The cost of renewable energy is dropping every year, and there are positive signals all around us: wind power at sea and on land, solar farms, microgrids, and the rise of the “prosumer,” selling solar-generated power back to the grid. Around the world, governments and policymakers are looking for ways to help grid owners upgrade aging infrastructure, but physical upgrades can take years, even decades, and cost significant capital. 

Demand for electricity is predicted to double by 2045. Electricity grids must also be able to do more with the same equipment. There’s increasing demand for power and water for data centers, along with the energy needs caused by colder winters and hotter summers. And then there’s the growth in EV adoption. In 2023, 1 in 4 new vehicles globally were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid—a positive sign, but the power needs to come from somewhere. 

And it’s all coming at a time when these essential infrastructures are increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic weather caused by climate change. Stronger storms, more frequent wildfires, and extreme temperatures all put the grid at risk while at the same time, creating conditions that demand more of its capacity. 

To hit the UN’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050, for a projected global population of 10 billion, we need to move away from seeing energy as something that’s extracted from a few non-renewable sources—a practice that scientists agree has contributed to the climate crisis—and toward a range of creative and innovative solutions. 

A more resilient power grid is a non-negotiable part of this, and digital solutions can be a piece of that resilience. 

At Arkion, we know we’re one of many contributors to this urgent paradigm shift, and that’s what makes it so exciting. We’re proud that we’re part of a community of thinkers, doers, and changemakers across utilities, startups, incumbents, researchers, and policymakers, all working together to keep the lights on around the world today, tomorrow, and into the future.