Rewiring the future: Driving bold innovation in a new energy era
The energy sector is rapidly evolving. As global systems face the pressures of climate change, geopolitical instability, and increasing demand, the stakes are at an all-time high. However, these significant challenges also present remarkable opportunities. This moment is not merely a turning point; it is a call to action. Let us delve into how innovation, rooted in genuine industry expertise, can drive a more robust and resilient energy future.
Innovation needs more than just technology
Before diving into tech, let’s be clear: true innovation in energy doesn’t start with a shiny new tool. It starts with knowing the terrain, understanding the complex problems energy providers face on a daily basis.
That’s where Cegal comes in. What sets Cegal apart isn’t just its cutting-edge technology. It’s the powerful blend of deep energy domain knowledge, scalable “as-a-service” solutions, and top-tier tech talent. This triangle gives Cegal a unique edge, one that allows them to innovate meaningfully, not just noisily.
The pressure is on—and so is the opportunity
The energy industry is at a crossroads. Demand is surging to historic highs. At the same time, the need for secure, reliable, and sustainable energy systems has never been more urgent.And we’re already seeing what happens when these systems fail. On April 28, 2025, a historic blackout hit Spain and Portugal, plunging much of the Iberian Peninsula into darkness. It was Europe’s worst power outage since 2003, and a stark reminder of how fragile our energy infrastructure can be.
Here’s what unfolded over just 18 hours:
- Transport chaos: High-speed trains ground to a halt. Airports lost power, with most flights cancelled. Cities were gridlocked as traffic lights failed.
- Healthcare under pressure: Hospitals ran on backup generators. In Portugal, pharmacies faced outages, and refrigerated vaccines were at risk.
- Communication breakdown: Mobile networks were crippled, disrupting emergency response teams and public safety services.
- Everyday essentials vanished: Payment systems went offline. Cash became king. Water stopped flowing. Supermarkets and pharmacies shuttered.
The economic damage? Estimated at €1.6 billion. And that was just a 18 hours blackout. If an outage like this stretched over several days, the consequences, for lives, for economies, for trust, would be immeasurable.
But how can we avoid and prevent such events in the future?
Preparing the energy sector for a better future
To lead the change, the energy sector must embrace bold innovation and smarter, safer solutions. Efficiency, renewables security, and advanced technologies will drive the world forward, ensuring a sustainable and safer future.
As we are getting ready to adopt new sustainable energy sources in a near future, such as hydrogen and fusion, it is important to also take into consideration that the dependency in a stable grid is accelerating rapidly. Our modern world, from homes to hospitals, from data centers to transport systems, runs on electricity. Emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and potentially fusion energy development are set to dramatically increase the pressure on already stressed power grids.
Advancements in AI and robotics are becoming a crucial layer of defense and a key driver of operational efficiency for modern energy grids, helping secure infrastructure, prevent failures, and enable faster recovery from issues.
Many providers are already taking advantage of these technologies, especially autonomous UAVs, to inspect, monitor, maintain and repair power lines, towers, substations and pipelines, especially in areas of difficult access or simple hazarous for humans. As an example, Xcel Energy and PG&E, both in US, use AI-powered drones to inspect thousands of miles of power lines weekly.
But what can we do today to position ourselves in a better place and how to do it the right way?
The three horizons + 70-20-10: A smarter way to innovate in energy
The best time to prepare for the future of energy? Right now.
And one of the most effective ways to do that is by combining two powerful innovation strategies: McKinsey’s Three Horizons Framework and Google’s 70-20-10 rule.
The Three Horizons model helps organizations structure their innovation efforts across time; - Horizon 1 focuses on strengthening the core business
- Horizon 2 explores emerging opportunities
- Horizon 3 aims for bold, transformative ideas
Google’s 70-20-10 approach complements this by guiding how to allocate resources: - 70% on core improvements
- 20% on adjacent innovations
- 10% on disruptive, high-risk projects
Together, they offer a clear, balanced roadmap for progress in an industry as complex and critical as energy. For energy companies, this hybrid model isn’t just theory, it’s a practical blueprint. Imagine dedicating 70% of your innovation efforts to improving today’s grid with AI-powered maintenance or smart metering. Then, use 20% to pilot near-future solutions like decentralized microgrids or hydrogen storage. Finally, invest 10% in bold bets, think fusion power, quantum-optimized energy flow, or AI-managed planetary energy markets. This combined framework helps energy leaders stay competitive today while building the infrastructure, technology, and resilience needed for tomorrow. It's not about chasing trends, it's about innovating with purpose, balance, and long-term vision.
Strategic and innovative partnership
Cegal is a strategic partner with a forward-thinking mindset, aligning technology, domain knowledge, and innovation with business goals to drive growth. By optimizing innovation investments, Cegal helps clients stay ahead of industry trends and anticipate technological shifts.
