As climate change accelerates and energy transition becomes increasingly urgent, network companies have an opportunity to shape the future by harnessing the power of technology in combination with collaborative working.
As the pandemic continues, utilities face two major challenges—power losses & growing debt. A bionic network’s end-to-end approach addresses these issues while also making electricity more affordable.
BCG’s Sabine Stock says power generators must become more focused on cost cutting; pay more attention to flexibility, particularly when it comes to staffing; and approach maintenance routines in new ways.
The survival of conventional power producers requires improving productivity long term. Lean management systems and new digital technologies can complement utilities’ belt-tightening efforts.
New entrants in renewable energy will need to think holistically, take a long-term approach, and understand the financial impact of different scale levers in order to succeed.
Climate change poses a significant threat to the continent. But as global decarbonization efforts intensify, Africa could emerge as a green powerhouse.
Beware the hydrogen hype. Low-carbon hydrogen does have massive potential—but only if companies target its use in areas that make economic sense.
Volume & fidelity of wind turbine generators and third-party data have increased tremendously. How, and where, can IoT create value for wind energy companies?
Four common barriers stand in the way of wind power players finding success through IoT integration. Here are the best practices to overcome these roadblocks.
Variable renewable energy generation will transform electricity systems and increase price volatility. To navigate these changes, companies need to be more flexible in the way they consume electricity.
The impact on the business can be jarring, particularly in the early stages of the market’s opening. But incumbents have options.
Utilities must upgrade the grid to handle demand from electric vehicles. The catch? They must avoid driving customer rates through the roof in the process.
Power network operators face multiple potential disruptions. Widespread defection from the grid is just one of them.
Leadership from the startup sustainable energy retailer discuss their innovative approach to operations that prioritizes autonomy, trust, and responsibility.
B2B energy retailers face trying times. To survive, they will need to boost liquidity and rethink major parts of their business.
According to BCG’s Stephan Lehrke, power companies can increase their retail business by increasing customer growth and improving profitability, moving into other markets, and building up their retail operations through value-added services—especially digital.
Distributed energy is transforming the way energy is generated and used. To stay competitive, incumbents must strengthen their understanding of B2B and B2C customers’ needs in diverse industries.
BCG's Tina Zuzek demonstrates how companies can retain their best female employees.
BCG's Whitney Merchant highlights the benefits of promoting women to senior leadership positions.
BCG's Alan Thomson speaks to the tangible benefits of gender balance in the workplace.
BCG's Anne-Charlotte Quercia reinforces the need for gender-neutral policies.
Government procurement agencies must take steps to abate their greenhouse-gas emissions. They have the buying power to encourage heavy-emitting industries to abate theirs as well.
The trucks used in industries like mining and agriculture burn diesel and emit a lot of CO2. Fortunately, replacement solutions exist—if companies understand the costs and benefits.
Which technologies are capturing private investment, where is more investment most needed, who must provide it, and how best can they make the necessary investment decisions? Find out where the smart money is headed.
The public charging infrastructure is beginning to take shape, and with it a wide range of market opportunities—but only for those companies that act now.
Blockchain might not be the panacea some anticipate. But the hype surrounding it could drive attention and solutions to the problems that plague commodity trading.
By making smart moves and adopting the right business model, companies can mitigate the risks and capture the upside of digitization.
The US gas market is seeing a raft of bullish price forecasts—but appearances can be deceiving.
In light of the pandemic and the supply shock in oil markets, gas companies must strengthen their positions and plan ahead.
Beijing’s decision to create a single national pipeline company will open up significant opportunities for global gas players.
This report, coproduced by BCG and the International Gas Union, assesses recent trends shaping today’s global gas industry and the factors that will affect the market in the future.
BCG has developed an effective approach that utilities can use to minimize the odds of being blindsided by a major supplier-related event.
A fully empowered procurement function can deliver material cost savings and broad, organization-wide benefits to a utility.
M&A deals are destroying shareholder value in the industry. Poor post-merger integration is to blame. Here’s how to turn the power back on.
During price upturns, companies often indulge in bad behavior, such as “window dressing” capital projects with overly optimistic cost and completion assumptions—jeopardizing project performance.
