Delivering reliable, cost-effective and sustainable services in a safe manner is uniquely challenging across Canada's varied geography. The move from centralized, often carbon-based generation and one-way power distribution to two-way, interactive smart grids and the increasing adoption of alternative energy and distributed power generation, poses transformative challenges and opportunities. This is to say nothing of the complex network of regulations that have an impact on the Canadian utilities industry, including some of the most stringent environmental rules in the world. It isn't easy, and the game is always changing.
To be successful, power and utility companies need to have a wide array of effective systems and protocols in place: strong asset and technology management systems, good human capital programs to recruit and retain skilled talent, effective strategies for dealing with fluctuating commodities prices, and a strategic outlook on governance, risk and stakeholder management.
From family homes to large businesses, the utilities industry affects us all. In this episode of Shift, we learn about the digital revolution happening in the utilities sector. Host Jon Finkelstein is joined by Eileen Campbell, VP of Customer Service for Alectra Utilities. The two talk about what the current and future of utilities looks like and how they are incorporating new technologies to better personalize the utilities experience. They discuss the shift we are seeing towards consumers wanting greater control over their utilities, the shift of people going from energy consumers to energy producers, and how through greater data and analytics we are enabling the population to make better choices when it comes to energy consumption.
Drones create new opportunities for the power and utility sector. UAV applications range from pre-construction and investment monitoring to asset inventory and maintenance.
Energy systems worldwide are undergoing a phase of fundamental transformation. Policymakers, businesses and consumers are wondering: How will electricity and heat be supplied in the future and how will mobility needs be met?
The study 'Blockchain - an opportunity for energy producers and consumers?' analyzes the potential impact of blockchain technology on the energy sector and explores what opportunities it may hold for energy customers and energy consumers.
Our latest survey shows strong power and renewables M&A momentum. Total sector deal value is at the highest level in the current decade. But what’s in store for 2017 in a year of political uncertainty and changing economic conditions?
In this report we look at the technologies that are likely to drive disruption and change in the utilities sector over the next 20 years and what they mean for incumbents and new players in the market. We analyse six scenarios that could arise from the fast pace of technological evolution.
More than 60 senior executives and experts from 18 different countries and all five continents gathered in May 2016 in Berlin, Germany for PwC’s roundtable on the challenges facing utility company C-suites as they seek to stay ahead in an era of energy transformation.
Technology is eclipsing competition as the biggest single transformational force affecting customer relations for power utility companies. It’s shifting customer expectations of what to expect from companies.
The utility sector is at a historic inflection point in its technological evolution. More than 60 senior executives and experts from 16 different countries and four continents gathered in May 2017 for PwC’s roundtable on delivering operational excellence in a digital world.
Brian Poth
Partner, National Industry Leader, Power and Utilities, PwC Canada
Tel: +1 416 687 8522
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