Energy Consulting

Trend #1: Private Contracts

Companies and local governments around the global are making their own deals for green energy, without reference to broader public contracts. These private contracts or power purchase agreements (PPA) can be on-site, off-site, or virtual.

How to Prepare: Advanced data analytics helps to reassure customers that you are delivering and they are receiving the promised benefits from green energy. But first make sure the data you both rely on is accurate, complete, and timely.

Trend #2: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence promises better forecasting and balancing of supply and demand and greater coordination between dispersed sources of energy (for example, the separate solar farms in various PPA agreements).

How to Prepare: AI is only as good as the process it is controlling. Before you invest further in technology, optimize your end-to-end supply chain processes to create a firm, reliable foundation.
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Trend #3: New Materials and Designs

Energy companies are searching for new, more available materials and designs that convert energy more efficiently, need less maintenance, are more resistant to environmental forces.

How to Prepare: Supplier optionality uncovers new sources while design for excellence encourages experimentation with materials and designs. Both efforts require taking down communication barriers between procurement, operations, engineering, logistics, and the C-suite to ensure that innovations return the greatest possible ROI.

Trend #4: Transportation Changes

Governments are legislating in favor of renewable fuel for transportation. Global companies are investing in heavy duty trucks using biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells .

How to Prepare: Analyze your own logistics to determine the true cost of servicing your customers. Supply chain simulation, coupled with capacity and geographic optionality, may point the way to logistics changes that trigger cost savings, efficiency, and better customer service.

Trend #5: M&A

Mergers and acquisitions give traditional energy companies openings into the renewables arena and a chance to reduce their carbon footprint.

How to Prepare: You need a clear M&A strategy to guide expansion in the right direction; and you need a consistent integration strategy to ensure that anticipated savings and synergies are realized. Set up those strategies in advance, to encourage the spread of uniform, measurable systems, processes, and goals.

Billions

$ value delivered to the last 300 clients