seventy-three percent of respondents say keeping up with energy demand is one of their top challenges.
There’s no question utilities are making strides, from digitalization efforts to renewable integration and grid upgrades. More than half (51%) report that modernizing operations is already a top focus, and one-third (33%) are actively addressing renewable energy integration.
But that progress is happening against a backdrop of growing strain. Sixty-three percent still cite aging infrastructure as a key concern.
Many systems were built for a different era, and now must support increased loads and new technologies they weren’t designed for.
The issue isn’t a lack of effort. It’s whether that effort can scale fast enough to meet what’s next.
Myth #2: “We’re on top of the workforce issue.”
Fact: Ninety-eight percent of respondents report challenges with hiring and retention.
The workforce crisis isn’t looming, it’s here. Nearly 70% of professionals cited workforce shortages and lack of training as key challenges. Sixteen percent said they’re focused on keeping their existing talent engaged, revealing that even retaining skilled workers is getting harder.
These gaps are already slowing progress. Whether it’s digitizing substation operations, deploying predictive maintenance, or expanding their renewable energy, none of it happens without a skilled, stable workforce.
Even the most sophisticated grid technologies depend on having skilled people in place to deploy and manage them.
Myth #3: “AI will solve our efficiency problems.”
Fact: Seventy-three percent are under pressure from leadership to adopt AI, but adoption is outpacing readiness.
The push for AI and automation is real. Power professionals are feeling the pressure to implement automation, predictive analytics, and machine learning tools that promise greater reliability, efficiency, and insight. In the survey, 41% ranked automation as the most impactful emerging technology, and 33% identified predictive analytics as a top driver of efficiency gains.
However, enthusiasm doesn’t equal readiness. Generative AI, IoT, 5G, and cloud technologies hold promise, but remain in early adoption stages. Technology alone won’t drive the transformation. The differentiator is people who know how to deploy it, adapt it, and act on it.
Myth #4: “We have time to figure this out.”
Fact: The grid’s workforce is aging fast, and gaps are widening.
The workforce challenge isn’t just about today’s hiring struggles; it’s about long-term sustainability. Nearly 40% of utility professionals surveyed are aged 55 and older, with many nearing retirement.
Without action now to capture institutional knowledge and build the next generation of talent, utilities face a growing risk of operational gaps.
As utilities work to adopt AI, modernize infrastructure, and drive innovation, they can’t afford to lose the expertise that keeps the grid running today. Workforce transformation isn’t a future priority. It’s a critical path to resilience now.
What Utility Leaders Must Do Now
The path forward is about moving smarter. To close the readiness gap, and meet rising demand, utility leaders should focus on three key priorities:
1. Expand modernization to include overlooked risk factors
While utilities are focused on modernization and renewable integration, fewer are addressing critical enablers like data and analytics, which underpin grid diagnostics forecasting, and resilience.
Only 20% of respondents identified data and analytics as a key skill gap, yet this capability is foundational for managing grid performance in real time, and responding to increasing extreme weather events. Building grid resilience starts with building the right analytic and operational capabilities behind the scenes.
2. Bridge the gap between AI adoption and operational readiness
The survey shows AI adoption is accelerating, with 73% of professionals reporting leadership pressure to implement it. But enthusiasm is outpacing execution.
Technologies like predictive analytics, automation, IoT, 5G, and generative AI show strong potential, but many teams lack structured roadmaps to scale and embed them effectively.
It’s not about deploying the flashiest tools—it’s about building the processes, skills, and leadership needed to turn emerging technologies into lasting operational gains.
3. Address leadership and capability gaps that threaten long-term resilience
The workforce conversation often focuses on hiring, but the biggest gaps may be in who is being hired and developed.
Leadership and management skills (67%) top the list of in-demand capabilities, followed by engineering expertise (41%), theoretical knowledge (29%), and soft skills (27%). Without skilled leaders to manage modernization, guide teams, and drive cross-functional collaboration, grid transformation efforts will stall.
As utilities prepare for 2026, the smartest investments may not be in equipment alone, but in developing the next generation of leaders who can manage complexity, scale innovation, and ensure long-term reliability.
The future of the grid isn’t just about technology. It’s about the people who plan, build, and operate it every day.
Utilities that prioritize workforce readiness, leadership development, and operational resilience today will be best positioned to thrive tomorrow.
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